Glass tile mosaics are without a doubt, the most beautiful
finish available for swimming pools, spas and watershapes.
However, there are standards and procedures that must be adhered to, to
ensure a successful installation.
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| Water behind glass tiles from wet set method |
First and foremost, you should obtain SPECIFIC installation
instructions from the manufacturer of the glass tiles. They should specify which products they
endorse and recommend for their tiles.
If the instructions recommend a generic white cement and sand blend,
seek specific pre-mixed product recommendations. You do not want to risk an expensive glass
tile job on such flimsy instructions.
Know the applicable standards. While the Direct Set (aka: wet set or
two-step) method of setting tiles may be okay for some stone and ceramic tiles,
it is not permitted for glass tile. Some
foreign manufacturers still recommend it.
But, the 2005 ANSI A108.14-A108.16 standards are very precise about the
acceptable methods of installing glass tiles.
The Direct Set Method is not one
of them. It is fast and inexpensive - that's why installers use it. But consumers pay with issues like those shown above.
The Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) and the Tile
Council of North America (TCNA) also endorse the ANSI standards (ctioa.org/pdf/2008-8-12_Glass_Tile_Report.pdf). These standards also have prescribed
materials performance specifications and curing times for each phase of the
installation.
While time consuming and labor intensive, properly installed
glass tile mosaics will result in a spectacular finish that should last for
generations.
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To contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology pool and Spa, email him at: info@aquatictechnology.com or call 408-776-8220.
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