HELP! Glass tile on Shower Wall install

8 years ago

I want to do 3x12" Bliss Elements glass tile in white on my shower walls it will end up being 100 ft sq of wall tile in all. However, I have read about glass cracking post installation. What questions should I ask my installer about his process/products he's going to use? What needs to be done to prevent glass from cracking once it is up? I've read about anti fracture membranes, but that sounds like it is for floors and not walls?

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MongoCT

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Pretty much the same comments as C&R.

I've never had a negative issue with glass, but that's probably because I don't treat glass like porcelain.

Most gripes on the forum, or complaints I get via email, fall into one of the following categories:
-Installers using the wrong thinset. Either wrong color; gray instead of white, or modified versus unmodified. As previously written, follow the manufacturer's advice.
-Installers leaving ridges in the thinset that telegraph through the glass.
-Using epoxy grout, where the grout is stronger than the tile. You get a little differential movement for whatever reason and the tile fails before the grout. Cracked tile instead of cracked grout. Epoxy isn't necessarily "wrong". It's just something that has to be considered in conjunction with the tile and the layout of the shower.
-Cracks at door hinges or glass clips because too much pressure was put on the glass. I overdrill the hole in the glass and sleeve the hole. The sleeve transfers compression forces from the clip to the substrate, bypassing the tile.
-Not treating cut edges. See C&R's photo above.
-Glass tile being thinner than the surrounding porcelain. Instead of padding it out, the installer recesses the glass tile so there is lippage between the glass and the porcelain.
-Scratches can sometimes be an issue with sanded grout. Again, that's usually operator error instead of an incompatibility between sanded grout and glass.

Just some points to ponder. Not all have to be incorporated into an installation, because they don't all apply all of the time. But they should be considered.

Good luck!

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Comments (11)

PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Michelle, FWIW I recently attended an invitation only training seminar. There was over 1000 years combined experience between 32 attendees. When the topic of glass tile came up approx. half the group will not use it. TCNA Handbook states refer to the specific manufacturers installation instructions. Many manufacturers refer you to the handbook. There are guidelines but the risk is to great. The installer being the last to touch the material will be the one held responsible for problems. Glass is a completely different animal and the installers are the guinea pigs. Go by the manufacturers instructions only. Contact them directly and have a copy on hand. Ghosting is another problem. The cracks I have experienced post installation after following all manufacturers including the recommended thinsets. I personally would not do the job as the risk is to great. I'm sure there are many who will disagree. Hope all works out for you.https://tile-assn.site-ym.com/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=3484938
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
8 years ago
We install lots of glass tiles and have no reported failures. We to take some precautions in handling glass tiles; Excellent preparation is key, choosing the correct thinset, installing the thinset properly, cutting the tiles properly, avoiding L shaped tiles, drilling the tiles properly, and allowing for proper expansion and contraction.
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PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
8 years ago
C&R, Nice installation. The crisp vertical joints on the angled wall show your expertise. Would you mind sharing substrate info?
MongoCT
8 years ago
I didn't address a part of your post. You asked about anti-fracture membranes.

True AFMs are not usually used on shower walls. However, you can get a little bit of stress relief by using a topical membrane, ether sheet or liquid. They are not true uncouplers or AFMs, but by being a bit flexible and having just a bit of give with regards to shear forces, they do provide a slight amount of relief from stress.

Plus, in my opinion, they are a superior form of waterproofing in a shower.
Michelle O'Connor
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you SOOOO much for the information. What is the name of the topical membrane product? Is that redgard/hydroban for liquid and kerdi for the sheet?
MongoCT
8 years ago
You hit on all of them.

I'm not much of a RedGard person, just a personal preference. I prefer HB liquid over RG when it comes to liquid membranes. For sheet membranes, Kerdi and Hydroban sheet are the two I use most often.

Nobel makes a fine line of sheet membranes too. I used them for interior floors and exterior patios and tiled balconies more than for showers.
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Cabot & Rowe
8 years ago
The showers shown are over kerdi board with Laticrete 254 thinset
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Creative Tile Eastern CT
8 years ago
C&R, Thanks for sharing.
Sabra McGinnis
7 years ago
Are you able to look at glass in a shower and tell why the tiles are cracking or do you need the info of how it was applied and what items were used? Thx
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
7 years ago
Most of the time yes, but knowing the substrate and installation methods and materials helps. A cross section view of the tile assembly (tile+thinset+whatever is behind it) certainly helps. Pictures in process, pictures of the bags and boxes of materials, and of course of the glass tile itself with manufacturer, name, and style information.

HELP! Glass tile on Shower Wall install

MongoCT

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Creative Tile Eastern CT

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HELP! Glass tile on Shower Wall install

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