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Your Guide to Glass Tiles

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Glass mosaics have a long history, dating back as far as 2,500 BC. In most cases, artists used broken glass to create intricate designs.

Everything changed in 300 BC when Byzantine artists started using created glass tiles. They made them from an opaque substance called smalti, which people still use today.

Glass tiles can transform a bland wall or room into an artistic expression that oozes sophistication and style.

You can choose bright colors or simply stick with sleek, minimalist designs using white, black, gray, and beige. Read our guide to learn more about glass tiles and why you should use them in your home or office decor.

Why Glass Tiles?

Before we get into all the details, let’s take a moment to consider why glass tiles are so great in the first place.

  1. Glass tile design and style options are almost endless – Most places stock a wide variety of glass tiles. Some even have a metallic finish like a mirror.
  2. You can use them anywhere – Unlike other home decor materials, glass tiles are versatile and work anywhere in your home or office.
  3. Their visual appeal transforms any room – You have an unlimited number of mosaic designs to choose from, each adding a unique flair to any wall.
  4. Maintenance and cleaning are easy – Glass is naturally non-porous, which means it’s durable and easy to maintain. Glass tiles don’t stain. Any marks are easy to wipe off with most cleaning products because chemicals won’t damage them.
  5. Best of all, they are environmentally friendly – These days, creating a green-conscious home is crucial for many people. You can even use recycled glass tiles.
Colorful Glass Tiles Samples

Alternative Places to Use Glass Tiles

Glass tile mosaics catch the light in a way that other tiles can’t. They are popular design choices for places like spas and public pools because they make any area sparkle.

Most people use them in their kitchen backsplash area or bathrooms, but there are many other places you can install glass tiles.

Here are a few creative ways you can use glass tiles in your home or place of work.

Outside

You can use glass tile mosaics to decorate your outside areas. You can decorate fountains and swimming pools. Create beautiful patterns to cover the outer wall and surrounding area of a fire pit.

Of course, never place them inside a fire pit as they will melt.

You can transform house signs, like the number on your wall, into beautiful glass tile mosaics. They also work on outdoor garden furniture like benches or tabletops.

If you’re feeling very creative, you can make an art installation using glass tiles.

Accent Walls and Framing

You can transform an entire room with a stylish and unique glass tile mosaic on accent walls. Have fun with it when you install them.

You can make a single strip along one side of a wall to make it look less monotonous or cover an entire wall with an intricate design. Whatever you like best.

Glass tiles work well for framing, too. Create a unique design that runs along with door frames.

Use glass tiles to decorate mirrors or bland frames in your house.

Frame your fireplace using soft-colored glass tiles like white, gray, or cream.

Blue flooring glass tiles background

Flooring

Glass tile flooring is one of the most durable options you can choose. They aren’t prone to staining, are easy to clean, and can handle high foot traffic.

They are ideal in bathrooms and kitchens but can also add flair to staircases or entertainment areas.

Glass tiles are always slippery when wet, so watch out for that. You can find flooring tiles with a textured finish that reduces the risk of slipping, but you must also use mats to improve safety.

Types of Glass Tile

Glass tiles are made using a variety of materials. Choosing the one that you like best is what matters most.

Here are the most commonly used materials and styles:

  • Sintered – made from glass powder that is compressed into blocks, and heated until fusion happens.
  • Cast – these glass tiles are layered and multicolored. They are made from chunks of glass that get melted and mixed together in a mold.
  • Fused – pieces of glass are cut and fired in a furnace into flat, transparent tiles.
  • Smalti – molten glass is mixed with metal oxides, rolled flat, and then fired in a furnace to make beautiful tiles.
  • Coated – sheet glass is changed using low heat. It becomes transparent then color coatings are applied to the back to create beautiful designs when turned over.
  • Slumped – during the firing process, the glass is contorted into various shapes to create a patterned surface.
  • Bubble – many glassmakers trap air bubbles in the glass to create a unique look.
  • Frosted – this glass tile is opaque instead of clear
  • Crystal – it is best to use these glass tiles as an accent to other tiles because they can be too dazzling in mass.

It’s critical to know what type of glass you’re working with if you want to install the tiles yourself.

A bathroom sink shown against pale blue glass tile

Cutting Glass Tiles

Cutting glass tiles is a crucial and tricky process when doing a DIY project.

Maybe you have a specific design in mind that you simply must do yourself. You might find that you have to cut a lot of glass to reach your artistic vision.

There are a few things to remember when cutting glass tiles:

  • Remove the mesh backing from small glass tiles before cutting them. The mesh tangles and makes it more challenging to make precise cuts.
  • Add stability by putting cardboard or stiff foam underneath the tile while cutting it.
  • Sometimes manufacturers fuse the mesh backing to larger glass tiles. You can use a small knife to cut the mesh and separate the tiles for cutting.

Make sure you wear the proper safety gear, especially if you plan to use saws. Always wear gloves and safety goggles. Glass shards can fly into your eye even if you’re using small tools.

Quick Steps to Follow When Cutting Glass Tiles

Here is a quick rundown of the process to follow when cutting your glass tiles:

  1. Use a removable marker to mark your spot. If you’re cutting them manually, remember to score one side.
  2. If using a wet saw, start it now and then slowly feed the tile to the wet saw.
  3. Otherwise, grab your cutter. Most cutters create a score line so you can easily snap the glass tile into whatever pieces you want.
  4. Always remember to smooth the edges of your tiles before installing them.
  5. If you’re using a wheeled nipper, simply squeeze them together and roll along your mark to cut the glass tiles.

Best Tools for Working with Glass Tiles

Glass tiles must be cut with precision, especially those intended for tight spots like around an outlet or in corners. You need some skills to use when cutting small pieces.

One of the best tools for cutting glass tile is a wet saw.

You can try other tools if you don’t have a wet saw or want to avoid using one. Glass nippers offer great precision when cutting glass tiles manually.

A double-sided wheel scorer cuts perfectly straight lines. You can also use a bar cutter, Rubi cutter, pen cutter, or a Dremel.

A wet saw cuts through a ceramic tile

Other tools you must have when installing glass tiles are:

  • Bucket
  • Float
  • Level
  • Tile spacers (size depends on the tiles you’re using)
  • Tape Measure
  • Sponges
  • Drying cloth
  • 3/ 16 inch trowel
  • Cardboard or firm foam

You’ll also need a variety of materials like Thinset, unsanded grout, and polyurethane. And, of course, your glass tiles!

Can You Use a Tile Saw?

Tile saws can crack or damage the glass when cutting it so you cannot use a tile saw. It’s better to use a wet saw.

A constant stream of water keeps the glass cool and minimizes friction. The cut is smoother and reduces damage.

Setting Glass Tiles

Before setting your glass, you must ensure you have a strategy and a design. Make sure the substrate is completely clean. Nothing will adhere to it, and certainly not for very long, if the surface isn’t free of all dirt, oils, and grime.

Remember to allow for movement. Glass tiles expand when exposed to heat.

Using expansion joints can mitigate problems that result from expansion.

Make sure your substrate and glass tiles are completely dry before applying anything.

Trapped moisture minimizes adhesive properties, so your glass tiles will begin to slip and fall off.

Look at the backing on your glass tiles. Some materials can have a reaction to some mortars and won’t stick.

Metallic backings react badly with cement mortars. The mesh backing on some glass tiles will deteriorate when exposed to water.

Mastic is the worst thing to use when installing glass tiles. Avoid using it at all.

Man tiling, light colors of glass tiles

Do You Have to Use Grout?

Grout must be used because it is crucial for keeping moisture away from the substrate and mortar you used to install your glass tiles.

Before applying the grout, make sure to remove all excess mortar and wait until it’s dry.

A float is a great tool to use for applying grout evenly. Hold it at a 45-degree angle and push the grout gently into the seams.

Clean the dry grout with a sponge when everything is dry.

What is the Best Grout to Use?

Always follow the tile manufacturer’s instructions. Most will explain what grout you should use and have recommendations based on where you plan to install the tiles.

Most manufacturers recommend unsanded grout to prevent scratches but some say sanded is best. If you’re using small glass tiles, unsanded is better.

Is There Clear Grout?

There are no clear grouts. Most people use white or off-white, so the grout doesn’t detract from the beauty of the glass tile mosaic.

You can also use colored grout to match your design.

What Size Trowel?

A 3/16” trowel is usually best for glass tile installation.

It depends on many factors like the type of tile, where you’re installing it, and your design.

How to Clean Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are easy to clean and don’t stain.

Whatever you use to clean your tiles, whether store-bought or homemade, make sure it’s non-abrasive to increase the longevity of your glass tiles.

For easy cleaning, use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, put it in a spray bottle, and apply it to the surface.

Wipe it clean with a damp cloth or soft-bristled brush to remove all grease and grime, especially on a kitchen backsplash.

Use an old toothbrush to clean all dirt trapped in the grout. You can mix bleach and water together to get any mold that may be growing.

Other household products work as well, but remember to use detergents that won’t damage your glass tiles.

Use a dry cloth to remove all moisture after cleaning.

Do Glass Tiles Scratch Easily?

Glass tiles don’t scratch easily, but they can get tiny nicks and chips over time.

How to Remove Scratches From Glass Tile (5 Methods)

  1. Brass polish for the win – Using brass polish is a surprisingly good way to remove all scratches from glass tiles. Clean the surface before applying the polish to a soft cloth and rubbing it on with circular motions.
  2. Use nail polish – For tiny nicks and scratches, apply clear nail polish or hardener. Wait for it to dry, and then remove all excess polish.
  3. Make a baking soda mixture – mix equal parts water and baking soda to create your own polish. Apply with a soft cloth, wiping in circular motions until the scratches are gone.
  4. Deep scratch removal – clean the glass tiles and wipe them dry. Use toothpaste and a soft cloth, rubbing in a circular motion for about 30-40 seconds, then wipe the toothpaste off. If the scratch is still there, repeat the process until it’s gone.

Glass tiles add a beautiful touch to any wall or room. They are costly but easy to install, clean, and maintain. Use them in your home to create unique designs that transform bland spaces into vibrant ones.

Research

  1. https://www.livinspaces.net/diy/step-by-step-diy-guide-to-installing-glass-sheet-and-glass-tile-backsplash-part-2/
  2. https://sebringdesignbuild.com/a-guide-to-choosing-glass-mosaic-tile/
  3. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/blog/how-to-install-glass-tile-correctly
  4. https://sebringdesignbuild.com/a-guide-to-choosing-glass-mosaic-tile/
  5. https://www.conestogatile.com/not-all-glass-tiles-are-the-same/
  6. https://tilestonesource.com/stone-and-tile-tips/types-of-glass-tiles/
  7. https://www.nerangtiles.com.au/blog/glass-mosaic-tile-installation-and-cutting-guide
  8. https://www.westsidetile.com/resources/how-to-clean-and-maintain-glass-tiles/
  9. https://homequicks.com/cleaning-glass-tile
  10. http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/tip/cleaning-glass-tiled-surfaces.html
  11. https://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/styles-and-techniques/sw-article-pro-thelimitlesspos
  12. https://expandusceramics.com/qa/do-glass-tiles-scratch-easily.html
  13. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-glass-tile/

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