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STANDARDS

Question: Is there a standard for installing glass tile?

Answer: Yes, because glass tiles have performance and aesthetic properties that differ from ceramic

and porcelain tiles, a new standard was adopted beginning in late 2011. ANSI A137.2 deﬁnes

glass tile types and establishes aesthetic and performance standards for each type.

Question: What are the primary types of glass tile?

Answer: There are three primary types of glass tiles; cast glass, fused glass and low-temperature-coated

glass. Each type is available as large format, mosaic, and miniature mosaic tiles.

Question: What size glass tile determines large format and mosaic?

Answer:

Glass tiles with an overall area greater than 8.95 square inches and less than or equal to 576 square

inches (cast tiles must be less than or equal to 144 square inches). Mosaic glass tiles are greater

than 0.68 and less than or equal to 8.95 square inches. Miniature mosaic glass tiles are less than or

equal to 0.68 square inches.

Question: Are there minimum bond strengths for glass tile installations?

Answers: Yes, since glass tiles are used in a variety of installation environments including walls, pools,

entryways and fountains, ANSI A137.2 sets minimum bond strength requirements, which are

evaluated in dry and submerged testing. Mortars should be a high-performance mortar with

bond strength greater than 400 psi to porcelain and greater than 150 psi to glass tiles.

Question: Do glass tile installations require a special thin-set or adhesive?

Answer: Glass tiles require the use of a high performance (ANSI 118.4 or better) polymer modiﬁed

thin-set mortar. CUSTOM has a variety of mortars acceptable for installing glass tile. CUSTOM’s

new, Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar is a color-consistent, bright white, high-performance

mortar, speciﬁcally designed for glass tile installations.

Question: Why is color-consistency important?

Answer: Since glass tile are produced in a wide range of opacity, from completely opaque to trans

parent, it is more important for the setting materials to be consistent in color. Also, a bright white

color will enhance the brilliance of the glass.

APPLICATIONS

Question: Can I use CUSTOM Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar as a thin-set and as a grout?

Answer:

No. Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar is a thin-set only and should not be used as a grout. Use

CUSTOM’s FusionPro

™

Single Component Grout

™

, CEG-Lite

™

100% Epoxy Grout or Prism

SureColor

Grout to grout the installed glass tile.

Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar

Frequently Asked Questions

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Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar Frequently Asked Questions STANDARDS Question: Answer: Is there a standard for installing glass tile? Yes, because glass tiles have performance and aesthetic properties that differ from ceramic and porcelain tiles, a new standard was adopted beginning in late 2011. ANSI A137.2 defines glass tile types and establishes aesthetic and performance standards for each type.
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Question: Answer: What should be used when installing glass tile in a swimming pool or other water feature? Since pools and water features are required to hold water, it is always a good idea to first install a waterproofing membrane such as CUSTOM’s RedGard® Waterproofing Membrane on the substrate to help prevent water loss and to maintain the integrity of the assembly. Use CUSTOM’s Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar to install the glass tiles in the pool or water feature.