How to Install Glass Swimming Pool Tiles | Tile Club

Installing a new swimming pool or planning a pool remodel for summer 2022? Check out Tile Club's step-by-step tutorial to tile your pool with glass mosaic tiles! These paper-faced mosaic tiles provide a secure bond with your pool lining, not to mention a beautiful design that will turn your swimming pool into a tropical oasis in your backyard!
For more info and details on the Dolphin Bay Blue and White Mixed Glass Mosaic Tiles we used for this look, check out our guide on TileClub.com!
www.tileclub.com/pages/how-to...
Prep your Pool:
You want to start with a clean, level, and waterproofed substrate before applying any tile! We used Laticrete Hydro Ban to create a waterproof membrane. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin to install your tiles.
Step 1 -
Before installing any tiles, you should lay them out on a smooth, dry surface to confirm you like the look and placement. It’s important to keep in mind that many mosaic tiles come with paper covering the front. The visible side is actually the back, and the ridges are meant to be installed down onto the thinset, providing the most secure bond between your tile and your base. This is ideal for submerged areas like your pool!
Don’t worry, the paper peels off easily once the tiles are installed!
Step 2 -
It’s time to start spreading out your thinset! We used Laticrete Glass Tile Adhesive, which is the ideal mortar for glass swimming pool tiles.
You want to spread out enough thinset to cover a small area only, to keep it from setting before you’ve had a chance to install all of your tile sheets.
Spread out enough adhesive to fully cover the area you’re working on - you’ll fill in any gaps or spaces in step 3!
Step 3 -
Once the thinset is spread, you want to smooth it out before installing your tiles. Using the grooved side of your trowel, comb out the thinset into a consistent layer. Then use the flat side with a light press to even out the ridges and provide a consistent bond.
Step 4 -
It’s time to start laying out your tile! Keep the paper-covered side facing you, installing the ridged side down onto the layer of thinset.
Lightly place each sheet onto the substrate, then use a flat board or the flat side of your trowel to press the full sheet into the adhesive.
Go back over 3-5 sheets at a time, lightly tapping with a mallet or wrapped piece of wood. This will help make sure that each mosaic piece adheres to the thinset.
Work in small sections as you apply adhesive and place the tiles, because you’ll want to remove the paper covering as you go.
Step 5 -
Give each sheet about 15-20 minutes to dry before you prepare to remove the paper! Soak a clean sponge in water, squeezing out enough to leave it wet but not dripping. You want to wet through the sheet of paper, without soaking into the thinset.
Once the paper is fully wet, you can start to peel it off. Test out a corner of the paper - if it doesn’t easily peel away, give it another pass with the sponge.
If any mosaic pieces peel off with the paper, you can replace the paper covering and lightly tap on the sheet to create a stronger bond with the tile and mortar.
Sometimes only one or two pieces will stick to the paper - you can remove them from the paper and insert them in the gaps of the mosaic pattern. That’s why you want the thinset to still be slightly wet when you peel off the paper. You can use grout spacers if you want to make sure they’re perfectly even once you set them in place.
Step 6 -
Once all the paper is removed, leave the thinset to fully cure before you grout - at least 48 hours.
When you start to apply grout, you want to work in sections you can cover in about 10 minutes at a time. Wipe on the grout, making sure you fully fill in the lines between each tile.
Using a damp sponge, wipe away excess grout in a circular motion. Make sure you regularly rinse out your sponge to avoid creating streaks on clean tiles.
Step 7 -
Once you finish grouting the tiles, it’s not ready to dive in just yet! You want to allow around 14 days for the grout to fully cure before you apply a penetrating sealer (this helps keep the grout fresh and cuts down on maintenance). Follow the instructions on your sealer before you start to fill the pool with water!
That’s it! Start pumping in water and prepare to enjoy your little backyard oasis with your gorgeous new tiled pool! Looking for the perfect designs to set off your yard? Check out Tile Club’s collection of gorgeous pool tiles for more beautiful options!

[@angrypops897]

34 yrs Exp Installing Marble tile and terrazzo Custom showers floors etc, tomorrow will be my 1st pool I'll be tiling wish me luck with the Heat hot as hell

[@TheTileClub]

Best of luck!! 😊

[@searcholex]

@@TheTileClub so how did it go :=) ?

[@friendlyneighborhoodtileguy]

Hmm, I wish the installer was following the instructions as you spoke them. Comb thinset in straight lines, flatten the ridges with the flat side of the trowel (did not do this in the video).

[@theglobecruiser]

Do you have white tile available?

[@TheTileClub]

We do! Check us out here: www.tileclub.com/collections/white-tile

[@RivaReznick]

Can anyone explain why the installation of glass tile is so much more than ceramic?

[@chrisn.9794]

Use different materials to put them on since it's glass tile. Do not refer to home depot for any installation materials. GLASS Tiles require material called Laticrete 254 ....Thank me later