Bill Vincent - Please help with glass tile backsplash

15 years ago

Hi Bill,

We will be installing a glass tile backsplash - cantilever design with pieces up to 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. The company who m makes the tile says we should use a crack isolation membrane behind the tile - then thinset - then tile.

The retail company who we are purchasing the tile from say we do not need the membrane - that it's overkill and he recommends going without it. He says he's done many kitchens and never used it - never had a tile crack.

He also said, that instead of thinset we could use white glue for stone which would make things easier for us. After seeing some people's comments about glue and tile, I don't think that might be a good idea in case it yellowed through the glass tile, etc. But what would I know?

This is our first tiling project and am a bit anxious. We have 22 sq ft. of tile to put up on gyproc - renovation - on a 22 year old house. No shifting that we've seen so far (3 years in the house).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Maria

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Comments (3)

User
15 years ago
Okay, I am not Bill, but I would go with the recommendation of the manufacturer - they know their tile better than anyone. As to your retailer - "white glue for stone?" Is he referring to mastic?

If you want to catch Bill, you will have better luck posting in the bathrooms forum.
davidro1
15 years ago
The retail company, the "company who makes the tile ", the internet advisor... None of them have seen the structure you will be tiling. You are doing a "cantilever design" with strips of glass. Cantilever design. Cantilever. You may need to be sure of the structure underneath. If it's flimsy, if it will get knocked a lot, whatever...
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lisadlu
15 years ago
We did our backsplash a couple of months ago. It is 1" x 12" glass tiles that came on a sheet of mesh. I'm not sure if the mesh is the membrane they are talking about. I would ask your guy to use the membrane even though he feels it isn't necessary, I think it would make you feel better or you wouldn't be asking the question. Also we used white thinset. It looks great! Good luck!