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Setting Glass Tiles
Setting Glass Tiles
Linda J. Quesada Setting Glass Tiles
First Edition
By Linda J. Quesada
Wholesalers USA, Inc. Page 1
Setting Glass Tile
Copyright © 2007 Wholesalers USA, Inc.
All rights reserved
ISBN Number: 1-4276-0955-1
This e-Book is distributed by Wholesalers USA Inc., and is free of charge. Our goal in writing
it is to provide a step-by-step guide to installing glass tiles, and to help do-it-yourselfers answer
such questions as "what type of thin set do I use" or "what type of grout do I use?"
Wholesalers USA is one of the worlds leading distributors of
Giorbello
brand glass tiles.
Come visit Wholesalers USA online at
www.WholesalersUSAInc.com
This e-Book is free to distribute as long as it remains free and unaltered in any way, including
this disclaimer. All contents are copyright of Wholesalers USA Inc., and can not be altered in
any way without permission. Page 2
Setting Glass Tile
W
elcome to our how-to guide on choosing and installing glass tiles. We hope you find
it informative and valuable; and we hope it helps you beautify your home with the most
exciting tiling product available today.
Glass tiles will give your home a clean, fresh appearance, and are perfect for you whether
your tastes run traditional or modern. A bold step away from customary, dull ceramics; glass
tiles will make you feel like you live in the elegance of a tranquil spa.
Glass tiles are also dramatic, and they promise to bring a unique, stylish look to your
bathroom, kitchen, or just about any other area you can think of (even your pool!). Whether
you are looking for a timeless, elegant look featuring amber, bronze, and gold hues; or you
prefer a more modern style with waves of beautiful shades of greens and blues; glass tiles
can create the perfect backdrop for your home.
This guide has been created with the goal of introducing you to glass tile, and showing you
how to install them.
Glass tile offers you amazing features that ceramic tiles simply
cannot match:

Thousands of colors ranging from metallic gold and silver, to the always-popular
ocean colors.

Glass tile has a unique look all its own, with each tile having a distinct and interesting
character.

They are impervious to moisture, which makes them perfect for bathrooms, kitchens,
etc. They are also very easy to clean, stain-proof, and dry fast.

They are strong (do not let the word "glass" fool you - most objects dropped on glass
tiles will break before the tile does).

Glass tiles are diverse - You can mix them with porcelain tiles to make your design
even more unique.

They are easy to install - you can do it yourself. Page 3
Setting Glass Tile
On that note, lets install your new glass tiles!
By installing glass tiles yourself, not only will you save a lot of money that you would have
had to pay a professional, but you may even do a better job than they would. And when you're
finished, you will look proudly at your work, and fully enjoy the everlasting appeal glass tiles
will add to your home.
Tools and Materials Needed:
The success of your project depends on starting with the right tools. Here is a list of the common
tools youll need for your project:
Trowel 3/16"x5/32" v-notched trowel for tiles less than 3/16" (less than 5 mm) in
thickness, or a 1/4"x1/4" square-notched trowel for tiles thicker than 3/16" (5 mm and
thicker).
Tile Nipper/Cutter (your personal preference)
Chalk Line (or straight edge and pencil)
Large Sponge
Tile Float
Carpenters Level (optional depending on the size of the area being tiled)
Authentic
Giorbello
Glass Tiles (our recommended brand of choice)
Grout (unsanded for tiles with spacing 1/8 or less)
Adhesive (White Thin Set modified with Latex -- Since glass tiles have varying
degrees of transparency, you want to choose an adhesive that does not effect the true
color of the tiles. For this reason, we recommend that you use white adhesive behind
all glass tiles; this will ensure that the natural color of the tiles shows while being
unaffected by the adhesive)
Wooden Beating Block (short piece of wood, typically a short 2x4 with a thin cloth
wrapped around it) Page 4
Setting Glass Tile
Tile Backing:
It is important that you choose the correct backing to install your tiles to. If you use the
wrong backing you have the danger of the tiles coming loose years down the road. Here are
the different types of backings:
Cement Board
If you are installing tiles around a tub or shower you want to install cement board. Cement
board is an underlayment which is made up of cement reinforced with fiberglass. When
installing cement board, make sure you dont use standard drywall screws, as they will rust
over time. You should use coated cement board or galvanized screws, as they are designed
for this use and will resist corrosion, ensuring that your tile job lasts decades.
Green Board
Green Board is recommended for areas which are occasionally subjected to moisture, such
as behind sinks, toilets, and back splashes. Green Board gets its name from its color (it is
a green colored drywall.) Green Board is also water resistant, so it is good for areas where
there is occasional moisture. Green Board is not recommended for high moisture areas,
as over time the moisture will cause the paper to soften and the tiles to come loose. Green
Board should be not be used in areas such as around bath tubs and showers. As with Cement
Board, you should not use standard drywall screws, as they will rust over time. Use only
galvanized screws (we recommend screws over nails.)
Concrete

Concrete is an ideal surface for mounting tiles to. It is best for exterior areas subjected to
freezes and thaws. Be sure that if the concrete is newly poured that it has cured for at least
28 days. Ideally, the concrete surface should have a broom finish to it. You should install
your tiles over a clean stable surface free of cracks or coatings. If there are cracks or coatings
on the surface, refer to a concrete guide to properly prepare the surface for tiling.
Drywall
Drywall can be used in areas where there is no danger of moisture. Typically youll find the
walls behind your kitchen countertop are made of drywall, this is acceptable if the tiles are
not in an area where they are exposed to much more than occasional moisture. Page 5
Setting Glass Tile
Tiles:
As with any project, selecting the right product is the most important decision you will face. In
simple terms, we recommend
Giorbello
premium glass tiles (
www.Giorbello.com
).
With great durability,
Giorbello
Tiles are perfect for indoor and outdoor use, and they feature a
fiberglass mesh backing to ensure that installing your tiles will be as simple as possible.
Giorbello
glass tiles offer you the best of both worlds: quality tiles available in hundreds of
vibrant colors, and prices to fit any budget.
Choosing a tile design begins with color. Not only does
Giorbello
offer colors ranging from
snow white to jet black to everything in between, they also offer many blends featuring beautiful,
multi-shaded colors.
In addition to the multitude of colors, they also provide several unique style options:
Crystal Tiles
-- Crystal tiles are enhanced by the "kiln-fired" backing, which
applies the vibrant colors to the back of the tile. As the light passes through, you will
be startled by the little nuances and rich colors these tiles show-off.
Traditional
-- What is great about traditional glass tiles is their diversity;
traditional glass tiles are available in a variety of alluring colors and transparencies.
Because of this diversity, you can create any color or design scheme.
Many More
-- Including stained glass, mosaic, painted color patterns, and even
mosaic murals...
Remember to retrieve a sample tile before you start your project; it's always important to
view the actual tile color and style in the location where it will be installed. Also, remember
to follow the manufacturers' instructions at all times.
Now that you have selected your tile pattern and have your tools
ready, let's get started... Page 6
Setting Glass Tile
Adhesives and Grouts:
Latex modified white thin set is recommended for installing glass tiles. Be sure to check
the specifications of the brand of thin set youre purchasing to verify that their product is
suited for glass tiles. Recommended temperature for applying thin set is between 50 and
90 degrees. Be sure to keep the surface out of direct sunlight when installing tiles as the
sunlight can cause the surface to dry unevenly and prematurely, making working with the
tile more difficult.
Non-sanded grout is recommended for most glass tiles. If the spacing between the tiles
is 1/8" or less, then you must use non-sanded grout. If the spacing is greater than 1/8",
then you can use sanded grout. For most installations youll want to use a colored grout.
Grout colors which are similar to, but lighter in shade than the tiles, is recommended.
Cutting Tiles:
Glass tiles are best cut using glass mosaic tile cutters or a wet saw. There are several
types of tile cutters; nippers, wheeled nippers, and scoring nippers. Youll want to
experiment with different types of cutters to find out which one is most suited for you.
Leponitt makes the best glass mosaic