Glass Tile101: Grout

Glass tile is a beautiful way to decorate your bathroom, kitchen and even your craft projects. It installs very similar to conventional tile with the exception for a few basic elements that can make or break your glass tile home improvement project. Use these secrets of glass tile grouting to get the job right.

Before you begin any grouting, glass tiles should be set and firm for at least 48 hours. Any debris that is present should be removed with a small brush or shop vacuum.

Sanded grouts should be avoided as they can scratch the surface of delicate glass tile surfaces. A non-sanded grout works best for grout tiling projects.

You will want to mix the non-sanded grout according to the manufacturer's specifications. That typically involves pouring the desired amount of grout into a plastic five gallon bucket and mixing in some water. An extended paddle bit mixer inserted into a ½ drill comes in handy when mixing large amounts of grout. Add water and mix until a pancake like batter consistency has been achieved with the grout. Let it stand for five to ten minutes and apply.

Applying grout is simple. Always start from the highest vertical surface or farthest away from the exit on floors. Using a grout float, scoop up a trowel full of grout mix and apply it to the space between the tiles in one fluid sweeping motion. Press the grout in firmly and don't worry about spreading it into the tile. If you get it on the tile, then you're doing it right.

A grout float has a rubber and very flexible edge that allows grout to be scooped away after it has been applied to the tile cracks. Avoid using too much grout so light has more facets to reflect from when using translucent glass.

Continue filling the cracks until you finish the grout job or the grout begins to dry. If the grout on the tile looks powdery, then it is time to use the sponge float to remove the excess grout.

When it is time to remove the excess grout with the sponge float, a few clean buckets of fresh water is needed. This ensures that the sponge float stays as clean as possible during the removal of the remaining grout. A clean sponge float also ensures your finished grout lines are smooth and consistent. Also keep in mind, excessive pitting and gouging can occur in grout lines if the sponge float does not have enough water. The bottom line is to keep your sponges clean.

Finish the project off with clean and damp sponges. After the grout dries, use a soft cloth to remove any excess grout residue from the glass tiles.