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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. When re-modeling floors, bathroom or a kitchen almost everybody wants to have the minimum grout lines between their tiles. We recommend playing it safe and avoiding the larger grout lines. Grout is what locks a tile installation together as a unified whole. The TCNA recommends a minimum 1/8" grout joint for rectified tile. If this area will be subject to water or moisture, you will still need to grout the tiles, despite their lack of joint. Since this is what all customer request from the installer, most installers, and contractors find pride in very close grout lines and they consider it a sign of a high-quality job. If you have ever seen tiles, either on walls or the floors, then you have seen grout. Grouting may seem scary, but it doesn't need to be. But even with having to use the mud, this by far was the best option to install the glass peel and stick tile without having to use a wet saw. We do not recommend installing any of our products tighter than 1/16," but you can always go larger. Art Fricke. Use glass tile nippers to score and snap glass tile. The 3/16 grout line is by no means thick and leaves a perfect amount of room for the natural variation of the size of the tiles. Some even want to install their tiles with no grout at all. Four things I learned installing penny tile 1. As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile; most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches, but larger versions are available. Being one of the final steps, its tempting to rush through this last tedious step, but the result could end up being an eyesore. The tile separated in straight lines without having to cut through the actual glass in three different 4-inch panels, then each square or rectangle can be cut out individually. Don't kid yourself — grout is important. Your email address will not be published. This article has been viewed 54,575 times. … My wife said she wanted to minimize the grout lines so we butted the tiles right up against each other without spacers. The Skinny of Properly Installing 3X6 Glass Subway Tile For installing 3×6 subway glass tile, we recommend using a white thin-set mortar with a flexible acrylic additive. Check your surface for structural integrity. Please resist the temptation to install your tile without grout. Press the tiles firmly into the mortar. Why's that, you might wonder. Grout stops the water and dirt etc. Just google image search “bad penny tile installation” and you’ll see what I’m talking about. SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the angled back edges on side-view glass tile, care should be taken while grouting. Many of the mistakes that occur while grouting glass tile comes from rushing through the process too fast. It simply happened because of mold and mildew created by the excessive amount of humidity underneath your tiles. Answers For The Questions That You May Have About Tiles If you’re shopping for tiles, you probably have some questions about the, Concrete Look Is The Trend In The Rise For Those Who Are Seeking A Modern Look. These tiles, known as vitrified tiles, can be installed with no gap or grout joint between them. Peel and stick Smart Tiles may be installed without any problem on any smooth undamaged surface. Clean the wall thoroughly to remove all traces of dust, dirt, and grime, which can … Grout sucks, believe me, I know. Back-buttering also insures near-complete (95%) surface adhesion between tile and substrate. "Considering a glass tile for bathroom floor. This will usually be obvious, with seriously discolored wood or a surface which is soft and gives way under pressure. Some even want to install their tiles with no grout at all. It takes up a lot of time, and it requires meticulous work. Talk to your local hardware store about the trowel size that they would recommend for your particular project. Understandably, most installers have a love-hate relationship with grout. Unsanded grout can be used to pack these tiny gaps, sealing the tiles. That means it is getting it's strength from the epoxy, not the "mechanical bond". Groutless tile has a higher Check several of the set mosaic tile sheets for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. Small cracks may be normal but big cracks might need to be dealt with before you can continue. Friday: Prep the wall, apply the thinset, and install the tile. You can get grout additives that make it more mold resistant or water resistant, as well as additives that do things like giving the grout a color. All types of glass tile have special installation considerations, however. Then, make straight, parallel lines in the mortar by pressing into it with a notched trowel to help the tiles stick to the wall. How to install a peel and stick glass tile backsplash in your kitchen. References. Let the tiles set for 24 hours, then spread grout onto the tiles. Mortar should also cover the entire back of each individual tile without voids or trowel lines. Use vitrified tiles, which are made of compressed clay dust, if you wish to install tiles without grout. This will create a crisp line to the lip and provide the countertop with a seamless look. Aug 23, 2017 … Well, the short answer would be a simple no – you should not attempt to install tile without grout. In such a case, grout pops up leaving little holes in your floor. Turn your deck into a patio -- they’ll cover any level surface. Cutting Glass Tile View All 12 Photos Play slideshow . subway tile grout question. You can use a chalk line to line up your tiles but it's easy to accidentally cover it. The key is having the butt against each other and have a tight fit between where the meet. If you are considering larger than 1/8" grout lines with your subway tiles consider using a sanded grout. When you install tile or stone, you need grout and you need the right grout. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Measure corner to corner diagonally both ways and see how close they are. Just be sure to use a grout float to press the tile flat onto the wall. Glass tile makes a dramatic statement wherever you install it in the home. I have a glass splashback, what kind of glue do I need to adhere it to my kitchen tiles? Demonstration of tile grouting technique using correct technique, with tips for best practices. Premium sheet vinyl with a cushioned backing and 20-year warranty is about $3 per square foot. First things first, all the tiles need to be cut at a 45-degrees miter. Rub it in circular motions along the grout lines to apply. Since this is what all customer request from the installer, most installers, and contractors find pride in very close grout lines and they consider it a sign of a high-quality job. This meant that we ended up with pretty wide grout lines. If your tile project is in a dry area, you can install a specific kind of ceramic tile without grout. Closest grout joints should not be less than 1/16″. To install glass tiles, start by spreading the mortar on the wall in a 3 inch by 3 inch space. Most subway tile has grooves on the sides so you don’t need to use spacers at all because it’s an automatic 1/16″ grout line. Can you imagine mould, spaghetti sauce and cleaning spray all lodged in these cracks? Materials: The best thinset adhesives for glass tile have two parts: a white powder and a latex liquid additive, such as Laticrete's 317 thinset and 333 additive. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Note: This is especially important for clear and translucent glass tile. This back-buttering step is best used for all glass mosaic tile, but is essential when using fully transparent tile, in order to keep any remaining trowel lines on the substrate from showing through. When I got to areas like light sockets and window trim, I simply used a utility knife to cut out squares to piece together the correct amount of tile. If this area will be subject to water or moisture, you will still need to grout the tiles, despite their lack of joint. or less), mounted on sheets and often made of glass, mosaic tiles present some unique challenges. The grout basically is held in the tiny beveled edges around the tiles. No grout tile or rectified tiles are cut at an angle so that they may not need grout because they are cut to an accuracy of 0.2 mm and don't have the unaligned look. I was not paid but did receive product. Only a few who can separate the look from the longevity would say: No! Larger tiles require more mortar for installation. Use epoxy to grout a countertop in the small spaces that may get overlooked. Glass — typically used for backsplashes and as a decorative accent in a mosaic. When installing trim to floor tiles, you’ll want to ensure to place trim tiles on all your edges or to the edge where the tile meets another flooring material. If you are filling space less than 1/8", purchase "unsanded" grout unless otherwise specified. Only a few who can separate the look from the longevity would say: No! So when they handed me the grout color chart and asked me to pick, the choice was pretty easy. Apr 25, 2015 #15 Reactions: homeytheclown, UKGrad93, BigBlueDave and 1 other person. Use a (premixed) mastic or glass tile mortar designed for the size of the tiles you are installing. Mixed together without water, these two components bond tightly to the glass and provide a uniform substrate. 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