installation guide
Installation Tips from Glass Tile Warehouse
Tools you will need:
Trowel – Square or V-notched on one side, flat on the other
4mm tile – use 1/8th in. notch
8mm tile – use 3/16th in. notch
Rubber Grout Float
Bucket
Grout Sponge
Chalk line
Tape Measure
Pencil
Cheesecloth or Soft Towel
Recommended Setting Materials:
Latex or Polymer Modified Thinset Mortar– White or color of choice
Latex or Polymer Modified Grout – White or color of choice
Note: Epoxy mortar and grout system may substitute for cement based mortar and grout
Inspection
a. Open and inspect each box of glass tile.
b. Randomly select several sheets from the order to establish your shade and color range.
c. TIP – If a shade/color range is evident, blend sheets from throughout the total order to ensure random placement during installation.
Adhesive Application
a. Mix thinset mortar to manufacturer’s specification.
b. Using the flat side of trowel, firmly work thinset mortar into working area of your wall or mounting surface.
c. Apply setting material to a small working area – one that can be covered in less than 10 minutes time.
d. Rake setting material with notched side of trowel in horizontal direction to set proper mortar bed thickness.
e. Use flat side of trowel to flatten the notches and leave a smooth consistent mortar bed.
Installing Tile Sheets
a. Apply one sheet of glass tile mesh side down (or face film/face paper side UP if face mounted sheets) into mortar bed, pressing evenly and firmly over entire sheet glass tile.
b. Use a grout float, block of wood or similar to apply even pressure to the sheet, and ensure all tiles are set consistently flat into mortar bed.
c. Take care to align and space each sheet as it is being installed to ensure straight and even grout lines.
d. TIP - Strike a straight guideline with your chalk line off of your first sheet in each row to ensure square installation.
e. Allow thinset mortar to cure per manufacturer’s specification before attempting to grout, typically 24 hours.
a. for Face Filmed Tile – starting at a corner and slowly peel the plastic film away from the tile face
b. for Face Papered Tile – wet paper with a sponge or a spray bottle, allow it to fully saturate the paper causing it to release from the tile surface, then simply peel it back off of the tile’s face
Grouting
a. TIP – Grout color is a matter of taste. Choose grout color carefully as it is a major factor in final appearance of your project. The higher the contrast between tile and grout color, the more framed or ‘gridded’ the glass tile will appear. This may or may not be desirable - depending on the look you desire for your project.
b. Mix grout according to manufacturer’s specification
c. Apply an ample amount of grout to the surface of your tile and work it well into grout spaces with grout float.
d. Be sure to completely fill all grout spaces with grout leaving no voids, air bubbles or pits.
e. Remove all excess grout from face of tile with grout float.
f. Clean tile surface with clean damp sponge.
g. Allow tile surface to dry and grout to haze over then wipe with cheesecloth or soft towel.
h. Buff to clean shiny finish
Please note that these installation guidelines are for general informational purposes intended to assist you in successfully installing your glass tile from Glass Tile Warehouse. For more information on specific installation standards, refer to ANSI standard A108.16 “Installation of Paper-Faced, Back-Mounted, Edge-Mounted Glass Mosaic Tile” published by the Tile Council of North America.
For more information on specific thin set mortars and grouts, please visit the following manufacturer links:
