“The Roman Pool at Hearst castle is a tiled indoor pool decorated with beautiful mosaic tiles. The pool has an ancient Roman feel with statues and Italian tile throughout. The mosaic tiled patterns were inspired by mosaics found in the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. This magnificent pool is decorated from ceiling to floor with 1" square mosaic tiles. These glass tiles, called smalti, are either colored (mainly blue or orange) or are clear with fused gold inside. The intense colors and shimmering gold of the tiles combine to create a breathtaking effect”
How do I get the surface prepared?
You want to make sure that the surface to be tiled is dry, clean, treated for moisture and dimensionally stable.
We recommend that you install tile only on a level cement or cementitious backer unit (CBU). All joints on CBU must be caulked and an alkaline resistant fiberglass mesh tape to avoid cracking.
A water proof or crack suppressant membrane is also recommended to prevent shrinkage or movement of the substrate. In all circumstances install only over well-cured, stable substrates. If a crack suppression membrane is not used neither the manufacturer nor the dealer will accept any responsibility should any cracking occur. Allow for expansion joints whenever substrates change.
Please make sure that all cementitious substrates or slabs have cured no less than 28 days before installation.
You should not use crystal glass tiles on countertops, floors or work areas as these areas are prone to heavy use and will scratch the glossy finish.
Wet Areas
If you are installing the tile in a wet location like a shower you must use a waterproof membrane.
Allow a minimum of 28 days curing time after grouting before applying water in submerged areas like swimming pools or fountains.
Follow setting material manufacturer’s installation directions as some setting materials are not suitable for wet or submerged applications.
Do not use paper faced gypsum of any kind as a substrate in wet locations.
Expansion Joints:
This is a very important step.
Please make sure that you install expansion joints made of silicone or prefabricated with metal trims a minimum of every 20 feet for indoor and every 8 feet for exterior application.
We recommend a siliconized caulk joint at all wall and floor joints. Most manufacturers of grout sell caulk that matched the color and shade of the grout.