 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Glass Tiles
APPLYING ADHESIVE: Apply a good quality latex-modified thin set
approved for use with glass or vitreous tile. Be sure to use a thin set
that is compatible with your substrate and environment (i.e. wet areas
or exterior areas).
Using a 3/16” v-notched trowel, apply the thin set to the substrate in
straight lines, cover only as much area as you can work within 10-15
minutes, so that the thin set remains tacky. Using the straight edge of
the trowel, flatten the ridges to achieve a smooth, flat setting bed and
to prevent trowel lines from showing through transparent tiles.
Recommended brands of latex-modified thin set include Custom
Building Products’ Megalite, Tec’s Superflex, TA-393(white) or TA-392
(gray) and Mapei’s Kerabond/Keralastic system.
NOTE: Ceramic Tile Mastic Should Never Be Used For The Installation
Of Glass Mosaics.
BACK-BUTTERING: Next, spread a thin layer of thin set on the back of
the glass mosaic tile sheet with the straight edge of your trowel. This
back-buttering step is best used for all glass mosaic tile, but is
essential when using fully transparent tile, in order to keep any
remaining trowel line on the substrate from showing through. Back-
buttering also insures near-complete (95%) surface adhesion between
tile and substrate.
NOTE: During back-buttering, it is not uncommon for thin set to push
through the mesh, which may partially fill the grout joints and rise
above the surface of the tile once the sheet is applied to the wall. This
is normal. For this reason, professional installers often prefer “setting in
color”, or using the same installation material as both mortar and grout.
This is the method we suggest that use as well. Check with the
manufacturer of the thin set you choose in order to verify its suitability
for setting in color. If you choose not to set in color, you can remove
excess thin set from the joints as described later in this tutorial.
SETTING: Set your sheets in the thin set layer spread on your
substrate, taking care to square the sheets as you go. Sheets should
be placed onto the newly trowelled thin set on your surface
immediately. DO NOT delay this step, or your thin set will begin to dry
and the tiles will not fully adhere to the surface.
LEVELLING: Square the sheet and apply to your surface, then “beat
in” gently with a rubber float or a with a block of wood (beating block)
and a hammer to insure 100% adhesion and a level surface. Beating in
with your float or beating block across the joint between adjacent
sheets will achieve a level field across the entire area. Properly beating
in and leveling will also prevent aire bubbles from being trapped
between the thin set and tiles.
STRAIGHTENING JOINTS: Continue to align each sheet carefully as it
is installed to create uniform grout joints from sheet to sheet. A joint
between adjacent sheets should measure the same distance as the
joint between the rows of tile within a single sheet. If the joint between
the sheets is wider, you will see a series of individual sheets outline on
your surface, instead of a smooth, continuous field of tiles that covers
the entire area.
TIMING/WORKFLOW: Within 15-20 minutes of applying each section
of your area, examine and straighten any joints that are not aligned.
Stepping back from the installation will help you to get a better
perspective. These straightening and aligning steps MUST be done
while the thin set is still pliable. DO NOT WAIT until all of the sheets
are installed to begin straightening the joints, or the thin set will be too
dry to allow any realigning.
Repeat these installation steps until all sheets have been installed.
GROUT PREPARATION: After 24-48 hours (dependent on climate and
relative humidity), the thin set will be cured, and the tile will be ready for
grouting.
Use a nylon bristle brush, a sponge, and warm water to clean any glue
or paper residue from the tile surface.
GROUT APPLICATION: With a hard rubber float spread your prepared
grout at a 45 degree angle (on a diagonal) across the tile field. After
grouting the area, wait 20 minutes before you start to clean the excess.
GROUT CLEAN-UP: Wipe excess grout off, first with a dry cloth, such
as cheesecloth or any other lint-free cloth to remove excess grout on
the tile surface. Follow up with a sponge and warm water. The less
water you use, the better, as too much water can weaken the grout
before it sets. Once the tile looks clean, go back over it with fresh water
and a damp sponge to reduce surface film. Allow tile surfaces to dry for
15 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth until shiny. If you wait longer to
clean and buff the tile, the resulting grout haze will become difficult to
remove.
CLEANING & SEALING: Once the installation is completely dry, (1-2
days) you can safely clean any remaining grout haze or residue with a
tile cleaner and scrubbing pad. For stubborn haze, use a grout haze
remover or tile cleaner that contains sulfamic or phosphoric acid.
NOTE: Sulfamic and phosphoric acid are toxic substances, and like
any chemicals, should be used ONLY with the proper protective gear,
and in a well-ventilated area. Once tile is cleaned and dry, seal grout
with a good quality sealant to prevent mildew and staining, or for the
best protection use on of the new grout products on the market that
rejects stains and/or containers a formula that inhibits the growth of
mold an mildew.
APPLYING ADHESIVE: Apply a good quality latex-modified thin set
approved for use with glass or vitreous tile. Be sure to use a thin set
that is compatible with your substrate and environment (i.e. wet areas
or exterior areas).
Using a 3/16” v-notched trowel, apply the thin set to the substrate in
straight lines, cover only as much area as you can work within 10-15
minutes, so that the thin set remains tacky. Using the straight edge of
the trowel, flatten the ridges to achieve a smooth, flat setting bed and
to prevent trowel lines from showing through transparent tiles.
Recommended brands of latex-modified thin set include Custom
Building Products’ Megalite, Tec’s Superflex, TA-393(white) or TA-392
(gray) and Mapei’s Kerabond/Keralastic system.
NOTE: Ceramic Tile Mastic Should Never Be Used For The Installation
Of Glass Mosaics.
BACK-BUTTERING: Next, spread a thin layer of thin set on the back of
the glass mosaic tile sheet with the straight edge of your trowel. This
back-buttering step is best used for all glass mosaic tile, but is
essential when using fully transparent tile, in order to keep any
remaining trowel line on the substrate from showing through. Back-
buttering also insures near-complete (95%) surface adhesion between
tile and substrate.
NOTE: During back-buttering, it is not uncommon for thin set to push
through the mesh, which may partially fill the grout joints and rise
above the surface of the tile once the sheet is applied to the wall. This
is normal. For this reason, professional installers often prefer “setting in
color”, or using the same installation material as both mortar and grout.
This is the method we suggest that use as well. Check with the
manufacturer of the thin set you choose in order to verify its suitability
for setting in color. If you choose not to set in color, you can remove
excess thin set from the joints as described later in this tutorial.
SETTING: Set your sheets in the thin set layer spread on your
substrate, taking care to square the sheets as you go. Sheets should
be placed onto the newly trowelled thin set on your surface
immediately. DO NOT delay this step, or your thin set will begin to dry
and the tiles will not fully adhere to the surface.
LEVELLING: Square the sheet and apply to your surface, then “beat
in” gently with a rubber float or a with a block of wood (beating block)
and a hammer to insure 100% adhesion and a level surface. Beating in
with your float or beating block across the joint between adjacent
sheets will achieve a level field across the entire area. Properly beating
in and leveling will also prevent aire bubbles from being trapped
between the thin set and tiles.
STRAIGHTENING JOINTS: Continue to align each sheet carefully as it
is installed to create uniform grout joints from sheet to sheet. A joint
between adjacent sheets should measure the same distance as the
joint between the rows of tile within a single sheet. If the joint between
the sheets is wider, you will see a series of individual sheets outline on
your surface, instead of a smooth, continuous field of tiles that covers
the entire area.
TIMING/WORKFLOW: Within 15-20 minutes of applying each section
of your area, examine and straighten any joints that are not aligned.
Stepping back from the installation will help you to get a better
perspective. These straightening and aligning steps MUST be done
while the thin set is still pliable. DO NOT WAIT until all of the sheets
are installed to begin straightening the joints, or the thin set will be too
dry to allow any realigning.
Repeat these installation steps until all sheets have been installed.
GROUT PREPARATION: After 24-48 hours (dependent on climate and
relative humidity), the thin set will be cured, and the tile will be ready for
grouting.
Use a nylon bristle brush, a sponge, and warm water to clean any glue
or paper residue from the tile surface.
GROUT APPLICATION: With a hard rubber float spread your prepared
grout at a 45 degree angle (on a diagonal) across the tile field. After
grouting the area, wait 20 minutes before you start to clean the excess.
GROUT CLEAN-UP: Wipe excess grout off, first with a dry cloth, such
as cheesecloth or any other lint-free cloth to remove excess grout on
the tile surface. Follow up with a sponge and warm water. The less
water you use, the better, as too much water can weaken the grout
before it sets. Once the tile looks clean, go back over it with fresh water
and a damp sponge to reduce surface film. Allow tile surfaces to dry for
15 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth until shiny. If you wait longer to
clean and buff the tile, the resulting grout haze will become difficult to
remove.
CLEANING & SEALING: Once the installation is completely dry, (1-2
days) you can safely clean any remaining grout haze or residue with a
tile cleaner and scrubbing pad. For stubborn haze, use a grout haze
remover or tile cleaner that contains sulfamic or phosphoric acid.
NOTE: Sulfamic and phosphoric acid are toxic substances, and like
any chemicals, should be used ONLY with the proper protective gear,
and in a well-ventilated area. Once tile is cleaned and dry, seal grout
with a good quality sealant to prevent mildew and staining, or for the
best protection use on of the new grout products on the market that
rejects stains and/or containers a formula that inhibits the growth of
mold an mildew.