Glass Tile Redefined!

Installation

Step 1: Inspection
Make sure surface is sturdy and clean. Acceptable surfaces include masonry or cement board, drywall, or plywood. For larger installations, the use of metal lathe may be required by your local building code. The metal lathe should be installed over the sub-surface using galvanized nails or screws. Check with local officials for requirements. Most installations do not require this step.

Step 2: Scratch Coat
1. Use thin-set mortar as the adhesive
2. Mix the thin-set with water according to manufacturer’s instructions. Thin-set consistency should not be too “runny”
3. Using a trowel-type tool, spread wet thin-set onto the surface approximately 1/4” thick
4. After covering about 3 sqft at a time, use a notched trowel or mason comb to make horizontal lines into the thin-set
5. Move to next section allowing each “combed” section to dry
6. Wait until scratch coat is at least 75% dry prior to installing glass elements

Step 3: Prepare for Installation
We recommend using protective coverings in the area of the installation. Be sure to cover furniture, countertops, flooring, and appliances within the immediate area. Make sure you have a bucket of clean water; a clean sponge; bucket(s) for adhesive; a small mason spade or putty knife (2” plastic is best); tile saw; drill with mixer attachment; tape measure; safety glasses; and a sharpie marker for marking glass for cutting. Looking at the area of installation, decide where the proper place is to begin. In most cases it is easiest to work from left to right.

Step 4: Mix Mortar Pigment for Color
Prior to installation, the color(s) should be decided for the project. Starting with the base white thin-set, simply add the mortar pigment into the wet mix while following the manufacturer’s instructions. Ratios on the pigment container or bag will guide you. Be sure to thoroughly mix the pigment using a mixing attachment on a drill. If not mixed enough, spotting or streaking may occur. By watching the mixing in progress, you will be able to see once it is uniform throughout. Color mixing should take about 2-4min. Once mixing is complete, make a test sample by smearing a small amount onto a paper towel. Wave or blow dry, making sure it matches the color chart. When wet, color may appear darker. If it is a multi-color installation, mix separate buckets for each pigment. Make sure you have separate spades or putty knives for each color. The colored thin-set mortar acts as the tile adhesive as well as the background color seen through the clear glass.

Step 5: Install DeVerre Elements

Dry stack
We suggest a “dry stack” (without grout lines) for all of our elements. For this method of installation, butter the back of each element completely and push onto scratch coated surface. Enough thin-set should be applied so moderate excess squeezes out all sides when pushed in place. Use a tool or your finger to smooth excess around sides of each piece. Apply consecutive elements as close to each other as possible. If done correctly, no grout or filling is necessary. We recommend stacking rows of elements from left to right and from bottom to top. Be sure to use your clean water and sponge to keep the element face clean as you go. Thin-set is best removed
before drying. It is typical that a haze is left on elements, which should be cleaned off after the installation is completed and dry.

Wet stack
We recommend a “wet stack” (with grout lines) with only our brick or wood elements. Tile spacers can be used to keep space in between elements. Spacers can be cut apart if necessary. After installation is complete mix a colored grout that compliments or contrasts your elements background color. Apply grout only after completed installation has dried over night. Use a rubber trowel to push wet grout into the spaces surrounding the elements. If using a medium to high textured product line, use a grout tube with a caulking gun for the application. After grout is applied, use a sponge to smooth lines. Colored grout can be purchased in tubes at most suppliers.

Glass-on-glass with UV adhesive
We recommend using a “Loctite 349” UV adhesive for glass-on-glass or glass-on-mirror installations. Be sure both surfaces are clean and dry. Apply UV glue to back of each element prior to placing it on the surface. Activate glue using an ultraviolet light or black light. Natural sunlight will also set the glue. Be sure to clean away excess prior to activating glue. Use an alcohol based cleaner for glue clean up. Once glue is sandwiched between two glass layers, exposure to ultraviolet light will have it set in approx.15-30seconds. Once glue is set, it is permanent. Allow longer exposure to UV for maximum bond. Follow manufacturers guide for proper setting and use.

See more tile installation photos from DeVerre Elements