When the thinset is applied to the wall with the notched trowel, it should then be "backcombed" to eliminate the ridges and smooth the bed out. On transparent glass, every single irregularity of the substrate will show through, and you cannot get the thinset to be glass smooth. Some showthrough is inevitable.

Thank you, GreenDesigns! From what you see in the photo, is there more showthrough here than usual? I have had glass tile before, but I have never noticed so many black lines. I am hoping that the issue was with the installer and not with the tile itself. I welcome your thoughts.

Thanks again!

Sara

If you are talking about the black lines at the edges of the tile, I believe that is caused by not getting enough grout all the way down between the tiles.

Are we looking at a stripey tile or are the stripes what we're talking about? "Jute" makes me think it's textured tile and it's just that black streak at the base of the one middle, 3 rows up that we're looking at?

If that's the problem, do you notice it looking straight on or do you have to be looking down on it to notice?

Thanks for the input! There are lots of black lines "in-person," but the best example in the photo is the center tile, third up from the bottom of the photo. I am not talking about the jute texture; it is the black lines that look jarring. The lines are most obvious at the tiles that we need to look down on, but that includes a lot of tile around the prep space in the kitchen.

It sounds as if this COULD be the installation: either not enough grout and/or smoothing out. Is that correct? I guess we are trying to determine if a "less rushed" tile guy (with a good reputation) might do a better job than what we got with the previous installer....or if we need to try to find a way to get a different tile!

Thanks again!

Sara

It looks like a thinset issue to me, not a grout problem, just because it seems to be at the rear edge of the tile. It could be that the thinset wasn't smoothed out completely. It could very well be the thinset was prepared a little on the dry side and created a void when it set up.

Back buttering on glass could solve the "voids" issue but it's very hard not to get thinset between tiles with this method which will cause you other (visible) grief. Those sides have to remain pristine for this type of install.

If the thinset is mixed correctly and the surface is prepared correctly as green design describes, you shouldn't need anything more. Show your installer these images, make him aware that this is a deal breaker for you - you don't want to see any voids. If he's experienced he'll know what to do. Good luck.

Greendesigns is spot on! I have installed many clear glass tiles. You MUST install the thinset made for glass tile on the wall, notch it to the correct depth and then use the straight side of trowel to get rid of notches and be sure the thin set is level. It is difficult to back butter small tiles in a perfectly level layer, and attach to the wall without spaces in between the tile like you see in your installation. If your tile comes attached to mesh on the back, you do not want to back butter because it is difficult to keep thinset from filling the spaces in between tile that needs to be filled with grout. The tile is not the problem. Finding a good tile installer is the problem. When I had someone install some glass accents in my shower, I told him to flatten the ridges of his thinset. He still didn't do it and had to take it down and redo. Many tile setters have been tiling for a long time, but are not that skilled with glass tile and do not want to take the time to learn the correct way. The truth is that you should install the backsplash yourself. It is not difficult. You will be more particular, and do a nicer job yourself.

"The truth is that you should install the backsplash yourself. It is not difficult. You will be more particular, and do a nicer job yourself."

Transparent glass tile shouldn't be anyone's first tile installation. As voila notes, even experienced tilers have trouble getting it right with this tile.

With all of the small glass tile backsplashes and trim areas I've done I just carefully backbutter them, and remember to knock down the thinset before putting up the tile. I remove thinset that squeezes out with an old toothbrush and some water a little while later. With this method I have never had any problems.

Do not try to train your hire. Interview him on his method and find one who is well experienced with glass installations. See the quality of his glass work first. Talk is cheap and easy, usually doesn't hold water.

Get the nitty gritty on installing glass tile and its problems over on john bridge tile forum. You might even find someone experienced with it in your area.

Sorry to hear about the shower. It is heartbreaking!

Wow, all of this input is SO helpful! I can't thank everyone enough for your ideas. I feel much more informed about how to proceed: what to ask, what to look for, etc.

Thanks so much!

Sara

Transparent glass tile shouldn't be anyone's first tile installation. As voila notes, even experienced tilers have trouble getting it right with this tile.

Because they insist on doing it "the way they've always done it" instead of learning the technique specific for glass tile.

A novice is more likely to follow the instructions for installing glass tile and to get it done right.

For crying out loud, the striations are in the tile: look at the Ann Sacks website.
BOOM

Here is a link that might be useful: Ann Sacks Jute Glass Tile

sombreuil_mongrel:

Excellent catch. Proof is the picture of "Jute". It is inconceivable that the striations would run opposite directions in each square if they were created by thinset instead of being integral to the tile.

"There are lots of black lines "in-person," but the best example in the photo is the center tile, third up from the bottom of the photo. I am not talking about the jute texture; it is the black lines that look jarring. The lines are most obvious at the tiles that we need to look down on, but that includes a lot of tile around the prep space in the kitchen."

Isn't the op talking about the lines BETWEEN the tile, not the lines in the tile itself? I took a selected screenshot from the image. Sorry it's so small, but hopefully get the image across:

{{gwi:2142145}}

Hi there, original poster here. :-) Yes, I am talking about the black lines that showed up in the tile install: not the jute texture within the tile. (Carrieb, that screen shot is a perfect example!) We are SO torn about what to do. We had three recommended installers come by. Some said that these lines are natural to glass tile, and some felt that the lines seemed unusual. In general, they felt that using white thin set and packing the grout would help, but they weren't sure that the black lines would fully go away.

We called Ann Sacks, and we can return the tile for a 25% restocking fee plus freight (and freight tends to be VERY pricey with Ann Sacks.) Our whole kitchen was designed around the colors of these tiles, so our main other option would be to get the Ann Sacks clear glass tiles in the same three colors we picked. However, I am not sure if the black lines are just inherent to Ann Sacks glass tile in general. I am going to try to go to the store on Monday to see if I can get some clear glass samples to check out and compare to what we have at our house.

If any other thoughts come up, I welcome additional input.

Many thanks again!

Sara

If it helps, I am attaching a photo of the tiles we have, laid out on our counter. The black lines are very noticeable, pre grouting.

Thanks!!

Sara

Show this to AS. If a correct installation does not rectify the problem, you should not be charged fees to return their faulty product. The tile store should be handling this for you. Bring them in.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Thu, Dec 25, 14 at 14:28

Duplicate

This post was edited by snookums2 on Thu, Dec 25, 14 at 14:30

Just to make your decision more difficult, you can't return that tile. It's too gorgeous. :)

Look at the backing on the tile from the factory. If it doesn't got to the complete edge of the tile you will have the black lines. Find 2 tiles out of your material, one that you can see the factory applied backing goes COMPLETELY to the edge and one that the backing doesn't. You can clearly see the difference. Now put those 2 tiles up against any solid color substrate and you can see the difference. The tile that doesn't have the backing run all the way to the edge you will see the black line. The tile that does have it run to the edge will not be as noticeable. The unfortunate thing is you probably will not find more than 5% of your tile that has the full coverage of the backing. It is the nature of the beast .

Regardless of white thinset with a white backer and 100% white grout filled, the defect is in the tile . Think of glass in a window, look down it from one edge to the other. You will always see a line just may be different color depending on glass color

I just saw this post but too late after this same Jute tile was installed in my bathroom. I can see black lines between the tiles at many locations. Complained to my contractor and he insists the installer did the job properly but that it is a defect of the backing on the tile itself. Installer tried to correct a few times but same issue happening even in areas where he tried to correct. Is there any update to this issue for Ann Sacks Jute glass tile? Has anyone come across this issue on glass tiles other than Ann Sacks tile?

If you have proper waterproofing in that bathroom, you are miles ahead. That’s decorative. And not really an issue. Get over it.

Hi Sophie,

There is no way this is decorative, its a black line or jagged gap (as described by newenglandsara2 photo above) which appears at edge behind/between installed tile.

Am not sure if its because the tile backing doesn't go to the edge or an installation issue.

Reloading photo here.

We're having the same issue. It's all through our new build. Bathrooms, and kitchen backsplash. We paid extra for it, and now I'm sick over how it looks. 😒

I'm sorry to hear this. For us, it shows up in some areas of our upstairs bathroom and was upset as well. I would be nice if the tile vendor @ANNSACKS could actually respond and address this. These are expensive tiles and no one wants this outcome.