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General
Note about Installation Guide
The following general installation and grouting guidelines pertain
to most applications for glass mosaic tiles. The technical service
departments of major setting material companies should be consulted
regarding specific installation questions.
Inspection
The end user is responsible for determining the acceptability of
the product. Installation constitutes acceptance of tile order.
The handmade character of glass mosaic tile creates a degree of
artistic variation in shade, color, tone, and size within each sheet
of tile.
Open and inspect each carton of tile to confirm shading consistency.
Randomly select 5 sheets from different cartons to establish color
control during installation. Before installing tile, blend sheets
from different cartons to assure random placement during installation.
As sheets are being installed, check them against control samples
prior to placing them in the setting material to assure acceptable
shade variations and quality.
Installation
Expansion Joints
Expansion joints are essential for the success of most glass mosaic
tile installations. Expansion joint requirements will vary depending
on substrate climate and size of installation.
Cutting Glass Tiles
Small format glass tile are best cut with specialty glass mosaic
tile cutters/clippers, and the larger sizes such as the 4 x 12 Crystile
series glass tiles are best cut with a wet saw. Cut edges are very
sharp and should be smoothed with carbide paper or a "white
stone" available at tile dealers.
Straight Cuts
Straight edge to edge cuts on 4mm large format can be achieved with
a simple glass scoring tool and a straight edge. Score the glass
lightly on the front face along the desired cut line and snap along
the line. This method is only suitable for cuts that are 1"
(25 mm) or larger. To snap the tile, place a piece of thin wire
directly under the edge of the score and apply even pressure to
both sides. A ceramic tile cutter is not recommended for this purpose.
Whenever possible cut edges should be sanded and placed in corners
where they can be covered or hidden. Cutting Thick, Etched or Textured
glass tile. Use a diamond blade designed for cutting glass on a
wet saw. A blade for cutting glass has smaller diamonds than a tile
blade, has a continuous rim and runs at a slower speed. Note:
A blade designed for cutting ceramic tiles is coarse and will chip
the glass. Plasplugs makes a small tile saw (DWW105US
- contact Plasplugs at (800) 966-6400 that can be fitted with our
exclusive diamond blade to make excellent cuts on our tiles. Hint:
When cutting glass on the Plasplugs saw, place the glass with the
smooth surface down. Avoid stress to the last portion of the cut
by cutting slowly and by pushing the glass with a scrap piece of
wood placed across the entire rear surface of the glass. Other
manufacturers offer solutions for cutting glass: Makita manufactures
a battery operated saw (model 4190DW equipped with 724-950-8V glass
blade), contact Makita at (800) 462-5482. MK also makes special
glass blades for their tile saws (model MK215GL, available from
7" to 12" diameter). Contact MK Diamond at 800 421-8830.
A lapidary blade also makes a very clean cut on glass tiles.
Cutting Curves
A ring or band saw designed for cutting glass makes cutting curves
easy. For more information, contact Gemini Saw at (310) 891-0288or
Diamond Tech at (800) 937-9593.
Types of Setting Materials to Use
Setting material products are available through tile dealers, home
centers, and major setting material companies.
Use A white thin-set mortar (2 component, flexible acrylic thin-set
mortar system)
Mapei: Adesilex P10 (bright white) nonsag mortar for glass tile.
Mix with water or Keraply. Specifically designed for glass
tile. www.mapei.com
Custom Building Products: MegaFlex Ultimate Thin-Set Mortar (white).
No admixture is necessary. www.custombuildingproducts.com
Laticrete: 254 Platinum Multipurpose Thin-Set Mortar. No admixture
is necessary. www.laticrete.com
TEC (H.B. Fuller): Super Flex Premium Performance Universal Latex-Modified
Thin-Set Mortar. No admixture is necessary. www.tecspecialty.com
5/8" x 2", 3/4" x 3/4",
1" x 1" etc.
Use enough setting material to assure 100% tile surface coverage
but not so much that it will "ooze" above the top of the
tile through the grout joints. Use a 3/16" x 5/32" V-notched
trowel and do not flatten the "rows" created in the setting
material. Apply only as much setting material as can be covered
with tile within 10 to 20 minutes or while surface is still wet
and tacky.
With firm, even pressure apply sheets of tile mesh side down into
the setting material, using a wooden beating block or rubber grouting
float to create a flat surface. Carefully align each sheet as it
is installed to create uniform grout joints from sheet to sheet.
Allow tile to set until firm. Clean excess setting material from
the surface of the tile with a damp cloth or sponge while the setting
material is fresh.
Special installation information for Lagoon Series glass
tile: To achieve a seamless fit from sheet to sheet, individual
tiles may need to be adjusted at time of installation.
Installation for stainless steel tiles/mosaics
Step 1
Determine the pattern for your backsplash or countertop. While a
pattern at eliminates a lot of tile cutting makes the job easier,
you can choose whatever layout you desire. Test fit a row of tiles
in each direction to make sure that you are happy with the how the
finished pattern will look.
Step 2
Mix the tile adhesive according to package instructions. The consistency
should be like peanut butter. Some adhesives are ready to apply
and do not require mixing.
Step 3
Apply a consistent layer of adhesive to a small area of the wall
or countertop with the trowel. Prevent the adhesive from drying
out by working in a small area. Form rows of ridges by dragging
the notched side of the trowel through the layer of adhesive.
Step 4
Press the first tile into the adhesive. If desired, use the tile
spacers to form consistent spaces between the tiles. You can also
choose to set the tiles as close as possible if you do not like
the look of grout lines with your stainless steel tiles. Repeat
this process until all the whole tiles are installed.
Step 5
Cut all necessary tiles for edges and corners. Use a circular saw
with a blade designed to cut metal. Protect your eyes, hands, and
mouth from sharp metal edges and flying metal shards with safety
glasses, gloves, and a dust mask. Cut with the finished side of
the tiles facing up, and use a metal file or sandpaper to smooth
the cut edges. Install the cut tiles using the same method you used
with the whole tiles.
Step 6
Grout between the stainless steel tiles with a non-sanded grout
or an acrylic caulk.
Paper-Face Mounted Sheets /
Plastic face mounted (Vision / Tropical Series)
***IMPORTANT NOTE! When installing paper-face mounted tile sheets,
INSTALL PAPER / PLASTIC SIDE OUT!!! ***
For paper mounted
Important
After the tiles have been installed, to remove the paper, apply
a moderately wet sponge to the paper, allowing the water to soak
through and dissolve the glue. (Warm water dissolves quicker than
cold). Paper should be wet for removal only at time that it will
actually be removed. If paper is wet for removal, but then dries
again without having been removed from the tile it is VERY difficult
to remove upon wetting it again. Starting at the corners, peel the
paper from the tile. If tile comes up during this process, allow
setting material to set a little longer. Once paper is removed make
any tile alignment adjustments while the setting material is fresh.
For plastic mounted
Impotrant
Once all film-mounted sheets are installed into setting material,
creating small pinholes or slits in the film improves the breathing
and setting up process. Once setting material has set up, remove
the film by pulling it from the tile, starting at the corners and
pulling downward. If tile comes up during this process, allow setting
material to set up longer. Once film is removed make any tile alignment
adjustments while the setting material is fresh.
Further Installation Notes
Some setting materials manufacturers recommend applying setting
material to the back side of the sheet of glass mosaic tile ("back
buttering") with the flat side of the trowel immediately before
placement of the sheet into the freshly trowelled setting material
on the surface receiving the tile. This extra amount of setting
material is recommended to help assure 100% coverage of the tile.
It does, however, increase the amount of setting material available
to "ooze" up through the grout joints. If too much is applied, the
setting material will, particularly on the thinner 3/4" x 3/4" and
5/8" x 5/8" tile, completely fill the grout joints leaving very
little or no space for grout.
If 100% tile surface coverage (no voids between the tile and the
surface receiving the tile) can be achieved by applying sufficient
setting material only to the surface receiving the tile, this "back
buttering" step might be unnecessary. We suggest experimenting
with a sheet or partial sheet of tile before starting the job to
determine the best approach for achieving 100% coverage.
Water Immersion Applications
Regarding tile work in swimming pools, fountains, and other continuous
water immersion applications, minimum cure time after grouting is
21 days before flood testing or filling with water. Follow setting
materials manufacturers recommended cure times.
Shell mosaic tiles are suitable for dry, interior wall applications
only. Avoid installation in areas exposed to direct rays from the
sun.
Grouting
Grout Color
Grout color plays a major role in the final appearance of any glass
mosaic tile job and should be selected carefully. Grout color that
contrasts with the tile color tends to create a "frame"
around each tile.
Grouting
Grouting may be done after tile is firmly set approximately 24 hours
after installation. Apply grout, unsanded, with a rubber float,
making sure that grout joints are completely full and free of voids
and pits. Clean the surface with a clean, damp sponge.
Allow grout to set firm or until haze forms on the tile and the
grout in the joints sets firm. Use a soft, clean, dry cloth to polish
off haze and remaining grout residue. Final cleaning of grout haze
and tile polishing is done with clean, dry cheesecloth within 24
hours of grouting.
Cleaning & maintanance
Normal cleaning of glass mosaic tile can be done with room temperature
water and a rag. For a more thorough cleaning and to remove stubborn
dirt and stains, use any of the many tile and grout cleaners available
through tile dealers or home centers.
Shell mosaics consist primarily of Calcium Carbonate, which reacts
with acids including vinegar, acidic foods and carbonated beverages.
We recommend cleaning with a damp cloth or a gentle furniture polish
cleaner
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