SECTION 093023

GLASS TILING

This guide specification has been prepared by Vitrium Corporation to assist design professionals in the preparation of a specification section covering glass tiling for walls, countertops, shower, pools, and water feature applications, interior or exterior locations, for residential and commercial uses. Refer to Vitrium Corporation literature for additional information on these products.

This specification section includes setting and grouting products manufactured by Bostik Findley, Laticrete, Mapei, and TEC, which are recommended by Vitrium Corporation. Refer to these manufacturer’s literature for additional information on their products.

This specification may be used as the basis for developing either a project specification or an office master specification. Since it has been prepared according to the principles established in the Manual of Practice published by The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), it may be used in conjunction with most commercially available master specifications systems with minor editing.

The following should be noted in using this guide specification:

Notes are included to assist the user in editing the section to suit project requirements. These notes are included as hidden text, and can be revealed or hidden by one of the following methods:

Microsoft Word: From the pull-down menus select TOOLS, then OPTIONS. Under the tab labeled VIEW, select or deselect the HIDDEN TEXT option.

Corel WordPerfect: From the pull-down menus select VIEW, then select or deselect the HIDDEN TEXT option.

Optional text requiring a selection by the user is enclosed within brackets, e.g.: "Section [090000.] [_____.]”

Items requiring user input are enclosed within brackets, e.g.: “Section [_____ - ______].”

Optional paragraphs are separated by an “OR” statement, e.g.:

**** OR ****

"Green" requirements are included for projects requiring LEED certification, and are included as green text. For additional information on LEEDS, visit the U.S. Green Building Council website at

This guide specification is available in a variety of electronic formats to suit most popular word processing programs. Please contact Vitrium Corporation toll-free at 877-848-7486, by e-mail at , or visit our website at

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1SUMMARY

Edit the following paragraphs to include only those items specified in this section.

  1. Section Includes:
  2. Glass tile [wall] [countertop] [shower] [pool] [water feature] [____] finishes.
  3. Setting and grouting materials.

Edit the following paragraphs to suit project requirements and to coordinate with other sections in the project manual.

  1. Related Sections:
  2. Division 1: Administrative, procedural, and temporary work requirements.
  3. Section [033000 - Cast-In-Place Concrete:] [_____ - ______:] Concrete substrate.
  4. Section [042000 - Unit Masonry:] [_____ - ______:] Masonry substrate.
  5. Section [061100 - Wood Framing:] [_____ - ______:] Wood substrate.
  6. Section [079200 - Joint Sealers.] [_____ - ______.]
  7. Section [092813 - Cementitious Backer Board:] [_____ - ______:] Cementitious backer board substrate.
  8. Section [092900 - Gypsum Board:] [_____ - ______:] Gypsum board substrate.
  9. Section [_____ - ______:] [____] substrate.
  10. Section [102813 - Toilet Accessories:] [_____ - ______:] Toilet, bath, and shower accessories.
  11. Section [224000- Plumbing Fixtures:] [_____ - ______:] Plumbing fixtures and trim.

The following provides a method of specifying products by allowance; edit to suit project requirements. Ensure that Section 01210 - Allowances or other similarly titled section is included in the project manual. Consult Vitrium Corporation or local tile distributor to determine amount of allowance.

  1. Allowances:
  2. Include a unit cost allowance of $[____] per square foot for tile.
  3. Installation is [included in amount of allowance.] [not included in amount of allowance, and is to be included in Contract Sum.]

1.2REFERENCES

Include only those reference standards that are included within the text of this section. If statements are included in Division 1 addressing the edition dates of standards, delete edition dates from the following statements.

  1. American National Standards Institute (ANSI): (
  2. A108/A118/A136.1-1999 - American National Standard for Installation of Ceramic Tile.
  3. A137.1-1988 - Specifications for Ceramic Tile.
  1. ASTM International (ASTM) ( D4263-83(1999) - Standard Test Method for Indicating Moisture in Concrete by the Plastic Sheet Method.
  1. Tile Council of America (TCA) ( Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation - 2005.

1.3SUBMITTALS

Limiting submittals to only those actually required helps to minimize liability arising from the review of submittals. Minimize submittals on smaller, less complex products.

Include the following for submission of shop drawings, product data, and samples for the Architect's review.

  1. Submittals for Review:
  2. Product Data: Manufacturer's installation, cleaning, and maintenance instructions.
  3. Samples:
  4. Tile: Full size tile samples in each color.
  5. Grout: [1/2 x 1/2 x 3] [__ x __ x __] inch long samples [showing available colors.] [in each color.]

Include the following for submission of sustainable design submittals.

  1. Sustainable Design Submittals:
  2. Regionally Manufactured Materials: Certify location of material manufacturer and distance from point of manufacture to project site.
  3. Regionally Harvested Materials: Certify location of material extraction and distance from point of extraction to project site.
  4. Low-Emitting Materials: Indicate volatile organic compound (VOC) limits for adhesive and sealants used.

Include the following for submission of quality control submittals. These submittals are intended for the Owner's record purposes and are not intended to be reviewed by the Architect.

  1. Quality Control Submittals:
  2. Test Reports: Certified test reports issued by a nationally recognized testing laboratory showing product compliance with specified performance characteristics and physical requirements.
  3. Certificate of Compliance: Manufacturer’s certification that products furnished meet specified performance characteristics and physical requirements.

1.4QUALITY ASSURANCE

The following paragraph specifies a minimum level of experience required of the parties performing the work of this section. Retain if required, and edit to suit project requirements.

  1. Manufacturer Qualifications:
  2. Company specializing in manufacture of glass tiles with minimum three years [documented] experience.
  3. Single source with capabilities to produce products of consistent appearance and physical properties.
  1. Installer Qualifications: Company specializing in installation of glass and ceramic tiles with minimum [three] [__] years [documented] experience.
  1. Tile and Trim Units: Meet ANSI A137.1, Standard Grade.

Include the following for full size mockups for review of construction, coordination of work of several sections, testing, or observation of operation.

  1. Mockup:
  2. Size: [4 x 8] [__ x __] feet.
  3. Show: Setting materials and methods, tile colors and patterns, joint profile, and control joint.
  4. Locate [where directed.] [____.]
  5. Approved mockup may [not] remain as part of the Work.

1.5DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

  1. Deliver setting and grouting material containers bearing hallmark certifying compliance with reference standards.
  1. Protect containers from freezing and overheating according to manufacturer's instructions.

1.6PROJECT CONDITIONS

In the following paragraph, select 60 to 90 degrees F for epoxy mortars and grouts and 50 to 100 degrees F for all other types.

  1. Maintain ambient temperature range in areas to receive tile of [50 to 100] [60 to 90] degrees F during installation and for minimum seven days after completion.
  1. Substrate: Free from ice and snow.
  1. Protect portland cement based mortars and grouts from direct sunlight, radiant heat, forced ventilation, and drafts until cured.

1.7WARRANTIES

The following provides a warranty for setting and grouting materials. The length and coverage of warranties varies by manufacturer; verify with each manufacturer prior to specifying.

  1. Provide manufacturer’s [__] year [labor] [and] [materials] warranty providing coverage against deterioration and failure of setting and grouting materials and other installation materials.

1.8MAINTENANCE

Include the following for extra materials for the Owner's use in performing maintenance after completion.

  1. Extra Materials: [[__] percent] [[__] square feet] of each tile.

PART 2- PRODUCTS

2.1MANUFACTURERS

  1. Acceptable Manufacturer - Tile: Vitrium Corporation. (
  1. Acceptable Manufacturers - Setting and Grouting Materials:
  2. Bostik Findley. (
  3. Laticrete International, Inc. (
  4. Mapei Corp. USA. (
  5. TEC. (

Edit the following to indicate whether or not substitutions will be permitted for the products in this section.

  1. Substitutions: [Under provisions of Division 1.] [Not permitted.]

2.2TILE MATERIALS

Include the following if a tile selection has been made; edit to indicate specific tile attributes.

  1. Glass Tile:
  2. Product line: [New Hope.] [Oceana.] [Kente.] [Reed.]

Standard sizes include 1 x 8, 2 x 2, 3 x 6, 4 x 4, and 6 x 6 inches. Custom sizes include 8 x 8 and 12 x 12 inches.

  1. Size: Nominally [1 x 8] [2 x 2] [3 x 6] [4 x 4] [6 x 6] [8 x 8] [12 x 12] inches x 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Color: [____.] [To be selected from manufacturer's full color range.]
  3. Finish: Rounded edge, gloss finish.

**** OR ****

Include the following if a tile selection is to be made at a later date; coordinate with Paragraph 1.1-C above.

  1. Glass Tile: To be selected under an allowance.

2.3SETTING MATERIALS

Select and edit the following paragraphs based on installation methods desired. Refer to the TCA Handbook for assistance in editing this section.

Include the following for interior dry areas only.

  1. Thin-Set Mortar: Latex-portland cement type; ANSI A118.4.
  2. [Hydroment Reflex Ultra Premium Latex-Modified Thin-Set Mortar] [Hydroment Tile-Mate Thin Set mixed with Hydroment 447 Flex-A-Lastic Admixture] by Bostik Findley.
  3. [Laticrete 317 Floor N’ Wall Thin Set Mortar mixed with Laticrete 333 Super Flexible Additive] [Laticrete 254 Platinum Multipurpose Thin Set Mortar] by Laticrete.
  4. Granirapid Ker 129 or Ker 130 Dry Set Mortar mixed with Ker 138 Liquid Flexible Latex Additive by Mapei.
  5. TEC Full Set Plus Premium Thin Set Mortar mixed with XtraFlex Mortar Additive by TEC.

**** OR ****

Include the following for wet, exterior, and submerged locations.

  1. Thin-Set Mortar:
  2. Epoxy adhesive type: ANSI A118.3.
  3. Hydroment Color-Poxy by Bostik Findley.
  4. Latapoxy 300 Epoxy Adhesive by Laticrete International, Inc.
  5. 400 Series Kerapoxy by Mapei Corp. USA.
  6. TEC TA-470 Epoxy Adhesive by TEC.
  7. Maximum volatile organic compound (VOC) content: [65] [__] grams per liter.

2.4GROUTING MATERIALS

  1. Epoxy Grout: ANSI A118.3.
  2. Hydroment Color-Poxy by Bostik Findley.
  3. [Spectralock Grout] [Spectralock Pro] by Laticrete.
  4. 400 Series Kerapoxy by Mapei Corp. USA.
  5. TEC TA-470 Epoxy Grout by TEC.
  6. Color: [____.] [To be selected from manufacturer's full color range.]

2.5INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES

Include the following for a waterproof membrane.

  1. Waterproof Membrane:
  2. Type: Single component, cold liquid applied, load bearing, with fabric reinforcing, compatible with setting and grouting materials.
  3. Source: Laticrete 9235 Waterproofing Membrane by Laticrete International, Inc. [or approved substitute].
  1. Joint Sealers: Silicone or epoxy type; specified in Section [079200.] [_____.]

2.6MIXES

  1. Latex-Portland Cement Mortar: Mix mortar with 100 percent acrylic admixture; do not use water.

PART 3- EXECUTION

3.1PREPARATION

  1. Clean surfaces to remove loose and foreign matter that could impair adhesion.
  1. Remove ridges and projections. Fill voids and depressions with patching compound compatible with setting materials.
  1. Allowable Substrate Tolerances:
  2. Maximum variation in substrate surface: 1/8 inch in 8 feet.
  3. Maximum height of abrupt irregularities: 1/16 inch.
  1. Test concrete substrates to ASTM D4263; do not install tile until surfaces are dry.

3.2INSTALLATION

Include the following two paragraphs for a waterproof membrane.

  1. Install waterproof membrane in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
  1. Allow waterproof membrane to cure minimum seven days before installing tile.

In the following paragraph, use latex-portland cement mortar for dry areas only; use epoxy adhesive for wet, exterior, and submerged locations.

  1. Install tile in accordance with ANSI [A108.5, thin-set with latex-portland cement mortar.] [A108.6, thin-set with epoxy adhesive.]
  1. Butter back of tiles with additional mortar when required to make up for variations in tile thickness.
  1. Minimize pieces less than one half size. Locate cuts to be inconspicuous.
  1. Lay tile to pattern [shown on Drawings.] [furnished by Architect.] Do not interrupt tile pattern through openings.
  1. Joint Width: 1/8 inch, plus or minus 1/16 inch.
  1. Make joints watertight, without voids, cracks, excess mortar, or excess grout.
  1. Fit tile around projections and at perimeter. Use factory cut and polished edges at exposed tile edges. Ensure that trim will completely cover cut edges.
  1. Allow tile to set for a minimum of [48] [__] hours before grouting.
  1. Grout tile joints in accordance with ANSI A108.10 without excess grout. Completely cover tile edges with grout.
  1. Control Joints:
  2. Provide control joints at:
  3. Changes in backup material.
  4. Changes in plane.
  5. Over joints in substrate.
  6. Maximum [36] [__] feet on center at interior locations and maximum [16] [__] feet on center at exterior locations.
  7. Form joints per TCA Method EJ-171.
  8. Install joint backing and joint sealer as specified in Section [079200.] [_____.]

3.3ADJUSTING

  1. Remove and replace pieces that have been damaged during installation.

3.4PROTECTION

  1. Provide protection for completed work using nonstaining sheet coverings.

END OF SECTION

Vitrium Corporation093023-1Glass Tiling

11/08/05