Information for the Architect – Specifier - Designer

Glass Tile PremiumThin-Set Mortar

Howard Jancy, CSI, CDTCommercial Architectural Services| Chicago-Midwest

312-515-9215 | hjancy@cbpmail.netCustom Building Products | www.custombuildingproducts.com

What isGlass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar?

Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar solves the most common problems in glass tile installations to accentuate

the beauty of the product.

It delivers consistent performance in terms of color, bond strength and shrinkage especially in large format glass tile,

mosaic and stone applications.

Why is Glass Tile Mortar Needed?

Glass Tile Differs from Other Tile Types:• Thin-set can be seen through the tile so complete coverage

without voids behind the tile is critical

• To bring out the iridescent and translucent beauty of glass, a bright white thin-set with color consistency is required

• Bonding to a smooth, non-porous material like glass requires a thin-set with superior strength

What Does Glass Tile Mortar Offer?

Glass Tile Mortar Offers:• Consistent, bright white color across the entire application• Unsurpassed bond strength with minimal shrinkage• Superior non-sag/non-slip properties that keep glass tiles in

place when applied in vertical installations• A smooth and creamy formula producing an easy to trowel

mortar ensuring consistent coverage behind tile• A high performance thin-set formulated specifically for glass

tile and other impervious materials, exceeding ANSI A118.4, A118.11 and A137.2 requirements

How is Glass Tile Mortar Different?

It is specifically formulated to meet the installation challenges of glass tile, especially large format glass*:• Outstanding color consistency• Bright white• Unsurpassed bond strength• Easy to spread• Single component, mix with water only

Glass Tile Mortar meets ANSI A137.2

The new ANSI A137.2 standard identifies three different types of glass tile: cast glass tile, fused glass tile, and low temperature-coated glass tile. It also defines large format glass as any tile with dimensions greater than 3” by 3”. TCNA recommends the use of a high-performing thin-set mortar meeting the requirements of ANSI A118.4 and with bond strength greater than 400 psi.

Because glass tile has a smooth surface, it is important to use a premium, high performance thin-set mortar which has higher polymer content. The

higher polymer content enhances the bonding to the smooth glass.

Glass Tile Mortar Comparison at a GlanceMeasure ANSI Spec Custom

Glass Tile MortarLaticrete

Glass Tile AdhesiveMapei Adesilex P10

(w/Water)Mapei Adesilex P10

(w/Keraply)

Sag Resistance > 900 750 1 700 1 ---

ANSI A118.4 Shear Strength:

Glazed Wall Tile > 300 psi 500-600 psi --- 425-640 psi 2 490-780 psi 2

Porcelain > 200 psi 400-500 psi 370 psi 2 200-280 psi 2 200-400 psi 2

ANSI A118.11 Shear Strength:

Quarry to Plywood > 150 psi 200-300 psi 187 psi 2 N/A 150-250 psi 2

ANSI 137.2 – Shear Bonds to Glass > 150 psi 250-325 psi 122 1 118 1 99 1

ISO Classification --- C2TE 13007-2 2 C2TE 2 C2TES1P1 2

Pot Life --- 4 hrs 5 hrs 2 > 2 hrs 2 > 2 hrs 2

Open Time 50 mins > 60 mins 20 mins 2 20-30 mins 2 20-30 mins 2

Notes: 1 Estimate based on internal laboratory testing. 2 Values based on publically available data and product specification sheets at www.laticrete.com or www.mapei.com, 9/1/12.

Installation Tips

The new standard specifically designed for glass tile, ANSI A137.2 recommends the use of a high-performing thin-set mortar meeting the requirements of ANSI A118.4 and with bond strength greater than 400 psi.

For a successful installation, use the following tips:• Trowel Glass Tile Mortar on the substrate with a notched trowel and knock

down the ridges.• Back-butter an even, thin film approximate 1/16” thick onto the back of the

clear glass tile.• Press together with a back and forth motion to eliminate any voids or air

pockets.

Where to InstallAreas of Use:• Interior or exterior floors, walls or countertops• Concrete, mortar beds, masonry, Portland cement plaster• WonderBoard® and other cement backerboards• Liquid applied waterproofing membranes such as RedGard® and Custom

9240®• Crack prevention sheet membranes such as Crack Buster Pro®• Exterior grade plywood• Gypsum wallboard (dry areas only)• Existing ceramic tile and fully bonded sheet vinyl flooring• Plastic laminates and cutback adhesive

Architectural Specification

To include Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar in an Architect Specification, the following statement is added to the mortar and setting materials section of the specification:

Cementitious Tile Adhesives: ANSI A118.4 / A118.11: Polymer-Enhanced Mortars: Where indicated on the Drawings, and elsewhere as required for setting tile as specified by ANSI A108.5 or A108.12, Dry-Set Portland Cement Mortar or Latex Portland Cement Mortar, over substrates prepared accordingly.

For Installation of Glass TileCustom Building Products Glass Tile Thin-Set Mortar – for use with mosaic and large format glass (greater than 3 square inches).

Howard Jancy, CSI, CDTCommercial Architectural Services| Chicago-Midwest

312-515-9215 | hjancy@cbpmail.netCustom Building Products | www.custombuildingproducts.com

Glass Tile PremiumThin-Set Mortar