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Important - Must Read:

American Glass Mosaics uses a very high-quality paper face mount process for our glass mosaic sheets. This approach has been proven over many decades to provide successful and long-lasting installation performance. Please carefully read and understand the following guidelines and instructions prior to starting your install. We appreciate your attention to these instructions!

• Use white thin-set mortars designed specifically for glass tiles. Never use mastic adhesives.
• Paper or plastic is on the face of the tile that is to be seen – side of the tile with-out paper is applied to mortar.
• Paper is easily removed by saturating the paper after the tile has been installed and when the setting material has achieved its initial set– approximately 15-30 minutes after installation. Wait 5 minutes after saturation to easily peel paper off of tile.
• Plastic is removed when the setting material has achieved its full set approximately 24-48 hours after installation.

Introduction

Preparation for and installation of glass mosaic tiles requires a high-level knowledge of tile installation methods and an above average tile installation skill level. Anyone attempting to install glass mosaic tiles should have a knowledge of the relevant methods and procedures that are described in the TCNA Handbook for Installation of Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tiles. Visit tcnatile.com for more information.

Each manufacturer of tile installation materials has specific recommendations for materials used to prepare the substrate and install glass mosaic tile. Please contact your preferred installation materials manufacturer for detailed recommendations related to the use of their materials to install glass mosaics. Keep in mind that the recommended set of installation materials may change depending upon the type of installation (i.e. interior backsplashes may require different materials than swimming pools)

Recommended Tools

• Variable speed angle grinder
• Hammer drill
• Wheeled mosaic tile nippers
• Safety glasses
• Latex gloves
• Sanding stone
• Hand broom (or vacuum)
• Hard bristle brush
• Heat gun (only if needed to remove cured epoxy grout)
• Mesh tape (only for cracks or seams)
• Paint brush and paint roller with tray (only for waterproofing)

Recommended Products

• Polymer modified tile and stone mortar (white cement)
• Epoxy bonding mortar (only if installing on metal or plastic)
• Crack-prevention membrane
• Waterproofing membrane (only if waterproofing)
• Cementitious grout or epoxy grout (color complementary to that of the tile; contrasting color not recommended)
• Palmolive Pure & Clear dish detergent (for grout cleaning)

Step 1: Prepare Substrate

• Prepare substrate by removing any imperfections on surface with sanding stone.
• Remove any dust from the substrate.
• If a crack isolation membrane is not used in all areas then apply a crack isolation membrane to all seams or cracks.
• If waterproofing is required, apply waterproofing membrane as directed.
• Mix thin-set according to product instructions. Setting material used for skim coat should be the same used for installation, for bonding purposes.
• Apply a skim coat to substrate with the flat edge of the notch trowel.
• Allow appropriate drying time according to product instructions, sand surface with sanding stone and remove any dust from the surface.
• Additional coats may be applied for coarse surfaces, until substrate is smooth, level and plum.

Step 2: Layout & Installation

• Perform a dry layout on floor to ensure all material is accurate and sufficient. During layout, make sure the faint lines in the surface of paper-face mounted sheets are running in the same direction, to ensure uniformity of grout joints.
• Allow joint space between sheets–parallel to the lines on paper–to be slightly larger (1/8" total) than the grout joints between the mosaics on paper face mounted sheets.
• Take measurements of 3 by 3 sheet area. When marking substrate use pencil and be sure to apply lightly, as to not have any markings shown through tile and grout.
• Using level, apply horizontal line at the measurement of 3 sheets above highest point of floor (easiest way to determine the high point is by using a horizontal laser level and checking different locations of floor, measuring down from horizontal level line to the floor).
• From this horizontal guideline, mark additional horizontal line above 3 more sheets and repeat this until you reach the end of designated installation area.
• Mark vertical line 3 sheets from starting point. When starting in a corner where adjacent wall receives mosaic add thickness of tile and grout joint to vertical measurement, allowing space for mosaic installation on connecting wall (the same allowance should be made to horizontal floor measurement if installing tile to floor).
• It is good practice to not mark additional guidelines until mosaic has been installed in the existing square’s, in case adjustments are necessary.

Cutting

If cutting tile is necessary, use a variable speed angle grinder with a continuous rim diamond blade. Mark the face of the tile where the cut is needed and set the grinder speed to the middle. It is best to cut the tile on top of a smooth, rigid surface such as stone or wood. Secure the good section of tile under a grout float, and begin cutting along the mark lightly. You do not want to cut the tile completely through in one pass, as doing so will cause chipping and breaks. Pass the grinder along cut mark, deepening the cut with each pass until tile is cleanly through (at least 3 passes). Individual tile can be cut with standard tile nippers designed for glass tile (similar to using scissors

Step 3: Set Mounted Mosaic & Paper Removal

Thinset Application

Lightly knock down the tops of combed thinset with flat edge of trowel until smooth.

Installing Mosaic Sheets

Removing Paper Face

Adjusting and Cleaning

Follow setting manufacturers recommended stated cure times prior to grouting.

Follow same tile setting process for plastic faced mosaic tiles. Wait 24-48 hours before removing plastic film. Begin at a corner and slowly peel at an angle towards the opposite corner until plastic is free from tile.

Grouting

Clean all glue residue from surface of tile using hot water (clean with sponge and/or scrub pad). Prepare joints for grout by removing any thinset that is close or flush to the face of the tile. Prepare to grout after joints are clean and dry. Cementitious, epoxy, and urethane grouts are acceptable for use. We highly recommend the use of higher performing epoxy and or urethane translucent grouts. Follow manufacturers guidelines for correct mixing, use and wear indicated safety equipment. After mixing, spread grout with manufacturers indicated float in all directions to ensure that joints are full. Follow setting materials manufacturer’s instructions for correct grout removal methodology. Remember to always scrub lightly when removing grout to ensure that grout joints remain full. We highly recommend the use of a grout sealer if cement grout is used. After grout curing, your American Glass Mosaics installation can be cleaned with household glass cleaners.

We seek to continually improve and refine our products, and reserve the right to make changes in material, specification, and pricing without prior notice. For specific product information, please contact us at 231.375.8037.

Occasional variations in color, shade, tone and texture are to be expected in all glass products. Samples do not necessarily represent an exact match to existing inventory.