Glass tile can be one of the best design decisions you make for your home or business. It allows you flexibility in the colors available. You don’t need to stick with a solid backsplash color when you can create a custom color combination that will tie together your granite countertops, oak cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Glass tiles are not an outdated product, so in 20 years it will still look elegant.
A professional installer is always recommended for the installation of your glass tiles. They have experience working with this thinner material and can make your finished area look perfect. However, many people will install the glass tile sheets themselves. Here’s a guide on how to complete this task without having to pay the professional to do it for you. Information provided is for glass tile that is face mounted on paper. Typical tile thickness is 1/8 “.
You will need several tools and supplies on hand before you begin. Make sure you have 3 buckets: one to mix the slim set, one to hold the water, and the other to mix the grout. You will also need a twilight mask when you mix the powders with water. It is also recommended to have a putty knife, a 3/16 “notched trowel, 1/16” spacers, old rags for cleaning, a fine sponge (not very porous), and a grout float on hand.
Before you begin, make sure your surface is prepared. Do not place the tiles directly on your drywall. Instead, use a thin backing board if possible. There is a lot of information on the Internet about how to prepare your surface in different areas of your home or business. Read about this first. You will also need to find your starting point. This will be different for all installations. Don’t start at a corner. You would rather end in a corner.
Do not putty with glass tiles. Instead, thin-set mortar is recommended. Mix the dry diluted set with a latex additive, not water. The additive makes the thin layer sticky and creates a great bond with the glass tiles. Prepare thin coat according to manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to wear the dust mask.
Now you are ready to spread a thin layer over the surface with the spatula. You will want to work in small areas until you get used to the installation process. To get started, simply spread enough adhesive to cover an entire sheet of your glass tile. Apply with a trowel throughout the fine set with long, straight strokes. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle to obtain the proper 1/16 “depth. Be sure to wipe off any excess thin film in the bucket.
Place the first sheet WITH THE PAPER SIDE OUT. Get it exactly where you want it and then gently press the blade down with a flat 2×4. This will ensure that all the tiles touch the thin layer. You don’t want the adhesive to squash between the tiles. If you see this happening, then you have stretched your slim set too thick. You may want to remove the blade and clean the slim assembly. Now you can try again.
Lay out another section of fine game next to the first sheet. Using 1/16 “spacers place the next sheet next to the first. Press flat with the 2×4.
Continue working in this manner until the first sheet has set for approximately 15 to 30 minutes (the thin coat will begin to harden). Take an old towel or sponge and moisten the paper. You know it’s done when the paper turns dark brown. Gently pull the paper against itself from each corner until it is completely free. If you pull out, you’ll probably get a tile or two out.
Continue installing sheets and remove the paper until its surface is covered. Make sure to clean the grout joints while removing the paper with a toothpick. Once the thin layer has set, it will be very difficult to remove it later.
Another great advantage of glass mosaic tiles is that you can easily cut the sheets to fit around plugs or protruding areas in your space. However, if you get to the corner and find that the tiles are not going to fit perfectly in the corner, you will have to cut a bit. A wet saw is NOT recommended. It will just break the glass. We recommend using a pair of wheel cutters to cut the tiles around the fixtures. Just tear the tiles in half when necessary. You can also get intricate cuts. Always make cuts facing your corner. Once grilled, you will not be able to see any wobbly cuts that may occur.
After the tiles have hardened for 24 hours, you are ready to grout. Use another bucket to mix the grout per manufacturer’s specifications. A latex additive is not necessary for the grout. Just use water. Spread the grout over the tiles with a grout float in a back and forth motion to fill all grout joints. Make sure to clean any excess grout from the tile surface.
Wait about 10 minutes to allow the grout to settle slightly on your joints. Next, take a slightly damp sponge and start cleaning up the rest of the grout. If you notice grout starting to come out of your joints while cleaning, then you are ready to do the final cleaning. Grab cheap paper towels and finish cleaning the tiles. This will remove the rest of the grout from the tiles, but it will not add water or remove the grout from the joints.
Once the grout is off the top of the tiles, use a stiff brush to buff the grout out of the pores. After about an hour, use a clean cloth to buff off any haze that may form. If mist persists, mix ½ distilled vinegar and ½ water. Dip a clean white cloth in the mixture and wring it out well. Clean the tiles and the grout haze will disappear.
After the grout has cured for several days, be sure to seal it with a high-quality grout sealer.
NOTICE: This information is provided as a guide only. There is no guarantee. Hire a professional installer who has experience working with front mount glass mosaic.