Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Glass tiles as decoration in a bathroom

Hi there,
Sorry if this has been asked before...

I am going to use 1x1 glass mosaic tiles in my bathroom, purely for decoration. I'd like to make simple mosaics on the walls. I just painted today, semigloss paint. Will these tiles stick to painted walls? All the info I can find seems to say they have to be put onto a rough surface.

Also, I have mastic (Type 1 by Mapei)... should I be using thinset? I plan on putting them right next to each other, eliminating the need for any kind of grout.

Thanks experts!

Jill

Hi Jill and welcome to the forums!

Mastic is not recommended for installation of glass mosaic tile, particularly in wet areas such as showers. Bond strengths are lower than those of recommended setting materials. Mastic does not properly cure when used with impervious materials such as glass and may yellow behind clear or translucent tile.

I believe all mosaics are grouted.

You could do a search for mosaic tile design...it will yield many pages similar to this:
http://www.mosaicartsupply.com/mosaicinstructions.htm

Connie

Hi Connie...

Thanks for the info... I will head out for thinset early tomorrow morning. Wow, I am so glad I found this forum! It's really going to help when it comes time for our big remodel later this year.

Jill

393,

DON'T buy the cheapest thinset you can find, something tells me that's what you will do!:) We want the best results possible for your project and taking shortcuts isn't the way to achieve that goal.:)

You must use "modified thinset" with glass, in fact the glass manufacturer should be the one to recommend the thinset you use with their product. Not all glass tiles are created equal.

You also need to grout the tiles. Period.:) Bathrooms are high-moisture areas even if you aren't using the tile in a tub surround or shower you don't want to breed fungus in between the tiles which is what could happen if no grout is used.:)

You do not want to install glass tiles over a painted wall surface, especially a freshly painted wall surface.

Maybe my problem is I haven't found a reliable source! :D

I bought the tile at a tile store that was NO help. Basically they don't deal with people like me who are newbies. So I head to my local Lowes, also not much help. No one there in flooring or tile seems to have ever installed tile. So, Home Depot it is, where I couldn't even find a person to answer ANY question.

I appreciate the advice here. As I mentioned, it is purely decorative (I am making small mosaics on my bathroom walls). It is a 3/4 guest bath, really only used a couple of times a year for showers, more used for the toilet and sink. I was planning on putting the tile against each other, so I wouldn't have to grout, and they fit pretty tight together, but if grout is used to prevent mildew I will happily grout!

My problem is this (now). I just painted the bathroom. Bud, you say not to tile on a painted wall, especially one that is JUST painted. So what would I tile on? I don't want to cover the whole wall, just a couple of spots. Will the thinset not stick to painted surfaces?

Wow, this project is just getting more and more difficult! Thanks for the advice...

Jill

Hi Jill,

I think Bud is envisioning a mosaic design, inset within other tiles...(or maybe not- I'm really lousy at guessing what he's thinking:) )

About how many tiles, would you need to adhere, or how big would each design be? Will the designs be in the shower area or on some other wall?


Connie

My fear would be that the moisture from the thinset would re-activate the paint long enough and in a way that would compromise the bond of the tile. Not all paints will do this. It is common knowledge in the tile industry that paint is a bond-breaker.

This isn't to say that people don't install tile over painted surfaces with success every day. You should however be informed and know the possibilities. Hear again, cheap paint could be a disaster. People tend to migrate towards the lower priced products, it's human nature. If you are a big-box shopper then you are likely dealing with a lower priced lower quality product.

If the paint you have used is a guaranteed washable paint that's a good thing. If the paint you have used can be washed off to some degree by scrubbing with a wet cloth that's a bad thing.

It's your call.

Those of us that have over time gained some experience with these things are really at a disadvantage here on these Internet Forums. We can't see the projects and we have only the word of the DIY'ers that sometimes don't understand all the potential pitfalls they face and they sometimes lack the knowledge and terminology needed to help themselves and help us to help them.

If you want experienced knowledgeable advice in the future don't try to get it from a big-box. Choose the mainstream dedicated suppliers at every opportunity.

If you have used a latex paint, allow it to dry a few more days so that the latex additives cure properly then use a "quality" modified thinset and install your tile. Grout it using unsanded grout (in this case) and you'll be fine I'm sure.:)

I always use the highest quality paint that I can, because I don't like to repaint that often (and I have two kids who don't mark on the walls, but do have grubby hands, and I like to be able to clean that without repainting). It is not latex paint, but is superior quality and washable. As for the tile... it is from a tile store that doesn't deal with the public as much as with contractors... hence their inability to really spend time with someone like me, who will only be doing small projects once in a while (and only spend $30 at a pop, instead of buying cases of stuff).

Connie, I think you caught my plan... it is NOT within other tiles, it is merely a small mosaic all on it's own. The designs are actually on the opposite wall from the shower and would only ever get damp from condensation... they would never be in contact with water except that way.

Bud, I agree... I try to use dedicated places when I can... but a lot of stuff I can do on my own, and I am not in need of an expert (although this is the first time I have ever had trouble like this with Lowe's, usually they are quite helpful and spot on!). This time, when in need of an expert, I have found it quite difficult to find one, so I thank you (and Connie!) for your expertise!

I'll try it out tomorrow... and if it doesn't set right, at least I have paint to patch with! Thanks again.

Jill

"this is the first time I have ever had trouble like this with Lowe's, usually they are quite helpful and spot on!").

We hear so many horror stories about the bad information coming from all of the big box stores, they are rarely "spot-on" as far as I can see.

How would you or anyone know they were "spot-on" unless you knew at least as much as they did and more? If that were the case you wouldn't be asking them any questions in the first place.:D

OK now I'm done.:rolleyes: