Installation
JOYZONE Art Glass can be installed on interior or exterior wall surfaces in wet or dry locations. It can be also used in heated areas such as steam rooms, showers, saunas or hot pools. They are not, however, recommended for applications, which are exposed to extremely high abrasion, thermal shock or extremely heavy impact. JOYZONE Art Glass should not be installed over flexible surfaces either.
1. Inspection
The handmade character of glass mosaic, creates a degree of artistic variation in shade, color, tone, and size within each sheet of tile.
Open and inspect each carton of tile to confirm shading consistency. The end user is responsible for determining the acceptability of the product. Randomly select 5 sheets from different cartons to establish color control during installation. Before installing tile, blend sheets from different cartons to assure random placement during installation. As sheets are being installed, check them against control samples prior to placing them in the setting material to assure acceptable shade variations and quality.
2. Installation
2.1 Installation in dry locations
Glass tiles may be set in the same way as any other tile using industry accepted standards. For the best results, set glass tile with any silicone or acrylic based mastic. Glass tiles may also be set with most commonly used conventional tile setting compounds with latex additive in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
2.2 Installation in wet locations
All glass tiles need to have 100% back coverage to prevent water from obtaining access to the tile's back and to prevent the corrosive effects of cement out-gassing. The tiles will form a tight bond to the wall and not be subjected to the problems associated with inadequate coverage. The following products must be used for installation of the tile in wet environments such as pools, spas, saunas, etc.
*Mapei Granirapid Ker 129 or Ker 130 dry set mortar mixed with Ker 318 liquid flexible latex additive
*Laticrete 211 crete filler powder mixed with Laticrete 73 crete admix
*Tec full set plus premium thin set mortar with XtraFlex mortar additive
*Bostic Findley Tile-Mate premium thin set mortst with Hydroment 447 Flex-A-Lastic Admixture
3. Setting
3.1 Setting mesh back glass mosaics
With a 1/4"x1/4" square-notched trowel, firmly apply a liberal amount of setting material to the substrate. Using the flat side of the trowel, flatten the notches in the setting material to create a smooth, consistent setting bed approximately 1/8"thick. With a firm even pressure, apply mesh side down, firmly into the setting material. Using a wooden beating block or grouting float, lightly tap on the tile to create a flat surface. Apply only as much setting material as can be covered within 10 to 20 minutes or until surface is still wet and tacky.
Carefully align each sheet as it is installed to create uniform grout joints from sheet to sheet. Allow tile to set until firm. Clean excessive setting material from the surface of the tile with wet cloth or sponge while the setting material is fresh.
3.2 Setting paper faced glass mosaics
A trowel having "V" notches approximately 3/16" x 3/16" - 4mm x 4mm is recommended. In addition, the colored adhesive shall be troweled onto the backside of each sheet of Glass Mosaic tiles with the flat side of the trowel immediately before placement of the sheet into the freshly troweled adhesive on the surface to receive the tile work. Only as much Adhesive shall be applied as can be covered within 10-15 minutes, or while the adhesive surface is still wet and tacky. Tile shall then be set in place and rapped or beaten gently with a grouting float to ensure 100% full bedding and a true surface. Tile shall be aligned to show uniform joints and then allowed to set until firm, approximately 20 to 40 minutes. The face of the sheets of front mounted glass mosaic tiles shall then be dampened with sponge and the face mount paper removed. Excessive adhesive must be cleaned from the surface of the Tile with a wet cloth or sponge while the adhesive is fresh.
3.3 Setting cobble glass
Same as setting mesh mounted glass, only Cobble Glass grout joint widths average 1/16" to 3/4" between tiles. When joints are filled with grout and the surface cleaned with a sponge, the grout joint (amount of visible grout) becomes considerably wider than 1/16". The amount of grout in the joint can be set to the desired width by running a piece of damp cheese cloth, rolled into a "cigar" shape through the joint while the grout is still fresh.
4. Cutting
Glass tile can be cut with a wet saw. If using a wet saw, be sure to use a glass compatible diamond blade in good condition. A blade for cutting glass has smaller diamonds than a tile blade and has a continuous rim. Most blades designed for ceramic tiles are coarse and will chip the glass. It is very important when cutting glass with a wet saw to have adequate water flow and to cut slowly. It is best to practice making a few cuts with regular 1/4” window glass before proceeding to cut the tile. A lapidary blade will also make a very clean cut on glass.
When cutting glass tile with a wet saw, it is required to cut the tile face down. This will prevent chipping of the colored areas of the tile. A piece of electrical tape, masking tape or duct tape laid along the line of the cut on the tile face will greatly reduce chipping along the edge. A light piece of cardboard or building paper on the saw bed will protect the surface of the glass from scratches. Edges of the cut tile can be chamfered with a diamond hand pad. Hand pads and related glass tile cutting tools are available through 3M Corporation as well as a variety of other glass tool distributors found on the Internet. Silicon carbide sanding belts may be used if the belt is dressed with a light coat of silicone spray.
5. Grouting color
Grout color plays a major role in the final appearance of any glass mosaic tile job and selection should be carefully made.
Grouts that contrast in color with the tile tend to create a "frame" around each tile. These frames are most evident with cobble glass due to their larger and relatively numerous grout joints.
Grout colors that match or coordinate with the tile tend to blend in with them, providing a "smoother", overall visual appearance.
6. Cleaning
Normal cleaning of glass mosaic tile can be done with room-temperature water and a rag. For a more thorough cleaning and to remove stubbed dirt and stains, use any of the tile and grout cleaners available at grocery stores, tile dealer or home centers.
7. Protection
The contractor shall take precautions to protect the finished work from damage by other trades. Do not allow construction traffic on fresh grout joints. Allow the grout to cure for a minimum of 7 days before aggressive or steam cleaning.
8. Limited warranty
JIAHONG ART GLASS is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of workmanship not in accordance with these installation instructions or with accepted industry standards. JIAHONG ART GLASS's sole liability, if any, is limited only to replacement of original product that has been proven defective. Purchaser may be required to provide proof of proper use and installation.