These instructions are meant to be a general guide to most installations, under normal conditions. Please read and understand this information before installation. If you have no specific experience with the installation of glass products, or if you have any doubt about the installation, the use and/or care of glass tile products, obtain professional installation and advice.

"APEX" Glass products are made of clear transparent glass. Mosaics are mesh-mounted. Their back is coated with the desired colors, plus a matte, white protective coating that is visible on the back. These coatings are fired onto the glass, at 850° C, contrary to some other glass products with cold-sprayed or cold-painted coatings that may be damaged by certain installation materials, e.g. solvents - or they may degrade over time.

APPLICATIONS

"APEX" glass products can be used for interior and exterior wall applications, in wet or dry locations. Mesh-mounted "APEX" mosaics should not be used for pools, underwater or continuously wet areas, such as water-fountains. (Special versions for underwater installations - they are face mounted with a transparent film - are available as special order. All underwater installations require different installation procedures and setting materials. Specific information is available from ISG upon request.)

Cement backer units and/or concrete masonry block are acceptable substrates. Gypsum wallboard can be used for interior walls only.

Attention: Special planning is needed - and use of glass (not only ours, but any glass) may not be recommended, when a glass surface can be subject to wide temperature changes in short time frames. Example: outside walls, on hot summer days, when a cold rain shower hits. The thin glass mosaic will cool down up immediately and shrink more quickly than the thick concrete backing. Result: the glass mosaic may either crack or detach.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Verify products BEFORE installation for any visible defect and/or other aspects that may be questionable, such as, but not limited to: shade variations, chipped edges, scratched surfaces, correspondence between ordered and supplied products, etc. Installation of products claimed to be defective or not corresponding to customer's expectations constitutes acceptance of the product "as is" and no claims will be accepted after installation.

Never use products from different lots.

It is strongly recommended that you not use the following setting materials:
- Organic Adhesive (mastic) may become yellow and their bonding strength is generally weaker.
- Epoxy is not flexible enough, it may degrade and change color in sunlight
- Do not use setting materials designed for the installation of ceramic tile.

For setting the tiles/mosaic sheets it is recommended that you use only a consistently white thin-set mortar, modified with polymer or latex, compliant with ANSI 118.4 and recommended for glass tile installation by the setting material manufacturer.

A 3/16" square-notched trowel should be used. All trowel ridges in the thin-set must be smoothed out using the flat edge of the trowel before setting the tile. Each piece should be "back-buttered" with a thin, continuous layer of the mortar. Do not apply more than absolutely necessary! The more setting material you apply, the more it will shrink when it dries and this shrinkage may crack the glass. Install small areas of approx. 5 square feet and install the glass immediately, max. within 10 minutes after spreading the mortar, otherwise the bonding capacity of the mortar will be reduced. Any thin set mortar that has pushed up into the joints must be removed, especially if a differently colored grout will be used, otherwise the pushed up white thin set mortar may remain visible through the transparent glass edges along the grout joints. Scraping the joint with a wooden pin (as wide as the grout joint is) will work best and won't scratch the glass.

GROUTING

When selecting the grout color, consider that the glass tiles/mosaic chips are made of transparent glass. The color of grouting materials will be visible and reflecting from the edges of each tile/mosaic chip: this may change the overall color appearance. Make the grout color selection accordingly!

Use only non-sanded grout (otherwise you may scratch the surface and there is no way to remove such scratches), modified with polymer or latex, compliant with ANSI 118.4 and recommended for glass tile installation by the grout material manufacturer. If exterior applications require sanded grout, we recommend the extremely careful ( = feather-light) use of a soft rubber float as to minimize the possibility of scratching the glass surface.

After installation it is recommended the tile be cleaned with grout cleaners that are generally accepted, for example Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean-Up or TEC Banish Grout Haze Remover. Wipe off the heavy grout residue with a clean, white nylon scrub pad or with clean cheesecloth. Finish with a clean grout sponge or damp terry cloth towel. Always use clean cloths, if possible white ones, as some fabric dyes may color the grout joint.

Some grout cleaners may change the grout color: if in doubt, test it first in an inconspicuous area.

DRILLING and CUTTING

Always wear eye protection when cutting, drilling or grinding glass tile! Always wear hand/finger protection!

Cutting: use a glass cutter ( "score and snap" ) with a new diamond wheel, or a wet saw with a new diamond rimmed blade designed to cut glass. Blades designed for cutting ceramic tile are not to be used: they can make a coarse cut and that causes unwanted chips and irregularities along the cutting line. Tip: If you use a glasscutter, wet the wheel with oil before cutting. The cut will become smoother.

To maintain consistent smooth cuts, re-dress the diamond blade with an abrasive dressing stone frequently as to expose a fresh layer of diamonds on the blade rim or, replace the diamond wheel before the cuts become coarse.

Cutting will leave dangerously sharp edges and corners. They must always be smoothed and dulled with a belt sander (using silicone carbide belts) or with a diamond hand pad or with tile blade dressing stones.

Drilling holes: if possible, drill holes before installing the tile and drill from both sides. This will help reducing chips and cracks. A new diamond tipped core bit with a low speed drill (200 to 300 rpm) will give the best results. You obtain the best results, if you spray continuously an oil/water mix on the drill bit and the glass surface that is being drilled.

If you drill holes for anchoring bolts, keep the hole at least 1/8" larger than needed to avoid stress transfer from the anchor and/or bolt to the tile: otherwise this stress may cause often cracks and/or chips.

DRYING TIME

Glass tiles are non absorbing: the humidity in the setting materials cannot migrate into the glass, it must evaporate slowly though the joints, thus, the setting materials need much longer to cure. Allow the thin-set mortar to dry completely, at least 36 to 48 hours, before grouting or otherwise interfering with the fresh installation.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Normally it is sufficient to wipe the glass surface with a damp sponge or cloth. When stronger cleaning is needed, any standard nonabrasive floor, wall or glass cleaner can be applied with a non-abrasive sponges or cloths. Residues from "hard water" can be removed with specific cleaners (such as vinegar based products), however these cleaners may affect colored grouts and a test should be made first in an inconspicuous area.

Glass is fragile. Hitting the glass mosaics with a hard object may lead to damage and to sharp, cutting edges that can lead to injuries. Damaged mosaic chips must be replaced immediately.

Always buy a little more products than actually needed and keep it aside for repairs in the future. It is practically impossible that you will find matching colors/shades a few years down the road - and then the few dollars spent for the additional material set aside will save you lots of dollars otherwise needed for redoing the whole installation or living with a patched looking installation!

LIMITED WARRANTY

ISG, expressly warrants for a period of 90 days from delivery or until installation, whichever occurs first, that APEX GLASS wall tiles, as delivered, will be reasonably free of defects in materials and workmanship, and that when properly handled and stored, will conform, within accepted tolerances, to applicable manufacturing specifications. This limited warranty only applies to APEX GLASS wall tiles, which are stored and handled in the manner recommended by ISG. Due to the variety of applications in which APEX GLASS wall tiles may be used, and because specific installation details, structural design and environmental conditions are beyond the control of the Company, ISG cannot accept responsibility for the performance of these products after they are installed. Except for the express warranties set forth above, ISG makes no other warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Buyer's exclusive remedy for any loss or claim reported to ISG within the warranty period resulting from the use or inability to use this product shall be replacement of the defective APEX GLASS item, or at the option of ISG, return of the product and refund of the purchase price. In the event of a perceived defect, please contact the dealer or distributor for proper claim information. All APEX GLASS wall tiles must be inspected upon receipt, before accepting merchandise, for claims made due to breakage during shipment. IN NO EVENT SHALL ISG BE LIABLE IN EITHER TORT OR CONTRACT FOR ANY SPECIAL INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. ISG MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL CAUSES WHATSOEVER, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE.

This limited warranty gives the purchaser of wall tiles specific legal rights. Other rights may be available which vary from state to state. Any information or suggestion concerning applications, specifications, or compliance with codes and standards is provided solely for your convenient reference and without any representation as to accuracy or suitability; and ISG disclaims any legal responsibility. The user must verify and test the suitability of any information or products for the specific application.