Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Tile questions
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Tile questions
Twistedsteel
08-30-05, 10:01 PM
Hi guys,
I'm new to the board and have a couple questions. We are gettin ready to retile the countertops and she wants to go with a glass tile. Anyone have any expeariance with it? I don't think that a regular tile cutter will cut glass will it? If not what do I use? We will also be doing the floor sometime.A book said glass is not recomended on floor(didn't say why) but a web site say it works well. What do you guys think? Also she kinda wants the countertop tile on a 45(probably the floors too :wall: ) can you guys give me some pointers to get it started correctly.Also if there is anything else you think is important, let it rip. I have a book and I helped on a tile job once but it was about 7 yrs ago.
Thanks, Albie
I'm new to the board and have a couple questions. We are gettin ready to retile the countertops and she wants to go with a glass tile. Anyone have any expeariance with it? I don't think that a regular tile cutter will cut glass will it? If not what do I use? We will also be doing the floor sometime.A book said glass is not recomended on floor(didn't say why) but a web site say it works well. What do you guys think? Also she kinda wants the countertop tile on a 45(probably the floors too :wall: ) can you guys give me some pointers to get it started correctly.Also if there is anything else you think is important, let it rip. I have a book and I helped on a tile job once but it was about 7 yrs ago.
Thanks, Albie
Tileguybob
08-31-05, 06:09 PM
Once the glass tile is down it will be as strong as ceramic tile. I should say if the subfloor is properly built and the countertop substrate is properly built to support the glass tile, then it will be OK. :)
You want to use a wet saw to cut the glass tile and get a rubbing stone to deburr the edges. I dont know about a diagonal on the counter. The cut edge of the glass tile will be along the front edge of your counter so you will need a border of wood or some material that will protect the rough edge from getting dinged and protect your hands from getting cut.
Use a white modified thinset and trowel the thinset evenly and in one direction. A $10 video available from the National Tile Contractors Association www.tile-assn.com called "Trowel and Error" on the proper technique for spreading thinset would be a big help with glass, especially if it is a see-through tile.
I have put 3" glass tile on shower floors and 12" tiles on bathroom floors with no problems. Like I said, as long as what's under the glass is sturdy, it will do fine.
You want to use a wet saw to cut the glass tile and get a rubbing stone to deburr the edges. I dont know about a diagonal on the counter. The cut edge of the glass tile will be along the front edge of your counter so you will need a border of wood or some material that will protect the rough edge from getting dinged and protect your hands from getting cut.
Use a white modified thinset and trowel the thinset evenly and in one direction. A $10 video available from the National Tile Contractors Association www.tile-assn.com called "Trowel and Error" on the proper technique for spreading thinset would be a big help with glass, especially if it is a see-through tile.
I have put 3" glass tile on shower floors and 12" tiles on bathroom floors with no problems. Like I said, as long as what's under the glass is sturdy, it will do fine.
Twistedsteel
08-31-05, 08:31 PM
Tileguybob,
Thanks, I will look into the video it sounds good. I'm not sure but I think the tile were looking at might be coated or maybe blasted so it's not completely see through. Also it does make sense for the counters to have a trim so not to get cut, maybe they have a edging to go with it. Wow I can see we're going to have to take our time on this decision. Thanks again for your advice and input.
Albie
Thanks, I will look into the video it sounds good. I'm not sure but I think the tile were looking at might be coated or maybe blasted so it's not completely see through. Also it does make sense for the counters to have a trim so not to get cut, maybe they have a edging to go with it. Wow I can see we're going to have to take our time on this decision. Thanks again for your advice and input.
Albie
Tileguybob
09-02-05, 07:02 AM
Albie,
There are nice wood trim pieces that have fancy profiles, sort of like chair rail, that can be used as edging. Another thought is to look into metallic tiles, done in brushed nickel, bronze and other looks. They come in all different sizes, something in about a 2x8" or so would work on the front edge. Take a look in some tile retail stores. Crossville is just one of many manufacturers. For building the countertop substrate, look in the recent threads here in the kitchen subforum for one titled "GraniteTile Substrate"
There are nice wood trim pieces that have fancy profiles, sort of like chair rail, that can be used as edging. Another thought is to look into metallic tiles, done in brushed nickel, bronze and other looks. They come in all different sizes, something in about a 2x8" or so would work on the front edge. Take a look in some tile retail stores. Crossville is just one of many manufacturers. For building the countertop substrate, look in the recent threads here in the kitchen subforum for one titled "GraniteTile Substrate"