Cracked Ocenaside Glass Tile Mosaics - Poor Installation

Sometimes recycled content is not to blame for the cracking of glass tile mosaics.  

Sometimes it is an installation that fails to follow the installation procedures set forth by the manufacturer, TCNA and ANSI.

 (click on the image to enlarge it)

A crack in Oceanside glass tile mosaics due to installation errors.

 

This installation on the exterior of a round spa cracked due to the lack of movement joints (expansion joints).  As the glass tile heats up in the sun, they expand.  The rectangular shape of these tiles will cause them to expand more in the longitudinal direction.  This creates a lot of stress.

Glass does not handle stress well.  It cracks.

Had the installer provided vertical joints at regular intervals, and isolation joints at the top and bottom (where the tile abuts the coping and deck), this installation probably would have had only a few cracks limited to individual tiles.

Paolo Benedetti, SWD 
Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness, International Construction Management Contact the author at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 "Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa© ©www.aquatictechnology.com 
All rights reserved.

Glass Tile Mosaic Swimming Pool Expert Wtness

Choosing a glass tile mosaic installation system.

Rule #1

Do it right or don't do it at all.

Beautiful, but Unforgiving

Glass tile mosaics in a swimming pool are the most beautiful glistening finish available.  However, they are also the most unforgiving.  An installer might have been able to get away with cutting corners with ceramic tile. But if they try to cheat with glass tiles they will surely experience installation failures.

Lack of Instructions

Many foreign manufacturers are trying to capture a portion of the US market.  However, they also fail to realize that we have published industry standards that specify how installations are to be performed.

When the instructions accompanying glass tiles lack specific product recommendations, then look to the manufacturers' of setting materials.  Many have developed complete systems for the installation of glass tile mosaics.

Choosing a System

Most high quality setting systems come with an installation warranty that covers labor and materials.  They will not cover inferior glass tiles.  

If you install cheap glass tile mosaics from a warehouse store, do not expect a warranty from the tile manufacturer.

Remember - you get what you pay for!

Paolo Benedetti, SWD Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness, International Construction Management 
Contact the author at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 "Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa© ©www.aquatictechnology.com 
All rights reserved.