Lush Glass Tile Installation Guide

Inspection:

Lush® glass tile is made of clear glass with colorant kiln fired onto the back of the tile. It is important that you inspect your entire order to ensure that it is acceptable before installation. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your order please contact us WITHIN THREE DAYS of delivery  at 877-439-9734 or service@modwalls.com.

Substrate:

modwalls® Lush® glass tile is suitable for both interior and exterior wall applications in both wet and dry areas.

Preparing the existing surface is the most critical task of any tile installation. The tile must be placed on a rigid, level, plumb and structurally sound surface to avoid problems. The surface should be clean, dry and free of contaminants that could prevent a good bond.

The recommended substrate is a cement backer board such as HardieBacker. Gypsum board may also be acceptable for interior dry installations only.

Adhesive:

Per ANSI 118.4 compliance, we recommend using a white, thin-set mortar modified with polymer or latex.

Tools:

The necessary tools for Lush® glass tile installation are: tile float, large bucket, 3/16" V-notched trowel, 1/16" or 1/8" tile spacers, sponge, lint free cloth and a wet saw with a new Diamond Blade (appropriate for cutting glass tile). Lush® glass tile may be successfully cut using a glass score and snap method.

Process:

Mix the powdered thin-set mortar with latex additive in bucket. Stir and add more liquid until it reaches the consistency of peanut butter.

Per instructions on thin-set package, allow mixture to slake for 10 minutes.

Evenly apply thin-set to wall with the v-notched trowel. Work in sections of 2 square feet at a time. Smooth out trowel ridges before applying tile.

Starting in the middle (or center line) of your installation area, apply tile and continue working outward.

Apply tile spacers between sheets for consistent grout lines throughout your desired tile installation. Note: the minimum grout thickness for Lush® glass tile is 1/16".

Remove spacers and any thin-set which may have pushed up in between the tiles with a wooden stick before the thin-set has cured. Allow thin-set to cure/ dry at least 48 hours before grouting.

Spread the grout using a rubber grout float and work diagonally across the tiles, making sure that all the grout joints have been filled.

Let grout dry for 10-20 minutes. Using a slightly damp and clean sponge, wipe diagonally across the tile to remove the grout film from the surface of the tile. See below regarding grout haze.

Wipe tile with a lint-free cloth as the final step, buffing away all residual grout from the surface of the tile.

Beware of Grout Haze:

Grout haze is a very thin layer of grout which has been allowed to dry on the surface of the tile. During installation the grout must be completely wiped off the surface of the tile. The surface of the tiles must then be buffed with a soft cloth to remove any residual grout film.

NOTE: There is very little that can be done to remove grout haze once the grout has dried overnight. There are commercial acid grout haze removers, but this is not always guaranteed to work and can potentially damage the surface of the tile.

Cutting/Drilling Lush® Glass Tile:

• *The recommended cutting method is by wet saw with a new Diamond blade designed specifically for cutting glass. Lush® glass tile may also be successfully cut using a glass score and snap method.
• *Always make cuts onto the back side of the tile.
• If tiles have mesh backing, make sure to remove mesh from cutting path before cutting tiles, as cutting with the mesh attached can result in damaged tile!
• *Edges that have been cut should be smoothed with Diamond hand pad or other similar smoothing tools.
• *Drilling holes in glass tile is not recommended.

Cleaning Lush® Glass Tile:

• Use a clean and damp sponge to keep the surface of this tile clean. Non abrasive glass cleaners are also effective. In wet locations, use a squeegee for daily maintenance to keep standing water off the surface of the tile.