Architectural Reference Manual
Mosaic Tiles & Materials
Bespoke Materials. Unlimited Possibilities.
At MEC Artworks, we don’t approach mosaics as a fixed catalogue of tiles. We approach every project around the design, application, architecture and material requirement.
From hand-cut glass murals and marble mosaic floors to waterjet patterns, swimming pool mosaics, penny tiles, fish-scale formats, custom blends and mixed-material compositions, our design and production teams develop the right combination of material, format, finish and fabrication technique for each project.
Whether you already have a detailed specification or simply an inspiration image, our team can help translate the idea into a technically suitable mosaic solution.
Overview
Understanding Mosaic Materials
Choosing a mosaic involves more than choosing a colour. A complete mosaic specification is built from distinct structural parameters.
Material
What the mosaic is actually made from.
- Glass
- Marble
- Natural Stone
- Jade Glass
- Stained Glass
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
- Metal
- Terrazzo
- Mixed Materials
Shape / Format
The physical form of the individual tile or tessera.
- Square
- Penny / Round
- Fan
- Fish Scale / Scallop
- Hexagon
- Rectangle
- Long Strip
- Diamond
- Triangle
- Arabesque
- Geometric
- Irregular
- Custom-Cut Shapes
Finish
The appearance and texture of the surface.
- Polished
- Honed
- Matte
- Gloss
- Iridescent
- Textured
- Mirrored
- Metallic
- Translucent
- Frosted
Fabrication Technique
How the design is physically produced.
- Hand-Cut
- PIXL / Pixel Mosaic
- Waterjet
- CNC
- Modular / Repeating Tile
- Custom Inlay
Design Treatment
How colour, pattern and composition are developed.
- Ombre
- Gradient
- Blend
- Solid Colour
- Geometric
- Floral
- Figurative
- Abstract
- Pattern Repeat
- Artistic Mural
- Border
- Medallion
- Rug
- Logo
- Typography
Our core mosaic materials
Glass Mosaic Tiles
Glass is one of our most versatile materials and is particularly effective where colour, reflection, water resistance and detailed design are important. MEC works with multiple varieties of glass depending on the desired appearance, application and fabrication method.
Glass Options May Include
- Premium coloured glass
- Jade glass
- Venetian-style glass / smalti
- Stained glass
- Iridescent glass
- Frosted glass
- Translucent glass
- Opaque glass
- Mirror glass
- Metallic-effect glass
- Gold glass
- Custom glass blends
Available Design Approaches
- Hand-cut mosaics
- PIXL mosaics
- Waterjet-cut designs
- Geometric patterns
- Penny mosaics
- Fish-scale mosaics
- Fan mosaics
- Ombre and gradient mosaics
- Borders
- Murals
- Logos
- Artistic compositions
- Mixed-material mosaics
Typical Applications
- Swimming pools
- Pool floors
- Pool walls
- Waterlines
- Baja shelves
- Pool steps
- Jacuzzis
- Spas
- Steam rooms
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Wet rooms
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Feature walls
- Murals
- Outdoor walls
- Fountains
- Water features
- Columns
- Curved surfaces
- Domes
- Facades
- Hospitality projects
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Wellness facilities
- Yachts
- Residential and commercial interiors
Why Choose Glass?
Glass provides exceptional colour possibilities and interacts beautifully with both natural and artificial light.
Its small-format possibilities also make it particularly useful for curves, complex surfaces and artistic compositions.
For swimming pools and permanently wet installations, the specific glass, backing system, adhesive, grout, substrate and installation specification must always be selected according to the project conditions.
Premium Material Category
JADE GLASS MOSAIC
Jade glass is one of MEC’s premium glass options, valued for its rich colour, depth and luminous appearance.
Its visual depth makes it particularly effective where lighting or water is intended to become part of the design. Jade glass can be developed in custom colour combinations, gradients, artistic designs and selected geometric formats.
Striking Application Areas:
Swimming Pools
Spas & Wellness
Water Features
Luxury Bathrooms
Feature Walls
Luxury Hospitality
Artistic Wall Installations
Its visual depth makes it particularly effective where lighting or water is intended to become part of the design.
Jade glass can be developed in custom colour combinations, gradients, artistic designs and selected geometric formats.
Natural Stone Category
Marble Mosaic Tiles
Natural marble brings variation, depth and timeless architectural character to a mosaic. MEC works with marble for both traditional mosaic craftsmanship and precision-cut contemporary designs.
Formats & Techniques
- Hand-cut marble mosaic
- Waterjet marble mosaic
- CNC-cut marble
- Penny, Fan & Scallop formats
- Hexagons & Geometric mosaics
- Borders, Medallions & Floor rugs
- Inlays, Logos & Custom motifs
- Marble and glass combinations
Available Finishes
- Polished
- Honed
- Matte
- Tumbled
- Textured
- Brushed
- Custom finish
Note: Depend on the selected stone.
Typical Applications
- Entrance floors, Foyers, Living areas
- Bathrooms, Powder rooms, Showers
- Feature walls & Backsplashes
- Floor borders, Medallions & Rugs
- Staircases & Corridors
- Hotel lobbies, Restaurants & Retail
- Villas & Commercial interiors
- Selected exterior applications
Because marble is a natural material, colour, veining, porosity and performance can vary between stones.
Material suitability, sealing and maintenance requirements should therefore be considered for each project individually.
Material Fusion
MARBLE + GLASS MOSAIC
Why choose only one material?
Some designs benefit from combining the natural character of stone with the luminosity and colour depth of glass.
Composition Possibilities
MEC can develop mixed-material compositions incorporating:
- Marble + Glass
- Marble + Jade Glass
- Marble + Mirror
- Marble + Metal
- Marble + Brass
- Glass + Metal
- Stone + Glass
- Multiple natural stones
- Other custom combinations
Effective Applications
Mixed-material designs can be particularly effective for:
- Luxury flooring
- Feature walls
- Borders
- Medallions
- Bathrooms
- Powder rooms
- Hospitality interiors
- Decorative panels
- Custom geometric designs
The materials are selected together according to thickness, installation conditions, finish and intended application.
Expressionist Media
STAINED GLASS & ARTISTIC GLASS
For projects requiring greater artistic expression, colour variation or a handcrafted character, stained and specialty glass can be incorporated into custom mosaic compositions.
Rather than restricting the design to a standard tile grid, the glass can be interpreted directly according to the artwork itself.
Ideal Applications:
Decorative murals
Feature walls
Abstract artwork
Artistic panels
Hospitality installations
Residential commissions
Religious and cultural spaces
Custom artwork
Expressionist Media
STAINED GLASS & ARTISTIC GLASS
Although glass and marble form the majority of MEC’s bespoke mosaic work, we are not restricted to these materials.
Where the project, budget, specification or existing architecture requires porcelain or ceramic, our team can explore suitable options.
These materials can be produced or sourced in formats such as:
Fish scale / scallop tiles
Fan tiles
Hexagons
Squares & Rectangles
Penny tiles
Geometric patterns
Custom colours
Repeating modular patterns
Porcelain and ceramic should therefore appear as available project materials, without positioning them as MEC’s primary artistic medium.
Have a specific porcelain or ceramic tile requirement? Send us the specification, reference or inspiration. Our team will evaluate how it can be incorporated into your bespoke project.
Decorative Accents
SPECIALTY MATERIALS & MIXED MEDIA
For suitable projects, MEC can also explore specialty materials and decorative combinations as project-dependent architectural elements:
Mirror mosaic
Brass inlay
Metallic accents
Terrazzo
Onyx
Travertine
Limestone
Semi-precious stone
Mother of pearl
Gold glass
Decorative stone
These should be described as specialty / project-dependent materials rather than claiming universal suitability.
Format Taxonomy
MOSAIC SHAPES & FORMATS
A Shape Is Not a Material
This is an important educational distinction. A client may ask us for a “penny mosaic,” but penny describes the shape, not necessarily the material. The same penny design may potentially be developed in Glass, Marble, Porcelain, Ceramic, or Mixed materials. Similarly, fan or fish-scale mosaics may be developed in different materials depending on the project.
Formats We Can Explore
Square mosaic
Rectangle mosaic
Penny / round mosaic
Fan mosaic
Fish scale / scallop mosaic
Hexagon mosaic
Diamond mosaic
Triangle mosaic
Arabesque mosaic
Chevron
Herringbone
Long strips
Brick
Basketweave
Geometric
Irregular tesserae
Custom waterjet shapes
Bespoke CNC-cut forms
Don’t see the shape you’re looking for? Send us a reference. Bespoke manufacturing means we are not restricted to the formats shown online.
Design Effects
Colour blends, ombre & gradient mosaics
Ombre Is a Design Effect — Not a Material.
Ombre and gradients can be achieved by transitioning between multiple shades across a surface. Depending upon the design, they can be developed using Glass, Jade glass, Marble, Mixed materials, PIXL mosaics, or Hand-cut mosaics.
Possible Effects
- Possible Effects
- Light-to-dark gradient
- Multi-colour gradient
- Ocean-inspired blend
- Random blend
- Controlled blend
- Tonal variation
- Pixelated gradient
- Organic hand-cut transition
Ideal Environments
- Swimming pools
- Large feature walls
- Hotel installations
- Spas
- Bathrooms
- Commercial environments
- Artistic installations
OUR CORE MOSAIC MATERIALS
How your mosaic can be made
Traditional Craft
Hand-Cut Mosaic
Individual pieces of glass, marble or stone are shaped and arranged according to the artwork.
Best For: Murals, Portraits, Botanical designs, Animals, Organic forms, Detailed logos, Swimming pool artwork, Feature walls.
Character: Artisanal, detailed, and intentionally handcrafted.
Grid Precision
PIXL / Pixel Mosaic
A design is translated across a controlled grid of mosaic tesserae.
Best For: Gradients, Ombre designs, Large-scale graphics, Geometric imagery, Pool surfaces, Commercial walls, Patterns.
Character: Structured, scalable, and graphic.
High Precision
Waterjet Mosaic
Computer-controlled waterjet technology allows complex shapes and curves to be cut with high precision.
Best For: Marble floors, Custom borders, Medallions, Geometric/Floral patterns, Logos, Marble rugs, Inlays.
Character: Precise, clean, and architectural.
Controlled Geometry
CNC Cutting
CNC fabrication for designs requiring controlled repetition or geometric accuracy.
Useful For: Custom geometry, Repeating components, Architectural patterns, Specialty tile shapes.
Character: Exacting modular alignment.
Application Suitability
Which material should I choose?
Visual reference matrix mapping material performance against core architectural application environments.
| Application | Glass | Jade Glass | Marble | Porcelain | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming Pool | Project Specific | * | * | ||
| Jacuzzi / Spa | Project Specific | * | * | ||
| Shower Walls | |||||
| Bathroom Walls | |||||
| Feature Walls | |||||
| Decorative Flooring | Project Specific | Project Specific | |||
| Curved Surfaces | Depends on Format | ||||
| Ombre / Gradient | |||||
| Artistic Murals | |||||
| Waterjet Designs | Project Specific | Project Specific | |||
| Outdoor Applications | * | * | * | * | Product Specific |
| Luxury Bespoke Art |
* Suitability always depends on the exact product specification, finish, substrate, environment and installation system. Do not make universal technical claims based only on the material category.
Architectural Specification
Professional Material Comparison
Technical performance parameter breakdown for architects, interior designers, and contractors.
| Specification | Glass | Marble | Porcelain | Ceramic | Specialty Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Reflective / varied | Natural variation | Controlled | Controlled | Material dependent |
| Custom Colours | Excellent | Natural palette | Available | Available | Varies |
| Artistic Detail | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate | Varies |
| Curved Capability | Excellent (small formats) | Format dependent | Format dependent | Format dependent | Varies |
| Waterjet Capability | Yes | Excellent | Selected | Selected | Selected |
| Hand-Cut Capability | Excellent | Excellent | Selected | Selected | Selected |
| PIXL Capability | Excellent | Possible | Possible | Possible | Project specific |
| Sealing | Typically not required | Often required | Typically low maintenance | Product dependent | Varies |
| Wet-Area Use | Excellent (w/ spec) | Stone dependent | Excellent (when rated) | Product dependent | Varies |
| Exterior Use | Product dependent | Stone dependent | Product dependent | Product dependent | Varies |
| Maintenance | Generally easy | Stone-specific | Generally easy | Generally easy | Varies |
| Visual Variation | Colour/finish dependent | Naturally variable | Controlled | Controlled | Varies |
Spatial Directory
Where can mosaic be used?
Residential
- Entrance
- Foyer
- Living Room
- Dining Room
- Kitchen
- Backsplash
- Bathroom
- Powder Room
- Shower
- Wet Room
- Bedroom Feature Wall
- Fireplace
- Staircase
- Hallway
- Home Spa
- Swimming Pool
- Jacuzzi
- Patio
- Courtyard
- Garden
- Pathway
- Outdoor Wall
- Facade
- Fountain
- Water Feature
Hospitality
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bars
- Reception Desks
- Lobbies
- Spas
- Wellness Areas
- Pools
- Bathrooms
- Feature Walls
- Branding Installations
Commercial
- Retail Stores
- Offices
- Corporate Lobbies
- Reception Areas
- Restaurants
- Shopping Centres
- Entertainment Spaces
- Signage
- Logos
- Public Areas
- Decorative Flooring
Architectural & Specialty
- Facades
- Columns
- Domes
- Niches
- Curved Walls
- Vaulted Surfaces
- Ceilings
- Architectural Insets
- Public Art
- Religious Spaces
- Cultural Buildings
- Yachts
- Cruise Projects
- Custom Furniture Insets
- Art Installations
Collaborative Approach
Bespoke means we start with your idea
You Don’t Need to Know Which Material You Need.
This is one of the most important sections of the page.
Many clients approach MEC without knowing:
- Which glass they require
- Whether the design should be hand-cut or waterjet
- Which marble suits the application
- What tile size should be used
- Whether the pattern should be PIXL or artistic
- How a curved surface should be treated
- Whether a reference tile can be recreated
- Which material will work within their budget
That’s completely fine.
Start With Any of the Following:
- An inspiration image
- Pinterest reference
- Photograph
- Sketch
- CAD drawing
- Interior elevation
- Floor plan
- Material sample
- Fabric
- Artwork
- Existing tile
- Colour palette
- Mood board
- Architect’s specification
- Or simply an idea
Our design and technical teams can then recommend the appropriate:
Material → Colour → Format → Fabrication Technique → Finish → Installation Configuration
Workflow Pipeline
How a custom material request works
01
Share Requirement
Send dimensions, drawings, reference image, or design idea.
02
Material Review
We evaluate application & recommend manufacturing methods.
03
Bespoke Design
Design studio develops layout around exact dimensions.
04
Sample Review
Colours, finishes, and physical samples reviewed before production.
05
Fabrication
Translated into mosaic via hand-cutting, PIXL, waterjet, or CNC.
06
Delivery Mapping
Prepared for practical installation and dispatched globally.
Technical Documentation
What should be included in a mosaic specification?
Specifically for designers, contractors, and architects preparing complete project schedules:
Physical Properties
- Material composition
- Tile / tessera size
- Sheet size
- Thickness
- Finish & surface texture
- Shade variation rating
Engineering Parameters
- Fabrication technique
- Mounting / backing system
- Indoor / outdoor suitability
- Floor / wall suitability
- Wet-area / Submerged suitability
- Slip-resistance classification
Installation Requirements
- Grout recommendation
- Adhesive requirement
- Sealing requirements
- Cleaning & maintenance schedule
- Installation notes
- Customisation possibilities
Beyond The Catalogue
Need Something We Haven't Listed?
MEC is a bespoke mosaic design and fabrication company. The materials, shapes and techniques shown above represent our capabilities — not a closed catalogue. If your project requires an unlisted shape, custom material combination, discontinued pattern, or unique stone, send it to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can MEC Artworks create mosaics in?
Our core bespoke work primarily uses glass and marble, including jade glass, specialty glass and natural stone. Depending on the project, we can also work with or source porcelain, ceramic and other specialty materials and mixed-media combinations.
Does MEC only make glass and marble mosaics?
No. Glass and marble are our primary materials because of their versatility and suitability for bespoke design, but projects can incorporate other materials depending on the specification.
What is the difference between hand-cut and pixel mosaic?
Hand-cut mosaics use individually shaped tesserae to interpret the design organically. Pixel mosaics translate a composition through a structured grid of tiles, making them particularly useful for gradients, large imagery and controlled patterns.
What is a waterjet mosaic?
Waterjet fabrication uses a highly pressurised cutting system to create intricate shapes and curves. It is particularly effective for marble flooring, borders, medallions, geometric patterns, inlays and mixed-material designs.
Is penny mosaic a material?
No. Penny describes a small round tile format. Penny mosaics can be produced in several materials, including glass, marble, porcelain and ceramic depending on the project.
What are fish-scale or fan mosaic tiles?
Fish-scale, scallop and fan describe tile shapes. They can be developed using different materials and finishes.
What is an ombre mosaic?
An ombre mosaic gradually transitions between colours or tones. MEC can develop gradients using different shades of glass, stone or other suitable mosaic materials.
Which mosaic material is best for swimming pools?
Glass is usually one of our preferred options for bespoke swimming pool mosaics because of its colour depth, small-format versatility and suitability for aquatic designs. However, the exact tile, mounting system, adhesive, grout and installation specification must be suitable for permanent submersion.
Can you create mosaics for curved surfaces?
Yes. Small mosaic formats are particularly adaptable to curved architectural surfaces. The appropriate tile size and mounting arrangement depend upon the radius and project conditions.
Can marble be used in wet areas?
Many marble and natural stone products can be used in wet environments, but stone selection, finish, sealing, maintenance and installation conditions must be considered individually.
Can you manufacture an inspiration image?
Yes. Inspiration can come from photographs, artwork, fabrics, architectural drawings, existing tiles, sketches, mood boards or virtually any visual reference.
Can colours be customised?
Yes. Colour customisation depends upon the selected material and fabrication technique. Our design team can develop colour palettes and blends around the project.
Can MEC combine marble and glass?
Yes. Mixed-material compositions can combine marble, glass and other complementary materials where technically suitable.
Can you create logos and branding mosaics?
Yes. Logos, typography and branding graphics can be translated into mosaic for hospitality, commercial and corporate applications.
Can I order a completely custom shape?
Yes. Waterjet, CNC and other fabrication techniques allow us to explore bespoke shapes beyond standard tile formats.
Do you work with architects and interior designers?
Yes. MEC can work from architectural plans, elevations, CAD drawings, finish schedules and design specifications as part of residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
Do you work directly with homeowners?
Yes. You do not need technical knowledge of mosaic materials before contacting us. Our team can recommend the appropriate approach based on your design and application.
Initiate Design Consultation
Have a Material in Mind? Or No Idea Where to Start?
Send us your design, drawing, dimensions, reference image or project requirement. Our team will recommend the appropriate material, fabrication method and design approach to transform it into a bespoke mosaic.