With this in mind, some of the most common types of materials used are crockery, household tiles, glass, shells and random objects people find. Crockery is one of the cheapest materials to use and is abundant to find. However, it is not easy to get a flat surface and the material does not stand up well to outdoor conditions.

Household tiles will allow for a flat surface and will hold up well indoors. However, it is not the type of material to use in an outdoor mosaic. They do hold up well to being walked on if the mosaic will be placed underfoot.

Glass comes in different types. For one, there is vitreous glass which is very expensive. It will have to be cut, which is hard to master. However, it allows for a very flat surface and is outdoor friendly. You can also use stained glass or mirror glass which have the same benefits.

Shells and other random objects will not allow for a smooth surface. however, they do add personal touches to any mosaic since they are often objects that have high sentimental value. Whether they will do well outdoors, depends on what objects you add.