I am installing a glass and granite mosaic tile for a kitchen back splash. Should I use white modified thinset or Mapei Type 1 Mastic?

Which side of the cabinets should I start at?

What is the best way to keep the top sheets evenly spaced from the bottom sheets? Should Schulter edging be used on the outer starting edge and around the cabinets above the sink? Has anyone used the edging between the mosaic and the granite counter tops?


Thank You
Scott

1. White modified thinset.

2. Your layout depends on many factors. It's not really possible to answer that question without seeing a diagram or pictures of your kitchen.

3. You can use most anything for spacers. Pieces of cardboard, toothpicks, anything will work. I would use a trim piece if the finished edge of the tile was not acceptable, but only where it would show, such as where the cabinets end. There's no reason to put trim where the trim meets the counter or the upper cabinets. Those areas will be caulked with a color-matched grout caulk.

I have had good results installing glass/stone mosaics using mapei ultralite mortar. It's a white non sag modified thinset. Mix it quite stiff ( like peanut butter) I spread it with a 1/4 inch notched trowel and then with the smooth edge of the trowel flatten out the notches so that the area to be tiled is covered with a thin smooth coat of mortar. then the sheets are easy to apply.

you will need a wet saw to trim the interlocking edges of the sheets, but most mosaics are not put together with water proof glues. So dry the back of the tiles immediately after cutting.

I agree with pistol pete, a mapei or prolite white thinset. We use a heat gun after cutting of mosaics and lay flat on cardboard or whatever, don't forget to stagger your sheets !

Would Custom Building Products MegaLite® white work for this project as I was unable to find any Mapei products.

Yes it will work, that is a very nice thinset. I have used it to tile swimming pools and hot tubs with good results.

Where should I start tiling the backsplash?
I am going to use a trim on the edge where the countertop and upper cabinets end. I was going to remove the light valance prior to tiling then cut it to fit after the tile has been installed.Should there be a small space between the first row of mosaic and the counter top?
Should I use trim around the upper cabinets above the sink or leave it and grout that space? I will attach photos to projects you are having trouble with.

Thank You
Scott J

Start on the left side of the countertop about 1/8" in from the end of the countertop. Leave a 1/16" space between the countertop and first row (sheet).Remove the light valances and tile up to the underside of the upper cabinets (no trims anywhere)leaving 1/16 to 1/8 of a gap. The edges going up to gables above the sink should have the same gap but no more than an 1/8". This may not be possible with tile tile you have, being that it's a multi pc mosaic. Virtually impossible to slice narrow strips from the sheets. I would tile up as high as you can with the sheets and leave the top edge as a full strip. This space may be more than 1/8" so a sanded grout may be necessary.
This is one of the problems with these designer style mosaics. Not exactly a piece of cake to install.

Instead of using any kind of trim on the end of the backsplash I remove individual pcs to allow me to make a straight edge by cutting the pcs and flip them around so that all ends exposed are the factory ends. This is more important for the glass pcs.

All gaps between the countertop and cabinets are filled with color matched caulk.

I'm totally agree with you man.I personally use this,good results.This is a very nice thinset.