Using glass tiles for kitchen backsplash - will it hold up?

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f2c01d429e99-.jpg

We are in the process of deciding on the backsplash for our new kitchen. Shown in the photo are: Top:  3″ strip that goes all around the countertop (all glass) Middle: Ceramic tile that will in the back of the pro gas range that we have. Bottom:  3″ x 6″ Glass tile that will be used everywhere else.  The 3″ inch strip is situated inside it. The pattern will be subway style. What is the expected durability of these types of glass tiles? Will the color change after some time? How about if something hits it?   We know that everything that is glass is made in China.   All input is apprecaited!

mystiky

in Tile 13 years and 3 months ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

mystiky | 13 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4864 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "86928"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "mystiky"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BY2fDbcypC3b6SAQyHI.0EpF.7Bost."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "mystiky"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "mystiky@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/mystiky/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:49"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "mystiky"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(86928)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks again with the input.  We have bought our glass tiles and are working on getting them installed.   One more person to interview tommorow for a quote.  One question:  One of the guys told me that he things that using Mastik (tile glue) is better than using Thinset.   We want to gave as small as possible “gaps” between the tiles (meaning, small amount of grout). Any further comments?

deancollins | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "25779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "dean@collins.net.pr"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/deancollins/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(25779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

looks like the link didnt work, here is a photo

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f2d38b57b815-httpwww.collins.net.prPhotoUSANew%20York135%20Henry%20St%2C%20Brooklyn3.%20Final%20Outcome2009_09290095.jpg

deancollins | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4864 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4871 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "25779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "dean@collins.net.pr"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/deancollins/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "deancollins"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(25779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Our glass tile backsplash looks the same as it did 4 years ago.
– http://www.collins.net.pr/Photo/USA/New%20York/135%20Henry%20St%2C%20Brooklyn/3.%20Final%20Outcome/slides/2009_09290095.htm

Came from Cancos.

wholesalerbill1 | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178980"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWqWbpzPIaV.nbW7YDTL0bM6rRNc9c."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "gwazzoo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/wholesalerbill1/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:38:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178980)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We used glass tile for our backsplash when we reno’d our kitchen in 2006\. It still looks great and holds up great. Just make sure you have a good tile contractor putting it up. We shopped all over for it and price ranges are from cheap to ludicrous pricing. We found ours at $22.00 a square foot at a little tile place in Short Hills, N.J. Send me your email and I’ll send you some pics if you’d like. We settled on a red tile with all variations of red in it. It looks amazing in different lighting. We still get compliments on it. My wife designed the whole kitchen with the help of a custom kitchen shop.

dazednconfused2 | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4871 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209624"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BghKLTB3pwiNsI5BhQ/fSb/bBQWxiL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "un.perceived@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-04 18:01:21"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209624)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

try hakatai.com, they often have close-outs and big discounts

SewardWasRight | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4864 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "52609"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "SewardWasRight"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "usgrant"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "brianhartig@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "/forums/users/sewardwasright/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:03"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "USGrant"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(52609)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Any suggestions on places to get discount or closeout backsplash tiles like these? I’m not looking for more than 30 sq. ft. – it’ll go in the tenant apartment. Thanks!

hancockone | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "27887"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "hancockone"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzuqH3YiXED1BEf1B8Cx6ucfb.ukmM."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "hancockone"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "daniel11216@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2009-03-25 01:53:44"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "hancockone"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(27887)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We installed the glass Bisazza tiles as a kitchen backsplash 12 years ago and so far, no problems. No special care either.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4871 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5120 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you are installing them yourself make sureyou read up on how to apply the mortar.  You DO NOT use a notched trowel as you’ll be able to see the variation of the applied mortar through the glass.

dazednconfused2 | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4864 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5121 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209624"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BghKLTB3pwiNsI5BhQ/fSb/bBQWxiL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "un.perceived@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-04 18:01:21"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209624)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We’ve used glass tiles in a few applications and have never had any complaints.  They take the light very well and have great color and depth.  The back surface of the class has the color applied to it, so they don’t fade or get discolored.  The one caveat is that some of the backings are a little transparent, so the wall surface needs to be very smooth, and the setting bed needs to be uniform.  If there are holes or gaps, they could appear as darker spots behind the tiles.   One of our jobs where we did it was the Brownstoner house of the day (http://bit.ly/vzp45e).  Click on the corcoran listing, click on the full screen photos, go to the kitchen and you can see a good photo of the glass tile backsplash we used there.   One thing I would consider in your layout, is that the depth of the glass tile will read very differently than the opaque one in the middle.  I wouldn’t mix opaque with glass because of that.

wyckoff | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5122 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "26009"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "wyckoff"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAMrRIKB4WASdCkuxEITHMhYQsE5yr."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "wyckoff"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "michael.w.cooney@citi.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/wyckoff/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "wyckoff"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(26009)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

durability of glass tiles is pretty much forever.  You shouldn’t get any discoloration.  The ceramic tile will yellow and crack long before the glass does.  Keep your grout sealed (and reseal every year or so) – that’s the weak link that can get funky over time.