Glass Tile101: Mosaics

Typically glass tile mosaics are a factory manufactured sheet of smaller glass tiles set into a specific pattern and are glued to a fiberglass mat backer. But they are certainly not limited to them. Glass tile mosaics can easily be had made originals with the use of a tile tray. Learn the secrets you need to succeed for installing mosaic glass tile in your home.

Prior to installing glass tiles, a cementious backerboard should be installed using these instructions. A layout is recommended for installing any tile product and glass tile is no different. Using a chalk line and tape measure, you can layout the exact location of the soon to be installed tile and create a permanent reference point to ensure your glass tile mosaics are correctly aligned.

Simply measure the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the substrate, divide the two numbers in half and mark two points to find the center. Now transfer the center point to the tops, bottoms and sides of the glass tile project borders. Now snap two lines between these four points to create a grid. If the center is off from the grid, adjust the lines as needed until they both converge in the center point. This is where the glass tile mosaic project will begin from.

Using a notched trowel spread a swath of white thinset modified with latex from the center point of the converging chalk lines. Apply just enough thinset to complete one section of mosaic glass tile at one time. Knock any groves from the notched trowel down flat as they will appear through the glass tile when the job is completed.

With tile mosaic in hand, align the bottom of the tile mosaic onto the horizontal and vertical chalk lines. A good technique for awkwardly large glass tile mosaics is to install a ledger board first. A 1x4 and a couple of wood screws installed on the vertical and horizontal lines will do the job perfectly.

Press glass tile mosaics into the thinset using a dry and clean sponge float. A gentle patting once in place will ensure that the bubbles all disperse throughout the thinset prevent future problems from occurring.

Apply each section of tile mosaic in this fashion until you reach each end. Use spacer to keep proper distances between successive sheets of glass tile. Allow the first quarter of the tile set to dry for a few hours, then remove any ledger boards and finish out the remaining three quarters of the glass tile project. After the tile is complete and has dried for 48 hours, grout can then be applied using these tile grouting basics.