Glass Tile

Teetorbilt

We have done some small details using glass tile and I've never been 100% satisfied with the jobs. We now have a much larger project coming up with some interesting goals.

#1: The ID wants the 7/8" tiles as close together as possible. I have this worked out and the tiles will have to be hand set. Tedious, but no problem.

#2: No grout! I first considered silicon but it will yellow and peel over time.
Next, went to epoxies. No peel problems but will also discolor with time.
I'm now considering acrylics but have never used them in this app. before.

I'm open for suggestions.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

mdshunk

Would you consider using CA? No yellowing issues there.

Mike Finley

This is one of those times where I think I would step up and have to tell the customer no. Setting them with no grout lines means, well, I can't even imagine the issues involved, applying them, removing the sheet and then moving them all together? That seems like an impossible task since all the thinset will end up getting pushed between them and ooze out. Setting them one by one by hand? Those glass tiles are hard enough to set sheet by sheet and usually require tons of hand straightening already. I can't even imagine the nightmare of applying them one by one and keeping everything correct. No grout to add to the problems?

You're a better man than me, this one would bring me to the point of saying no to the customer and really questioning what they are trying to accomplish by stretching a material so far away from it's expectations and maybe see if there is something else to meet their goals.

kapena

I recall reading that glass tiles move (expand & contract) much more than porcelain tile do. That would be a pretty good reason to avoid tightening the grout line. Any possible sunlight exposure was also mentioned as likely to make movement worse.

747

Sounds like to me this is a good paying job for teeter. I think glass tile is sharp its also very expensive. He can't afford to walk away. Sounds like a highend homeowner.

Tom R

Guess I'd tint the thinset to the color of the tile and 'let-it-bleed'!!

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Teetorbilt

Mike, you pick them off of the sheet and set them one at a time just like doing mosaics. Like I said, tedious. I do 2-3 mosaics a year.

I don't consider expansion/contraction to be a problem due to the small tile size. I do have one wall that is 8' long and over that distance it may be a factor. I'll get the manufacturers opinion. Anybody know where to find itty-bitty tile spacers, like 0.030"? LOL

md, elaborate on CA.

The tiles are 3 shades of green in a random pattern. They range from transparent to translucent.

747, This is a kitch, 2 bath, enclose screen porch, interior paint (faux finishes) and wood flooring throught....so far. I'm into this for over $50K and the change orders come every day the lady goes shopping, which is every day. She also buys all very high end Euro stuff from the trendy shops in Palm Beach. I originally quoted the job at over $130K and, if she keeps going the way she is, it's going over $200K.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Peladu

Teetor,

Post back (If you don’t mind) with your experience with these tiles. I have a friend that has these same type of tiles imported from Italy. They look to be 1”x1” and he was saying that they need some special materials for installation. To be honest, I wasn’t really listening to him that well, he’s a rambler and worrier. But, he did tell me that he would really like them in before April. The tiles he has come in sheets that are approximately 1square foot, and the coloring of them is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks

Teetorbilt

Check the spacing well before install, I came close to messing up on this one. They called them 1" tiles but they must be metric. A 'supposed' 12X12 actually measures about 11-1/4" sq. with the grout gaps. I probably would have missed it if it hadn't been for the desire for no grout lines, that's what made the tape come out.

If this would have been a feature strip like we usually do and we had set the field tile already, it could have been a costly boo-boo.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

mdshunk

CA = cyanoacrylate

kapena

Hi Teetor,

How definite is the rich lady's request for "no grout"?

Tile specifiers note that white grout provides glass tiles with their greatest clarity and reflectivity. It also minimizes any of the possible irregular oozing in the white bonding mortar. I personally think it would give the mosaic a more solid look than clear grout, but we all know that the customer (especially rich ones) are always right. Can you afford to do some small test samples?

kapena

Ca, Superglue, And Krazy glue do get brittle & discolor. You can see it on old repairs. They are too thin also.

There is a silicon that a mosaic company in the UK claims has optic quality transparency. You can find it on ebay (item #8229124330 ) for about $7. per tube. They might be better able to offer suggestions about whether it will work for your project.

Teetorbilt

I am very familiar with the properties of CA.

In the 60's the Japanese discovered how to synthisize the compound that barnacles used to attach themselves. It was originally sold to this country as AAron Alpha and used to affix false teeth into dentures. I believe that it was the company that advertised Krazy Glue that brought it to the forefront.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein