Installing glass tile backsplash

To install your backsplash, you will need to have the right tools and materials including thin-set, polyurethane, un-sanded grout, and speed square. Start by planning your tile layout, taking the measurements depending with the desired size of the backsplash. Once you do this, mix the thin set mortar, and apply according to the directions given by the manufacturers. Make sure that mixture is as thick as creamy peanut butter. Apply thin-set on the marked wall space using a trowel and maintain the right depth. Start putting the glass tiles on the thin-set, covering 2-square-foot area at-a-time. Make sure that you have a wet sponge to clean the tiles as you go on.

During the installation, make sure that you have the necessary list of friendly adhesives and sealants to avoid any backfiring of the project. Always make sure that you tiles are level as you apply them to the thin-set, keeping the desired space between then as you continue. Ensure that the excess mortar is cleaned before drying up. Apply the grout consistently according to the manufacturer’s recommendations making sure that you do not apply pressure. Allow the drying process to complete and then wipe your tiles with a wet sponge. While doing this, make sure that you do not indent the grout lines. Once the grout is dry, clean the haze off with a wipe with a soft sponge

text from https://backsplash.com/glass-tile-backsplash-ideas-for-your-remodeling-project/

How to care for glass tile backsplash

Surprisingly, glass tiles are very popular for kitchen and bathroom backsplash designs due to their versatility, durability, and easy maintenance. Glass does not disfigure or scratch easily contrary to common perceptions and therefore is a very suitable material for the regularly utilized spaces. This however does not mean you should use highly abrasive materials or exert severe pressure, as this will damage even the toughest of materials. Taking proper care of the tiles is therefore important, as this will help ensure that they last for long and in a perfect condition.

The tiles do not require much special attention and materials to clean and you can easily achieve a sparkling look by using a simple soft cloth, water and some soap. It is important to avoid abrasive fabrics and cleaners and instead employ the use of sponges and other ordinary multi-use kitchen cleaners. This helps in retaining your tiles in their natural color while at the same time preventing scratches, which might mess up with your mosaic. Keeping the tiles shining is fortunately easy and you can do it by following the guidelines given below:

  • Mix some water and soap in a spray bottle. You can also mix water and vinegar if you like as this is good in killing bacteria that could easily grow in damp places like on the backsplash and also allow vinegar to break soap scum and hard water buildups.
  • Saturate the backsplash with the mixture by spraying it evenly. Once this is done, use a soft bristle brush or sponge to clean the grout.
  • Splash clean water on the glass tiles backsplash to rinse them well and then wipe with a dry and clean soft piece of cloth. This will help avoid any streaks or water spots.

It is that simple to clean and maintain and does not give you headache and this is what has made glass tiles a favorite for many people in backsplash installation. With these few steps, you enjoy a truly appealing focal point in your room as you also enhance the functionality of your kitchen. Always remember, choosing the right kind of glass tiles will guarantee you a highly appealing kitchen backsplash and a harmonious blend with other choice installations.

text from https://backsplash.com/glass-tile-backsplash-ideas-for-your-remodeling-project/

Choosing the Best Backsplash for Your Kitchen

A backsplash adds personality to a kitchen. Here are tips on choosing the right tile.

When it comes to designing a kitchen, a backsplash is one area where you can have some design fun. While the cabinets tend to be a practical choice and the countertops a question of utility, a backsplash finishes off a kitchen’s look.

“A backsplash is the black dress,” says Shannon Kadwell, an interior designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John. “It should be something you notice when you walk in the room, but it should be able to fit every occasion–and your personality.”

Here’s what you might think about before adding wow to your walls.

Practical Considerations

With lots of tiles and backsplash options, consider which material will fit your needs.

“Is it most important to you that it’s easy to clean?” Stephanie Pritchard, a kitchen designer at Middleburg Design Company, asks. “Or is the aesthetic of the tile most important?”

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are impervious to stains, so you don’t have to worry about a pot of spaghetti sauce boiling over. Glass tiles also are a safe choice because upkeep is easy–a quick wipe with a sponge and these tiles should look new.

Natural-stone backsplashes, while beautiful, are riskier. Many are porous. They chip. And they’re hard to clean. Honed natural stones such as limestone, slate, or marble can spot with grease, says Jennifer Gilmer of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Natural-stone backsplashes should be resealed at least once a year.

If you’re a passionate home cook, steer clear of tiles with a lot of texture, such as stacked or rough tiles. Grease can find nooks and crannies, and it could take hours to clean. “You’re not going to want to choose anything that requires a scrub brush,” says Pritchard.

What’s in Style?

Subway tiles–replicas of the classic rectangular white ceramic tiles used in the New York City subway–are still popular.

But rather than a backsplash with standard two-by-six-inch white tile, Gilmer suggests glass subway tile arranged in a classic fashion or an installation using small ceramic subway tiles or large natural stone ones.

Homeowners with more contemporary taste might position the tiles vertically rather than horizontally or run smaller vertical subway tiles above the cooktop and cover the rest of the kitchen walls in horizontal classic-size tile.

Stacked tiles, a three-dimensional installation that positions tiles of different depths throughout the backsplash, are becoming more popular despite how hard they can be to clean. “It looks like stacked stone,” says Pritchard. “Homeowners tend to like the organic look.”

Several designers report that clients are increasingly drawn to glass backsplashes, particularly painted glass. A large piece of glass is sized to your kitchen backsplash, holes are cut out for electrical switches and outlets, and the back of the glass is painted any color you choose. “They are seamless,” says Gilmer. “It tends to work well in contemporary kitchens, where a clean and uninterrupted look is best.”

Backsplashes are also getting bigger. Rather than just tiling from the counter to the cabinet, many homeowners are choosing to go all the way up to the ceiling, which can make cabinetry look as if it’s hanging on a tiled or existing stone wall. “It gives the room more height and space,” says Kadwell.

Best Tile for My Kitchen?

If your kitchen is small, you might consider a magnetic backsplash, such as corrugated sheet metal or metal tiles. “People want to use every bit of their space,” says Pritchard. “So they hang their knives from their backsplash. One client got magnetic canisters to hold spices.”

Mirrored backsplashes, which are gaining in popularity and lend a kitchen a bit of glamour, reflect light around a dark kitchen and make the space feel bigger. “It’s actually very easy to clean,” says Pritchard. “You just use pure vinegar.”

Any tile made from glass tends to feel lighter and brighter, says Kadwell, and can help reflect light around a dark room.

Homeowners with a big kitchen might consider a more basic tile–a colorful mosaic style could feel busy in a large kitchen. Simple tilework also works best in a kitchen with a lot of windows, where complicated tiles can seem disjointed.

While hundreds of colorful tiles are readily available, many designers shy away from too much color in the backsplash. When clients are drawn to bold colors such as yellow, red, or orange, Leslie Roosevelt, a designer with Gilday Renovations in Silver Spring, nudges them gently.

“Stick to boldness in the paint color,” she tells them. “Go with a more monochromatic or architectural backsplash that will allow your personal taste to change.”

How Much Will it Cost?

A backsplash is as expensive as you make it. Tiles can run from as low as $2 a square foot for a basic ceramic tile to $100 a square foot for natural stone or hand-glazed.

One way to save money is to mix different types. Maybe you’re doing most of your kitchen in an affordable, simple tile–consider investing in several glazed tiles to insert in a random or intentional pattern through the backsplash. Some homeowners splurge on the tile over the cooktop, because it’s often a focal point, and spend less on the rest of the walls.

When figuring out how much to allot for your backsplash, think about this: A skillful designer can make less expensive materials look like the highest quality. “It’s not necessarily about the materials used,” Gilmer says. “It’s how they are used.”

This article appears in the October 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.