Glass Tiles For Outdoor Fountain

        

Finished Fountain                        Original Fountain

 
Fountain with waterproofing                      Firing glass tiles in Kiln

Fountain with protective coating             Racetrack Dichroic tiles on mesh

Closeup of racetrack glass tiles         Race track Glass tiles installed & grouted

Installing Tiles                                                        Tiles partially finished

A number of years ago we began experimenting with fusing dichroic glass here in the studio. Initially it was for an outdoor kitchen counter. The result was very successful. This project came up and I spent many hours contemplating the best way to design, manufacture, and install the tiles. Fortunately I had the advise of two of the best fused glass artists in the country Karen Ehart, and Jane Tivo.

     After deciding on the design, I bought the dichroic glass. It is very interesting working with this beautiful glass. The glass is made in a special chamber that plates the colored and sometimes textured glass with titanium in a heated pressure chamber.

  The next step is to cut the glass in he desired size and shape and also cut a piece of clear glass that sits on top of the dichroic glass. It is very important that both glasses have the same Coefficient of Expansion. Otherwise they will not fuse properly and will crack either right away or at some future time.

   After the pieces are cut they are set in a kiln and fired at 1485 degrees F. The change in look, and

color of the glass is sometimes startling. With the clear glass on top there is now a depth to the glass as if it is under water.

  Once the tiles were made we could start on the fountain. First we had to clean up the old waterproofing material and lay in a bed of new adhesive and waterproofing. There are wonderful new products on the market for this purpose. With the fountain waterproofed we began setting the tiles.  In conjunction with the glass tiles we used a stone like porcelain tile. The tiles were set in white thin set, and then grouted with a neutral grout. Everyone was happy with the end result. Not only is it beautiful, not over done(which was a worry), but it doesn't leak.

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