My husband and I took on the project of tiling our kitchen backsplash. It's going ok with the exception of the mosaic tiles. I'm using 2 rows of 1 inch square glass tiles as an accent. Tiles are 1/4" thick. It's between 2 4.5"x4.5" ceramic tiles. The problem I'm having is that I need to be able to cut the mosaic tiles around the outlets in the wall. I haven't been able to find a tool that works. The row of mosaic tiles has a mesh backing. Since each tile is separate, and so small, the wet saw doesn't work very well, the tiles bunch up as they hit the blade. I tried using the handheld tile cutter but it shatters the mosaic tile and I can't get a straight cut. Any ideas about how I can cut the mosaic tiles?

Also, I have an inside corner in the counter. I will need to end with a 3 inch piece of tile. Do I need to start the adjacent wall with a 3 inch piece as well, or do I start with a full piece? Do I need to miter the tiles at the corner? Do I grout those, or caulk them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The mosaic tiles have to be marked and then removed from the mesh backing so they can be cut individually at the wet saw or with a pair of tile nippers (takes experience or lots of practice). 4" Angle grinders with a continuous rim dry dimond blade can also be used, however, they spin at 11,000 RPM and caution is advised. Tiles can be held with pliers that have been "taped" to resist slipping and marring. Outlining the outlet cover with pencil can also help you modify smaller cuts so they are easier to handle. As long as the tile cut is hidden behind the cover, no one will know if its shape is not perfect. A shim under the "ears" of the receptical may be necessary if you can't cut the tiles so they fit behind them. You can use small wood strips or small scraps of tile behind the "ears", providing you or someone else has not removed them, in which case the receptical would need replacing.

Always start right angle counters at the apex of the angle with full tiles going in both directions. Hopefully the tiles at the counter ends are full tiles or near full tiles or you may improvise with decorative liners to compensate for odd measurements there. Mitering the tiles at the right angle is an option but only as a last resort or if the tiles are rectangular or of other unusual shapes. All miters usually look better with a grout joint equal in size to the rest of the installation's joints. Armen Tavy

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Armen Tavy