Pros and Cons of Glass Tile

Learn important information to consider when choosing glass tile for your next project.

Glass tile, and especially glass mosaic tile, is a very popular choice for many different applications. While most types of glass tile are not suitable for flooring, there are still many other opportunities for incorporating this type of tile into your home or business, including kitchen backsplashes, shower stalls, and accent walls. Before you decide whether or not to pursue glass wall tile for your next design project, consider these pros and cons of glass tile.

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Pros

Beautiful Appearance: The chief appeal of glass tile is of course its beautiful appearance. Glass tile is available in a huge variety of colors and styles, and some manufacturers even offer the choice of a smooth edge or a rustic cut to create different textural looks. The reflective nature of the tile also helps to unify disparate tones so that you can create a cohesive look even when using very different colors within the same space.

Brightens Spaces: Glass tile is an excellent choice for small or dark spaces because it reflects light, making rooms look bigger and brighter. It can also help complement rooms with lots of natural light by spreading that light around.

Easy Cleaning & Maintenance: Glass tile is resistant to most chemicals and to moisture, making it a natural choice for the kitchen or the bathroom. It is very easy to clean with simple soap and water.

Green Building Material: Another advantage of glass tile is that it is considered an eco-friendly building material. If you like, you can find recycled glass tile to use in your project, or you can just enjoy peace of mind knowing that when you tire of your glass tile, it can easily be recycled into other products.

Cons

Can Be Costly: Depending on the type of glass tile chosen, it might run from $7 per square foot to $30 or more. If you have a very large expanse of space to cover, you might be constrained by your budget to using a different sort of tile. However, you can always use glass tile for a cost-effective border or accent.

May Scratch: Some types of glass tile can scratch if exposed to abrasive cleaners or other abuse.

Requires Careful Professional Installation: Glass tile can be difficult to use in a DIY project for two reasons. First of all, if you need to cut the tile this often requires a bit more care than cutting your average ceramic tile. Secondly, depending on the translucency of your glass tile, you may need to be very careful about spreading the adhesive. Any comb marks or other imperfections will be visible through the tile. Some types of small glass mosaic tile come preset on a backing which helps to mitigate this difficulty.

Are you thinking of installing a new backsplash in the kitchen or bathroom? New tile could be just what you need to give the room a fresh pop of color and personality. But which material should you choose for your new tiles: glass or ceramic? Both options provide various styles, colors, and price points to suit your needs. 

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Most of the more popular glass tiles are made from thin pieces of glass with translucent glaze fired onto the back of each tile. Depending on the process and materials, glass tile can be clear, colored, and even textured for a unique appearance. Glass tile is typically sold individually or in mosaic patterns with a mesh backing. Here's what you need to know about glass tile backsplash pros and cons.

Advantages of Glass Tile

• Unmatched beauty: The translucence and endless color varieties of glass arguably make it the most beautiful, contemporary-looking backsplash material you can choose. The tiles reflect the light to give your kitchen or bath the appearance of being brighter and larger.
• Easy to clean: Grime and splashes can easily be wiped off glass tiles with soapy water or an all-purpose cleaner. Also, mold and mildew don’t readily grow on glass.
• Zero water absorption: Glass is impervious to water with an absorbency rate of 0% (compared to ceramic, which has an absorbency rate of 0.5% to 3%).
• Eco-friendly: Many glass tiles are made of recycled materials. Even if not, they are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan. Glass tiles also require only  about half the energy that is required to produce ceramic tiles.

Disadvantages of Glass Tile

• More expensive: Glass tiles are trendy, though they are the most costly backsplash material available today. The approximate cost of glass tiles is $8 - $30 per square foot, not including labor.
• Professional installation is a must: Because glass is translucent, the adhesive is visible through the tiles. Achieving a professional-looking result is difficult if you attempt DIY glass tile installation. 
• Scratches can occur: One of the most significant disadvantages of glass tiles is susceptibility to scratches. Sanded grout will scratch glass tile, so unsanded grout is a must. Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers can also scratch glass, so use nylon scrubbers and non-abrasive cleaners. 

Types of Glass Tile

Most glass tiles feature a glossy or matte finish and are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors. From subway tiles to mosaics, bright patterns to subtle shades, each type of glass tile offers unique and beautiful options.

• Cast glass tiles feature a textured finish with bubbles, creases, and distinct designs inherent to a high-heat firing process. Because the high temperatures create a liquid state, cast glass tiles have color throughout, similar to marble. 
• Fused glass is made with sheet glass that goes through a multi-step firing process that involves adding layers of glaze and color. The unique process can produce tiles with a smooth or textured finish and uniform or non-uniform color patterns. 
• Coated glass tiles are made with sheet glass fired at low temperatures at lower temperatures. These tiles will have color coatings applied to the back of the transparent glass, which allows the back-coated colors to transfer through clear glass.

Once you weigh the pros and cons of a glass tile backsplash, glass tiles are perfect for updating a kitchen, bath, or other areas in your home. 

Best Uses for Glass Tile

Glass tile is a versatile and beautiful material ideal for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes, but many more applications exist. Because glass tile is waterproof and durable, it's ideal for bathroom tubs and showers. The debate over the pros and cons of glass tile in a shower continues, but advancements such as slip-resistant glass tile for the floor tip the scale. 

While large glass tiles aren't ideal as a primary floor covering, mosaic glass tiles can transform a bathroom floor or entryway. Glass tiles are suitable for nearly any vertical application, from unique fireplace accents to one-of-a-kind bathroom walls.

Pro tip: Install light-colored or transparent glass tile in a small bath or kitchen to make the space appear larger. Contact a professional installation company for guidance.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Glass Tile

One of the most attractive features of glass tiles is how easy it is to clean them. Glass cleaner or soap and water are usually enough to keep glass tiles looking new. As long as you don't use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, you can clean glass tile without worrying about scratches. After you clean glass tiles, rinse them with warm water and polish them to a shine.

While tile is hard and durable, grout is not as hardy and should be cleaned gently. Avoid bleach for cleaning grout unless as you risk discoloration. Instead, use an over-the-counter grout cleaner which will typically be less harsh. Inspect the grout monthly for missing grout and other issues and regrout as necessary to keep moisture under control.  

Final Thoughts on Glass Tile

Even when they know the glass tile backsplash pros and cons, many homeowners choose glass over traditional ceramic tiles. If glass tiles aren’t in the budget, you might consider combining glass and ceramic. This is done by installing ceramic tiles for most of the backsplash with a stripe of glass tiles as an accent. This could be the perfect compromise to balance the higher cost with the benefits of glass tiles.

Whether you opt for glass or ceramic tiles, professional installation provides the best results. At Mr. Handyman®, we have the skills and experience to install tiles of any material. Every installation is performed by experienced service professionals and backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™. Call or contact us online for more information on how we can assist with your tile needs.

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