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Cutting Glass Tile

PeterJ | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 13, 2005 10:43am

Been asked to install a couple of bath cabinets, vanity and two uppers…no problem there. Customer asked if I could also do the countertop…round copper basin set on 1×1 glass tile she has. Tile is on scrim.

I’ve done tile work but never cut glass tile. Do you treat it the same as ceraimic tile…wet saw? Grout the same? Thinset? Mastic? Not wanting to bite off  more than I can chew, it appears straight forward except the glass tile. I’d like to give it a go…tell me if I’m crazy.

 

PJ

Everything will be okay in the end.  If it’s not okay, it’s not the end. 

Reply

Replies

  1. DonK | Jun 14, 2005 12:26am | #1

    Peter - You might want to do some reading on this before you attack it. There was an article a few months ago, could have been in FHB, I cannot say for sure. There were a few differences between standard tile and glass. I remember one, you need to use a white "glue", because you can see through the tile. I think I remember them as being "cuttable" on a standard tile saw, but there was something up with the paper backing too. Like I said, try the search. it may save you some aggravation. Sorry I can't be a little more definite, I've admired these things but was put off by the price, etc. Don

  2. FNbenthayer | Jun 14, 2005 01:17am | #2

    I'll post some pics of a recent install when I resize them.

    I used Laticrete "Crete Powder" and Latex additive on the recomendation of the tile manufacturer. The latex additive comes in a 5gal pail only. I forgot the #'s.

    I used a 1/4" V notch trowel and back buttered each individual tile. Just a dab of thinset to prevent "printing" it was very labor intensive as too much oozes between the tiles and insufficient coverage "printed".

    I found letting the tile set for 2-3 hours before wetting and removing the paper worked best.

    Glass cuts like any other material, wear glasses and don't sweep chips with your hand. Use a continuous rim blade and you'll be fine.

    Epoxy grout seems to work best, especially in on a counter top.

     

     

     

     

    The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
    - Fyodor Dostoyevski

  3. FNbenthayer | Jun 14, 2005 02:44am | #3

    glass tile

     

     

     

     

    The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
    - Fyodor Dostoyevski

    1. FNbenthayer | Jun 14, 2005 02:47am | #4

      tile 

       

       

       

      The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski

  4. User avater
    EricPaulson | Jun 14, 2005 03:41am | #5

    Not a big deal to cut as other posts have indicated.

    These tile are so small, why not build the top to fit the tile, then all you MIGHT be left with is cutting the tile for the sink cut out.

    Use the manufactures recommended adhesives additives and grout.

    Eric

    I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

    With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

    [email protected]

  5. quicksilver | Jun 15, 2005 12:40pm | #6

    We some tile mechanics very proficient in marble to do three showers last year. In my opinion they went into it over confident and without any research and they looked like hell. Even the third try was barely acceptable. The first was a tear out and became a marble job. The FHB article opened my eyes.

  6. BryanSayer | Jun 15, 2005 05:47pm | #7

    My tiler ended up getting a jewelers saw to cut glass tile. She said there were shards of glass everywhere, so take that into account with what you wear and how you clean up. It might be worthwhile to have a covering of some kind that you hand near the saw, and put on to cut, but take off and leave there, presuming that you are cutting somewhere away from the installation.

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