Glass tile thinset recommendations

weatherboy80 · Mar 14th, 08, 8:24 am

I just received my glass mosaic tiles. I got the grout, but am overwhelmed by choices on thinset. Do you know if I could use any kind of thinset brand that they sell at Home Depot or Lowes?

Unfortunately, the manufacture is not being overly helpful since they just keep telling me to use white regular modified thinset for installation.

I have Mapei UltraFlex 2 left over from a floor install, but it says nothing about glass tile on the back. I'm guessing it is not safe to use.

Whatever I use I want to make sure to get this right

Thanks in advance.
Joe

**Emmie9999** · Mar 24th, 08, 12:32 pm

Hi Joe!

I saw you had not received any answers to this post, so I have moved it to "The Fabulous Backsplooziesplash", in the hopes it might get a bit more attention. others have done glass mosaic tile backsplashes, and someone should be able to help you out.

Good luck!

RubrikGreen · Apr 3rd, 08, 4:38 pm

Hi Joe -
I used Custom Building Products "MegaLite" on my glass wall tiles in the bathroom. You *might* be able to find it at HD/Lowes; more likely a tile store.

Glass tiles *must* have white thinset - especially if they're even remotely translucent. It needs to be "sticky" so they don't slide down/fall off before they set. Additionally, there are differences betw. mortars for ceramic tiles v/s glass tiles in that ceramic tiles can absorb some of the water from the mortar, whereas glass tiles are completely water-resistant, so won't. Meaning, your mortar needs to be stickier and "drier" in comparison, because none of the water will be absorbed into the glass tiles.

Also recommended for wall-install glass tiles are:
TEC "Superflex" mortar (white)
Mapei "GraniRapid" mortar (white).

I think Lowe's carries "Mapei" brands, and HD "Custom Building Prod"

Tiling's not hard. Prep is time-consuming, but the job itself isn't that bad.

It's kinda fun, too.

knutter · Apr 3rd, 08, 7:49 pm

Also when applying the thinset to either the wall or "back-buttering" the tile, on glass tiles with any translucence at all, you must use the straight side of the trowel. Don't use the notched side or you will get a striped look that shows through the tile. Thanks!

**NBeth** · Apr 3rd, 08, 11:24 pm

We were told to use latex modified thinset, which seems to mean adding milk looking stuff to dry stuff. All we could find was whatever HD sold, which was adequate (afterall, we have tile) but I strongly suspect there's something better out there. Glass tiles like to slide down the wall

It seemed to help to tape the sheet to the wall after the initial sticking up...

RubrikGreen · Apr 11th, 08, 12:46 pm

So NBeth -
how did your tiling look when finished? You're happy, right?

The having to use tape to keep the tiles up might be just slightly-too-thin mortar. If you got it to work, then you're good. We luvs us that blue tape.

When I used the "MegaLite" for my tiles, I didn't have any of that problem (and I'm glad!). It was thickish stuff. And yes, latex is the milky additive - makes the thinset more flexible, for one. Less likely to crack.

I still go into the bathroom every day, look at the tile and think "Yes! I LIKE it!"

If you look at your tile and say "Yes! I Like It" - that's the thing.

**NBeth** · Apr 11th, 08, 1:26 pm

We had sliding problems with thick thinset too--or so it seemed. We had a super hard time getting the right amount on the walls, but then I'm pretty sure that glass on walls in corners you can't quite reach is NOT the recommended first tiling project!

Sometimes it was oozing out everywhere--we did a lot of picking it out between the tile and unfortunately chipped some of them

.

But yes, the tile itself is SO naturally gorgeous that we do love it.

Re: Glass tile thinset recommendations

**kisaacs** · Apr 11th, 08, 2:19 pm

And, those tulips look like the perfect solution to that corner you couldn't reach so may have chipped a tile or two

One thing we've found helpful for when thinset oozes out between tiles are Q-tips. Obviously, you have to catch it when it's wet, but I found them easier to use than spacers to clean out the spaces.

Kristen

weatherboy80 · Apr 11th, 08, 2:27 pm

We had a few issues of the tiles slipping while wet as well. Additionally, some of them came out a bit crooked and the grout lines were not absolutely perfect, but overall it looks nice. You can see them in my gallery.

**NBeth** · Apr 11th, 08, 3:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisaacs

And, those tulips look like the perfect solution to that corner you couldn't reach so may have chipped a tile or two

One thing we've found helpful for when thinset oozes out between tiles are Q-tips. Obviously, you have to catch it when it's wet, but I found them easier to use than spacers to clean out the spaces.

Kristen

That was a beauty shot. Normally it's more like bottles of oil and colanders and STUFF. But yes, it's usually blocked. Unfortunately there are chips in lots of other places. A good thing the tile is solid color so they're only noticeable to us!

We used dental picks from a geeky odd tools store to clean between--probably one reason we chipped so many