Just look in the latest home remodeling magazines, or walk through that custom model home you've been mining for decorating ideas, you'll see a glass tile backsplash just about everywhere you look. Once you see the translucent beauty and warmth that glass backsplashes bring, you might wonder why you didn't take on this simple project earlier.
With little remodeling experience and the right tools at your disposal, installing a glass tile backsplash can be little more than a three-day weekend project. In fact, the most difficult step may be selecting your backsplash materials.
1. Purchase Glass Tile for Backsplash
Tile backsplashes come in a variety of sizes and patterns, and the color schemes greatly vary. Before you settle on the local big box store brands, be sure to check online or at local tile stores for other ideas.You don't want to go through the trouble of installing your glass tile backsplash only to find something you love even more the next time you look in your favorite remodeling magazine or website. While tile backsplashes can be changed down the road, it's not a project to take on lightly.
Tile-Shopping Suggestions
- Check multiple online as well as real-world sources, and not just the catalogs.
- See real-life examples before you decide, and when possible, check the tile against your countertop and fixtures. You don't want to fall in love with a particular glass tile backsplash and then find it doesn't quite match your countertop.
- Consider your full range of tile sizes. While glass mosaic tiles are a popular choice for backsplashes (Compare Prices on Glass Mosaic), not all glass tiles are mosaics. You can find glass tiles in a range of sizes--pebble, 2" x 2", 4" x 4", and more.
- Don't think that the entire backsplash tile field needs to be glass. One popular version is to install field tile of ordinary ceramic, with a glass tile six-inch off-set band. This is a strip, one or two inches wide, running six inches above and parallel to your kitchen countertop.
Mounted Glass Tile:
Glass tiles are usually pre-mounted on mesh backing that gives the tile a bit more of a consistent look by ensuring they're evenly distributed. Usually for mosaic tile, the tiles are about 3/4" squares, though this size can vary. For the DIY tiler, mounted tile is much easier to install.
Unmounted Glass Tile:
Tiles that are stained glass usually come without the mesh backing. These take a bit more to time to install, so plan accordingly. The good news with stained glass is that you have greater options as to pattern and color, since you will not be buying the glass in sheets and instead going from scratch.
Recycled glass is also available, an increasingly popular choice in the green remodeling circles. Not only do recycled glass tiles have the green "stamp of approval," they have a certain rustic character not found in new tile.
All that said and done, it is difficult to go wrong with a glass tile backsplash, no matter what you wind up choosing. Even the classic clear and blue-hued tiles have a custom feel.
2. Purchase or Borrow the Correct Tools
- V-notched trowel.
- Wet tile saw. You can't cut tile with just any old saw or blade. Be sure to ask your equipment rental center for a glass-cutting blade.
- Water bucket with sponge. Be sure the sponge you have is a proper tile sponge. You need a sponge that's going to be able to withstand the abrasion of the tile and grout, and be big enough to hold comfortably.
- Mixing trowel. Purchase a margin trowel and separate bucket.
- Grout float. This is a rubber-backed, rectangular trowel for spreading the grout.
- Tile spacers.
