There are seemingly endless kitchen styles and designs to choose from these days, all of which cater to different niches and aesthetics, and kitchen backsplashes are no exception.
There are plenty of materials and colour palettes available for the perfect kitchen backsplash, but one of the most popular and beautiful options is backsplashes made from glass tile.
If you’re thinking about installing a glass kitchen backsplash in your home, keep reading below to learn more about the benefits of a glass backsplash, how to install one, and some great backsplash design ideas!
Afterward, feel free to click here for a list of backsplash ideas for dark cabinets and light countertops from Caesarstone.
The benefits of a glass kitchen backsplash
When installing a backsplash for a kitchen, homeowners should consider how the material they’ve selected will add to or take away from their personal convenience. For instance, some materials require regular sealing to prevent stains and damage, while others can be very difficult to clean.
Fortunately, glass tile is one of the more durable materials available for a backsplash; kitchen glass is tough and non-porous, meaning it is resistant to stains and moisture damage. It’s also very easy to clean and only requires the use of basic kitchen cleaning products.
Glass tiles also rank high in terms of style, as they are quite versatile and are available in many colours, textures, and varied levels of transparency.
Therefore, glass tiles can be implemented into a number of aesthetics and design styles. You can also cater the colour and pattern to pair nicely with your countertops, cabinets, and other kitchen hardware.
In fact, one of the biggest benefits of selecting glass tiles is the way they reflect the natural and artificial light in your kitchen. This is particularly beneficial for homes that don’t have a lot of natural light filtering through, as the glass reflection will make the room look and feel brighter!
Types of glass backsplash tiles
As mentioned above, glass tiles are available in a variety of styles and colours, giving homeowners the option to better integrate the look of their backsplash into the style of their kitchen.
Glass kitchen backsplash tiles come in the following sheens and textures:
- Iridescent
- Glossy
- Frosted
- Shimmery
- Matte
When it comes to the colours available for glass tile, some common shades include white, light grey, green, blue, turquoise, green-grey, and blue-grey.
Overall, homeowners can choose from a plethora of glass tile options that can be catered to the style of their kitchen and to their personal tastes, making this backsplash material a great versatile option.
How to install a kitchen glass backsplash
Once you’ve finalized your glass tile’s colour, pattern, and transparency, you can begin the process of installation.
While other glass backsplashes, like glass sheets, require the assistance of a professional, homeowners can install glass tiles themselves, provided they have the necessary tools and time on their hands.
To install a glass backsplash, you’ll need the following items:
- Non-sanded grout
- Thin adhesive
- Level
- Sandpaper
- Notched trowel
- Glass tile cutter
- Wax pencil
- Tile spacers
- Bucket and sponge
- Rubber grout float
- Glass tiles
Once you’ve acquired the above materials, you can install glass tiles by following the below instructions:
1. Cut the power to the wall. This will prevent any injuries or damage caused by electrical issues. Also, remember to remove the outlet covers in the areas where the tile will be placed
2. Clean and prepare the wall. To ensure the adhesive sticks to the wall, thoroughly go over the surface with sandpaper, and use a wet cloth to remove any debris.
3. Decide on your tile arrangement. Use your kitchen table or island to arrange your tiles in your desired pattern before applying them to the wall to ensure you are pleased with the design.
4. Apply the adhesive. Find the centre line of the wall and use your trowel to apply a thin coat of tile adhesive. Make sure to hold the trowel at an angle so the grooves form textured lines in the adhesive, which will give the tiles a better grip.
5. Apply the glass tiles. Once the backsplash area is thoroughly coated with adhesive, begin applying your glass tiles in your desired style and pattern, using the center line as a guide. If the adhesive begins to dry as you apply the tiles, scrape it off and re-apply it as you go. Use the tile spacers to separate each tile for more even grout lines.
6. Cut the remaining tiles. Use a wax pencil to pinpoint the space of the final row. Once you reach the last row of tiles, use the glass tile cutter to fit them properly.
7. Apply the grout. Wait for 12-24 hours to ensure the adhesive has thoroughly dried, and then begin applying the grout along the tile seams.
8. Clean the backsplash surface. After applying the grout, use a damp sponge to remove excess grout from the tiles. After an hour, use a cloth to buff the tiles to remove any remaining film from the water and grout.
9. Apply the caulk. Finally, use a thin bead of caulk on the bottom seam of the backsplash where the tile lines up with your countertops. Wet your fingers and smooth out the seam.
Glass kitchen backsplash ideas
If you’re stuck on ideas for colours and patterns for your backsplash, we’ve compiled a couple of ideas below that are great for a number of different kitchen styles and aesthetics:
Brown hexagon mosaic
This colour scheme and design is a great choice for those who want a more modern look in their kitchen, and it pairs perfectly with natural wood cabinets!
Iridescent subway tile
If you want your kitchen to feel brighter and more spacious, iridescent tile will not only reflect natural light, but it will also appear as if it’s changing colours through the light reflections!
Turquoise subway tile
Turquoise is a great selection for those who want to portray a coastal vibe in their kitchen. The dreamy colour and the light reflection will make your backsplash look beautiful.
Conclusion: glass backsplash for kitchens
If you’re looking to update the backsplash in your kitchen, glass tiles are a great choice, as they’ll make the room look and feel brighter! Not only do these tiles look beautiful, but they’re easy to maintain and install and are available in a number of colours and sheens.
