MegaLite Mortar From Custom used to Install North America's Largest Glass Mural

SEAL BEACH, Calif. – June 5, 2006 – When faced with the daunting challenge of installing the largest glass tile mural in North America, world-renowned tile muralist Glenn Harris knew that he needed a seemingly impossible combination of characteristics in the mortar he would choose.  Since he would be installing the massive project – over 4,500 square feet on the exterior of Wing Lung Bank Ltd.’s new California branch – without any assistance, he needed a mortar with extremely high bond strength that could handle glass tile on an exterior wall without slipping or sagging, and be lightweight enough for him to handle alone on the jobsite. 

After researching many options, Glenn selected MegaLite™ Crack Prevention Mortar from Custom^® Building Products.  Custom is the industry leader in tile and stone installation systems, and MegaLite is the flagship of its line of lightweight products.  Formulated with Custom’s proprietary CustomLite™ Technology, MegaLite weighs 40 percent less than standard, cement-based mortars, and a 30-pound bag of MegaLite covers the same area as a 50-pound bag of traditional mortar.      

“I have been installing high-end custom murals for over 25 years, and this project was by far the most ambitious of my career.  I installed the entire project single-handedly, and was faced with two main concerns.  First, I had to find a mortar that would bond glass tile, a non-porous material that is notoriously difficult to bond to, on a vertical surface.  Second, since I was working alone, I needed a mortar that I could carry up five levels of scaffolding myself,” Harris said.  “I was absolutely thrilled with MegaLite.  Its consistency was perfect, and I could never have imagined a product that could perform this well.” Even though the project is located in Southern California, Harris was faced with wide variances in temperature.  Days were warm, often in the 70s.  But they were capped by damp, near-freezing nights during the winter construction schedule.  He needed materials that could withstand these conditions and bond and cure properly.  “MegaLite was a champion in absolutely every respect,” said Harris.  “I asked so much from it, and it exceeded my expectations in every possible way.  I plan to use MegaLite from now on.”

The mural, featuring what Harris describes as a “contemporary naturalist” theme designed by Neil Seth Levine of San Francisco, covers the exterior entryway of Wing Lung Bank’s new, elliptical-shaped building.  It is 35 feet high and covers 4,550 square feet.  Harris completed the mural installation in February 2006, taking less than four weeks to do so.  He estimates the complete project contains over 1 million pieces of glass tile, which were set in large panels in advance and then installed on-site.  The end result is a stunning, colorful, yet serene mural that is the pride of Glenn Harris, Wing Lung Bank, the Los Angeles community and everyone who was associated with its creation.

About MegaLite Crack Prevention Mortar

MegaLite is the first mortar to combine exceptional bond strengths and flexibility in a lightweight formula.  In fact, MegaLite is so flexible that it can withstand horizontal substrate movement up to 1/8-inch without transmitting cracks to the tile or grout.  Its non-slumping formula can be used as a medium bed mortar for large tile or stone floor installations.  Its high tack means MegaLite is an excellent mortar for installing large tile on walls because it will not slip or sag.  Unsurpassed bond strength and minimal shrinkage make it suitable for virtually any commercial or residential installation over every approved substrate and every type of tile or stone, including glass. 

About the Mural

Location:  Wing Lung Bank, Alhambra, Calif.

Size:  4,550 square feet

Mural Design:  Neil Seth Levine, San Francisco

Architecture:  Tsang Architecture, San Francisco
Installer:  Glenn Harris, World Class Pools, Honolulu

Tile Fabricator:  Becoming Tile, Evergreen, Colo.

Glass Tile: Mosaic Tile Supplies, Cold Spring, Texas

Tile Installation Materials: Custom Building Products, Seal Beach, Calif.

About Custom

Custom^® Building Products is widely recognized as a leading manufacturer of tile and stone installation systems for the North American market.  The company’s product brands, including WonderBoard^® cement backerboard, Polyblend^® colored grouts, TileLab^® cleaners and sealers, and SuperiorBilt^® tools are considered the most popular and most trusted by industry professionals.  Custom Building Products continually raises the standards for the tile and stone industry through its commitment to innovation, performance and exceptional customer service.

Custom’s Web site offers comprehensive resources including product and warranty information, installation specifications and technical support.  For more information on the company’s broad family of quality tile and stone installation products, please call (800) 272-8786 or visit www.custombuildingproducts.com.

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