Cutting edges off of delicate mosaic glass sheets...PLEASE HELP!!

6 years ago

Using Artistic Tile's Little Satch glass mosaic sheets in bathroom. Wanting to run the sticks horizontally, but in a vertical stripe, similar to shown below "design inspiration". Each sheet is interlocking which means the edges of 2 of every 3 lines has to be cut in some way to make a straight edge for it to be placed horizontally (see "mosaic sheet" link below). PLEASE HELP me help my installer do this well...how should these delicate tiny pieces of glass be cut? They need to be clipped off in some gentle way...what tools and/ or method and/or process should be used? Using 14 of these sheets for two 7 foot stripes. Thank you!!

design inspiration

mosaic sheet

Featured Answer

MongoCT

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

A few options in no particular order:

1) He can cut the entire sheet on a wet saw with an appropriate blade. The sheet will be able to withstand the process...or it won't.

2) If the sheet is too delicate for the wet saw, he could keep everything dry by score/snap/nippers to cut the long tiles to length. Some glass snaps evenly, some doesn't. Depends on glass size, shape, surface irregularities, and the skill of the one holding the tool.

3) If the glass does not give decent and repeatable results by cutting manually (raggedy edges, edge fractures), he could pull the long tiles off the mesh, install the sheet on the wall, then cut each removed piece to length and then set them.

Depending on what tools he has in his tool kit, some glass can be dry cut without thermal cracking. Your mosaic are small enough where that could be a possibility. But in general I prefer to not dry cut glass with an abrasive wheel.

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Comments (16)

miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
This seems like information your tile setter should have. However here are some links:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/3-ways-to-cut-glass-without-a-glass-cutter

https://aboutglasstile.com/cutting-glass-tiles/
contemporganic thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
jellytoast
6 years ago
I don't understand why you think your tile installer needs instructions on how to cut tile.
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PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
he's going to have to lay the sheets on a piece of heavy material while running it through the saw. He will prob have to tape off the entire length of the glass so it won't splinter and chip. I'm assuming he has a diamond blade meant for glass?

you could also try professional tile nippers that mosaic artists use, but that may be a slow process.

but yes, as mentioned above, why do you have to advise a pro tile setter how to do his job?? has he never used these glass mosaics?

you might also research this yourself over at the JohnBridge Tile Forum.
contemporganic
Original Author
6 years ago
Our tile installer said he knew what to do with the tiles on the two different times we discussed the specific tiles before the project started. He even showed me photos of an actual installation they did previously using the same tiles. Today, at start of tile installation, he tells me that he went back and reviewed what they had done last time and that given how I want it arranged, it won't work and the tiles have to be run vertically. Either way the ends have to be clipped so I know that it can be done horizontally. The tiler agreed that it would be a good idea for me to investigate the best way to cut them :( So here I am...granted these mosaic tiles are so so thin and small and fall off the mesh easily....but any help you have would be helpful to me in order to be helpful to him.
PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
he can try some glass cutting tools. the nippers, or this one from Delphi

or maybe use a dremel

whatever he uses, it's going to be slow going and very tedious.
contemporganic thanked Beth H. :
geoffrey_b
6 years ago
Use a wet saw, and a glass cutting blade. He should support the sheet while cutting. With glass tile there may be a specific thinset. Also the tile may be thinner than your wall tile - he will have to build up that area. You can't just put more thinset and set mosaic tile - it will ooze out between the tiles. He will have to build it up with thinset - let it dry. Then install the tile.

Do you need to have the cut edge polished?

Get is all straight before he starts.
contemporganic thanked geoffrey_b
jellytoast
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
"The tiler agreed that it would be a good idea for me to investigate the best way to cut them."

I'm shocked that a tile installer is actually asking his customer to investigate the proper way to cut tile! Maybe I'm missing something, but cutting glass mosaics should be a non-issue for a tile installer.
contemporganic
Original Author
6 years ago
@jellytoast - I agree it is odd that a tile installer is telling me he is not sure that these edges can be cut.:) At this point, nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to working with various professionals. Frustrates me, absolutely! Surprises me, not anymore....there's always something, even when someone has "done this before"!
contemporganic
Original Author
6 years ago
Finally got the installation instructions from Artistic Tile!! The link they had for the installation instructions on the actual tile page did not provide details. They suggest to either use a glass cutter to score and then snap the individual pieces or to use a wet saw to cut the whole sheet and then let it dry (since all of the glue on the mesh has gotten wet) and then install it. Any votes for which way has worked / will work best??
jellytoast
6 years ago
contemporganic, is he installing a shower as in your inspiration pic, or just installing some mosaics on a wall?
contemporganic
Original Author
6 years ago
Installing entire tub/ shower with the mosaic stripe centered going down the showerhead/ tub spout and the opposite wall.
jellytoast
6 years ago
Does he think the ends of those tiles would not have to be cut if he installed them vertically? That he is even questioning how to cut these tiles makes me nervous for the rest of your job. Aside from that, hopefully you have an extra sheet for him to practice on.
millworkman
6 years ago
"At this point, nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to working with various professionals."

Are you certain he is a professional tile setter? Certainly would have raised red flags if it were me the moment he wanted YOU to research his work..........
User
6 years ago
Red flag. Now is the time that we ask about what water proofing system he used behind the tiles? Be specific, with pictures of before, during, and now.
thatsmuchbetter
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
you hired a novice and are learning A hard lesson. Focus your attention on finding a tile professional and by professional i dont mean someone who takes money for services rendered. . A 50-60$ per hr tile professional that also takes 7 days longer to finish your dream for you. Cheap reveals itself in details craftsmanship and speed

Cutting edges off of delicate mosaic glass sheets...PLEASE HELP!!

MongoCT

Comments (16)

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Cutting edges off of delicate mosaic glass sheets...PLEASE HELP!!

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