Friday, October 3, 2008

Wedi Board

Wedi board (pronounced "weedy") is an ideal substrate for mosaic artists. It consists of styrofoam encased in mesh and cement. This sturdy material is very lightweight and cuts easily with a utility knife (no need for any power tools!). Wedi Panels are about ¼ of the weight of Durock and other cement boards, and ½ the weight of MDF or birch plywood.





















It is rigid, waterproof, and weatherproof. It does not warp, does not require sealing, and can be used on floors, walls, and as art panels. It is made of a middle core of blue styrofoam with a reinforced polymer modified concrete coating on both sides. The foam core center makes it lightweight. You can use Weldbond, silicone, thinset, Mac glue, etc.

How To Hang

Because of the foam core, washers are required when attempting to screw into or through the panel. Without washers, the screws or nails would go straight through the panel. ‘Wedi Washers’ are specifically made for this purpose. Wedi Washers have four prongs that press easily into the Wedi, with a center hole for an 8 gauge nail or screw. When fully installed, the washer sits about 1/32” above the surface of the Wedi and can be mosaiced over. Standard washers can be used as well.


Here's the back of the washer with the picture hook attached. Notice that the cement is cracking a little - that's OK. It's the only way to get the front to lie flat.




There is also wall hangers. The plastic piece screws into the wall. You then place the screw on the wedi board & then screw into the plastic piece into the wall. You will mosaic on the board on the wall.

Either way, you have to have your hangers in place before you start to mosaic.


















Where To Buy

www.tileshack.com
www.mosaicsmalti.com
www.themosaicway.com

See http://www.wediusa.com/ for local distrubutors. I was fortunate in that a supplier was 20 minutes from my home & bought a 3' x 5' sheet of wedi.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I read that it is not supposed to warp, but the piece I bought now is anything but strait. I am going to do a big piece 32 x 64 inches and got the wedi so it would not be so heavy. Now i feel as though I have to glue it to plywood to make it strait...........sugestions?

Carol Champion said...

I have never seen a piece that was warped. Sorry to hear that happen to you. I have no idea.

Could you try weighting it down & see it that don't straighten it out?

Geraldine said...

If mosaicing on wedi board for an outdoor mosaic that is eventually going to attached to a brick wall,can you leave gaps for the washers- then as once the mosaic is attached to the wall you can mosaic over the spare gaps?

Máire said...

What do u use to draw the picture onto the wedi board

Unknown said...

Is it possible to trace onto a Wedi board with tracing paper? Seems difficult because of the rough surface. If there is a way, would you paint the wedi first so the unnatural blue doesn't show through an ungrouted mosaic?

If you were using the indirect method, is a Wediboard a good choice for a temporary substrate or only for usevas the permanent substrate?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kandswelsh@aol.com said...

Can you use greenboard for mosaics?

Anonymous said...

If I am using a Wedi board for Mosaic, What suggestion do you have for the sides? Does paint adhere to it? I do not want to mosaic the sides.

MSD said...

I have been using wedi board about five years. I made an outdoor lizard, 5'X4'. I drew the lizard directly on the board, and used a carpet knife to cut it out. It has been outside for 4 years. It is on the hottest side of the house in rain, snow freezing temperatures, and it has not warped. The grout has not deteriorated. I use Weld Bond as my glue and as a grout sealer. I have glued pieces of Masonite to hold larger screws for really big pieces, 5'X4' mosaic mirror weighing about 30-35 pounds. If you make large pieces make sure to get the thicker Wedi board. It comes in different widths, physics dictates that you use a width that can handle a large piece.

Ellen said...

Someone else posted my question - can you paint the board to lighten it from the dark gray before I use glass mosaics on it? Will the adhesion be good?

LJB said...

I am planning a mosaic smalti piece 4' x 4' and will probably weigh in at about 80lbs when complete.

Using 1/2 inch wedi board, I am unsure what fixings to use so as to hang the piece on the wall outside once done.

Any suggestions for this? Will washers, D-rings, wire and screws hold this much weight?

JBBBB said...

LJB has anyone ever answered you?