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Archive for March, 2011

Glass mosaic tile can be installed in most places including a kitchen backsplash, shower surround, and floors.?Not everyone wants an entire wall of small glass tiles though.?A border of mosaic tiles is great alternative.?This is simply a strip of glass tile that will run through the surrounding tile.?It can be waist high, run at the top or bottom, or frame in the area.
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Glass tile borders can range from a solid color of tiles to an elaborate cut mosaic like a Greek key.?It all depends on how much you want to spend.?If you choose a solid color then you may only need to spend as little as $2 a square foot.?A hand cut mosaic will run you at least $30 a square foot.?The most popular choice is a blend of tiles colors that start as low as $5 a square foot.?Blends usually include 3 to 5 colors that you can coordinate with your area.
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Once you decide what type of border you want then you need to select your surround tiles.?The border tiles will be small, probably 1″ or smaller.?Your field tile will typically be 4″ or larger.?Large subway tiles will look great too.?Select a color that will either compliment or contrast your mosaic tile.?
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If you select ceramic as your field tile then you will notice that the ceramic tile is twice as thick as the mosaic tile.?This is normal and not hard to work with.?You have two options for installing both sizes of tile.?The first will be to simply install the tiles directly to your prepared surface.?This will give your mosaic tiles a recessed look and adds dimension to your finished area.?The second method is to float the border tile.?You will need to install the surrounding tile first then build up the mortar where the mosaic tiles will go.?This is difficult and should only be done by a professional installer.
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After the installation you need to grout.?If you chose to recess the border then you will have a little more cleanup to do since these tiles are setting lower.?You can choose a neutral grout that goes with both the field tile and the mosaic border or you can tape off the border and grout it in a separate color.?This just depends on the contrast in those colors.
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A mosaic border adds value and eye appeal to your existing area.?You will find it a rewarding decision that others will love.

Glass tile can be one of the best design decisions that you make for your home or business. It allows you flexibility in the colors that are available. There is no need to be stuck with one solid color for your backsplash when you can create a custom blend of colors that will pull together your granite countertops, oak cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Glass tile is not a dated product so in 20 years it will still look classy.

A professional installer is always recommended for the installation of your glass tile. They have experience working with this thinner material and can make your finished area look perfect. However, a lot of people will install the glass tile sheets themselves. Below you will find a guide on how to complete this task without paying the professional to do it for you. The information given is for glass tiles that are face mounted on paper. The typical tile thickness is 1/8″.

You will need several tools and supplies on hand before you start. Make sure to have 3 buckets: one to mix the thin set, one to hold water, and the other to mix the grout. You will also need a dusk mask on when mixing the powders with water. A putty knife, 3/16″ notched trowel, 1/16″ spacers, old rags for cleanup, fine sponge (not very porous), and a grout float are also recommended to have on hand.

Before you begin make sure that your surface is prepared. Don’t tile directly onto your sheetrock. Instead use a thin backer board if possible. There is a lot of information on the internet about how to prepare your surface in different areas of your home or business. Read about this first. You will also need to find your starting point. This will be different for all installations. Don’t start in a corner. You would rather end in a corner.

Do not use mastic with glass tiles. Instead thin set mortar is recommended. Mix the dry thin set with a latex additive not water. The additive makes the thin set sticky and creates a great bond with the glass tiles. Prepare the thin set to manufacturer’s directions. Be sure to wear the dust mask.

Now you are ready to spread thin set on surface using the putty knife. You will want to work in small areas until you get used to the installation process. To start just spread enough adhesive to cover one full sheet of your glass tile. Trowel throughout thin set using long straight strokes. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle to get the proper depth of 1/16″. Be sure to wipe excess thin set back into bucket.

Position first sheet PAPER SIDE OUT. Get it exactly where you want it then gently press the sheet down using a flat 2×4. This will ensure that all of the tiles touch the thin set. You don’t want any of the adhesive to squish up between your tiles. If you see this is happening then you have spread your thin set too thick. You may want to remove the sheet and clean out the thin set. Now you can try it again.

Spread another section of thin set next to the first sheet. Using 1/16″ spacers place the next sheet beside the first. Press flat with the 2×4.

Continue to work in this manner until the first sheet has set for about 15 to 30 minutes (the thin set will start to harden). Take an old towel or sponge and wet the paper. You know it is ready when the paper turns a darker brown. Gently pull the paper against itself from every corner until it has completely released. If you pull straight out then you will probably pull off a tile or two.

Continue to install sheets and pull off paper until your surface is covered. Be sure to clean out the grout joints as you remove the paper using a toothpick. Once the thin set has set up it will be very difficult to remove later.

Another great thing about the glass mosaic tiles is that you can easily cut the sheets to fit around sockets or any protruding areas in your space. However, if you get to the corner and realize that the tiles are not going to fit perfectly into the corner then you will have to do some cutting. A wet saw is NOT recommended. It will just shatter the glass. We recommend using a pair of wheeled cutters for cutting the tile around fixtures. You just snap the tiles in half when needed. You can also get intricate cuts as well. Always make the cuts face into your corner. Once grouted, you will not be able to see any wobbly cuts that might occur.

After tiles have set for 24 hours, you will be ready to grout. Use another bucket to mix the grout to the manufacturer’s specifications. There is no need for a latex additive for the grout. Just use water. Spread grout onto the tiles with a grout float using a back and forth motion in order to fill in all grout joints. Be sure to wipe off any excess grout off of the surface of the tiles.

Wait about 10 minutes to allow the grout to set up slightly in your joints. Then take a slightly damp sponge and start wiping the rest of the grout away. If you notice that grout is starting to come out of your joints as you wipe, then you are ready to do the final clean up. Take cheap paper towels and finish wiping the tiles. This will take the rest of the grout off of the tiles but not add water and remove the grout from your joints.

Once the grout is off of the top of the tiles, then use a stiff brush to buff the grout out of any pores. After about an hour, use a clean cloth to buff off any haze that may form. If the haze persists, then mix ? distilled vinegar and ? water. Dip a clean white cloth into the mixture and wring out well. Wipe down your tiles and the grout haze should be gone.

After grout has cured for several days, be sure to seal it with a high quality grout sealant.

NOTICE: This information is offered as a guide only. There is no guarantee. Hire a professional installer who has experience working with face-mounted glass mosaic tile.

Hospitality and tourism industry is by far one of the thriving fields of business that boosts up reputation of a certain city, country or state. Domestic and foreign tourists alike are relying on services offered by travel agencies, airlines, hotels, tourism bureaus and tourist guides so that every tour is made worthwhile and meaningful. The virtual side of business, Internet, is getting along with the jet-setting lifestyle of people, thus free international travel guides are accessible online.

The phenomenal approach of providing free international travel guides is a manifestation of how tourism keeps up with technology. Traveling is huge part of people’s lifestyle especially those transacting business in any parts of the globe or those who are big fanatics of exploring the world for pleasure. Travel packages for city tours, ocean cruises, island hops, zoo explorations, island escapades, bar hopping and other interesting itineraries are being accessible through world travel sites such as Real Travel, The World Travel Guide, Travel Library, Ex-Travelation and Around The World Guide.

Free international travel guides provide every bit of information including map for travels to Africa, Australia and South Pacific, Far East Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, North and South Americas, South East Asia, Central Asia, Europe and the United States. By specifying the name of destination name and target dates of travel, you will be led to more specific information such as airlines flying to and fro, hotel options, landmarks to catch sight of, distinctive features of your chosen destination, and tourism services you can enjoy during the entire travel duration. Travel agents are usually available to respond to your needs as soon as you send your queries.

Online magazines are integrated in free international travel guides so that you are up-to-date with feature stories about what the top tourist destinations in the world with corresponding landmarks it is known best for-say Paris is known for Eiffel Tower, US is known for the Statue of Liberty in New York, Canada for Niagara Falls, and so on. Free holiday and travel brochures or travelogues are also made available to those local tourists hoping to explore nearby cities and foreign tourists aspiring to fly across the continent.

Helpful information to prepare any tourist for his trip is definitely for free. Tips on how to have a safe tour are also given. There are also travel entities that deliver free international travel guides right to everyone’s doorway without any mailing fees at all. After mapping out the specifics of your intended trip, you can consult travel sites for whatever it is that you need: airline, hotel, package tours and car service or whatever. Most travel sites are accommodating and ready-to-serve just for you to attain a fulfilling travel agenda.