1/8” glass mosaic tile - hard to work with?

5 years ago

I have all my bathroom tile picked out - new construction. So pleased either everything. Worked with a designer along with the rep at the large tile store. I picked a gorgeous glass mosaic stacked tile for an accent feature in my shower and for the bathtub and vanity backsplash. It’s 1/8” thick.

My builder says that 1/8” tile is problematic and he would prefer not to work with it. I asked him why it’s problematic but haven’t heard back yet.

The plan is to use the mosaic glass as an accent feature in shower - vertical 1’ wide floor to ceiling on back wall, with the main shower tile in the bullnose pieces to frame the accent tile. This will make the transition between the thickness of the shower tile and then the frames accent tile at 1/8” thick look purposefully and highlight it.

As I don’t have knowledge or experience with 1/8” glass mosaic tile I am wondering what the problems the builder/tile installer will encounter and could it affect the long term use of the shower?

My builder suggests I pick something else out that is thicker. This is a custom home - not a mass build project.

Thoughts?

Pics are of tile selections and with beautiful mosaic glass tile. Newport Beach Stack from Elysian.

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PRO

Beth H. :

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

your mosaic tile is thinner than the other tile. (which is prob 3/8" ) that means he's going to have to beef up the part of the wall so that the two depths will meet.

since it's thinner, you can't just lay it on the wall next to the thicker tile. it will be inset and look bad

see how it sits back inward from the white tile? and finished below,,,see how crooked and what a total mess it looks like?

you want it to be perfectly flat and even w/the thicker tile. that means building up that portion so that extends further out. they may have to apply extra mortar in order to bring it forward

this is how it should look when finished. show this to your tiler. if he can't promise you it will look like this, find someone who can.

Any qualified tile setter should be able to do it. If he's telling you can't, or doesn't want to, then it would be a red flag for me. He's probably not that great at doing tile work.

Find someone else.

wait, you said your builder told you? Your builder doesn't install tile. Find yourself a qualified tile setter. Don't let your builder dictate your design choices for you.

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Comments (16)

C DeV
Original Author
5 years ago
Sorry for the misspellings. Posted this from my iPhone. And can’t find the edit feature. I would appreciate any insight into pros/cons of using 1/8” glass mosaic tile in my desired application.
0
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, it’s more difficult. A QUALIFIED tile pro would have no issues. You should get what you want, within reason. There’s no logical reason to not use a bit more difficult tile to work with, as long as a bit extra compensation is factored in for that difficulty.

Are you sure you are working with a qualified pro? You vetified license and insurance and his methodology of waterproofing?

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer
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I'm thinking "otters" was meant to be "outers," as in perimeter. That would mean an island with white cabs and the U-shaped perimeter in dark cabs. The counters will be concrete with a marble look. On the first question of using 1" tiles on all the backsplash of a U-kitchen, I don't think I would. To me it seems like a lot of "noise" on the walls - it might seem claustrophobic. Maybe in a larger format? Here are a couple of greens in a slightly larger format tile. Click on the photos to get a better view of the tile. [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by San Francisco Architect Buttrick Wong Architects [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by San Francisco Interior Designer Fiorella Design On the second question of the green color, it might be great, but it's hard to tell without more references. It might be better to break that block of solid color up with something else. One way is to choose a tile that has multiple colors like the ones EAM44 posted, but in your green tones. Another is to use the green as a 3, 4 or 6" strip running through a more neutral tile. Here's one with a double strip: [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Dc Metro Design-build Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. A single strip, but I don't care for the placement: [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Francisco Interior Designer Amoroso Design Here's a thought on how to use the 1" without overwhelming the room: [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Los Angeles Kitchen And Bath Alison Glen Designs
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vaimeta
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

We had a glass mosaic tile in our 2nd bathroom and the tile guy didn't seem to have any issues with it. I would go with what you want, if he isn't comfortable enough with it then maybe look for a new tiler
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PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"pieces to frame the accent tile. This will make the transition between the thickness of the shower tile"

This shows you have given this some thought and it really simplifies the installation. A couple things to consider. Installing glass uses specific techniques. Your builder has clearly had bad a experience with it. My guess would be the contractor has a inexperienced installer to keep his / her costs down and profits up.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

Has anyone verified the selected glass is approved for use in a shower? Thermal shock rating? Which type of grout is approved? Setting material? Installer will need a glass blade in the wet saw.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/blog/how-to-install-glass-tile-correctly

Don't force a installer to work out of his / her comfort range and learn on your project. Instead force the builder to hire someone with the required knowledge.
C DeV thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
Melissa R
5 years ago
I'd skip the accent tile. I think it is already on the way out.
Chisos
5 years ago
.
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scottie mom
5 years ago
“Don't force a installer to work out of his / her comfort range and learn on your project. Instead force the builder to hire someone with the required knowledge.“

Excellent advice from @Creative Tile Eastern CT as always! (All of it, not just that excerpt.) Whether or not the installer is qualified, I personally like it when a builder thinks ahead about these things. If you love the tile combinations, proceed with caution, and be aware there may be complications. You’ve done all the right homework, and it’s a challenging installation. Ask builder to bring tile pro to look at your choices and discuss.

best of luck!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Make sure your builder actually uses a tile setter pro not the contractor and I would not add the bullnose I think it will take away from the beauty of that tile. I think scottie has a good idea about talking to the actual tile setter. BTW I do not like the look of a niche done in an accent tile I have no idea why anyone wants to accent shampoo bottles but I do like the vertical accent in a otherwise very plain shower
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Framing with a 1/2" or 3/4" Liner profile would eliminate thickness issues. With a added feature I like to point out. You can simply tile over the mosaic area down the road if your tastes change.
sushipup1
5 years ago
Hope that you don't have a mildew problem, and have to clean all that grout.
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C DeV
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone for the feedback. My builder got back to me and said that

"If you like this tile we can make it work. It’s just not ideal, as it requires more time to do the installation properly. We have done it many times before." "We use the Hydro-Guard waterproofing system in the custom showers and have never had a leak. We also use only epoxy grout in the showers." He uses certified tilers.

We live in a small town in a rural area and our builder is top notch. People aren't in business long in a small community if they do crappy work. He only builds a handful of homes at a time, all custom and not part of a housing development or group. He's been building homes in our area for over 10 years and I've seen many of the homes he has built. I am confident in his abilities and his subcontractors. Several of my friends have homes built by him and are not disappointed.

When talking with him further about the issue, it's more time involved and ultimately more costly to me. But he can do it and will do it if I want. I just need to evaluate if it's really the best decision in the long run in the 3 areas - shower accent, bathtub back splash and vanity backsplash

I appreciate the comments about the niche. I do not like niche's. I am having a shower bench. seat and will put my shampoos and stuff on that along with my bottom if I need to sit.

The accent tile is going to be a 1' wide top to bottom feature in my shower. All the pieces together remind me of the ocean and to me, give it a relaxing spa feel. All the colors worked well together - the picture I posted looks ok - but the colors really work well and look even better in person.

I am rethinking using it for the vanity backsplashes as I don't like cleaning grout. I was originally going to use my counter top material - Pental Misterio Quart - for the backsplash. but feel that's rather boring since the cabinets are white and the counter white, the mosaic tile would bring some color to the vanities. The bathroom walls are painted SW Mineral Deposit.

I really like the look of the glass and will try and find another option for the vanity backsplash in a complimentary color and perhaps use it for the bathtub backsplash as well.

Attached is an inspiration pic of the shower with a vertical accent piece and a corner shower seat. I like the offset vertical band (not centered on the wall). This is similar to what mine will look like. Those these aren't the same colors.
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C DeV
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Inspiration pic. My shower is similar size. But this vertical band drew my eye. I like it.
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PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
5 years ago
"We also use only epoxy grout in the showers."

Problem being many glass tile manufacturers will not allow epoxy grout with glass tiles.

Glass expands more than tile. There is a reason I raised the questions above.
C DeV thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
C DeV
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@Creative Tile Eastern CT That is good to know. I will ask him about that. What grout do you recommend for glass tiles in a shower?
0
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
5 years ago
Contact glass tile manufacturer for the answer to all these questions. It's what I would need to do just to bid your project.
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1/8” glass mosaic tile - hard to work with?

Beth H. :

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C DeV
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vaimeta

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1/8” glass mosaic tile - hard to work with?

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