Hi Ivette,

I have learned some about working with glass tile,and one thing I can tell you is that installation recommendations/tricks change with the kind of tile--for instance, are you getting a through-colored tile that's transparent (like Sicis watercolors)? opaque/translucent/iridescent? colored only on the back and clear glass the rest of the way (my *least* favorite)? They all require different thinsets/adhesives, some require different cutting tools/methods...

One source that you can count on is the manufacturer's instructions for the particular tile you're considering. They know that glass tile, since it's so fashionable right now, is being installed by some folks who have no business installing it, so what the manufacturers are willing to go on the record with wrt proper installation methods is going to be pretty foolproof. So start by consulting the official installation instructions for the specific kind of tile you've chosen, and you can even call the manufacturer's rep for further questions.

Hope that doesn't sound like a cop-out but rather gives you a concrete place to go...

Oh good grief. I had no idea.

I also have no idea what kind of glass tile I'll be using. Still in the deciding stage. It will either be a milk glass white oval glass, a clear circle mosaic glass (no color) or a colored through glass. They're all from waterworks and when I see my rep there I'll ask her about this, but I don't recall seeing ANY manufacturers recommendations on any of the other waterworks tiles we bought for the other two bathrooms. But they weren't glass. One was a handmade ceramic (oy Bill THAT was fun) and the other a standard white ceramic subway.

Thanks flyleft!
Ivette

The colored-through glass called "waterglass" from Waterworks is the same Sicis tile I used for my backsplash :) (the picture on the front page of their "glass" section) I had thought that it wasn't available anymore here to artists in smaller quantities because Waterworks had taken a US monopoly on it, but recently I've seen that it's available at some mosaic tile suppliers; you might want to compare prices, once you decide...just some more grist for the mill.

Here is a link that might be useful: this is the person I got it from--very good to work with

Bill, what is a "swatch" of tile? I went to a site looking for glass trim and they had "full sheets" or these "swatches." Thanks

Couldn't tell you'!! Never heard of a "swatch" of tile. Must be talking about a sample piece, or section of a sheet of tile.

Ivette-- hand made tile is always fun to deal with!!

NOT!!

I got swatches (samples) of many many Sicis, brutuses--and I have the almost-winners still with me...they're SO delectable, they look like candy :), little 4x4 sizes, you can tell by the two different prices on the site I linked to.

Thanks for the tip flyleft, I'll check it out!

When the time comes I'll chat with Barb at Waterworks and NATURALLY post on John Bridge as well. Then simultaneously pester the usual suspects here. I'm really just thinking way ahead at this point.

: )
Ivette

pirula, isn't getting relevent info on glass tile installs fun!!?? I just finished up a glass mosaic ribbon install in my kids bath along with a full mosaic install in the niche and struggled to find helpful info.

Believe it or not, I did find some install info over at JB. Can't remember if I did a search or if it was in the "Liberry". Somebody posted a link to one of the glass tile companies and from there I found their online install instructions. I printed them off and referred to them several times during the process.

The actual install was fairly easy. I got Mapeis glass tile thinset on the advice of my tile supplier. There may be better stuff, but that was easy enough to use. I raked it out with I think a 3/16ths trowel (I believe those online instructions have the trowel notch size), smoothed it back over with the flat end of the trowel and set the strips of glass. Mine were paper backed, so per the instructions, I let them sit for a few minutes then wet the paper with a mostly rung out sponge and peeled off the paper. Then I adjusted some of the tiles "by eye". The biggest pain in the ass...and I've never been able to tell if I needed to even do this...was to carefully rake out the excess thinset that squeezed up thru the grout lines. BTW the thinset was white...as I remember that's what it should always be. I also used white grout...the same as what went with the rest of the tiles.

Here's the result:

Hey Spanky that's really beautiful! Well done!

Thanks for the tips. As I haven't picked the tile yet I have no clue if it's paper backed or whatever. Will definitely do a search in John Bridge....

Mapei makes good stuff, we used all their stuff in our tile installs in the first two bathrooms. Was the thinset you used pre-mixed already?

Ivette

No, definitely NOT PREMIXED!! You can't use any type of premixed mortar (aka: mastic) on glass. An open bag goes bad after a couple of weeks so I've tossed everything...hence I can't remember the name. I believe it's the only Mapei stuff specifically for glass.

Well that's good to hear as Bill has hammered into our head to avoid the pre-mixed stuff.

'Great! Thanks! Ivette

Heed the wonder words of Mizz Flyleft.

Not all glass is installed the same. Due to size, texture, transparency, color, etc.

Most manufacturer's have a PDF download available with installation instructions.

Don't believe the salesperson ("I've heard most people..."), don't believe you installer ("I usually do it this way and...").

Believe the PDF.

I've ripped out several botched glass installations. Every single time I've redone someone else's botched job, the homeowner has sobbed at the sound of the glass tile hitting the floor.

Glass is easy to screw up when you go Nike and "just do it."

Don't be Bo,

Mongo

Could you guys explain to me why you shouldn't use premix mortar? I did a glass install job a few years ago with the premixed and it worked out just great. Maybe I won't do it that way again if it's not the best way to go.

Dang one visit to the tile forum (or bath LOL) and ya'll have talked me out of trying to install a little backsplash in my closet (on the sewing desk). I guess we'll add that to the tile guy's job now heh heh

igloo, don't be dismayed--the only thing is that you have to have brain--energy-space available, iykwim--which isn't easy when you're in the middle of a huge remodel and you have to keep so many other details in your head anyway. It's not impossible; in fact it's lots of fun. And very beautiful when you're finished. Think of it as a mosaic project! (you can assemble it flat on the table, and then mount it, you know...)

Green, I'm not sure Mongo will chime back in and Bill's in CT so I'll give you what I'm pretty confident is the correct answer. Thinset that needs to be mixed cures thru chemical reaction, mastic cures by drying. With glass being non-pourous the air needed to dry the mastic never fully dries it. It's also why you never use mastic in wet areas.

Igloo, don't be put off by us. Personally, I didn't find the glass install to be too dificult. As Mongo said, most of these tile makers have installation instructions on line. Ultimately, it sounds like your project is in a closet and probably not real visible to anyone but you. Give it a shot, you might surprise yourself :)

Well, not to worry, I'll be good and sure to get installation instructions for the glass tile. Thanks Mongo, Spanky, flyleft, Bill and EVERYONE.

Ivette

Well mine is actually a mix of extra tiles I ordered for the kitchen backsplash (long story short...they're the pieces that I should have ordered bullnose) and they're too expensive to just let sit in a box, so I thought I'd do a backsplash on the desk to remind me how stupid I was for the rest of my life LOL But since they're not bullnose (they're handmade tiles) I needed an edge for them, and didn't want to spend a fortune so I purchased some really pretty little glass tiles to go on the top and near the bottom two little tiles deep. But frankly, that's hand made tile AND glass tile LOL

Bill and Mongo have made me so danged tile crazy (in a good way) that it sounded like a fun project for the future...but maybe not heh heh

As I typed this I got a new email with my tile install bid...CHOKE ummm $17,900....Ouch. Maybe I can tackle this little job LOL

igloochic,

The reason your DIY installation will be successful is because you care enough about it to want it to be successful.

If you sub it out, why, I'll murderlize you!

Give it a shot, you deserve it.

Mongo

LOL Mongo :) I really do want to try just a little job :) I'll go ahead and wait until they finish the big job and save that for myself just for fun :)

But since I'm going to do this...I might as well start with a good base...So...If I venetian plaster and then try to install tile over that will it be a problem (wax finish) or should I leave that with a primer only base?

Gad I can't believe you talked me into it (lol ok I'm easy...I just had so much fun learning about this I want to try a little job!) And I don't want to be murderlized :oP

Thanks for the reply, Spanky. I get it.

Go Igloo!!

Gimme an I!
Gimme a G!......

Ivette (She who is planning this stupid bathroom, like a year in advance)

No wax.

You go girl.

I love venetian plaster. The first time I ever did it I thought my arm was going to fall off.

Mongo