Questions or need pricing?  Contact us (please include your zip code) at Sales@LightstreamsGlassTile.com or call us at 650-966-8375

Lightstreams Glass Tile Installation Recommendations

 A must-read for pool builders - "ROUGH EDGES"--

by Ron Lacher, of  Pool Engineering Inc., a company specializing

 in the structural design of swimming pools and related residential Improvement structures.

These installation recommendations cover the following Lightstreams Glass Tile products:

• Field Tile Lines
• The Renaissace Collection
• The Gold Iridescent Collection

SETTING MATERIALS

• Per A108.16-3.0 and from our own internal tests and experience, NOT ALL ANSI A118.4 LATEX MODIFIED THINSETS ARE SUITABLE FOR INSTALLING GLASS TILE.

• The following mortars have been specifically tested with our glass tiles and proven to exceed ANSI standards for bond strength for impervious tiles.

•  THESE ARE THE ONLY MORTARS WE CURRENTLY RECOMMEND DUE TO THEIR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, LIMITED SHRINKAGE DURING CURE, AND COLOR AND CONSISTENCY.

• We cannot make guarantees or warranties on products other than Lightstreams Glass Tile.  Please refer to the manufacturers' individual warranties.

• It is imperative that the manufacturers' recommendations on appropriate substrate, mixing, slaking, environmental conditions and limitations and installation be carefully followed. 

1.  Custom Building Product MegaLite Mortar in WHITE

• www.CustomBuildingProducts.com

 

2.  TEC Superflex Mortar in WHITE

• www.TECSpeciality.com

 

3.  Laticrete LATAPOXY 300 - WHITE

• www.Laticrete.com

 

 

GROUT

 

• Suggested Grouts

 

•  
  Custom Building Products Polyblend Sanded Grout
• www.CustomBuildingProducts.com

 

• Laticrete Spectra-Lock Epoxy Grout
• www.Laticrete.com

 

• Refer to the grout manufacturer's instructions in using their product

 

• Please use a minimum 1/8" grout spacing for Lightstreams Glass Tile

 

•  
  Available grout colors for each brand can be found on each manufacturer's website and change frequently.

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INSTALLATION TIPS

• Refer to the TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation, with focus on the section for Special Installation Guidelines for Glass Tiles regarding expansion joints, substrates, waterproofing, and setting materials.  In addition, refer to the current American National Standards for Installation of Ceramic Tile for further information on glass tile installation, substrate preparation, environmental conditions, and curing.

• Ensure ambient air temperature at time of installation does not exceed the mortar manufacturer's limits for a minimum of 72 hours before and during installation.  This is generally an ambient air temperature of 50 to 90 degrees Farenheit, but please note the specific temperatures for each recommended manufacturer.

• KEEP INSTALLATION SURFACES OUT OF THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND WIND.  USE SCREENS, TARPS, OR UMBRELLAS TO TENT THE AREA.  TENT THE AREA TO BE TILED AND WORK IN THE SHADE AND LET THE MORTAR AND GROUT CURE IN THE SHADE.  NOTE THE OPERATING TEMPERATURES OF THE THINSET MORTAR AND GROUT.  TRANSPARENT GLASS WILL ALLOW SUNLIGHT TO PASS THROUGHT IT DIRECTLY TO THE MORTAR, POTENTIALLY INCREASING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE MORTAR DURING THE INITIAL CURING PERIOD.

• Refer to the recommended thinset mortar manufacturer for specific information on appropriate substrates.  Glass tiles require a very stable substrate.  PLYWOOD IS NOT A SUITABLE SUBSTRATE FOR LIGHTSTREAMS GLASS TILES.

• Concrete and mortar beds should be fully cured prior to tile application.  At a minimum, 7 days per ANSI A108.11-2005, however 21 to 28 days is preferred, particularly for a pool shell.

• In addition, follow industry practices for curing of brown coats.

• Lightstreams uses a clear, front-face tape when providing tape-mounted tiles.  Therefore, mortar material will be spread on the exposed, untaped sides of the tiles.

• Lightstreams' tape-mounted tiles willl have a 1/8" grout space, which is the MINIMUM grout spacing for glass tiles

• Ensure the back-sides of the glass tiles are clean and dry prior to installation

• Prepare one of the specified white mortar materials per manufacturer's instructions

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•  
  USE ONLY ONE OF THE RECOMMENDED THINSET MORTARS - See above

•  
  Lightstreams glass tiles are transparent -- 100% COVERAGE OF THE TILE WITH WHITE THINSET MORTAR IS REQUIRED.  VOIDS, TROWEL MARKS, OR GROUT THAT HAS MIGRATED INTO A VOID BEHIND THE TILE MAY LEAVE UNSIGHTLY VISUAL BLEMISHES.

•  
  Using a 3/16" x 1/4" V-notch trowel, create an even setting bed of thinset mortar with trowel marks running in the horizontal direction.  Using the flat side of the trowel, flatten the trowel marks completely, leaving a smooth, consistent, and uniform setting bed of about 1/8".

•  
  Apply a thin coat of the mortar completely and uniformly on the back side of each tile (i.e., back-butter) using the flat side of the trowel.  This ensures 100% coverage of the thinset mortar.

•  
  Apply tile and/or taped tiles, aligning them using 1/8" grout spacers between the taped panels.  If a tile is misaligned on the front surface tape, use a razor blade to slice the tape and relocate the tile.

•  
  Using a beating block (a flat, rubber grout float will work), gently set the tile(s) into the thinset.

•  
  Once the area to be tiled is completed, allow the mortar to set up just enough so that the tape can be removed from the taped tiles with a firm, even pull.  We have found approximately 8 to 12 hours works well, but the actual time is dependant upon a number of conditions including ambient temperature during installation, substrate, wind, etc.

•  
  A light mist of water from a spray bottle between the tape and the tiles may be helpful in removing the tape.

•  
  Once the tape is removed, clear any dried mortar that may have gotten into the grout line area using a grout knife or razor blade, slicing along the inside of the tile.  If done right, the excess mortar can be removed easily in putty-like strips.

•  
  Also completely remove any mortar from the face of the tiles at this time (before the mortar completely cures).  Use a scotch-brite nylon pad and warm water.

•  
  Pay particular attention to cleaning the textured, iridescent sides of the tiles that may have gotten mortar on them as the textured side will retain any dried mortar and will be difficult to remove once the mortar is completely dry.

•  
  DO NOT REMOVE THE TAPE UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO CLEAN THE TILE.  DO A SMALL AREA AT A TIME.  This will make clean-up much easier as the excess mortar will not be exposed to air until you are ready to remove it.
  

• A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS IS REQUIRED BEFORE GROUTING.  FOR ALL-TILED POOLS, WE SUGGEST AT LEAST 7 DAYS.  FURTHERMORE, ALLOW 7 TO 21 DAYS AFTER GROUTING BEFORE SUBMERSION IN WATER.  REFER TO THE GROUT MANUFACTURERS' INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW ALL ANSI AND TCA REQUIREMENTS.

• Ensure the tiles are clean prior to grouting

•  
  Prepare and apply grout per grout manufacturer's instructions.  To avoid scratching the smooth surface of the glass, keep the sanded grout slurry fairly wet and fluid.

•  
  Prior to the grout completely drying, use a damp sponge to remove as much of the grout from the face of the tiles, paying particular attention to those tiles with the textured, iridescent side up, as the textured side of the tiles will retain any dried grout and be very difficult to clean should the grout completely dry.

• FINAL CLEAN-UP WITH WHITE VINEGAR AND CLEAN GROUT SPONGES IS RECOMMENDED AND THE PREFERRED METHOD TO COMPLETION
  

• Lighstreams Glass Tiles cut well with a wet, continuous diamond blade tile saw and plenty of water.  We recommend an MK 215 diamond blade to cut Lightstreams Glass Tiles.

•  
  Drilling
  the tile is best done with a wet diamond core drill bit, ideally underwater or with a water feed attachment.  For small holes, a glass bit with suitable water cooling will usually work.
  

• Clean regularly using a non-abrasive cleaner and pad.  Do not use metal scrub brushes.

•  
  White vinegar mixed with water is a good cleaning solution

•  
  Muriatic acid can be used to clean the tiles, however, test a small inconspicuous area beforehand to assure any acid or cleaner does not affect the grout or glass tile

•  
  We do NOT recommend bead-blasting to clean glass tile

•  
  Glass surface sealer products such as Crystal Shield II can be applied to new/clean tiles to help maintain shine and inhibit mineral build-up and water staining.
   

• For a printable .pdf version of these instructions, click here.

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Questions or need pricing?

Contact us (please include your zip code) at

Sales@LightstreamsGlassTile.com

or call us at 650-966-8375

Products
Showroom
Lightstreams Glass Tile Bathrooms
Lightstreams Glass Tile Kitchens
Lightstreams Glass Tile Pools
Lightstreams Glass Tile Installations - Other

Glass Accent Tiles

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2587 Wyandotee Street

2587 Wyandotte Street

Mountain View, California 94043

650-966-8375

Sales@LightstreamsGlassTile.com

www.LightstreamsGlassTile.com

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