Kitchen Tile

A backsplash can inject style and personality into your kitchen, whether you're starting from scratch or remodeling your current space. There are many materials available for the wall above your countertops, including ceramic tile, metal, and stone, but none has more showstopping appeal than glass tile.

While this popular option is sure to transform the look of any kitchen, it's important to consider both its benefits and its drawbacks before your spend big dollars on boxes of tile.

Pros

Offers a custom look Available in an endless array of attention-grabbing colors and transparencies, glass tiles are a perfect option for making a bold design statement in an otherwise utilitarian space.

Expands the space Glass has the special ability to shimmer and sparkle, which bounces light around a room to visually expand the space. If your kitchen is small or dark, glass tile will reflect light to make the room appear larger and brighter. And unlike dull and flat ceramic, a glass-tile backsplash adds depth and interest to the walls.

Is hygienic, clean, and green Glass tiles are mildew-resistant, which is particularly helpful if your family suffers from allergies. They are also stain-resistant and easy to clean and maintain -- simply wipe them clean with a wet cloth and mild detergent. If you want to use eco-friendly materials in your kitchen, there are many recycled-glass options that are green and stylish.

Cons

Can be costly Glass tile is often considerably more expensive than ceramic or stone tile. Depending on the type of glass used, the price can vary from $7 to $30 or more per square foot. If your budget is limited, consider adding a glass-tile accent border or inset to a ceramic or stone backsplash.

Can be tricky to install Although they are incredibly durable once installed, glass tiles are delicate in their raw form.

Can be difficult to repair Although easy to clean, shiny glass tiles will really show fingerprints and smudges. They are also difficult to damage, but they can get scratched if rubbed with a gritty material or gouged by a knife. Once scratches (or worse, cracks) appear, they are virtually impossible to fix without replacing a portion or all of the backsplash.

Pros and Cons of a Glass Tile Backsplash

Grout

Grout is a dense fluid which is used to fill gaps or used as reinforcement in existing structures. Grout is generally a mixture of water, cement, and sand and is employed in pressure grouting, embedding rebar in masonry walls, connecting sections of pre-cast concrete, filling voids, and sealing joints such as those between tiles. Common uses for grout in the household include filling in tiles of shower floors and kitchen tiles. It is often color tinted when it has to be kept visible and sometimes includes fine gravel when being used to fill large spaces. Unlike other structural pastes such as plaster or joint compound, correctly mixed and applied grout forms a waterproof seal.

Renaissance Ceramic Tile & Marble, Inc 1250 Easton Rd, Ste 100, Horsham, PA 19044

30 square feet

MCL2163 Florence Cathedral (3x14)

MCL2164 Basilica Lorenzo (3x14)