Paper Faced Glass Mosaic

Mosaics are becoming a fan favorite in the tiling trade, everyone seems to love them and want them installed. Little do they know mosaics are the hardest tile to install especially ones mounted on paper. This type of install requires a special setting material, and installer who is experienced and patient working with small, and often very tiny tiles. Below is a few photos of a mosaic recently installed in West Chester Pa. The job was then grouted with Laticretes Permacolor grout. I am extremely pleased with the end result of this job as I am with every other job I do.



Here is the tile being installed prior to the paper being removed




A close up of the 3/8" x 3/8" mosaic!



Finished and grouted with Permacolor Khaki Sand
A beautiful night photo!

Porcelain that looks like slate

I am noticing the trends are changing with this trade faster then I can remember before. Now tile company's are making porcelains that look like slate a stone that is quarried from all over the world. Some of the great benefits of making tiles that replicate these stones are the fact that slate, in particular requires quite a bit of maintenance and prep work prior to and after grouting. In other words it requires regular upkeep. This customer in Villanova/ Newtown Square, Pa chose a high quality tile to be installed in various sizes in her home. The tile was also installed on one of the latest technologies in the trade called Ditra. This floor should last many of years and remain crack free.








One of the reasons Ditra was chosen was her previous floor was installed incorrectly and had cracked and many tiles had come loose. With the Schluter Ditra all of this is avoided when installed according to manufactures directions.

Amazing glass backsplash

Here is a job I did a couple weeks ago in Northeast Philadelphia. This a very expensive glass mosaic back splash that I installed for a wonderful lady. As you can see the job turned out amazing. My customer was thrilled with the job, and I think she slept in that kitchen the night I installed it, that's how happy she was. If you notice one issue I had was the corner but I managed to add my own custom technique to personalize this install. This job set this kitchen off.

Mastic or thinset???

So you've decided to hire a tile setter to handle your next project because it seemed a bit out of reach to you. With times being harder then they have been you decide to check up on your installer and see their work as each day progresses. Well here's a couple tips to make sure your getting a proper install.

Make sure you installer is using the appropriate setting material, I would say 90% of the time thinset is the required setting material. With tiles being larger and more intricate these days mastic (the bucket glue) doesn't really fit the picture.

If you've decided to redo your bathroom you should never see any buckets of glue on the job unless the installer is using them to mix his mortar (which is fine).

I have attached a few photos of mastic the no no, and thinset (the bagged powder which should be used). Here is the product that should not be used:

If you notice your installer using mastic make them remove the tiles and reset them with the proper mortar. The only time mastic is allowed is on wall area where the tile will not get wet. The hardest part is going to be convincing them to switch to thinset, they will claim they have been doing it this way for 20 years and never had a problem, do not buy into it!!

Mastic is not allowed in showers, on floors, ceilings or outside. You can remove a tile with mastic and soak it in hot water and the dried mastic will turn back into the paste it was like in the bucket this is called re-emulsifying. I just wanted to touch on the topic, good luck with your project I hope this helps answer any questions you may have.

Here is what you want to see on the job: