Grout and installation tips for matte/frosted glass tile?

11 years ago

I've chosen a 1" x 6" offset mosaic matte (frosted) glass tile for my kitchen backsplash (pardon the kitchen question here, but as my question is specific to tile installation rather than kitchen aesthetics, I thought this would be the better forum). The color is a soft white.

The tile tearsheet says to "seal matte finish with a penetrating sealer before and after grouting". Does that make sense? I wouldn't think you'd seal a glass tile like you would a stone tile (and in fact my search turned up at least one thread here about glass tile troubles caused by the installer using a sealer), but maybe the matte finish gives the sealer something to adhere to? Would there be a particular type of penetrating sealer to use?

Also, any recommendations on grout? The tear sheet specifically says to use unsanded grout with the gloss tiles, but doesn't say anything about the matte tiles. Is there a benefit to using sanded grout if it isn't contra-indicated with the frosted tiles (I'm assuming there's less danger of scratching)?

Here is a link to the tile tearsheet if that might be helpful.

I'm not DIY-ing this, but at this point in my renovation I've learned the hard way that I should try to know as much as possible about the various options so I can make sure the contractor does things the way I want in the end.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Beth

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Comments (11)

monicakm_gw
11 years ago
I haven't been to these forums in months and right off the bat see a question I can help with :)
We installed glass tiles in our bathroom and was told to seal them before and after with a penetrating sealer to keep the grout from staining them. We did that...except for one tiny corner I overlooked. And yes, you could see the difference. Thank goodness it was in an area that no one will notice and it wasn't that much of a color difference.

IIRC, the sanded vs unsanded is grout line size. Use sanded on the smaller grout lines. I'm sure we used AquaMix sealer.

ps...the hardware isn't black. It's venetian bronze :)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks monicakm, pretty tile! Glad to hear a first-hand account that using a sealer on the glass tile was a good thing.
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still_lynnski
11 years ago
Monica wrote it backwards wrt sanded/unsanded grout. Sanded grout should be used when the grout lines are anything wider than 1/8 inch. Unsanded grout only for narrow grout lines, 1/8 inch or less.

I work with all kinds of glass tile for mosaics. We never seal any type of glass tile. I'm very interested to learn that there's a visible difference!
monicakm_gw
11 years ago
Oh good grief! Yes I did get it backwards :( Had to go back and see for myself that I said that...I did. Sorry!
still_lynnski
11 years ago
It's obvious you know what you're talking about, Monica! I think your typing hand just had a little hiccup.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you both very much for your help!

Curious if anyone else has used a sealer on matte glass tile...
Mike Papetti
10 years ago
I've just purchased and am ready to install black matte glass tile and reading this thread helped my choice of grout for 1/8 inch lines. So thank you! I don't think I will be sealing the tile since it will be charcoal grout on black glass tile..does anyone disagree w/ my thought of not sealing the tile?
enduring
10 years ago
Well, I didn't know you would seal glass tile, but if it does indeed effect the tile color or luster, I would seal it. Charcoal will show on black.

Don't seal the grout spaces though. Just rub it on the surface with a rag so it doesn't drip onto the sides of the tile that will be in contact with the grout. Sealants can be used as a grout release.
Mike Papetti
10 years ago
Thanks for the pro tip! @enduring :D
enduring
10 years ago
Im not a pro, just did a bunch of tiling in my house. I have not used glass. But the sealant couldn't hurt.
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
10 years ago
There is no need nor desire to seal glass tile of any sort. Do use a NON sanded grout if using a cement based grout. Better yet, use Fusion Pro or Flexcolor CQ. While both are sanded, they are painted sand and not the scratchy angular sand found in cement based grouts. Do not use Spectralock with frosted glass as you can't wipe the residue away on frosted glass.