Great video! So informative. If you educate people-installers and customers-the overall satisfaction level goes way up. I believe it! Thanks Sal! Another great video. I always learn so much!
Yet another video full of exactly what I needed to know, thanks again for the education. I'm a carpenter turned tile layer thanks to the videos you make.
the most surprising thing in this lesson is that glass tiles expand and contract at a greater rate than do ceramic tiles. Since glass is far less forgiving, the main message to take heed from is, as you've already stated, to read the instructions accompanying the tile, and follow them to a "t". it could mean the difference between the manufacturer paying for any subsequent replacement of defective tiles, and re-doing the entire installation at one's own expense
That comment about glass cracking for no reason is absolutely true. We just installed glass tile mosaic with 1 inch squares, and it's already cracking, despite using the high polymer and leaving room to expand and whatnot. Nobody mentioned this to us at any point when we were shopping for it. I honestly can't believe glass tile is even a thing. Had I had any idea I never would have used it.
It’s great seeing someone so knowledgeable. My only tip on backsplashs is I usually use Shulter expansion track against the counter top and back splash. Work very well and no need to calk ever. Usually set with silicone.
Well Splain sal worst thing is when a costumer gets a different results than what they had in mind because it wasn't install correctly glass it's one of them if you don't follow instructions or don't in know what you are doing you be answering questions lather get educated thanks for the info sal you're the best
My first "Sal" video. Your experience shines through. I removed a hideous 3-inch wide, hunter green accent strip of individual diamond shaped 1.5 inch tiles...about 11 linear feet, shoulder high, in our master bath walk-in shower...leaving the 4 x 4 white tiles in place. Tough to get out without damaging adjacent tile and the wall behind the tile. No tile-guy I talked to wanted to tackle it. About to replace with glass and marble mosaic tiles. REALLY appreciate the tip on sealing marble BEFORE grouting...I was planning to do it after, not knowing any better, and also the tip on how the paper backing on glass tiles chips. Both really great tips for my little project.
Hey Sal, as usual you’re a straight flying eagle. Just to confirm what you’re conveying. Very hard to inform someone who is in charge and has his customer base. I was part of a backsplash install where mastic was used. I wasn’t on the wall so to speak but was making cuts. Returned the next day to do the grouting and there were two tile cracked around the outlets. There was a slight wave and the tile just suctioned til it cracked. From my experience (15 years on and off with tiles). Everything you said is spot on. Leave expansion, caulk or silicone ends and surrounds, and when a wet saw won’t do it I score and snap, tape it then cut or polish what I can after a cut. I’ll have email you the results of this back splash I’ll be installing this week. Once again Sal you are a great instructor!
If the glass tile chips, is there a drill attachment or grinder attachment to help clean it up roughly? Considering the ends' imperfections will be concealed by siliconed anyway. In my case, I don't need a total "edge polish" just a clean up
Have a glass tile backsplash to install. Thank you so much for all the information. You are definitely very knowledgeable. I do appreciate you sharing with us. “FLIP”.
I think this should be a "must watch" video for a DIY! Your information is so critical to know and it sure doesn't say nearly any of this on directions. Great to know about the possibility of not using mastic on the bathroom wall.
You know what you are talking about! Thank you for this video. I have clients thinking about Glass. I am sharing this video with them! I try to tell folks to double think glass tile over porcelain as we do not have many installers like you around my stomping grounds. ;0)
Very informative, We had a mosaic backsplash installed that has a combo of tiles including glass. The idea was good but something went wrong with the execution,. After setting and grouting, the mesh backing can be seen through the edges of many of the glass tiles. Could you provide some insight please? Thank you so much, Sal!
Thanks for another great video. I hate to find out I was doing something wrong after install! Your tips help so much. Could u do a video on finishing edges, like where to end when cabinets don't go to counter edge and the wall runs out to a dining area? And types of edging to use?
Hey Pisano, excellent video. Was curious to know if glass tile can be set over cultured marble? I'd planned to do a decorative edging or trim to highlight my master bedroom, Thanks,
Sal DiBlasi is there a certain brand of snap scorer that you recommend using Also what size notch trowel ? Im installing the same type of glass tile but it’s 3x12
I put a niche in my shower and I have tile sheets. I need to come up with something to put in for the edges of my niche. I used to do tile back in the mastic days, early mid 90s. I'm just a home diyer now. First time working with glass.
Very helpful how-to videos. Thank you. Do you caulk the glass tile backsplash corners first before you grout the tile? You mentioned the cracking potential in the corners with glass tile and not to grout. Do you recommend caulking first in the corners before grouting if time is not a constraint?
QUESTION...I accidentally used some Mapei Type 1 adhesive for a few rows of glass tile (3"x3") for a backsplash. Do I need to start over or should I live with it and wait it out for any issues down the road? Thanks!
Hey Sal, not sure if this was asked. I'm installing LFT (porcelain 12"x24") on a permabase substrate - with a glass mosaic stripe in the middle (the 1" wide glass strips on the 12"x12" mesh - some are 2" long, some are over 3" long) - (shower and non-shower wall). Aware I need to use a 1/2" trowel for the porcelain tile - but hearing that I don't want that much mortar behind the glass, how would you do it? float the line? also I'm using 'Prolite premium large format white tile mortar 118.15T' (think I'm gonna go back and look for 118.15TE). If the requirement is to float (and let dry before installing the glass mosaic) under the glass, can I use this same mortar to float?
Mr sal... question.... i am doing a 2x6 glass tile with the aame backing as you're using in this video...i have great nice straight and smooth walls but they have been painted.... what do you suggest for prepping the wall and what material should be used? The paint is clean... was never exposed to kitchen elements.... i have thought about scuffing the walls and using redgaurd water proofing just for that extra moisture barrier.... love your videos... ive done 3 projects already from your videos... but this one stumped me a little due to the price we are paying for the tile... also... if i use a scoring tool to cut the tile... is there a specific blade or just use a fresh replacement on my scoring tool?? Tha ks again.... chip from alabama....
Adding the board on top of “wavey” drywall is such a Great tip. Wish I would have caught that before doing my kitchen blacksplash...... but since I’m a DIYer and it’s my house I’m good with it. However, the “wavey” drywall and durrock ended up and is causing us a lot of problems in the bathrooms too. Of course we didn’t realize it until the tile was going up. We hired a contractor for tile work in our previous house and they did not do as good as job as we expected, so this time we did it ourselves. If I could have hired Sal I definitely would have. I don’t think you travel out of state, do you?
Always learning from you Sal and always amazed by your work. I am installing Sicis 15mm x 15mm 4mm thick transparent glass mosaic on Wedi board on shower walls. I was planning to use Laticrete latapoxy 300 adhesive with a 3/16" v notch trowel and knock down the ridges to get 100% coverage with no ghosting behind the tiles. Am I better off skim coating the wedi board first with Laticrete super white glass tile adhesive to get homogeneous white color, let it dry then apply the glass mosaic with the epoxy adhesive or just use the epoxy adhesive without skim coating? I tend to overthink these things. Appreciate your help.
Before watching this video, I bought the same exact gray tiles you're showing to do above my shower surround. I haven't started the install yet and now I'm concerned that I might've made a bad choice, after watching this. The walls are very flat, so I'm not too concerned about that. I'm using score and snap to cut, as all the cuts will be straight, except I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to cut around the shower arm without using a wet saw. I'm using Schluter Schiene profile at the top and sides. Important lessons learned from this video: knock down trowel ridges, use as little thinset as possible while still getting 100% coverage, and make sure to leave expansion gap in corners. Thanks for another helpful video.
What size(type) trowel should I use for glass tile backsplash size 4x12 inch? Thanks for all the info in the previous videos, made my kitchen floor perfect.
Glass tile is best set with the thinnest bond coat that will give full coverage. So try a 1/4x1/4/14, if that does not work move up one size. You need to have as close to 100% as possible, but at the same time you don't want a thick bond coat that can lead to cracking. Glass is a very difficult animal to satisfy.
Did you wet shim the 1/8 inch wedi board? how out of wack were the walls? i always seem to have wacked out walls in showers but i use durock so it becomes a nightmare trying to keep things flat and plumb
Great video as always! Question: You mentioned sealing the tile which made me think of a shower I just saw. Looks like marble tile with a border 2/3 up. The border tile was thinner than the marble and the installer didn't flush them up. What a mess... To my real question though. There was remnants of grout and haze after grouting it looks like. You have always said to seal marble before grouting, so what if they didn't? What happens if they didn't seal first? Long question I know! Thank you for your help.
The problem with not sealing a porous tile like marble is that it can be stained by the grout, have a haze like you say that can not be removed, if the dies in the grout streek, it will leave a permanent color streak in the stone, and a bunch of other problems that can happen to an unprotected stone. Be it polished or honed. A polished stone must still be protected. ruclips.net/video/RaTJlhugePs/видео.html
Hey Sal. Any advice for installing a frameless door on glass tile. Seems the majority thought is that it's not recommended. I'm inclined to think that if the anchors are thru a grout joint and not thru the tile itself would help relieve most of the stress. Or if there is a separate backing behind the anchors?
Hey Sal, I have a tub surround install coming up. It was done in 3x12 glass tile previously with mastic and the backer board was 1/2" plywood with a thin coat of water proofing. There has been water infiltration over the years and mold has started to grow behind the tile. I will be tearing it out and plan on doing a schluter tub surround kit. Your recommendation was a high polymer thin set. Which goes against schluters recommend practice. Do you have any advice? Other suitable mortars? Maybe switch the substrate/waterproofing system?
So schluter says no modified mortar unless it is Allset, so allsett is an A118.15 mortar, but Schluter says it is not recommended for glass, What to do? I have on several occasions used Ardex X77 on kerdi board, Ardex will sub their warranty for Schluter's. You could also switch to Hydroban Board By Laticrete, which is a top rate Foam board, and they have no problem if you use a High polymer thinset.
Hi Sal! Thank you for so much valuable info! I bought glass subway tile for our bath surround thinking we would hire a pro but money is tight so I gotta learn fast. Currently have backer board that I'm going to tape and mud then paint 2x with the red stuff. Saw on another video that you can just add thinset to the back of the tile (not bother with trowling on the backer board) and just stick the tile directly to the backer board. Bad idea? I live in RI, do you know of anyone who could teach me the basics?
For glass that is a very bad idea. You need to have a flat surface and an even mortar bed with as thin a bond coat as possible while still achieving as close to 100% coverage as you can get. Doing it that way will make all those things very difficult.
Hey Sal, once again another amazing informative video. I followed everything to the T but the glass still ended up cracking by where the niche is. It was a glass tile that had to be notched. I was wondering since the glass tile had to be notched. Did I weaken it by cutting the tile due to the vibration of the wet tile saw? I couldn't find another way of notching the cut since its not a single straight cut and could not be done with only a glass cutter. Any suggestions?
When you have to notch a glass tile, never do a square cut, always leave a radius at the corner. So if you have a niche you have to have it so you have full tile on the top and bottom so you don't get the square cut.
That is really tricky, glass will crack for no reason at all, let alone when you try to drill through it. Can it be done? Sure. Will you crack some tiles and have to replace them? Probably. Go Slow, keep the bit cool, and use the best possible bit you can, preferably a diamond bit.
@@SalDiBlasi thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I'm sure I will be hitting you up in the future! Thanks again and keep up the good work!
We would like to put up this tile on our kitchen and then put steel shelves up what do you suggest for the right tools to make sure the glass isn't break while we're putting the shelves on
Hello Sal. We are considering installing 1" glass hex mosaic tiles on our shower floor. Daltile has a no slip coating on them so slipping is not an issue. My question is whether 1" mosaic on a shower floor will be subject to even more movement than on a kitchen wall because of hot to cold water exposure? The tile is rated for a shower floor, but is this feasible for a non professional to install and limit potential cracking on a 24 sf shower floor?
Great content. I am using ARDEX 77 for glass tile in pool and the bags instructions say not for glass tile. I am using this because my pool building friend uses it.. Just concerned since I am installing glass art as well.
@@terabyte6166 As in Carl Jung? Well, well, well, it looks like we’ve stumbled upon a deep thinker here. A deep thinker who also likes tiling. I like the cut of you jib, Sir.
What process or products would you recommend to remove hardened excess grout off of the glass tile? I waited 24 hours to clean off as I was directed but now it's really hard.
Hi Sal, thanks for your awesome, informative videos! I recently purchase 12"x24" Floor and Decor Pure Glass wall tile (rather looks like the tile in this video), but can't find mortar graded for its installation. I actually bought Mapei Adisilex and Keraply, but the documents say it's only for tile up to 6"x6". Floor and Decor hasn't gotten back to me with contact information for the tile manufacturer, so I'm at my wit's end. Do you have a recommendation for the mortar I should use? Thanks!
Look for a thinset that is ANSI A118.11 or higher, a thinset that is rated for glass tile. A few are Tec Superflex, Ardex X77 and Here is a link to a Laticrete product amzn.to/2WcmqQV
Hello Sal I have a quick question if it's not too much trouble. I'm installing 2×6 glass subway tile with mesh backer onto new drywall. Manufacturer recommends white bonding mortar. The wall is 8'×10' and is not a shower wall. My question is do I have to waterproof my drywall and if so what should I use. Thanks Sal
Can you offer any advice, my contractor cracked my glass tile when he mounted my shower frames. He says I can’t use the glass tile on those sections. I would really like a second opinion.
He is likely correct- I have read that the glass does not hold up to the motion stresses of a frame. Also likely weakened by the drilled mounting holes.
I am planning on doing my back shower wall in glass tile and the two side walls in ceramic. On the back wall it will have 1’ wide ceramic then a marble pencil then it will be the glass. 9’ high and 5’ wide. The glass is going down to the shower pan also. Should we leave a gap where it meets the pan and the marble pencil and fill with caulk rather than grout? Thank you. Do you have a one time donation option for PayPal or patroeon rather than a subscription?
Glass moves a lot more than tile, so you need to be sure to leave room for movement all around the perimeter of the glass tile, do not use caulk, use 100% silicone. And if you like here is a link www.paypal.com/donate/?token=VFWk9dCBK0u5t43EPEayGXwNTt5d9dBn9542DYUgPO-pUZM_ly3Ge40J6rHWgFVKX1-EdcpwWQlc3MCp&locale.x=US
Sal DiBlasi Thank you so much for the information. I am having a tile guy do the job. But i want to make sure it is done correctly. Love all the videos.
Hi Sal, I had full remodel (down to the studs) on both of my bathrooms due to leaks and lead. I had my contractor install glass tile (6x12, 8mm) on both shower and shower/bathtub walls. I’m hoping they use some type of waterproof sealant before installing the tiles but I know they did not use the polyethylene membrane on the walls. Once they were done with the bathrooms and I moved back into my house, at random places and times, tiles started to crack on both showers. They’ve come to replace the cracked ones but new ones including a couple of already replaced keep happening. The contractor claims they never had this issue before and gave me the solution to retile both bathrooms again but using porcelain tiles. He’s asking me to pay for half of the cost. I think it is absurd since after watching your video, I see they did not install it correctly. Any input, suggestions, facts to to mention to them about installation and tile so they can see they did not install the tiles correctly? Thank you!
Glass tiles move much more than ceramic or porcelain, a lot more. So it is imperative that sufficient movement joints be placed where they are needed. That will usually be at changes of plain and where the tile meets a dissimilar material. It is also important the the substrate be prepared correctly, the substrate must be flat so that the thinnest bond coat of mortar possible can be used, a thick bond coat will lead to cracking. The correct type of mortar must also be used, this will usually be either an ANSI A118.15 white thinset mortar or a mortar that is specifically designed for glass tile. I would check the corners of your bathroom, was silicone used, or were the corners filled with grout? Was the correct mortar used? Did the use an excessive amount of mortar under the tile? Where the tiles butted together, or was the correct grout size used? Was the the stud spacing of the walls correct? Hope this helps.
Just a heads up. I recently installed a glass tile that had a white epoxy paint on the back. There is no thinset that will adhere to this. I used Sika Flex. Worked awesome.
Hi Sal, just to explain further - we tried a high polymer thinset as per the mfg. spec. It had no adhesion whatsoever. The sika flex adhered beautifully, and our thinking was that the sika remains flexible, so should work fine with the glass. This is a new tile they are selling, had not encountered anything like this before. I would be very interested in your opinion as to what may go wrong with this application. It's been about 3 months since install - so far so good. John.
Awesome video buddy!!!, you seem very knowledgeable. Any thoughts on installing decorative 3x12 colored tiles on the outside of a Hot tub where water continues to flow over into the main pool? I’m looking for an artistic and contemporary look as an addition to the all round infinity edge of the pool. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
@@SalDiBlasi i submerged the tiles in water and cut with a 3/8 bit underwater and then met the corner with a wetsaw, will this be enough of a radius? Again i cannot thank you enough
Great video! So informative. If you educate people-installers and customers-the overall satisfaction level goes way up. I believe it! Thanks Sal! Another great video. I always learn so much!
Thanks, exactly, if more people are informed, the hacks will have to learn to do it properly.
Yet another video full of exactly what I needed to know, thanks again for the education. I'm a carpenter turned tile layer thanks to the videos you make.
the most surprising thing in this lesson is that glass tiles expand and contract at a greater rate than do ceramic tiles.
Since glass is far less forgiving, the main message to take heed from is, as you've already stated, to read the instructions accompanying the tile, and follow them to a "t". it could mean the difference between the manufacturer paying for any subsequent replacement of defective tiles, and re-doing the entire installation at one's own expense
That comment about glass cracking for no reason is absolutely true. We just installed glass tile mosaic with 1 inch squares, and it's already cracking, despite using the high polymer and leaving room to expand and whatnot. Nobody mentioned this to us at any point when we were shopping for it. I honestly can't believe glass tile is even a thing. Had I had any idea I never would have used it.
It’s great seeing someone so knowledgeable. My only tip on backsplashs is I usually use Shulter expansion track against the counter top and back splash. Work very well and no need to calk ever. Usually set with silicone.
Well Splain sal worst thing is when a costumer gets a different results than what they had in mind because it wasn't install correctly glass it's one of them if you don't follow instructions or don't in know what you are doing you be answering questions lather get educated thanks for the info sal you're the best
My first "Sal" video. Your experience shines through. I removed a hideous 3-inch wide, hunter green accent strip of individual diamond shaped 1.5 inch tiles...about 11 linear feet, shoulder high, in our master bath walk-in shower...leaving the 4 x 4 white tiles in place. Tough to get out without damaging adjacent tile and the wall behind the tile. No tile-guy I talked to wanted to tackle it. About to replace with glass and marble mosaic tiles. REALLY appreciate the tip on sealing marble BEFORE grouting...I was planning to do it after, not knowing any better, and also the tip on how the paper backing on glass tiles chips. Both really great tips for my little project.
Thanks, glad it helped
Hey Sal, as usual you’re a straight flying eagle. Just to confirm what you’re conveying. Very hard to inform someone who is in charge and has his customer base. I was part of a backsplash install where mastic was used. I wasn’t on the wall so to speak but was making cuts. Returned the next day to do the grouting and there were two tile cracked around the outlets. There was a slight wave and the tile just suctioned til it cracked. From my experience (15 years on and off with tiles). Everything you said is spot on. Leave expansion, caulk or silicone ends and surrounds, and when a wet saw won’t do it I score and snap, tape it then cut or polish what I can after a cut. I’ll have email you the results of this back splash I’ll be installing this week. Once again Sal you are a great instructor!
I just share what little I know, in the hopes it will help someone learn without having to find out the hard way. Thanks
If the glass tile chips, is there a drill attachment or grinder attachment to help clean it up roughly? Considering the ends' imperfections will be concealed by siliconed anyway. In my case, I don't need a total "edge polish" just a clean up
Sal, your videos are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have tought me so much!!
This video is super helpful. First house here and DIYing on the same situation lay out and all. Thanks for saving me stress 1000%
Glad it helped!
Using 1/8' wedi board over the existing drywall instead of an expensive tear-out. Very nice.
Thank you! Very useful information to know.
Really appreciate your time in making and sharing these videos. Putting a thin layer of wedi board on wall is a great tip!
Have a glass tile backsplash to install. Thank you so much for all the information. You are definitely very knowledgeable. I do appreciate you sharing with us. “FLIP”.
I think this should be a "must watch" video for a DIY! Your information is so critical to know and it sure doesn't say nearly any of this on directions. Great to know about the possibility of not using mastic on the bathroom wall.
Always something to learn.
Awesome as usual! Priceless information! ☺️
👍 thanks
Good info about the glass coating, when grouting. Thanks 👍
That looks really nice!
You know what you are talking about! Thank you for this video. I have clients thinking about Glass. I am sharing this video with them! I try to tell folks to double think glass tile over porcelain as we do not have many installers like you around my stomping grounds. ;0)
I subscribed!
@@ShellSellars-Smith Thanks, I try to steer people away, and when they hear what a problem glass can be, they will sometimes listen.
You can tap all you want brother. Thank you ! I love my trade and so do you. Cheers!
😊👍
As always you the man Sal! excellent work...💪🏼
Good job Sal!👍🏻
Thanks Dani
Beautiful work
Nice work! Great tips and details in the video too.
Glad you liked it!
Thanx for that info 👌🏼💪🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Tyvm for the info sir.
A lot of useable information. Thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful!
Good video sal watching
"Sal tv" every Saturday is my ritual. Lol
Glad to here it, thanks for watching.👍
Great tips.
thank you i hired pro's and now i know how to proceed with just using it ,labor involved,and how much i want to pay for another team.
Hey sal DiBlasi I am fan of you I like all your videos I'm a biginner tile installer
Learn the right way, get a TCNA handbook, attend as much training as you can.
Thank you very much for your advice I will get it
Very helpful even in July of 2024. Thank you! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
@@SalDiBlasi Indeed and hands down, you are the best tiling guru on RUclips.
So basically avoid glass tile.lol .. You seem really knowledgeable. Can you recommend a high end classy looking shower tray?
Going to have to do some research before picking the right glass tile.
Thank you
Anybody have any info about installing 1" glass tile on a 12" square with a backing that sticks to the tile not wall?
thanks for the tips
No problem!
Very informative, We had a mosaic backsplash installed that has a combo of tiles including glass. The idea was good but something went wrong with the execution,. After setting and grouting, the mesh backing can be seen through the edges of many of the glass tiles. Could you provide some insight please? Thank you so much, Sal!
I just put new drywall up in my kitchen and would like to add glass mosaic backsplash. What would you recommend and do I have to seal the drywall?
Thanks for another great video. I hate to find out I was doing something wrong after install! Your tips help so much. Could u do a video on finishing edges, like where to end when cabinets don't go to counter edge and the wall runs out to a dining area? And types of edging to use?
I will put it on my list
Thank you for so much
No problem
Love your vidios
Love that you watch them. 😊👍
Hey Pisano, excellent video. Was curious to know if glass tile can be set over cultured marble? I'd planned to do a decorative edging or trim to highlight my master bedroom, Thanks,
that video was really helpful
Glad it helped
Sal DiBlasi is there a certain brand of snap scorer that you recommend using Also what size notch trowel ? Im installing the same type of glass tile but it’s 3x12
I put a niche in my shower and I have tile sheets. I need to come up with something to put in for the edges of my niche. I used to do tile back in the mastic days, early mid 90s. I'm just a home diyer now. First time working with glass.
Very helpful how-to videos. Thank you. Do you caulk the glass tile backsplash corners first before you grout the tile? You mentioned the cracking potential in the corners with glass tile and not to grout. Do you recommend caulking first in the corners before grouting if time is not a constraint?
Nice 👍
QUESTION...I accidentally used some Mapei Type 1 adhesive for a few rows of glass tile (3"x3") for a backsplash. Do I need to start over or should I live with it and wait it out for any issues down the road? Thanks!
Hey Sal, not sure if this was asked. I'm installing LFT (porcelain 12"x24") on a permabase substrate - with a glass mosaic stripe in the middle (the 1" wide glass strips on the 12"x12" mesh - some are 2" long, some are over 3" long) - (shower and non-shower wall). Aware I need to use a 1/2" trowel for the porcelain tile - but hearing that I don't want that much mortar behind the glass, how would you do it? float the line? also I'm using 'Prolite premium large format white tile mortar 118.15T' (think I'm gonna go back and look for 118.15TE). If the requirement is to float (and let dry before installing the glass mosaic) under the glass, can I use this same mortar to float?
Mr sal... question.... i am doing a 2x6 glass tile with the aame backing as you're using in this video...i have great nice straight and smooth walls but they have been painted.... what do you suggest for prepping the wall and what material should be used? The paint is clean... was never exposed to kitchen elements.... i have thought about scuffing the walls and using redgaurd water proofing just for that extra moisture barrier.... love your videos... ive done 3 projects already from your videos... but this one stumped me a little due to the price we are paying for the tile... also... if i use a scoring tool to cut the tile... is there a specific blade or just use a fresh replacement on my scoring tool?? Tha ks again.... chip from alabama....
We've had a glass tile back splash for years, never had an issue and it was put up on an old plaster wall.
Adding the board on top of “wavey” drywall is such a Great tip. Wish I would have caught that before doing my kitchen blacksplash...... but since I’m a DIYer and it’s my house I’m good with it. However, the “wavey” drywall and durrock ended up and is causing us a lot of problems in the bathrooms too. Of course we didn’t realize it until the tile was going up. We hired a contractor for tile work in our previous house and they did not do as good as job as we expected, so this time we did it ourselves. If I could have hired Sal I definitely would have. I don’t think you travel out of state, do you?
Prep is key to any tile installation, as is planning and layout.
Always learning from you Sal and always amazed by your work. I am installing Sicis 15mm x 15mm 4mm thick transparent glass mosaic on Wedi board on shower walls. I was planning to use Laticrete latapoxy 300 adhesive with a 3/16" v notch trowel and knock down the ridges to get 100% coverage with no ghosting behind the tiles. Am I better off skim coating the wedi board first with Laticrete super white glass tile adhesive to get homogeneous white color, let it dry then apply the glass mosaic with the epoxy adhesive or just use the epoxy adhesive without skim coating? I tend to overthink these things. Appreciate your help.
Actually not a bad idea to skim coat, I have done that in the past, especially in the corners where you can get dark spots if you miss a small spot.
Before watching this video, I bought the same exact gray tiles you're showing to do above my shower surround. I haven't started the install yet and now I'm concerned that I might've made a bad choice, after watching this. The walls are very flat, so I'm not too concerned about that. I'm using score and snap to cut, as all the cuts will be straight, except I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to cut around the shower arm without using a wet saw. I'm using Schluter Schiene profile at the top and sides. Important lessons learned from this video: knock down trowel ridges, use as little thinset as possible while still getting 100% coverage, and make sure to leave expansion gap in corners. Thanks for another helpful video.
Glass is a very finicky tile to install
Thanks for the tips, I'm gonna have to sand my wall to get it flat as it is textured.
Good luck!
@@SalDiBlasi I think I'm gonna go with a backboard instead. Thinset and screws to create a better backing. Sanding would mean too much dust yuck.
Good!!
What size(type) trowel should I use for glass tile backsplash size 4x12 inch? Thanks for all the info in the previous videos, made my kitchen floor perfect.
Glass tile is best set with the thinnest bond coat that will give full coverage. So try a 1/4x1/4/14, if that does not work move up one size. You need to have as close to 100% as possible, but at the same time you don't want a thick bond coat that can lead to cracking. Glass is a very difficult animal to satisfy.
Did you wet shim the 1/8 inch wedi board? how out of wack were the walls? i always seem to have wacked out walls in showers but i use durock so it becomes a nightmare trying to keep things flat and plumb
nvm you kind of answered my question later in the video lol amazing work as always!!
Great, try some foam board, you will never look back. 😊
How about L-shaped cuts of glass tile for around cabinet corners, best methods to do these cuts?
Wet saw with glass blade
Why you don't recommend using mastik to install glass tile?
Awesome video, can you tell me once again what you installed over the drywall because the wall was uneven? You said that this item was 1/8" thick.
Great video as always! Question: You mentioned sealing the tile which made me think of a shower I just saw. Looks like marble tile with a border 2/3 up. The border tile was thinner than the marble and the installer didn't flush them up. What a mess... To my real question though. There was remnants of grout and haze after grouting it looks like. You have always said to seal marble before grouting, so what if they didn't? What happens if they didn't seal first? Long question I know! Thank you for your help.
The problem with not sealing a porous tile like marble is that it can be stained by the grout, have a haze like you say that can not be removed, if the dies in the grout streek, it will leave a permanent color streak in the stone, and a bunch of other problems that can happen to an unprotected stone. Be it polished or honed. A polished stone must still be protected. ruclips.net/video/RaTJlhugePs/видео.html
What about in a shower using strips of glass mosaic... Do I need to caulk the corners instead of grout?
How you cut it around outlets is my question
Hey Sal. Any advice for installing a frameless door on glass tile. Seems the majority thought is that it's not recommended. I'm inclined to think that if the anchors are thru a grout joint and not thru the tile itself would help relieve most of the stress. Or if there is a separate backing behind the anchors?
Glass is really tricky, very likely that the tile will crack, even if you drill in a grout line. I steer people away from glass when I can.
What did you use to adhere the Wedi Board to the drywall?
Hey Sal,
I have a tub surround install coming up. It was done in 3x12 glass tile previously with mastic and the backer board was 1/2" plywood with a thin coat of water proofing. There has been water infiltration over the years and mold has started to grow behind the tile.
I will be tearing it out and plan on doing a schluter tub surround kit. Your recommendation was a high polymer thin set. Which goes against schluters recommend practice. Do you have any advice? Other suitable mortars? Maybe switch the substrate/waterproofing system?
So schluter says no modified mortar unless it is Allset, so allsett is an A118.15 mortar, but Schluter says it is not recommended for glass, What to do? I have on several occasions used Ardex X77 on kerdi board, Ardex will sub their warranty for Schluter's. You could also switch to Hydroban Board By Laticrete, which is a top rate Foam board, and they have no problem if you use a High polymer thinset.
Hi Sal! Thank you for so much valuable info! I bought glass subway tile for our bath surround thinking we would hire a pro but money is tight so I gotta learn fast. Currently have backer board that I'm going to tape and mud then paint 2x with the red stuff. Saw on another video that you can just add thinset to the back of the tile (not bother with trowling on the backer board) and just stick the tile directly to the backer board. Bad idea? I live in RI, do you know of anyone who could teach me the basics?
For glass that is a very bad idea. You need to have a flat surface and an even mortar bed with as thin a bond coat as possible while still achieving as close to 100% coverage as you can get. Doing it that way will make all those things very difficult.
Your information and work are great! I’d only ask that you slow down the visuals a bit 🥴
Good video, but how about the cutting of glass tiles?
Hey Sal, once again another amazing informative video. I followed everything to the T but the glass still ended up cracking by where the niche is. It was a glass tile that had to be notched. I was wondering since the glass tile had to be notched. Did I weaken it by cutting the tile due to the vibration of the wet tile saw? I couldn't find another way of notching the cut since its not a single straight cut and could not be done with only a glass cutter. Any suggestions?
When you have to notch a glass tile, never do a square cut, always leave a radius at the corner. So if you have a niche you have to have it so you have full tile on the top and bottom so you don't get the square cut.
@@SalDiBlasi thank you for the informative response! Your the man Sal!
@@SalDiBlasi But how is a radius cut accomplished? Do you have a video on that ?
Te escribo desde España.
No entiendo nada de lo que dice, pero si que veo que es un gran profesional y realiza unos acabados perfectos.
Un saludo.
There are closed captions , maybe that will help you.
Hey Sal. I've searched your posts and cannot find anything about mounting glass shower doors to glass tile. Any suggestions?
That is really tricky, glass will crack for no reason at all, let alone when you try to drill through it. Can it be done? Sure. Will you crack some tiles and have to replace them? Probably. Go Slow, keep the bit cool, and use the best possible bit you can, preferably a diamond bit.
@@SalDiBlasi thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I'm sure I will be hitting you up in the future! Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Do you have to use special thin set for natural stone or marble? We have difficult time to lay marble tiles in our bathroom.Thanks
ruclips.net/video/S80GVg4Y4MU/видео.html
We would like to put up this tile on our kitchen and then put steel shelves up what do you suggest for the right tools to make sure the glass isn't break while we're putting the shelves on
Glass does not like stress, it will crack very easily.
Also on the mastic stuff
What size grout joints should I use?
Hello Sal. We are considering installing 1" glass hex mosaic tiles on our shower floor. Daltile has a no slip coating on them so slipping is not an issue. My question is whether 1" mosaic on a shower floor will be subject to even more movement than on a kitchen wall because of hot to cold water exposure? The tile is rated for a shower floor, but is this feasible for a non professional to install and limit potential cracking on a 24 sf shower floor?
Glass is always a risky install.
Thank you for the very useful info, but audio is hard to understand at times.
The perils of recording on a jobsite.
Hey Sal, what wet saw blade would you recommend for glass tile?
Following. I was just wondering the same thing!!!
I bought one from one of the big box stores that had good reviews and it still chipped the glass tiles slightly so why not ask an expert?
Sal, I'm following for the same question on which saw blade for glass.
@@rtanner2474 we know that much, we're asking Sal,
Diablo makes a diamond blade. Can’t go wrong. I use nothing but diablo
I HATE GLASS TILE thanks for the tips for the bane of my work!
Great content. I am using ARDEX 77 for glass tile in pool and the bags instructions say not for glass tile. I am using this because my pool building friend uses it.. Just concerned since I am installing glass art as well.
You can use it for glass Second line www.ardexamericas.com/product/ardex-x-77/
0:10 Could you tap on the tile a few more times, please, just to really drive the point home?
“Tap”. “Tap”. “Tap tap”. “Tap”.
No I think that was just enough.
I noticed that too! Middle finger as well...I can’t help but have a bit of a Jungian analysis on that action and behavior 🧐🥸😉
@@terabyte6166 As in Carl Jung? Well, well, well, it looks like we’ve stumbled upon a deep thinker here. A deep thinker who also likes tiling. I like the cut of you jib, Sir.
Hi Sal, I've seen glass mosaic on the floor! Looks beautiful, but how do you do it?
Use a modified polymer thinset and unsanded grout, and a special blade for glass
You said a porcelain blade can chip when using the wet saw, do you recommend a specific blade for glass? Also what issue do you have with mastic?
Use a blade specifically made for cutting glass tile. amzn.to/3jiORIZ
What process or products would you recommend to remove hardened excess grout off of the glass tile? I waited 24 hours to clean off as I was directed but now it's really hard.
Probably missunderstood the directions, you are not the first. Sorry I have no advice that will give an adequate resolution to that.
Hi Sal, thanks for your awesome, informative videos! I recently purchase 12"x24" Floor and Decor Pure Glass wall tile (rather looks like the tile in this video), but can't find mortar graded for its installation. I actually bought Mapei Adisilex and Keraply, but the documents say it's only for tile up to 6"x6". Floor and Decor hasn't gotten back to me with contact information for the tile manufacturer, so I'm at my wit's end. Do you have a recommendation for the mortar I should use? Thanks!
Look for a thinset that is ANSI A118.11 or higher, a thinset that is rated for glass tile. A few are Tec Superflex, Ardex X77 and Here is a link to a Laticrete product amzn.to/2WcmqQV
Sal DiBlasi h
Hello Sal I have a quick question if it's not too much trouble. I'm installing 2×6 glass subway tile with mesh backer onto new drywall. Manufacturer recommends white bonding mortar. The wall is 8'×10' and is not a shower wall. My question is do I have to waterproof my drywall and if so what should I use. Thanks Sal
No waterproof needed in a dry area unless specified by the glass manufacturer.
@@SalDiBlasi Thanks!
Hey Sal how are you ? Fine I hope ! Can you tell me what you charge per square foot to install 3x4 glass tile in a shower ?
Price per square foot is a thing of the past, and Glass tile is a very expensive product to install.
Can you offer any advice, my contractor cracked my glass tile when he mounted my shower frames. He says I can’t use the glass tile on those sections. I would really like a second opinion.
He is likely correct- I have read that the glass does not hold up to the motion stresses of a frame. Also likely weakened by the drilled mounting holes.
Why didn't he warn you of that ahead of time? He should have drilled the holes for the shower frame using a diamond-tipped drill bit.
He is right about scratching the tile. It will scratch!
I am planning on doing my back shower wall in glass tile and the two side walls in ceramic. On the back wall it will have 1’ wide ceramic then a marble pencil then it will be the glass. 9’ high and 5’ wide. The glass is going down to the shower pan also. Should we leave a gap where it meets the pan and the marble pencil and fill with caulk rather than grout? Thank you. Do you have a one time donation option for PayPal or patroeon rather than a subscription?
Glass moves a lot more than tile, so you need to be sure to leave room for movement all around the perimeter of the glass tile, do not use caulk, use 100% silicone. And if you like here is a link www.paypal.com/donate/?token=VFWk9dCBK0u5t43EPEayGXwNTt5d9dBn9542DYUgPO-pUZM_ly3Ge40J6rHWgFVKX1-EdcpwWQlc3MCp&locale.x=US
Sal DiBlasi Thank you so much for the information. I am having a tile guy do the job. But i want to make sure it is done correctly. Love all the videos.
Donation sent thanks again.
Hi Sal, I had full remodel (down to the studs) on both of my bathrooms due to leaks and lead. I had my contractor install glass tile (6x12, 8mm) on both shower and shower/bathtub walls. I’m hoping they use some type of waterproof sealant before installing the tiles but I know they did not use the polyethylene membrane on the walls. Once they were done with the bathrooms and I moved back into my house, at random places and times, tiles started to crack on both showers. They’ve come to replace the cracked ones but new ones including a couple of already replaced keep happening. The contractor claims they never had this issue before and gave me the solution to retile both bathrooms again but using porcelain tiles. He’s asking me to pay for half of the cost. I think it is absurd since after watching your video, I see they did not install it correctly. Any input, suggestions, facts to to mention to them about installation and tile so they can see they did not install the tiles correctly? Thank you!
Glass tiles move much more than ceramic or porcelain, a lot more. So it is imperative that sufficient movement joints be placed where they are needed. That will usually be at changes of plain and where the tile meets a dissimilar material. It is also important the the substrate be prepared correctly, the substrate must be flat so that the thinnest bond coat of mortar possible can be used, a thick bond coat will lead to cracking. The correct type of mortar must also be used, this will usually be either an ANSI A118.15 white thinset mortar or a mortar that is specifically designed for glass tile. I would check the corners of your bathroom, was silicone used, or were the corners filled with grout? Was the correct mortar used? Did the use an excessive amount of mortar under the tile? Where the tiles butted together, or was the correct grout size used? Was the the stud spacing of the walls correct? Hope this helps.
Sal DiBlasi Would it be possible for me to send you photos of the bathrooms to give you a better idea? Thanks for your response!
Just a heads up. I recently installed a glass tile that had a white epoxy paint on the back. There is no thinset that will adhere to this. I used Sika Flex. Worked awesome.
Not an approved method, I can think of several issues that can lead to failure with your solution.
Hi Sal, just to explain further - we tried a high polymer thinset as per the mfg. spec. It had no adhesion whatsoever. The sika flex adhered beautifully, and our thinking was that the sika remains flexible, so should work fine with the glass. This is a new tile they are selling, had not encountered anything like this before. I would be very interested in your opinion as to what may go wrong with this application. It's been about 3 months since install - so far so good. John.
What happens if you use mastic with glass tile like for a backslash
It will fail in time in most cases.
Can it be installed without spacing? No grout in between?
Minimum grout line on any job, according to the TCNA is 1/16", butt joints are not allowed, ever.
Awesome video buddy!!!, you seem very knowledgeable. Any thoughts on installing decorative 3x12 colored tiles on the outside of a Hot tub where water continues to flow over into the main pool? I’m looking for an artistic and contemporary look as an addition to the all round infinity edge of the pool. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
I really don't do pool work, best to contact the manufacturer of the tile you want to use to see if it suitable and how to install it.
@@SalDiBlasi thank you
How much do you charge for a backsplash like that?
any tips on cutting glass tile around outlets? Thanks enjoy your videos
Always leave corners with a radius.
@@SalDiBlasi i submerged the tiles in water and cut with a 3/8 bit underwater and then met the corner with a wetsaw, will this be enough of a radius? Again i cannot thank you enough