“What’s so special about glass tile?” you may think to yourself. But there is a whole set of glass tile tools and techniques that are specific to itself.
So, what are these special techniques? And what tips and tricks for installing glass tile do you need to know to be successful?
This post covers seven different components of glass tile installation so that your project can be a smashing success!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
One of the first and best ways to set yourself up for success is to make good choices when buying your glass tiles.
Unfortunately, a lot of the glass tile that they sell at big box home improvement stores isn’t what you want to purchase.
Much of it comes from overseas, isn’t made to any standard, and has no one standing behind it when something goes wrong.
You’re much better off purchasing tiles from reputable manufacturers that supply detailed instructions, have a warranty department, and have warranty instructions in the package.
This is the standard that applies to glass tiles and reputable manufacturers will meet these requirements. [1]
These standard sets guidelines for glass tile types, characteristics, and performance. It dictates such things as score & snap quality for consistent and predictable cutting of glass tiles.
One big reason for carefully selecting glass tiles is when it comes to cutting them.
Well-made glass tiles cut cleanly on a consistent basis. Poorly made glass tiles cut inconsistently and are more prone to chipping.
As I mentioned in another post, scoring and snapping glass tiles produces a remarkably clean edge.
However, your success is determined by the cutter that you are using, the amount that you want to cut off, and the glass tile itself.
A wet saw is practically a must when it comes to cutting glass tiles and you’ll want to invest in a glass tile blade.
The video below shows how I typically cut glass tiles with a wet saw and combines several of the techniques that I demonstrated in another post on how to cut glass tiles.
If your grout lines are small enough (1/16th, or thinner) you can use non-sanded grout for these. Non-sanded grout (or unsanded) is a good option because it doesn’t have sand that can scratch.
If you need to fill larger grout joints then high-performance cement grouts are your best bet. They have a different kind of sand in them that won’t scratch as easily. Plus, they are just a better type of grout, in my opinion.
Finally, the last item on the list is that you want to install your glass tiles where they can look great for decades.
I recommend that you refrain from installing them on shower floors or even floors, in general.
Glass can show moisture underneath and if moisture gets underneath your glass and stays there it can turn into mold. This mold will also be visible and frustrating because you can’t reach it to clean it out.
Further, floors are an impractical place to install glass as they will scratch and anything that you drop has the potential to send splinters of glass in any direction.
However, applications where glass tiles look great include backsplashes and other feature walls. Accenting shower walls is another place glass is frequently used.
A little thought and planning go a long way when it comes to installing glass tile. Where are you installing your glass tile? Did I miss anything in this post? Let me know in the comments.
The correct color of thinset to use with glass tiles is almost always white.
Is glass tile harder to install?Glass tile is definitely more difficult to install than porcelain or ceramic tile. It requires special tools and techniques to install the tiles successfully.
Is glass tile more expensive to install?Glass tile is more labor intensive to install than porcelain or ceramic tile and therefore will cost more money to install.
Do you need to seal glass tile before grouting?Generally, you do not need to seal glass tile before grouting but you will want to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your own individual project.
Can you put a glass backsplash on drywall?It’s OK to install glass tile over drywall or painted drywall. However, if there are any spots where drywall compound is exposed then those areas will need to be painted with a primer prior to adhering glass tiles to them.
