TechTip – Glass Tile

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Interstyle Glass Tile for Swimming Pool Applications

All Interstyle glass tile products are ideally suited for swimming pools, water features, and any environment where tiles may be partially or continuously submerged.

Our glass tiles are crafted by fusing colored ceramic glazes with select float glass at high temperatures, producing an exceptionally durable tile. This manufacturing process guarantees permanent color stability — regardless of the environment. Glass tiles are impervious to liquids and unaffected by moisture, standard pool chemicals, UV exposure, typical cleaning products, and temperature extremes, including installations subject to repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Most Interstyle glass tiles feature a proprietary "microporous" texture on the back face, which creates an exceptionally strong mechanical bond between the tile and setting material.

All made-to-order mosaics and assemblies are available either loose or face-mounted with a clear plastic film — at the same price and lead time. We strongly recommend face-mounted mosaics, as most pool tile installers prefer them for the superior bond they provide between the glass tile and substrate.

Installing Glass Tile in a Pool or Water Feature

Interstyle's recommended installation method differs from industry standard practice in several key areas:

• Install glass tile only over fully cured, stable substrates.
• Level substrates prior to applying the crack isolation membrane — do not use thin-set to level under glass tile.
• A crack isolation membrane (ANSI A118.12) over the entire surface is strongly advised, as substrates such as mortar beds can continue to cure and shrink over months. The membrane prevents substrate movement from transferring to the tile.

To achieve the highest quality installation, Interstyle also recommends the following:

• Use only white thin-set.
• Achieve 100% thin-set coverage against the back of each tile, given the potential translucency of glass.
• Use a high-quality two-component white thin-set mortar throughout.
• Consult the installation materials manufacturer for their most current recommended system.
• Flatten trowel ridges before pressing tiles into the thin-set to eliminate voids behind the glass.

Allow for control joints wherever substrates change and as specified in section EJ171 of the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation (www.tcnatile.com).