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INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Please read carefully before beginning installation.
Installing glass tile involves some basic procedures that differ from installing ceramic or stone tile.
Following these procedures will ensure a successful installation. This guide covers installation of glass
tile in interior floors, walls, and showers. For exterior and submerged applications, please refer to
Installation Guide – Pools, Water Features, and Exterior Installations available on our website.
We recommend a minimum of 10% overage on all tile orders. Prior to installation verify tile series,
size/pattern, color and finish. Installation of a test sheet is strongly recommended to ensure
correctness of material. Installation constitutes acceptance.
PREPARATION
Glass tile must be installed over a properly prepared substrate—a clean, sound, flat surface that is
free of cracks, contaminates, sealers, paint or adhesives. This is one of the most important factors in
ensuring a good installation as glass tile has translucent and reflective properties that may reveal the
presence of inconsistencies in the substrate.
Approved Surfaces for Setting
Concrete slabs (on grade) cured a minimum of 28 days, free of cracks, curing agents and any signs of
laitance.
Well cured mortar beds (ANSI A108.1B Standards-cured a minimum 7 days).
Cement Board/backer units (CBU) to ANSI A118.9 Standards (Note: An ANSI A108A-2.1.8 membrane
is required behind all CBU installations in wet areas).
Gypsum board (dry areas only) installed to ASTM C1396 or ASTM C1396M-04 Standards.
Do not install glass tile directly over Particle Board or Plywood!
Movement/Expansion Joints: Refer to TCNA - EJ171
A soft joint is required between any change of
material within the tile installation (tile to tile,
tile to metal, tile to wood).
Additional movement provisions may be
required based on the conditions of the
project.
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Installation
Installation Tips
A 3/16”x 1/4” V-Notch trowel is recommended for installation. Check periodically during installation to
verify proper coverage.
Our glass tiles are paper-face mounted with water-soluble glue. All sheets are printed with the words
“Mount This Side Out,” indicating that the paper must be facing out. DO NOT install the tile with paper
embedded into the thin-set.
Directional sheets must be installed with in the same orientation for proper alignment of
directional blends.
Step-By-Step Mosaic Installation
Work in areas of 6 –
10 SF. Key in thinset with flat edge of
trowel.
Use correctly sized
V-Notch trowel to
achieve uniform
thickness.
Lightly knock down
the tops of combed
thin-set with flat
edge of trowel until
smooth.
Sheets must be
installed with PAPER
FACING OUT. Gently
seat tile into the thinset, paying attention
to sheet lines and
directional arrows, if
included.
Use a beating block to
achieve uniform
flatness and full bond.
Wait 15-30 minutes
before lightly wetting
the paper with water
and a sponge. It may
take several passes
to properly saturate.
Do not use excessive
water.
Begin peeling paper
off 5-10 minutes after
wetting. Begin in one
corner and pull at an
angle towards the
opposite corner until
paper is free from
tile.
Adjust tiles as
needed.
Promptly clean excess
setting materials from
tile surface with a
damp sponge.
Follow manufacturer’s
recommended stated
cure times for setting.
Follow setting
manufacturer’s
recommended stated
cure times prior to
grouting.
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Step-By-Step Grouting
Our artistic glass may contain noticeable surface variations as a result of the manufacturing process. During the grouting
process these may become more noticeable if grout residue is left to cure on the surface. A soft bristle brush may be used to
remove the excess grout from the surface during the initial cleaning phase. It is critical to remove all excess grout from the
surface of the tile before the grout is allowed to fully cure.
Pre-wash tile with
damp sponge to
remove 100% of
glue or other residue
before grouting.
Apply grout with a
rubber float making
sure joints are free of
voids.
Use a damp sponge
to remove excess
grout, leaving only a
slight haze residue.
Wait 30-40 minutes
before polishing off
haze residue with a
clean microfiber cloth.
Perform as work
progresses while
grout is fresh.
Wait 12 hours before
performing a ‘final
polish’ to remove any
residual haze with a
dry terry or microfiber
cloth.
Our textured products may benefit from a post-cure ‘polish’. Use grout haze remover or diluted
sulfamic solution to remove haze from glass and small surface fissures. Use of a soft bristle brush will
aid this process. Follow product manufacturer’s installation instructions. Always test small area first.
Step-By-Step Back Butter Method
Recommended on individual tiles and tiles 2”x2” or larger to obtain 100% coverage.
Clean back of tile.
Apply thin-set to 100% of back of
tile.
Press tile into prepared thin set
bed.
Cutting Glass Tile:
Use glass tile nippers with carbide cutting
wheels.
Use a wet saw with diamond blade for glass.
Montolit CPV Series; Alpha Vetro Series; MK
Series.
To prevent rough edges, glass tiles must be cut
slowly.
Drilling Holes:
Drill tile before installation. Drilling from both
sides will minimize chipping and cracking.
Use a diamond core bit at low speed (250 to
300rpm).
Mist the tile and drill bit with water during
drilling to prevent tile from cracking.
Openings should be 1/8” larger than fixture
fittings to avoid stress transfer to the tile.
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Setting Materials
ARDEX
www.ardexamericas.com
• X 77™ MICROTEC® Fiber Reinforced Thin Set
Mortar (Dry Areas)
• X 77™ MICROTEC® Fiber Reinforced Thin Set
Mortar with E 90™ Mortar Admix (Wet/Dry
Areas)
• S 48™ Rapid-Set Mortar (Wet/Dry Areas)
BOSTIK
www.bostik-us.com
• ReFlex® Ultra-Premium Latex-Modified Thin
Set Mortar (Dry Areas)
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS
www.custombuildingproducts.com
• Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar (Wet/Dry
Areas)
• MegaFlex® Crack Prevention Mortar
(Wet/Dry)
• FlexBond® Premium Crack Prevention Thin-
Set Mortar
LATICRETE
www.laticrete.com/home.aspx
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• Glass Tile Adhesive Mortar (Wet/Dry Areas)
MAPEI
www.mapei.com/US-EN
• Adesilex™ P10 Bright White mixed with
Keraply Mortar Additive (Wet/Dry Areas)
TEC Specialty Products
www.tecspecialty.com
• Super Flex™ Ultra-Premium Thin Set Mortar
(Wet/Dry Areas)
Acceptable systems for glass tile installation are continuously revised as new technologies become
available. While we are providing this basic list, this list should not be considered exclusive or
complete. There may be other manufacturers who produce suitable installation products, including
products we may not be aware of. It is the installer’s responsibility to be knowledgeable about the
most current recommended systems.
RESOURCES & INDUSTRY GROUPS
(NTCA) National Tile Contractors Association www.tile-assn.com
(TCNA) Tile Council of North America www.tcnatile.com
(TTMAC) Terrazzo Tile and Marble Assoc. of Canada www.ttmac.com
(CTIOA) Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Glass Field Reports www.ctioa.org
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