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Installation Tips: ‘GLASS’ Category Products

We provide this glass tile and mosaic installation instructions as a supplemental, general installation, and grouting guideline only, as it pertains to most glass tile applications. The relative industry associations, such as the NTCA, the TCNA, and the technical service departments of leading setting material manufacturers, should be consulted regarding specific installation questions and use of their recommended products.

Glass tiles are manufactured to satisfy industry requirements for glazed wall tile and are recommended for both residential and commercial use. Here below are a few additional insights beyond the already provided common industry installation recommendations. These are not intended to replace the existing industry guidelines, but allow you to better understand the overall contractor activities. Please be sure of your contractor’s certification and references, and their familiarity with proper methods and materials. Only experienced and professional tile installers should install our products.

ABOUT Lunada Bay Tile

LBT has a broad selection of high temperature, poured and annealed cast glass, mounted paper-faced and designed for submerged pool applications. LBT has several thousand combinations of mounted glass colors, finishes, shapes and sizes from which to select, for both commercial and residential use. has capacity and facilities to quickly and economically customize many of those glass elements.

ABOUT Glass Tiles

ATTRIBUTES TO CONSIDER:

Accommodates Structural Contouring / Mosaic Available Customized Blends Bacterial Resistant Chemical Resistant Colour Fast / No Fading Compression Resistant Design Flexible / Colours, Finishes and Sizes Durable Easily Repairable Easy / Low Maintenance Ecologically Compatible Frost Proof (No or Low Porosity) Heat Resistant High Breaking Strength Hygienic Impermeable

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Includes NO Chemicals or Toxic Substances Interior and Exterior Uses Modularity of Sizes No Decay Not Flammable Odourless and Inert Passive Heat Collecting and Retaining Recycled Material Components Possible Requires NO Stripping or Refinishing Scratch Resistant Slip-resistant (most dry conditions) Stain Resistant (Will not absorb water borne or oil borne staining) Weather Resistant

As with all hard surface materials, the LBT glass tiles and mosaics should not be exposed to high abrasion, heavy traffic or sharp impact.

These below are recognized and recommended industry authorities, for standards details and for providing proper installation guidelines.

Industry Authorities: These below are recognized and recommended industry authorities, for standards details and providing proper installation guidelines:

(NTCA) National Tile Contractors Assoc. www.tile-assn.com (TCNA) Tile Counsel of North America www.tileusa.com (TTMAC) Terrazzo Tile and Marble Assoc. of Canada www.ttmac.com CTIOA Glass Field Reports www.ctioa.org/index.cfm?pi=FR Website dedicated to Glass tiles and mosaics www.aboutglasstile.com

Upon Receiving LBT Glass As the manufacturer, we always take every precaution to eliminate any defective or unacceptable tiles before they reach the consumer. We will replace any such tiles, at no cost to you. The end user, not the contractor, is responsible for ensuring the tile delivered is the tile originally selected for the project. Please open and inspect the shipment. Upon confirmation that the product is as ordered from SPA, the contractor should inspect for suitability, ensuring the sizing, dye lot shading and tone are consistent for the shipment, by selecting random control samples. Once installed, it is no longer the tile supplier’s responsibility. Control samples are invaluable. If additional material is needed these can aid in determining acceptable matching. When ordering, including additional sheets is recommended.

SHADING - Variations in color, shade and size are inherent in all fired glass products. The shading only serves to enhance the final beauty of the installation. It is controlled within a range of acceptance. With all tiles, contractors will ensure sheets are even mixed randomly from different boxes, allowing a final mosaic shading from sheet to sheet, as it is being installed.

LBT Glass Substrates LBT Glass tiles can be installed over all conventional tile-setting substrates such as walls, floors, countertops, backsplashes, etc. LBT Glass tiles are impervious and will not absorb liquid. This makes them stain resistant, frost resistant and durable.

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It’s important to consider the customer’s needs and expectations. For example, most shower or tub enclosures are designed only as splashes. A substrate constructed with an underlayment, such as a CBU, will only act as a back splash. If leaned against, it may create stresses to the CBU and transmit through to the surface cladding glass. All surfaces to receive tile shall be sound, smooth, flat, clean and free of dust, oil, grease, paint, tar, wax, curing agents, primers, sealers, adhesive residue, release agents or any other deleterious substance or debris which may prevent or reduce adhesion to the substrate.

INDUSTRY RECOMMENDED SUBSTRATES: Well cured mortar beds - ANSI A108.1B Standards (cured a minimum of 7 days). Cementitious Backer Units (CBU) to ANSI A118.9 Standards (Note: An ANSI A108A-2.1.8 membrane is required behind all CBU installations in wet areas. Concrete Slabs (on grade) cured for 21 days minimum. Gypsum Board (dry areas only) installed to ASTM C1396 or ASTM C1396M-04 Standards – If used in wet areas, a membrane is required overtop.

ABOUT Setting Materials Choosing the best white thin-set mortar for the job is important to assure a long-lasting installation. Once the tile has set firmly, the longer you can leave the surface, before grouting, the better - we recommend 48 hours. Many LBT glass tiles are made up of transparent or translucent glass, with color included inside the glass. As such, the color of the thin-set will affect the appearance of the glass color, and trowel lines can show through the glass. We recommend the use of a bright white thin-set, which will allow the true color of the glass to come through. Good quality glass tile mortars and grouts are now commonly available from all leading setting or installation material suppliers. ALWAYS consult the manufacturer’s product data sheets for their specific application instructions. Installation products such as mortars and grouts are available through tile dealers, home centers, and major setting material companies.

We recommend the following leading manufacturers of quality glass installation products:

LATICRETE - (www.laticrete.com ) CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS – (www.custombuildingproducts.com ) MAPEI - (www.mapei.com ) or NORTH AMERICAN ADHESIVES - (www.na-adhesives.com ) TEC - HB FULLER - (www.tecspecialty.com ) FLEXTILE - (www.flextile.net ) BOSTIK - HYDROMENT - (www.bostik.com ) ARDEX – (www.ardex.com ) or W.W. HENRY – (www.wwhenry.com ) SOUTHERN GROUTS AND MORTARS (SGM) – (www.sgm.cc ) MERLEX - (www.merlex.com ) AQUAFIN - (www.aquafin.net )

THIS LIST SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE.

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There are likely other manufacturers, in your area, who produce such installation products, including new products which may also be suitable for use with our materials.

BASIC INSTALLATION TOOLS:

Hydrophilic Sponges Low tack painter's tape 1/16" Grout Spacers Caulking Notched Trowels Chalk Line Pointing Trowels Measuring Tape and Square Grout Floats Plumb Line Grout Saws & Blades Wax Pencil Tile Nippers Cheese Cloth Glass Cutter Water Buckets Scrapers Dust Masks and Eye Protection Knee Pads and Gloves Rubber Gloves Mixing blades or paddles Overalls Dust Brush and Scoop Rags Rubbing Stones Level

ABOUT Bonding Tiles Trowel sizes are always intended as a guideline only and results should be checked during installation to make sure that proper coverage is achieved. With transparent or translucent glass, trowel lines can and will be seen through the glass, and for this reason, small tooth trowels 3/16”x5/32” V-Notched should be used and the glass shimmied into place, perpendicular to the combing, to create a smooth uniform backing of thin-set.

ABOUT Adhesives and Mastics Organic adhesives (mastic) are considered unacceptable, due to yellowing, lower bond strengths, and the fact that they set or dry by air exposure. With larger format vitrified or glass tiles, the adhesive (mastic) is sealed off at the edges, which is like putting a lid on the can of adhesive. On the backside center portion of tiles, the adhesive remains wet and bond is not properly achieved. Some Epoxies may also be unacceptable due to low flexibility, chemical staining, and degradation under UV sunlight exposure. Consult your setting material supplier.

COMBING MORTAR - The most satisfactory results have been achieved in straight-combing the mortar to the wall, placing the tiles and then “seating” them, by pushing the tile sheets perpendicular to the combed mortar, forward then back, rolling the combed mortar into itself and coating the back of each tile, thus eliminating trowel lines. (SEE OPTION # 1 DIAGRAM)

When tiles are first set in place, every effort should be made to smooth the thin-set both vertically and horizontally to eliminate trowel lines.

Another technique is to ‘knock down’ the tops of the combed thin-set, with the flat edge of the trowel, while maintaining the uniformity of mortar thickness. (SEE OPTION # 2 DIAGRAM)

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ABOUT Paper-faced Mounting Please note that many of our glass tiles are mounted ‘PAPER FACED’, with water-soluble glue, for ease of installation, and for overall appearance. Paper Facing is used on our glass products for two primary reasons. The first reason is to maximize bond by allowing fullest coverage of bonding materials. The second reason is that glass is transparent or translucent, where use of a mesh backing would be visible through the Glass.

Quality white thin-set mortar is recommended. It is unacceptable to use mastics or adhesives with our glass tiles as many will yellow over time and have weaker bonding capacities.

BACK-BUTTERING:

The practice of “back- buttering” thin-set mortar is always recommended to help achieve maximum coverage for larger sized glass units, like 4”x4” or greater. When setting glass tile 100% mortar coverage is to be obtained. The only sure way is to include back-buttering in your methods.

We recommend the application of a straight combed troweled mortar, followed with a skim coat on the back of each tile.

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Our glass material must be installed in the same direction. All paper-faces have indicated “TOP FACE” written on it, which normally indicates two things:

1/ The paper-face must be facing out. 2/ Mount all sheets with those words in the SAME ORIENTATION, making sure all sheets are installed with those words facing in the SAME DIRECTION, for proper alignment.

Gently and uniformly seat tile into the thin-set, using a beating block. The paper should be removed while the thin-set is still pliable, followed by any adjusting of the tile prior to its final set. The paper-face is to be removed after APPROX. 15 to 30 MINUTES. This is done by wetting the paper with warm water, lightly and repeatedly; sponging to soften the papers glue, allow APPROX. 5 to 10 MINUTES for the water to soak, and then begin peeling it off. Avoid using too much water. You know it is ready when the paper turns a darker brown. Gently peel back the paper against itself, diagonally from every corner, until it has completely released. Clean all excess setting materials with a damp sponge. Adjust any tiles that may need it. Clean all excess setting materials that may have remained on the tile surface. Wipe away any haze that may have remained behind.

ABOUT Mesh-Backed Mounting Mesh-backed mosaics such as our ‘Rainbow line’ are NOT paper-faced. The piece of brown paper attached to the mesh is there to prevent the transfer of adhesive from the mesh to the face of the next sheet of glass while in the box. This paper MUST be removed prior to installation.

Use enough setting material to ensure 100% tile surface coverage but avoid so much that it will “squish” above the top of the grout joints. Use a 3/16” X 5/32” V-notched trowel. Even using the same trowel size and notches, volume of mortar can be adjusted by the angle the trowel is held during application - i.e. the trowel held at a 30 degree angle, rather than at a 45 degree angle, will provide for adjustment of different amounts of mortar from combing. Apply only as much bonding material to be covered with tile within 10 to 15 minutes or while tile surface is still wet and sticky. Do not allow the bonding material to skim over. With firm, even pressure, apply sheets of tile, with the mesh side down, into the bonding material. Push the sheets approx. ¼” perpendicular to the combed material. This will allow the combs to cover the back and eliminate the combed ridges. Use a wooden beating block or rubber grouting float to flatten the surface. Align each sheet as it is installed to create uniform grout joints from sheet to sheet. Allow tile to set until firm (approx. 15-30 minutes depending on humidity and temperature). Clean excess setting material from the surface of the tile with a damp clean cloth or sponge while the setting material is fresh.

ABOUT Grouting Tiles (polymer-modified cementitious grouts) Grout colour can determine the aesthetic final appearance of any glass mosaic installation and should be selected carefully. 3555 Lomita Blvd., Units H&J / Torrance, CA 90505 / Tel. (310)257-1300 / Fax (310)530-0610

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Glass mosaic tile has varying degrees of surface texture that will collect grout during the grouting process. While thorough cleaning after grouting will remove most of the grout, there may still be remaining grout within the pinholes or surface creases. The amount of grout visible after installation will depend primarily on the color contrast between grout colour and tile colour, how well the tiles were cleaned during grouting, viewing distance and lighting. The aesthetic appearance of grout left within the tile, not just the grout joints, has a way of visually unifying the overall grout and tile. Grouting may be started after tile is firmly set and commonly recommended approximately 24-48 hours after installation.

Apply grout, sanded or unsanded, with a rubber float, making sure that grout joints are completely full and free of voids and pits.

Clean the surface with a clean, damp cloth or tile industry hydrophilic sponge. These sponges are used for all clean-up of ceramic tile, especially after grouting and easily rinses clean while filtering out particles for a clean surface. Avoid scratching the surface, using only a light touch during cleanup.

Allow grout to set, with only a very slight haze residue on the tile and the grout in the joints sets firm. Use a soft, clean, dry cloth to polish off haze and remaining grout residue. This step is the key to avoiding unwanted grout residue and should be done as the work progresses, while grout is fresh and before it hardens. The final cleaning of grout haze is done approx. 30 – 40 minutes after initial grout cleanup. Final tile polishing is done with a clean, dry cotton cheesecloth or terry towel - approx. 12 hours after grouting. Allow the grout to cure for a minimum of 7 days before any aggressive use or steam cleaning.

ABOUT 100% Solids Epoxy Grouts Epoxy based grouts are popular for use with glass tile, because of their longevity, strength, and relationship with the glass. Epoxy grouts have a chemical composition that resists stains and breakdown. They are also non-porous and non-absorbent. When mixed with antimicrobial products, epoxy grouts also inhibit the growth of mold or mildew, a common occurrence with regular cementitious grout. Non-absorbent epoxy grouts require little maintenance; so, while they may cost more than cementitious grout up front, they more than make up for it over time. The rubbery plastic-like characteristics of modified epoxy grouts make for a more challenging application, and a stronger finished product. Working with the Epoxy grout is more labour intensive and sticky. It takes a lot of washing after. Epoxy grouts will not fade or change colour over time. Set times for epoxy grouts are comparable to their cement counterparts but they do not cure in the same way as cement based products; instead, they thermal set. Once

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8 this occurs, there is no ability of removing residues or films. Caution should always be used when employing epoxy based grout.

Once again, it is imperative to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the products and, if in doubt, please consult the dealer you purchased the setting materials from or your installer for more information. We make no representations as to the fitness for purpose of these third party Mortars and Grouts. ABOUT Movement / Expansion Joints (Joint Placement) It is vitally important that proper allowance be made for movement in glass installations. Generally, the allowance for movement should be made around the perimeter of the room, where there are any hard abutments within the tiled area / cold joints. All installations require these perimeter expansion joints. It is also essential that vertical and horizontal planes be caulked, NOT hard-grouted. The minimum width for the perimeter joints is ¼” (6mm). If the perimeter will be covered with a base molding, then the joint can be left open to allow for the movement. If the joint will be exposed, then it should be treated with a suitable flexible sealant or caulking. In addition, if the size of the installation is large enough to warrant field movement joints, then they should be placed as directed as outlined by the construction documents or the Tile Council of North American’s ‘Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation’ - Detail EJ171-[Current Year].

EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS - This will require more frequent and wider expansion joint placement and widths. It is also NOT advisable to cut in expansion joints after the tile installation has been placed and grouted. Damage can occur before saw cutting and may be irreversible. Therefore, following industry requirements to construct the joints, as the work progresses, is the best course of action. In addition, the space left for the movement joint should be clear of anything that can potentially restrict movement, including thin-set mortar, spacers, dirt and debris.

SWIMMING POOLS - In the case of a swimming pool installation, movement joints for a pool should be specified by the architect or designer, not the tile contractor. The contractors experience and understanding of the industry guidelines for pool installations is essential, but there are numerous elements to a customized pool construction and each will need to be viewed and considered first-hand, during designing glass tile installations in water immersed applications. With continuous water immersion applications, minimum cure time after grouting is 21 days before flood testing or filling with water. Follow the setting materials manufacturer’s recommended cure times. Pool tanks must be engineered to accommodate the installation of glass tile cladding with construction using reinforced concrete or other accepted means. All remedial activities, if defects exist, must be undertaken prior to beginning the tile work. Any surface impurities or residues that may impede proper tile bonding must be eliminated. A concrete tank must be made watertight. Cementitious mortar beds must be cured a minimum of 7 days, before the application of glass tiles. Follow all setting material manufacturer’s instructions. PLEASE NOTE: All hard surfaces like ceramic, glass and stone installations require movement joints.

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All buildings will move. Therefore, accommodation for this movement is necessary. To properly review and place expansion joints, the best time to discuss and deal with the issue is before the installation takes place. This will help to avoid problems any finger pointing after the installation is completed. For additional information, consult the Tile Council of North America's Handbook --Section ‘Movement Joint Design Essentials EJ171-[Year]’. Glass tile expands and contracts more than ceramic and porcelain tile. This movement needs to be accommodated in the installation, particularly where temperature changes may occur. Be sure to use caulked joints on all inside corners where walls intersect, especially in showers, backsplashes and cook top areas. This recommendation is a standard installation procedure for ceramic tile and is even more critical with glass tile installation. Glass tile is a very durable material but only when installed properly and should not be subjected to excessive mechanical stresses or thermal shock. All installation materials should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

SOME STANDARD CAUTIONS:

- When mixing setting and grouting materials with electrical mixing devices DO NOT exceed 300 RPM (or the manufacturer’s recommendations). - All mortars and grouts need to slake (sit) 10-15 minutes after mixing, and remixed before using. - All methods and material choices should be reviewed with the setting-material supplier or manufacturer. - All mortar beds must be cured a minimum of 7 days before glass tile is to be installed. - Areas to be submerged, such as ponds, pools or fountains should be cured no less than 21 days before filling. - Setting material suppliers advise that water will penetrate grouts and mortars. This must be expected and visible with translucent glass. When water does penetrate, there will not be damage with proper construction. Water will eventually wick out and be gone again. For the most part, with proper draining, such circumstances are minimized and even invisible, behind opaque materials; however, this is not the case with translucent glass tiles, which should not be used where water is sufficiently present to create visible wetting behind tiles. TRANSLUCENT GLASS TILE CAUTION: Translucent glass tile is a stunning tile feature creating depth, texture, and shadows unique only to this medium. Translucent glass is see through, making visible what is behind the glass. Once installed, any changes that take place behind the glass will be “clearly" visible. For this reason, when installing translucent glass tile in intermittent or submerged wet applications, choose a bonding material to provide a bright white (or your choice of color), long lasting, UV stable (when applicable), color controlled environment behind the glass. Setting material technologies are changing at a rapid pace. Consult your setting materials manufacturer for their recommendation using translucent glass tile in an intermittent or submerged wet environment. NOTE: Cement based mortars are porous and like all concrete are susceptible to color change from moisture, drying, dirt, grime, mildew, mold growth, and more.

CUTTING GLASS TILES - Mosaic glass tiles are best cut with specialty tile-cutters, scoring right through the paper-face and easily snapping the tiles. Units of very smaller mosaic can be cut with conventional hand tools, incorporating scoring wheels or nippers. Cutting is also done by using a wet saw with dry blades to avoid paper separation. Use a high quality wet saw with a diamond “cut-off” or carbide blade. To prevent rough edges, glass tiles must be cut in an extremely slow manner.

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Turn the tile upside down and cut half way through and flip tile over and continue to cut through tile will minimize the chipping. Sharp cut edges should be sanded smooth after cutting, using a polishing-stone, or fine carbide grit sandpaper.

SLIP-RESISTANCE - When considering floor placement of glass tiles, conditions of slip-resistance requirements should be addressed. If glossy glass is placed into floors, when exposed to wet area conditions glass will be slippery. When a hazardous location is considered, these decorative elements should be mixed with other units providing greater slip- resistance or placed at perimeters, away from primary foot traffic. LBT glass is still a good or even best choice. It would be most practical, from the material you are considering, that a silk finish be used on the floor surface and natural finish for walls, as the silk finish is not unlike a porcelain tile option.

DRILLING HOLES - Drilling holes through glass tile can be accomplished with a diamond core bit using a drill with low speed (250 to 300rpm). Misting the tile and drill bit with a spray bottle of water during drilling is imperative to prevent glass from cracking. On horizontal surfaces, a circular dam made from putty can be shaped to hold water as a reservoir around the drill bit and hole being cut. If tiles have not been installed, drilling from both sides will minimize chipping and cracking. Additionally, if partitions or fixtures are to be attached with anchoring bolts, drill holes 1/8” larger to avoid stress transfer to the tile.

SAFETY - The installer shall take precautions to protect the finished work from damage by other activities. Do not allow construction traffic on fresh tile or grout joints. Cold Weather - The curing of tile installation mortars, adhesives and grouts is retarded by low temperatures and finished work and setting materials should all be protected from freezing.

Personal safety requires using protective eye wear, dust mask, and gloves, when required. Wear appropriate gloves and mask when working with dry and liquid chemical installation products. Take a careful and methodical pace and avoid fatigue, to reduce any potential hazards while cutting, drilling and installing glass tiles. Follow setting material supplier guidelines on buckets, pails and bags.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE - Normal cleaning of glass mosaic tile can be done with room temperature water and light duty, diluted close to neutral pH detergent cleaner. Glass tiles can be routinely cleaned with any non-abrasive cleaning solutions that are commonly recommended for both glass and tile – SC Johnson “Windex®” or ‘Fantastik®’ (Clean & Shine) for examples are both glass and light-duty hard surface cleaners. The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) offers detailed grout cleaning information on their website, under “Technical Services” URL: www.tileusa.com/faq_main.htm

View at our Website: www.lunadabaytile.com

Additionally, we have supplemented these recommendations with installation specifications provided by some leading North American setting material producers.

- Benefits of Lunada Glass (The handmade Lunada Bay Glass will have certain inherent characteristics.) - Master Specification (Master Industry Reference / Installation) - Grouting (Standard recommended grouting procedures) - Maintenance (Standard recommended care and maintenance) - F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

DISCLAIMER

LUNADA BAY TILE (LBT), INCLUSIVE OF LUNADA BAY TILE AND MALAGA COVE TILE PRODUCT BRANDS

LBT provides product information and information concerning installation procedures and maintenance practices to assist each of it’s customers in making selection, usage, installation and maintenance decisions. Customer’s selection and usage of LBT products and the installation procedure and maintenance practice employed by each customer are outside the direction and control of LBT and are strictly and completely the choice and responsibility of each customer and their installer. LBT does not warrantee any product for any specific use, nor any installation procedure or maintenance practice, and expressly disclaims all asserted claims after installation of LBT products. 3555 Lomita Blvd., Units H&J / Torrance, CA 90505 / Tel. (310)257-1300 / Fax (310)530-0610