Description
What is Pernice
Pernice is a glass-ceramic mosaic with patterned hexagonal tiles in which grey-green and pink marble chips alternate, and some of them carry a decorative print. The chips are assembled on sheets that are easy to install.
The result is a delicate, slightly vintage blend of cool and warm tones. The mosaic suits a bathroom in a pastel palette, but also a living room or dressing room where you want character without noise.
Why it is worth it
- Non-porous glass surface: the material absorbs almost no water (up to 0.04%), so it does not harbour mould, stains or odours.
- Lasting colour: does not fade in sunlight (ISO 4892) or from cleaning products (class A per ASTM C650).
- Frost resistance: withstands freezing and thawing (ASTM C1026), so it is also suitable for outdoor areas.
- Strength: withstands a flexural load of 55 N/mm² and has a smooth, defect-free surface.
- Eco-friendly: 100% recycled glass, free of lead, cadmium and other heavy-metal pigments.
Product specifications
| Model | Pernice |
|---|---|
| Article number | MOSFBDJ038 |
| Tile type | hexagonal |
| Chip shape | hexagon with a printed pattern |
| Colouring | grey-green and pink marble with ornaments |
| Colour group | green, pink, grey |
| Surface effect | decorative pattern and marble |
| Material | glass-ceramic containing 100% recycled glass |
| Backing | silicone (polyurethane) dots |
| Sheet size | 300 × 290 mm |
| Sheets per 1 m² | 13 |
| Gap between sheets | 2 mm |
| Water absorption | not more than 0.04% (EN ISO 10545-3) |
| Flexural strength | 55 N/mm² (EN ISO 10545-4) |
| After freeze–thaw cycles | not damaged (ASTM C1026) |
| Chemical resistance | class A (ASTM C650) |
| Packaging | carton containing 1 m² |
| Where to use | bathroom, shower, kitchen, spa and hammam, decorative wall panels |
The silicone dot backing
On the back, each sheet holds the chips together with small dots of silicone (polyurethane) without covering them entirely. The adhesive reaches more than 95% of the back of every tile, so the bond is reliable. The dots add no thickness, are not affected by the adhesive and grout, and do not warp while the sheets are stored. The flexible sheet follows rounded walls, steps and inside corners with ease.
| Property | Silicone dots | Mesh | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free back for the adhesive | over 95% | less – part of the back is under the mesh | the back is completely free, but the paper is glued on the front |
| View while laying | chips and grout lines are visible | chips are visible | chips are hidden by the paper |
| Curves and corners | very easy, the sheet is flexible | easy | difficult, the paper tears |
| After laying | nothing to remove | nothing to remove | the paper has to be soaked off and tears |
Where it is used
- Accent walls in bathrooms and spa areas
- Pool and hot tub cladding
- Kitchen splashback between the worktop and the cabinets
- Decorative niches and columns
Choosing the grout
White grout gives a uniform surface with no visible seams, while grey grout highlights the hexagonal honeycomb. For showers and other wet areas, choose an epoxy or waterproof C2 grout, which does not absorb moisture and does not darken.
How much material to set aside
For each wall you will be covering, multiply height by width, add up the areas and include a reserve for cutting. This gives you the area in square metres and the number of 1 m² cartons.
Approximate consumption: the adhesive is about 2 kg per m² when the chips are up to 25 mm; for 40 mm allow 2.5 kg, and for even larger ones 3 kg per m². The grout is calculated as (A + B) / (A × B) × C × D × 1.6 kg/m² – here for a chip of about 3 cm, 5.5 mm high, with a 2 mm gap. In practice the quantity depends on the smoothness and absorbency of the substrate, the adhesive and grout chosen, the trowel, the grout joint dimensions, the shape of the pool or room, and the skill of the installer. Therefore check the technical data sheets of the materials and consult your tiler.
Installation steps
- Substrate: even (within 2 mm over 2 m), dry, sound and dust-free. In the shower area, waterproofing is applied first.
- Adhesive: white flexible cement-based adhesive, class C2TE S1. Glass is slightly translucent, and a grey adhesive would darken the colour.
- Application: spread the adhesive with a notched trowel (3–4 mm) over an area that fits 2–3 sheets.
- Laying: press the sheet down evenly with a rubber float and keep the same 2 mm joint between the sheets.
- Cutting: at corners and around fittings, cut through the silicone dots with a utility knife, and cut individual chips with glass mosaic nippers.
- Grouting: wait 24 hours. For the shower area, epoxy or waterproof C2 grout is the most suitable.
- Cleaning: remove grout residue with a damp sponge before it dries; epoxy residue is removed immediately with a special cleaner.
- Putting into use: bathing is possible only once the grout has fully hardened.
You will also need: a utility knife, glass mosaic nippers, two trowels (a 3–4 mm notched one and a rubber one), a sponge, a bucket of clean water, as well as the white flexible adhesive C2TE S1 and an epoxy or moisture-resistant grout mix.
Laboratory tests
The surface quality is 100% defect-free (EN ISO 10545-2). The mosaic does not change its appearance under UV radiation (ISO 4892) or thermal expansion (EN ISO 10545). The other values – water absorption, flexural strength, chemical resistance and frost resistance – are given in the specifications table.
Caring for the mosaic
- Clean with a soft cloth or sponge and a neutral cleaner.
- Do not use abrasive powders, wire brushes or acids on the grout.
- After showering, go over it with a glass squeegee – the surface stays free of water marks.
Ordering
Pernice is sold in cartons of 1 m² each. Buy everything in a single order and add a reserve of 5 to 10%: that way the sheets come from the same production batch and the shade matches. The mosaic is supplied to order.
Frequently asked questions
Which adhesive is suitable for Pernice?
White flexible cement-based adhesive C2TE S1 – it does not change the colour of the glass.
Which grout should I choose?
For wet areas – epoxy or waterproof. White grout makes the surface uniform, while grey outlines the hexagons.
Can I buy less than one carton?
No, it is sold in whole cartons of 1 m². Order everything at once so that there is no difference between batches.
Can it go over old tiles?
Yes, if they are sound, clean and degreased, after applying a suitable primer.
Is it suitable for salt water and chlorine?
The mosaic is intended for walls and wet areas; glass does not react with cleaning products.
About the colour in the photos
Glass mosaic looks different depending on the conditions, so the colour in real life may differ from that in the photos and visualisations. The influences include the screen (settings, brightness, type), the light (sun, overcast, artificial lighting, time of day), the viewing angle, the water in the pool (depth, clarity, chemistry, reflection of the sky), the colour of the grout and adhesive, the size of the tiled area, the production batch, the surrounding colours (coping, paving, walls, plants) and the natural differences between chips in mixes and effect glass. The visualisations are indicative. If the exact colour matters, please contact us before ordering.
Calculating the quantity
If you send us the dimensions of the pool or room, we will work out the square metres and cartons you need before you order.
See also: Wellness, Pools and Equipment, Cladding and Paving, Pools, Pool Chemicals, Pool Accessories.
