This specification covers installation of glass mosaic tiles in interior and exterior applications specifically use with Glasstile products.

ADHESIVE:
To avoid adversely affecting the color of glass mosaic tiles, WHITE thin-set adhesive is required for all installations.

Use latex additive (bonding liquid) in the white thin-set adhesive to ensure adequate performance. Please contact us for more information regarding the application of bonding liquid.

Use only epoxy-based adhesive for submerged conditions (ie. Swimming pools, spa’s, etc.).

TILING SURFACE:
Always prepare the surface to be tiled according to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions. Glass mosaic tiles are reflective products and as such any inconsistencies in the tiling surface may show up after the tile is installed. This implies that if the tile adhesive is not ‘buttered’ against the wall, it can be seen once the tiles are installed.

INSTALLATION OF TILE:
The WHITE thin-set adhesive should first be applied (‘buttered’) to the surface to be tiled. With the flat side of trowel, using a scraping motion, work the adhesive into good contact with the surface to be covered. Then, a second time, go back with more setting material using the notched side of the trowel to achieve an even depth setting bed, and finally once more lightly work through with the flat side of the trowel to smooth out the linear notched grooves. Only apply as much adhesive as can be covered within 10-15 minutes, or while the adhesive surface is still wet and tacky.

To ensure adequate coverage and full contact to the tile it is recommended to lightly back ‘butter’ the tile. Back buttering is required for semi-transparent glass mosaic tile exceeding a 50x50mm dimension. Existing joints in subsurface must be carried through tile work. Expansion joints should be installed at all “changes of plane” in the tile work and where tile abuts restraining  surfaces, therefore silicone caulking sealant must be installed in all corner joints in the place of grout. Remove facing sheet only when adhesive is fully cured/hardened. DO NOT remove the facing sheet when adhesive is still wet or before it is FULLY set. Removing the facing sheet will cause the glass mosaic to either move or become unstuck and will be removed with the facing sheet. Ensure facing glass mosaic sheet is removed gently from mosaic tile surface before grouting. To ease removal,cut into strips along the grout lines. The facing sheet must be pulled parallel to the installed glass mosaic tiles and not diagonally.

GROUTING:
Grout joints should be packed full and free of all voids and pits. Excess grout should be cleaned from the surface as the work progresses, while grout is fresh and before it hardens. Prior to
grouting, test an area to make sure the surface does not scratch during grouting. It is recommended to use a latex modified grout (grout with bonding liquid) from the manufacturer for increased performance. No acids should be used for cleaning grout haze. Due to the impervious quality of glass, the grout will take longer to begin setting up. Use a damp sponge only for the final clean washing and smoothing of the grout joints. Use only epoxy-based grout for submerged conditions (ie. Swimming pools, spa’s, etc.).