Boyce & Bean Water & Light Glass Mosaics
STANDARD INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STORE TILE IN A CLEAN, DRY LOCATION. DO NOT STORE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.
Before beginning installation, inspect and approve all materials and carefully read these instructions.
1. SETTING MATERIAL and TROWEL: Install Water & Light Mosaics using only a true-white thin-set recommended by its mfr. for glass
tile. Water & Light is translucent, so gray thin-set should be avoided because it will dull the appearance of the tile’s color. Test your thin-set
before you begin to ensure that it cures white enough for your installation. We recommend a prof. grade 1/4” x 3/16” V-Notched Trowel.
We recommend the following products. Follow the mfr‘s instructions regarding use of their product.
Custom Bldg. Products: MegaLite Crack Prevention Mortar, white (Highly recommended)
Megaflex Crack Prevention Mortar, white
Premium Plus mixed with Custom Flex Ultra-Strength Additive
To find a local distributor, contact Custom Building Products at 800-272-8786 or www.custombuildingproducts.com.
UNACCEPTABLE SETTING MATERIALS: Epoxy thin-sets and grouts, and mastic adhesives.
2. SUBSURFACES and MOVEMENT JOINTS: Proper installation of tile is dependent on proper installation of substrates and movement
joints. We recommend using the Tile Council of North America’s specifications concerning substrates and movement joints. Flexible
sealant/caulk shall be used anywhere tilework abuts retraining surfaces, such as perimeter walls, inside corners, dissimilar floors, curbs,
counters, columns, pipes, ceilings, cabinets or any projection through the tiled surface. Due to the translucent nature of our product, we do
not recommend installing tile directly on top of membrane, because shadowing may show through. Your subsurface should be white, flat,
smooth, clean and ready to receive tile. NOTE: When using latex Portland cement as a bond coat over cement mortar beds, a 7 to 10 day
cure-time is needed prior to the application in order to avoid bond loss or cracking in the finish veneer due to possible shrinkage in the
substrate. Tile Council of North America, www.tileusa.com
3. TILE CUTTING: A standard wet-saw with a diamond blade meant for porcelain or glass tile will cleanly cut Water & Light Mosaics and
may be used for trimming. Hand nippers may be used also when cutting in.
4. INSTALLATION: Step 1: Follow the mfr’s instructions and remember that the consistency of the thin-set is key to a successful
installation. In general, thin-set should be stiff enough to adhere to an upside down trowel but wet enough so that when touched it sticks to
your finger. Step 2: Using the unnotched side of the trowel, key in a skim coat of mortar over your substrate. This is similar to priming a wall
before painting. Step 3: Apply additional thin-set with the notched side of the trowel held at a 45 degree angle. Comb lightly in one direction.
Step 4: With a very light touch, use the UNNOTCHED side of the trowel to smooth out the trowel grooves in the thin-set. Water & Light is
translucent so trowel grooves must be flattened or they will show through. Try not to remove any mortar. Apply additional thin-set if needed.
The goal is to create a smooth, even bed approximately 3/32” thick (not less than 1/16”; not more than 1/8”). Step 5: Wipe the underside of
each sheet, using a clean, dry cloth to remove residual dust. With the tape facing up (or out) set one sheet of Water & Light Mosaic. Check to
ensure that you are using the correct amount of thin-set. The thin-set should squeeze up the side of the tile slightly. Step 6: Each sheet has
an arrow on it. Install so that arrows point in the same direction. Set sheets in a square formation and work an area no larger than can be tiled
while the thin set is moist and tacky (approx. 10 sheets). Take care not to leave visible sheet patterning. Properly aligned sheets will blend
together. Hand press each sheet evenly into the thin-set, then use a flat beater board (e.g. a 12” piece of clean 2” x 4”) and a hammer to
gently tap the sheets for a final set. Overlap the beater board across joints to ensure a uniform, flat transition from sheet to sheet. Step 7:
Always remove the tape from the previous days work before continuing. However, allow the thin-set to cure completely per the mfr’s
instructions before grouting. Step 8: Remove tape by grasping an edge and, keeping as low an angle as possible, pull it backward toward
yourself. You can cut the tape along a grout line, creating narrower and easier to remove strips. Because the adhesive is water soluble, a
dampened sponge may be used as an aid to facilitate tape removal.
Final Notes: Continue checking the installation as you proceed per instructions. If you have questions or concerns, call Boyce & Bean at
760-435-9396. Also, read our Glass Tile Installation Key Points. For pool or spa installations refer to that specific instruction sheet.
5. GROUT: We recommend Custom Building Products Polyblend Sanded Grout or polymer modified sanded grouts that are mixed
according to the mfr’s instructions and recommended for glass tile. Colored grout will impart color variation to the translucent glass. Step 1:
Apply grout as is typical and as a final step, using a well-wrung sponge, LIGHTLY wipe the surface of the tile, moving diagonally across the
grout lines. Remove as much residue and haze as possible. Leaving the tile clean at this stage will circumvent the need for heavy cleaning
later. After each pass, rinse and wring the sponge -- a clean sponge is critical at each pass. Step 2: 48 hours after installation, polish the tile
clean using cheese cloth and, if necessary, clean with a non-acidic grout cleaner (e.g. Tile & Grout Cleaner by Aquamix) available at most
home improvement or tile stores applied with a standard kitchen Scotchbrite pad. Use according to the mfr’s instructions. Step 3: You can
use a sulfamic acid cleaner applied with a Scotchbrite pad (e.g. Custom Clean from Custom Bldg. Prod. or C-Clean from C-Cure) to remove
any stubborn residue. Use according to the mfr’s instructions.
6. UP KEEP: Water & Light Mosaics are non-porous. A grout sealer should be used to seal your grout. Use according to the mfr‘s
instructions. Clean the tile using soap & water or a non-abrasive, non-corrosive cleaner (e.g. Windex, Fantastic, All-purpose citrus cleaner)
applied with a sponge or a standard kitchen Scotchbrite pad.
Due to the handcrafted nature of our glass tile, there will be variations in color, shade, texture and size. Frequently you may notice bubbles, wrinkles and folds, which are
characteristics of a cast glass product. CLAIMS: Our liability is limited solely to the replacement of our product and only after we have determined that the material is unsatisfactory
and our investigation supports the claim as legally obligating. The Buyer is responsible for both inspection and acceptance of our materials prior to installation. The Buyer is also
responsible for determining whether the product is appropriate for a particular installation. Use of the tile constitutes full acceptance. No adjustments will be made after the tile has
been installed. We strongly recommend that the Buyer use the Tile Council of America’s specifications pertaining to tile installation and preparation of subsurfaces (see TCA
Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation).
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