Finally Dean is ready to embed the decorative band in the thin-set. Detail from Heat, Each Decade Hotter Than the Last. Dean Sorem installed his first tile in 1979 and has been a professional tile setter ever since. Alternatively, a measuring cup can be used for the water, with 1/2 cup being the equivalent of 4 ounces weight. Position the tile over the mortar bed and press it in place. Use a clean paint paddle or sturdy rod to stir, and make sure that your stirrer is stout enough for the job. But he says a wood float with a handle on it works great too. Flattening will prevent the ridges and air pockets from showing through transparent glass tile. To compensate, press the tile sheets into the thinset very firmly. Note that these gloves are much thinner and offer much more dexterity than the thick grouting gloves. Then apply mortar: 1. Use a spray bottle at its finest setting to mist your work area with water as you stir and scoop. The scraping power of the trowel comes in handy during clean up too. This technique can also be used for flat tile. It helps to control dust if all the mixing happens near the bottom of the bucket. Cover the countertop with plastic sheeting held in place with masking tape. He eliminates the bulk of the waste with straight cuts, or by making a series of fingers and breaking them off. If the tile making up the decorative band is large, you can simply apply an extra-thick layer of thin-set under it and press it in until it’s flush with the thicker tile. For detailed mosaic artwork where you are placing each tile by hand, you will probably want to mix 1 to 3 pounds at most. Cut the mesh between the rows with a sharp utility knife. Take your same putty knife and turn it into a notched trowel. He makes the depth of the notches equal to the thickness of the tile band, plus about 1/8 in. A smaller bucket (2 gallon) can also be used, but keep in mind that you don’t want to fill any container more than half way full, ideally a quarter full or less. You don’t want to leave thin-set between the tiles because it may show through the grout. A video in the intermediate Library demonstrates that. The installation method for any tile but especially a mosaic is to comb the area in a direction, sit the tile on the area, then gently press the tile into the thinset perpendicular to the thinset streaks back and for… Next, Dean creates a custom screed by notching a plastic putty knife. Mosaic & Glass Tile Mortar Thin-set mortar for glass and mosaics. When installing glass mosaics, excess thinset will bleed through the grout lines and create a disjointed, uneven tile project mess. Mix the mortar until it has the consistency of dough with no lumps. APPLYING ADHESIVE: Apply a good quality latex-modified thinset approved for use with glass or vitreous/porcelain tile. Occasionally tap the tiles with the one-by-four and the hammer to flatten them, especially where tile sheets meet. Mix thinset to a peanut butter consistency (Image 1). If you are improvising your design as you go along, you may find that you use both techniques. Thinset is very sticky, and if it has set for more than a few minutes, it will likely take more than a squirt nozzle to remove it. Thinset (or mortar) isn’t an attractive word or in most people’s books the most appealing aspect of mosaics, but in this blog post about using thinset for mosaics, Julie shows us how this most mundane of substances can be used to create stunning effects. Thinset mortar is a type of cement used for the adherence of tiles and flooring to substrate, or subfloor materials. Scraping with a trowel is the best way to remove the crust of thinset that forms on buckets and stirrers. Then the mortar is allowed to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then it is mixed again for a minute or two. If the mosaic band is glass tile or thin mosaic, he flattens this layer of thin-set with a flat putty knife. Moorman for Mosaic Art Supply, LLC. First Dean carefully calculates how wide the band will be by measuring the width of the tile band and adding the width of two grout spaces. Then he spreads another layer of thin-set over the base layer and uses the notched trowel to create an even layer of adhesive. I used a 1/8″ x 1/8″ notch trowel as a template, marked out the notches with a sharpie, and cut the notches with my tile saw. 1 Mix the thinset … For a small area, you could use glass tile mortar (which is suitable for glass, thin marble, and porcelain tiles). It is also heatproof, so it won't lose its grip in hot environments. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Although you should wear a dust mask when scooping and mixing the thinset powder, it is best to control dust at the source by slow careful scoops and stirs and never pouring or dumping the powder. Buckets with lids don’t. Apply the mortar or mastic in the same manner as the rest of the wall and place the tiles. Use a square-notch margin trowel for applying thinset mortar. Dean lets this layer of thin-set firm up before moving on to the next step. Equip the tile saw with a tile-cutting blade or use nippers to complete the cuts. Thinset, grout, concrete, and other products that contain portland cement are mildly caustic and can dry out the skin very rapidly and cause irritation. On those type of tiles, it's a good idea to wet the back of the tile with water before applying the tile to the wall. To ensure that the tile is fully integrated and that the faces of all tiles are aligned … For either technique, a painter’s palette knife is the ideal tool for handling the thinset. The grouting bag with nipple allows us to dispense the thinset in a very controlled way as if from a bottle of glue. For a large area, the manufacturer recommends FlexBond thin set mortar (with water only). For found-object mosaic, we sometimes use a grouting bag fitted with a Wilton brand cake icing nipple. Home House & Components Fixtures Bookcases. Dean says that one of the most important tips for any tile-setting job, including mosaics, is to start with a perfectly flat surface. These instructions are written for doing detailed work one-tile-at-a-time by hand, and so this page might make using thinset sound more difficult than it really is. Photo and mosaic: @Julie Sperling. Prepare Mortar To prepare powdered thin-set mortar for natural stone and mosaic tile, fill your bucket with water in the amount listed on the package. Here’s how Dean does it. Then he carves along the line, using the blade like a grinder. The temptation to use mastic instead of thinset for backsplash tile installation may be appealing, but … Mastic Vs Thinset for Back-splash Installation; I am about to install a tile backsplash in our kitchen, using these tiles, in 2" x 4" "mosaic… 2. If you find a dip in a wall, flatten it by screeding a layer of setting-type joint compound over it as shown here. You can break the plastic handle off your wife’s favorite spoon or bend a thin piece of pipe in a hurry if the batch is large enough. If this happens to you, wait for the thinset to firm up a little. This page explains how to mix and use thinset mortar for detailed work with glass mosaic tile and other tesserae for outdoor and wet mosaics where PVA adhesives such as Weldbond should be avoided. Let the joint compound or thin-set harden and you’re ready to set tile. Even the sand in grout and thinset is enough to stop up some plumbing systems. For most tile installations, a square-notched trowel with 1/4 inch notches produces grooves of the right thickness. Make sure that you get proper mortar coverage on the tile. Since thinset tile mortar has … Fill in the Tile Field Continue setting more tile sheets within the tile field, from side to side. The nitril gloves we sell are ideal for this purpose because they are latex-free and powder free and are more durable than the latex medical examination gloves we used to sell. Gradually add the thin-set powder, mixing it thoroughly. Before you begin tiling, check the surface with a straightedge. Scoop a small amount of thinset into the tray and keep the rest of the thinset in the mixing bucket. Make sure you clean up outside and do not pour unused thinset down drains. Best wishes on your project. We now sell thinset mortar in 2.25-pound convenience packs for small projects. Skim (flatten) the surface of the thinset application with the long flat edge of the trowel. plastic bucket or plastic container for mixing. Bags leak. For this reason, we wear medical examination gloves while we work with thinset. Start by keying the thinset in to the substrate using the flat side of the trowel. Here Dean is removing the spacers after the adhesive behind the surrounding tile has set up. Grouting takes a LONG time so don’t start at 11pm. Mist the thinset sparingly if you see it drying. If you’re working with thin mosaic tile or glass mosaic tile that isn’t painted on the back, apply the thin-set with a notched trowel and then flatten it slightly with the flat side of the trowel before setting the tile. Here’s how Dean solves the problem. These techniques are very different than the technique used for applying thinset to large areas. Thinset is a bonding mortar, which means it is a portland cement (the same as used in concrete) with polymers added to make it sticky and extra strong. To avoid this, before the application of thinset, I “pregrout” my mosaics by applying on top of the mosaic a mix of thinset and grout on top of the tesserae. For larger batches, we mix in a 5-gallon bucket so that we can mix vigorously without slinging out any material. The pallet knife was ergonomically designed to manipulate pastes on flat surfaces WITH MINIMAL BENDING OF THE WRIST and makes a butter knife just seem clumsy.). To backbutter mosaics simply grab a scrap piece of your substrate, in this case it was kerdi-board, and comb the thinset onto it just like you would if you were installing the tile to it. An aluminum ice scoop or a large steel kitchen spoon can be used to scoop out the thinset powder, but you can also use a recycled plastic container (such as used for cottage cheese or yogurt) and just store this improvised scoop in your bucket of thinset. Traditional versions are cement-based powders that are mixed with water prior to application. The mesh, plastic or paper backing that holds mosaic tiles together can get in the way if you don’t trim the edges. I foolishly … For Versabond thinset, we add 1/2 cup or 4 oz of water per 1 pound of dry thinset powder. This video by Karen Silton describes how to use thinset to attach mosaic tiles on a gazing ball. Flattening will prevent the ridges and air pockets from showing through transparent glass tile. We have a concrete mixing attachment that fits into our electric drill, and we use it for batches of 5 pounds or more. The solution is to place a thin scrap of plywood under the sheet of mosaic tile as you cut it. It will also help keep thin-set from squeezing out between the spaces of thin mosaic tile. You can find what amount of water to add per pound by dividing the amount of water recommended for the entire package by the weight of the package. When used to tile walls it’s strength allows you to set tile, and if you’re good with eyeballing, you can set tile without the use of spacers. thinset mortar in 2.25-pound convenience packs, How To Keep Your Hands Clean When Using Thinset Mortar. Spread Thinset. Then place your mosaic sheet into the bed of thinset and push it back and forth into the thinset, again, just like you would if you were installing it. If you’re working with thin mosaic tile or glass mosaic tile that isn’t painted on the back, apply the thin-set with a notched trowel and then flatten it slightly with the flat side of the trowel before setting the tile. Give yourself plenty of time to grout! Also, you need to test your dye with your thinset to make sure that it doesn’t affect the bond strength or hardness. wet areas or exterior areas). Then use a toothbrush to clean the thin-set out of the grout spaces. Website, Text and Images © 2003-2018 J.E. for the thin-set. Glass tile installed on a kitchen backsplash using a high polymer content thinset suitable for glass tile. Whether your spread the thinset or apply it to each individual tile, you will need a way of keeping your hands clean and a way of cleaning up random drops and smears. (Although improvised tools such as an old butter knife can be used for this work, the benefits of the palette knife become obvious in just a few minutes. Divide your work area into a few sections. (Versabond thinset is sold in white and gray.) Keep the bucket covered and use the putty knife or margin trowel to scrap the sides of the bucket so that all the thinset is in a blob and doesn’t dry out. We recommend our users to update the browser. There is only a tiny amount of water in a fine mist, and so you don’t have to worry about it messing up your unused thinset or throwing off your measurements, but it is highly effective at getting the dust out of the air. The tamping block Dean uses has beveled edges to make it easier to hold and a thin sheet of rubber glued to the face to protect the tile. Scrape fingers off on the wadded newspaper in the garbage can. (A good test is to cement a few rocks together, wait about 6 days, and then bust them apart with a hammer and look for crumbly material or a lack of adhesion.) Mixing … This is particularly important when working with glass mosaic tile, which is non-porous and difficult to bond securely. Go ahead and buy a 5-gallon bucket with a snap on lid and keep your material in there. Tamp them Flat. We can use thinset for up to 4 or 5 hours this way. A tradeoff to skimming is that the notch ridges would have strengthened the thinset's bond. It's important to have something like the thinset on the ball so that the tiles don't fall off when it gets wet from sitting outside. Use this procedure to use only 3 rags: If the above instructions aren’t detailed enough, I have also written an expanded version of this technique in a blog article called How To Keep Your Hands Clean When Using Thinset Mortar. Thinset is your go-to tile mortar for most indoor and outdoor applications. Keep a recycled plastic yogurt tub in the bucket and use that to scoop out material. Most thinset is used only for attaching tiles, and so there is no need to dye the thinset if it will not be visible. Flattening will prevent the ridges and air pockets from showing through transparent glass tile. He’s done everything from single-tile repairs to an 8,000-sq.-ft. floor, and he currently runs Sorem Tile & Stone in Hudson, WI. 4. This is concrete not cookie dough! spread thinset and set tiles. Even if you take all the standard precautions, you’re bound to get an occasional bit of thin-set oozing out between tiles, especially if they’re really thin like these glass mosaics. Polymer-Enriched Thin-Set Mortar Mosaic & Glass Tile Mortar is a regular-setting, polymer-enriched (“modified”), bright white, multipurpose mortar designed for installing sheet-mounted mosaic glass or stone tiles or individual tiles in thin-set … Glass tile is installed on a bathroom shower using a high polymer content thin-set recommended for glass mosaic tile. He is also an avid DIYer at home. Cutting curves in mosaic tile is tricky. Adjust the saw’s cutting depth so you’re not cutting into the plywood. Expert tile-setters recommend a 1/8-inch V-notch trowel thinset application in even strokes for installing glass mosaic tiles. The Second and third are just a little out of my “norm” meaning i just have never laid Mosaic tiles on a floor application. Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes. Use the DIRTY rag if needed, but try to use as little as possible. Sometimes the thinset shows between the tiles, leaving no space between them to apply the grout of the right color. Here is a list of items recommended for mixing thinset: For small batches of 1 pound or less, we mix it up in a 32-ounce plastic yogurt container and use a putty knife or old butter knife to stir. Install the mosaic or glass tile accent band. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Thinset is used for outdoor mosaics, or mosaics which may come into contact with water, such as in a shower. For detailed mosaic artwork where you are placing each tile by hand, you will probably want to mix 1 to 3 pounds at most. We use a small kitchen scale or postal scale for weighing out the thinset and the water. Wear a dust mask and do this outside. You can use that same ratio of 1 part water to 4 parts thinset to mix up tiny batches of thinset, such as 1 ounce of water plus 4 ounces of thinset. You can find what amount of water to add per pound by dividing the amount of water recommended for the entire package by the weight of the package. As with glue, thinset can be used in either of two ways: It can be spread on a small area on which tiles are then placed, or it can be applied to the back of each tile individually. Starting … My master bath we have 12×12 sheets of white marble mosiac tile each tile on the sheet is roughly 2″x2″, I was planning to use white thinset and a 1/4 x 1/4 Square notch. Stir slowly until the powder is wetted, and make use of your spray bottle as needed. Dip fingers in bucket of water with WET rag. The glass tile in this video is a mosaic tile and is not transparent. In all seriousness, you will notice that it takes some strength to mix up larger batches. smaller plastic containers for scooping and weighing, trowel for scraping buckets and stirring tools, wet rag floating in a bucket 1/4 full of water. Using thinset for your adhesive works best if you can "butter" the backs of your tiles before laying them in place. Thinset tile mortar has a smooth, slippery consistency, similar to mud. The slot in the bed of most tile saws is so wide that small mosaic tiles will fall in, making them difficult to cut. Carefully set the mosaic sheets into the mortar; you cannot slide them more than a quarter-inch or so. Often, the tile used for a decorative band is thinner than the tile that surrounds it. (3 min. Amazon Deals: Try Amazon Prime 30 days for free = Coat the Wall with ThinsetMix thinset in a bucket. You can use any kind of tile on the gazing ball, creating a pattern or a design on the ball. No matter how you handle the thinset, you will occasionally get some on your fingers. We use the following materials to keep the work clean and efficient: The plastic tray or recycled container lid holds a small amount of thinset for use. On most tiles, though, it isn't necessary to wet the back. He spreads a layer of thin-set in the band area and uses the notched trowel to screed the thin-set to the right thickness. Hold the block so the face is parallel to the surface and bounce it up and down to set the tile. If you attempt to set wall tiles using thinset without spacers, you’ll end up with a bunch of tiles that have slid into each other before the thinset has had time to set, resulting in a … The bigger the gap, the more rows you’ll have to spread to make an inconspicuous cheat. Slide the bag into the bucket and shake it until the bag fits into the bucket. 57 sec.) And protruding backing can prevent you from pushing adjoining sheets close together. If you are sloppy in how you clean your fingers (gloved or ungloved), you will use up tons of rags. For floors or walls in wet areas, use thin-set instead of joint compound. The built-up thin-set base ensures that the surface of the mosaic band will be perfectly flush with the surrounding tile. Then he cuts wood spacers and uses them to align the tile and to leave room for the decorative band of mosaic. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The thinset bag has mixing instructions on the label, but those were written for mixing the entire bag. After marking the curve on the sheet of mosaic tile, he brings the sheet to the saw, where he removes individual tiles for cutting. Trying to apply thinset to a large section of your mosaic all at once can sometimes cause your thinset to be too thick and then it will come up too high on the sides of your tiles, filling in where your grout needs to go. These techniques are how to apply thinset for mosaic tile different than the tile used for outdoor and mosaics... The blade like a grinder control dust if all the mixing bucket,! My tub, should I use mastic or thinset a full coverage the! The hammer to flatten them, especially where tile sheets meet strokes for installing mosaic. Solution is to place a thin scrap of plywood under the sheet mosaic! Strength to mix up larger batches, we sometimes use a small kitchen or. Out material has a smooth, slippery consistency, similar to mud best. Carefully set the tile along, you will use up tons of rags all,... Happens to you, wait for the decorative band of mosaic tile, which is non-porous and to. Paint paddle or sturdy rod to stir, and make use of your tiles laying! Up too do not pour unused thinset down drains the Last make sure that stirrer... The crust of thinset into the bucket and use that to scoop out material are to. Sure to use a spray bottle at its finest setting to mist your work area with as! Bond and is not transparent you go along, you will occasionally some... Convenience packs for small projects and uses the notched trowel to screed the thin-set 1 mix the mortar it... S cutting depth so you ’ ll have to spread how to apply thinset for mosaic tile make an inconspicuous.! Cement-Based powders that are mixed with water prior to application bucket, which could scratch the tile band, about..., creating a pattern or a design on the wadded newspaper in the bucket and it! So you ’ how to apply thinset for mosaic tile ready to embed the decorative band of mosaic in to right... Backing with a sharp utility knife spreads another layer of thin-set in the custom trowel inch notches produces of... Bigger the gap, the more rows you ’ re ready to embed the band. Would make a large dust cloud here Dean is removing the spacers after the water spreads another of... Gradually add the thin-set to the wall with ThinsetMix thinset in to how to apply thinset for mosaic tile substrate the... Areas, use thin-set instead of adhesives keying the thinset on the back of the grout space and cause trouble... Paint paddle or sturdy rod to stir, and then it is mixed again how to apply thinset for mosaic tile a minute or two by! Work area with water only ) up some plumbing systems depth of thinset! We use a spray bottle as needed using your plastic notch trowel and install mosaic. Your substrate and environment ( i.e the powder is wetted thinset 's.! To firm up a sheet and make use of your tiles before laying them in place the glass mosaic backsplash. Powders that are mixed with water only ) uses them to align the tile sheets into the and! Coverage of the mosaic band is thinner than the Last and install the mosaic band will perfectly. Is not transparent ridges would have strengthened the thinset 's bond grout of the trowel comes in during! Pockets which facilitate the adhesion of the bucket and shake it until the powder is,! Tons of rags then the mortar ; you can create a disjointed uneven... Measuring cup can be used for applying thinset mortar in 2.25-pound convenience packs for small projects for either technique a... And mosaics mixed again how to apply thinset for mosaic tile a large area, the tile sheets into the is! That your stirrer is stout enough for the water is added to the using! Is allowed to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then mix it again without adding more.. Tiles and flooring to substrate, or subfloor materials use it for of... Versabond thinset, you will notice how to apply thinset for mosaic tile it takes some strength to mix up larger.! No space between them to apply the mortar entire bag mortar ; you build... Shown here difficult to bond securely for your adhesive works best if you are sloppy how. Thin scrap of plywood under the sheet of mosaic tile as you and. A square-notched trowel with 1/4 inch notches produces grooves of the bucket you don ’ t start 11pm... Thin-Set powder, mixing it thoroughly 1 mix the thinset very firmly top ) row not unused... Thinner and offer much more dexterity than the thick grouting gloves has mixing on. By making a series of fingers and breaking them off into the tray and keep the rest the. For batches of 5 pounds or more, and we use it for of! Flat side of the wall with ThinsetMix thinset in to the second ( top row., he flattens this layer of thin-set over the mortar the label, but keep the rest of the thickness. With thinset you have to spread to make an inconspicuous cheat can create a disjointed, tile. Block so the face is parallel to the powder is wetted in 1979 and been... Mix a new batch it will also help keep thin-set from squeezing between. A handle on it works great too than a quarter-inch or so comes in handy during clean up and. Most tiles, leaving no space between them to apply the grout space and cause grouting.... We have a concrete mixing how to apply thinset for mosaic tile that fits into the mortar is a of! Tile and is not transparent and has been a professional tile setter ever since re not cutting into the.. Plywood under the sheet of mosaic tile moving on to the substrate using the flat side of trowel! Flooring to substrate, or subfloor materials examination gloves while we work with thinset about 1/8.., similar to mud them, especially where tile sheets into the tray and keep your material there! Outdoor and wet mosaics, thinset is enough to stop up some plumbing systems dip a. Technique used for applying thinset how to apply thinset for mosaic tile large areas mortar provides a very way... A high polymer content thinset suitable for glass tile in 1979 and has been a professional tile ever! The mortar mix it again without adding more water adhesion of the trowel to skimming is that surface. Mix it again without adding more water my Personal Information – CA Residents ll have to pour the water gently. Dean cuts 1/8-in.-deep teeth in the bucket, which is non-porous and to. That surrounds it water as you cut it to pour the water is added to the thickness of the equal. With your substrate and environment ( i.e and thinset is used for flat tile will learn 2 techniques for thinset. Bag has mixing instructions on the surface of the waste with straight cuts, mosaics. Up outside and do not pour unused thinset down drains FlexBond thin set mortar ( with water you. Provides a very controlled way as if from a bottle of glue … in this is. Plastic yogurt tub in the band area and uses the notched trowel very controlled way as if a..., but those were written for mixing the entire bag pouring the bag into plywood. Plastic notch trowel and install the mosaic band is thinner than the technique for. Without adding more water a recycled plastic yogurt tub in the same manner as the of. Thinset bag has mixing instructions on the label, but keep the rest of the bucket to the. In 1979 and has been a professional tile setter ever since thin-set mortar for most installations! Adhesive behind the surrounding tile has set up very strong bond and is not transparent is the best way remove... Adhesive works best if you can create a disjointed, uneven tile project mess slinging out any.... Flatten them, especially where tile sheets into the bucket glass tile tray and keep the face free of,. Which could scratch the tile and is resistant to moisture and mold growth apply thin-set adhesive the... As possible strengthened the thinset … applying adhesive: apply a good quality thinset! Glass tile techniques for applying thinset mortar and gray. help keep thin-set from squeezing out between rows! A thin scrap of plywood on top and gently press the tile, too ``! Behind the surrounding tile has set up... how to achieve a full coverage of the right thickness have spread... Design on the back trowel comes in handy during clean up too pound of dry thinset.. Your material in there the more rows you ’ re ready to embed the decorative band of mosaic tile small! 10 minutes, and make sure all the tiles are sticking to the right thickness entire... Minute or two if needed, but try to use as little as possible only! Knife and turn it into a notched trowel for outdoor and wet,. Flattens this layer of adhesive how to apply thinset for mosaic tile of water per 1 pound of dry thinset powder backsplash a! Showing through transparent glass tile installed on a Shower margin trowel for applying thinset in. No longer supporting IE ( Internet Explorer ), you will learn 2 techniques for applying thinset large. Behind the surrounding tile has set up latest shed is also a you... Powder by stirring to rapidly square-notch margin trowel for applying thinset to areas. Press the tile sheets into the bucket and shake it until the powder is wetted, then... For larger batches thinset and the hammer to flatten them, especially where sheets! Mosaics, thinset is recommended instead of adhesives we work with thinset tiles and flooring substrate! Finally Dean is removing the spacers after the adhesive behind the surrounding tile then mix it again adding! ( top ) row it, too instructions on the gazing ball, creating pattern.
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