Keywest 1x1 Mosaic Glass Tile Blend
Spa Blends
Mounted to mesh backing for easy install.
Weight: 5 lbs (per square foot)
We recommend using a white then-set mortar with a flexible acrylic additive. Apply this mixture with the
manufacturer's recommendations of notch trowel. Spread only the amount of adhesive that will be covered
with the tile within 15 minutes. Back-butter each piece of tile with the flat edge of the trowel. Be sure
to achieve full coverage on the back of the tile in order to avoid the notch marks in the thin set from
showing through the glass. Carefully, press the glass into the thin set mixture leaving even spacing
between tiles. We recommend using 1/8" spacers to ensure even spacing. Allow for movement joints where the
tile abuts restraining surfaces and around the perimeter of the installation. Grout with an unsanded grout,
to prevent scratching, after the adhesive has had proper time to cure according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Cutting
A ceramic tile cutter is not recommended. We recommend using a wet saw with a diamond blade designed for
cutting glass tile. A porcelain continuous blade is best suited for cutting glass, and is available in
mutiple sizes. Whenever possible, cut edges should be placed in corners where they can be hidden.
To dress (smooth) the cut edges of the glass tile, use a #120 lapidary (tile rub stone) or 220 thru 600
grit PVA polishing pads available from Alpha Professional Tools or MK Diamond. Do not contact the face of
the tile during dressing as this will damage the tile surface.
Drilling
We recommend using a drill bit that is especially designed for glass. The glass tile must be securely
clamped into place to prevent movement of the tile during the drilling process. When drilling the hole,
keep the bit and hole lubricated to prevent chipping. We recommend drilling from both ends of the tile,
starting with the back and then drilling half the depth of the tile. Then, turn the tile over and complete
the hole. This will prevent the glass from chipping as the drill bit exits the tile.
MATERIAL INSPECTION AND SUBSTRATE PREPARATION
These instructions are provided as a general guideline for installing glass tile; some installations
require different or more detailed specifications. An experienced, professional tile installer who is
familiar with the following procedures should perform the work for such installations. Please read and
understand these instructions before beginning any work.
Verifying Dye Lot Consistency
The owner or end user is responsible for determining the acceptability of the product. Due to the handmade,
artistic nature of our product, variation in color, shade, tone and size is normal.
Upon delivery, open and inspect each box of tile.
To establish color control samples, randomly select 5 pieces from your order from different boxes.
To assure shade variations are acceptable, check the remaining sheets or field tile in your order
against the control samples prior to installation.
If ordering additional materials, samples shall be sent to help attempt to match previously ordered
material.
Tips to Achieve Better Installations
All mortar beds shall cure no less than 7 days prior to glass tile installation.
All glass tile installations benefit from extended cure times (48 hours or longer) prior to grouting or
foot traffic.
All submerged or heavy water use applications shall cure no less than 21 days after grouting before
submersion or heavy water use.
SUBSTRATES
The performance of a properly installed thin-set tile application is dependent upon the durability and
dimensional stability of the substrate to which it is bonded. The following recommendations are from the
Tile Council of North America's "2007 TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation" and are general in
nature:
For large format glass tile installations, horizontal solid blocking shall be installed in the framing
every 18" and at all CBU board transitions.
Membrane meeting ANSI A108.02-3.8 (2005) high solids, cold applied membrane: ASTM C836 shall be used
only with opaque glass tile.
All joints on CBU should be taped with the CBU manufacturers' recommended mesh tape and allowed to cure
48 hours prior to installation.
Unacceptable Substrates
Single-float mortar bed walls not employing cured scratch coats
Poultry netting (chicken wire) or metal lath less than 2.5 lbs per square yard in wire reinforced
mortar beds
Wood products, such as plywood, luan, MDF, MDX, press board and composites
SETTING SYSTEMS
All materials should be used according to manufacturer's instructions. Due to the translucent nature of
glass, the color of the bonding material will impact the ultimate look of the tile. We recommend the use of
specific white bonding mortars, some mixed with specific latex admix. See the following list for required
thin-sets and follow manufacturer's recommended cure times for all setting materials. Pools, spas and all
submerged applications require a minimum 210 day cure time after grouting and before submersion or exposure
to heavy water use.
Setting Systems
When mixing setting and grouting materials do not exceed 300 RPM or the manufacturer's recommendations.
Most setting and grouting materials need to slake (sit) 10-15 minutes after mixing and remixed before
use.
Select one of these required white Thin-Set Mortar Systems
ACCEPTABLE SETTING SYSTEMS
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS: Preminum Plus Thin-Set Mortar mixed with Custom Flex Ultra-Strength Thin-Set
Additive.
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS: MegaFlex Crack Prevention Mortar.
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS: MegaLite Crack Prevention Mortar.
LATICRETE: 254 Platinum Multipurpose Thin-Set Mortar.
FLEXTILE: 52 Versatile Floor MOrtar.
HYDROMENT: ReFlex Ultra-Premium Latex-Modified Thin Set MOrtar.
MAPEI: Kerabond Premium Dry-Set Mortar (KER 102) mixed with Keralastic Mortar Additive (KER 310).
KERAKOLL: H30 Tenax Single Component Thin-Set.
TEC (H.B. Fuller): Super Flex Preminum Performance Universal Latex-Modified Thin-Set
Mortar.
Unacceptable Setting Systems
Organic adhesive (mastic) - due to yellowing and low bond strengths.
Epoxy - due to low flexibility, as well as degradation in UV sunlight.
MOVEMENT JOINTS
Movement joints are essential for the success of most tile installations. Follow recommendations on
Movement Joints EJ 171-07 in the "2007 TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation."
Movement joint requirements will vary depending on substrata, climate and size of installation. An
architect or design professional should be consulted when specifiying the exact number and location of each
movement joint. Certain applications may require a different type of sealant.
ACCEPTABLE FLEXIBLE JOINT FILLERS
HYDROMENT: Chem-Calk 900 One-Part Urethane Sealant
KERAKOLL: Sigibuild PU Poly-Urethane Sealant
LATICRETE: Latisil 100% Silicone
SILAFLEX: 1A or 2C Polyurethane-based Sealant
GROUT
Install groud mix according to manufacturere's instructions. Grout joints shall be full and uniformly
finsihed. Due to teh impervious quality of glass, the grout will take longer to begin setting up. For
initial cleaning of gorout from the tile face, use clean, dry cheesecloth. This wicks addictional moisture
from the grout and avoids washing out of the joints. Use only a clean, damp sponge for the final cleaning
and smoothing of the joints. For final polishing of excess grout haze, use a clean, soft cloth.
We recommend using un-sanded grout for installation of the glass tile. The following are a few products we
recommend:
NOTE: An acrylic grout admix can improve freeze-thaw resistance. Check with the manufacturer for their
recommendation on specific applications.
ANTI-FRACTURE/WATERPROOFING MEMEBRANES
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS: RedGuard Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane
LATICRETE: 9235 waterproof & anti-fracture membrane
HYDROMENT: Gold Anti-fracture and Waterproofing Membrane
TEC: TA-325 Triple-Flex waterproofing/crack insolation membrane
