Tiling with glass made easy
Done in One: A step-by-step guide to seamless glass tile installations
Glass tiling is an increasingly popular trend, and with TAL Mosaicfix, bonding and grouting is
completed in one operation.
As with all glass products, glass tiles are rigid, brittle and can crack easily when there is any movement transferred directly to the glass. They are also smooth and impervious, which means achieving an adhesive bond can be tricky. Glass mosaic tiles have however surged in popularity, mostly being used as a decorative inset to give a room a more contemporary look, so the need for proper installation techniques has increased.
Glass subway tiles are a particularly popular tile trend that’s seen the transformation of many a bathroom and kitchen. Thelook provides both style and sophistication and a great part of their appeal is how easily they can be cleaned. This said, there are several factors to consider when installing glass tiles. Glass products, being both reflective and translucent, will immediately show defects that may not be as visible with ceramic and porcelain tiles. When installing this type of material, it’s imperative that the substrate to be tiled is clean, sound, flat and level. Substrates that are not levelled must be rectified prior to installation of the glass tiles.
Your chosen adhesive must offer flexibility to compensate for the movement and stresses resulting from thermal expansion and contraction. This can be successfully achieved by using a latex additive such as TAL Bond, as a total water replacement, or by adding TAL Bond Powder to the TAL Mosaicfix mix. It’s also vital that tile panel movement joints (TPMJs) are installed when tiling with glass tiles. This will further accommodate any movement and isolate potential cracks to a singular panel of tiles. These TPMJs should be placed at maximum 2m centres in both directions, as well as at the interface between the glass tiles and other types of tiles or finishes.
The new TAL Mosaicfix formulation is suitable for ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass mosaic and glass tiles up to 100mmx100mm in size. It’s also a smooth adhesive and grout, meaning it’s less likely to scratch the tiles. TAL Mosaicfix is available in two colours; a super white and a light grey. Super white is ideal for glass tiles and walls used in showers and on splashbacks, as it highlights the colour of the glass tile. The light grey option is better suited to flooring.
When installing glass tiles, it’s important that the bonding and grouting be done in one application. First apply the adhesive to the surface and then firmly bed the glass tile or mosaic sheet into the adhesive. A wooden beating block or rubber grouting float can be used to create a flat surface. Let the adhesive squeeze out through the joints between the tiles to form the grout. Allow for an initial set by waiting 20 minutes, after which you can add more TAL Mosaicfix to fill the joints. Take care not to scratch the surface of the glass.
Using a damp grout sponge, gently clean the excess grout from the tiles before it hardens, particularly when an additive has been used. TAL Grout Sealer is ideal for sealing the grout joints and makes them easier to clean and resistant to staining.
TAL’s national technical advice line is always available for DIY enthusiasts looking for tiling advice. Our team of experts is just a phone call or email away – get in touch here.[Back]
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