Essentially, the glass sheet backsplash is a sheet of glass that can be painted in the color of your choice and then installed on your wall. This approach offers a completely customizable look while being highly functional as it is easy to maintain and clean.
Glass tiles are ideal as a kitchen backsplash because of their non-porous properties and stain-resistance. This also means it won't harbor bacteria and germs!
More expensive: Glass tiles are extremely popular though they are the most expensive mainstream backsplash material available today. Professional installation is a must: Because glass is translucent, the adhesive is visible through the tiles.
Can be tricky to install Although they are incredibly durable once installed, glass tiles are delicate in their raw form. A glass-tile backsplash is not a great candidate for a DIY installation for most homeowners.
Glass backsplashes are highly appreciated for their modern and stylish aesthetic. They're beautiful and that helps them stand out and make the whole space around them look great. Glass backsplashes are also highly versatile. They look amazing in modern and contemporary kitchens but they're also very customizable.
Recommended glass thickness
1/4″ tempered glass is OK, but the extra thickness of 3/8″ glass makes it a better choice. The depth of view between the reflective front surface and the colored back is visually more pleasing than with thinner glass.
Glass is one of the most expensive kitchen backsplash materials out there. The cost of glass is between $7 and $30 per square foot, and the installation cost of a glass backsplash is around $32 per square foot.
As we've proven, glass backsplashes are not falling out of style anytime soon. In fact, they're trendier than ever before, not to mention bigger and better.
Things You'll Need
Glass is a nonporous, easy to care for product that does not stain or absorb water. To keep the rest of the tile installation looking great, the grout lines surrounding the glass tiles should be sealed with an impregnating sealer.
"Once it's installed, it's hard to break," says designer Glen Boudreaux of Dallas-based Glen Boudreaux & Associates. "But glass does scratch. So if you put it on the floor, be aware that over time it could become dull and scratched. Keeping it clean helps, because grit and dirt are what cause scratches."
When it comes to easy cleaning, not all backsplash tiles are created equal. Porcelain, ceramic, metal, and glass tile top the easy-care list because they resist staining, are naturally nonporous, and don't require any special cleansers to do the job.
Most tile installers will tell you there's not much difference between installing ceramic tile and installing glass tile. “Installing glass tile is pretty straightforward,” says Thomas Hubbard, a tile installer in Burlington, Vermont.
Just like any glass surface, they will show every streak, smear, smudge and water spot that isn't painstakingly buffed clean.
With few seams and no grout, they are also very easy to clean and care for. And the glass doesn't wear out. When dirty, simply wipe down with a non-abrasive cleanser and the surface appears as new as when it was first installed — even decades later.
When it comes to tile, Glass can veer on the more expensive side. Our glass tile starts at $30 per square foot, while ceramic tile starts at about $12 per square foot.
Can you paint glass tiles? Why yes…you can! When we first moved into our house we knew that the kitchen needed some updating (you can see what our kitchen really looked like then). Over time, we had painted the oak cabinets white, added a glass backsplash and new counters.
Easy to clean: Glass tiles are resistant to stains, mold, and mildew. They tend to show dirt very easily so you will always know when it's time to clean. They are resistant to chemical damage and they aren't porous, so you don't have to worry about grime sinking into the tile.
Spray a penetrating sealer along the grout line between your glass tiles. Do this only after your grout has cured for three days. Apply sealer to the grout with a sponge if you are working in a larger area or on a flat surface.
Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.
There are many timeless options for a kitchen backsplash such as hexagon tiles, picket tile, penny tile, and square format tile (just to name a few). Timeless Backsplash Tip: Opt for a natural stone like marble or slate for a more traditional and timeless look. For example, marble or slate mosaic tile!
Not only will it never go out of style, but it may also even start new trends or re-introduce old designing styles that are long forgotten. Aside from its classic visual appeal, the glass subway tile will never go out of style due to its durability and practicality.
Peel-and-stick tiles provide a cheap backsplash idea that's easier to install than traditional tile. The self-adhesive backing can be applied directly to the wall with no grout needed. The wide range of patterns lets you recreate the look of a bold tile backsplash without the high cost.
What is toughened glass? Toughened glass – also known as tempered glass – is up to five times stronger than regular glass. This is achieved by heating regular glass at high temperatures (650°C) and then cooling very quickly.