Methods for producing a mosaic decoration having a planar surface

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for producing a mosaic with a generally planar surface including the steps of providing a base substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the base substrate has a height, providing at least one additional substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the additional substrate has a height, and wherein the additional substrate is in the shape of a portion of the mosaic that will contain a more detailed portion of the mosaic, affixing the second side of the additional substrate to the first side of the base substrate in an area of the mosaic that will contain a more detailed portion of the mosaic, affixing relatively thicker pieces of tesserae to the first side of the base substrate, and affixing relatively thinner pieces of tesserae to the first side of the at least one additional substrate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing a mosaic with a generally planar surface comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the base substrate has a height;    providing at least one additional substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the at least one additional substrate has a height, and wherein the at least one additional substrate is in the shape of a portion of the mosaic that will contain a more detailed portion of the mosaic;    affixing the second side of the at least one additional substrate to the first side of the base substrate in an area of the mosaic that will contain a more detailed portion of the mosaic;    affixing relatively thicker pieces of tesserae to the first side of the base substrate; and    affixing relatively thinner pieces of tesserae to the first side of the at least one additional substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the relatively thinner pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅛ inch.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the relatively thicker pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅜ inch.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the relatively thinner pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅜ inch, and wherein each of the relatively thicker pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ¾ inch.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tesserae comprises various size pieces of terra cotta, glass, marble, or stone.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base substrate comprises a material with a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the tesserae.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional substrate comprises a material with a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the tesserae.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tesserae is affixed to the base substrate and the additional substrate via an adhesive.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tesserae is affixed to the base substrate and the additional substrate via a mortar.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional substrate is affixed to the base substrate via an adhesive.  
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a mosaic with a generally planar surface comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the base substrate has at least one elevated portion, wherein a top surface of the elevated portion has a generally planar surface, and wherein the at least one elevated portion is in the shape of a portion of the mosaic that will contain a more detailed portion of the mosaic; and    affixing relatively thicker pieces of tesserae to the first side of the base substrate; and    affixing relatively thinner pieces of tesserae to the top surface of the at least one elevated portion of the base substrate.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the relatively thinner pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅛ inch.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the relatively thicker pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅜ inch.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the relatively thinner pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ⅜ inch, and wherein each of the relatively thicker pieces of tesserae have a height of approximately ¾ inch.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tesserae comprises various size pieces of terra cotta, glass, marble, or stone.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the base substrate comprises a material with a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the tesserae.