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using glass tiles!

17 years ago

We are getting ready to start a master bath remodel and I would really like to use the 1x1 or 2x2 glass mosaic tiles from Oceanside. I will incorporate them with 12x12 ceramic tiles that mimic travertine in a light creamy shade. My question is how have you used the glass tiles as accents? I need to stay in a moderate budget, but wouldn't mind splurging a little to make an impact. I love the glass, but not the price. Can you show me how you have incorporated them into your design.

I was thinking a 4-6 inch for backsplash or maybe framing a large mirror above the vanity and somehow backing the built in niches in the shower maybe. The bathroom is a large rectangle with a 36x60 shower to the left and 69" vanity next to it with a small niche for the toilet on the right.

Any comments and or pics would be greatly appreciated. I am a big planner so I like to have everything thought through before we rip out and need a firm budget before we get started. Since the glass is expensive, this needs to be decided ahead of time.

Also, do most people tile the ceiling over the shower?

Thanks in advance

Comments (7)

  • PRO
    17 years ago

    Glass mosiac tile is an art unto itself. If it is "transparent," you will need to take into consideration the colour of the morter, as it WILL show through. If it does, you need to comb the (probably white) thinset onto the area with, probably an eighth inch, "U" notched trowel. Then, you need to use the flat edge to flatten the morter. Why? Well, the ridges will show up....and you won't like that at all.

    Now, let's talk about actually cutting the tile. If you've gone this far, I guess you have a good quality wetsaw....you'll need one. In addition, you will need a good blade that is designed to cut glass. Got all that? Good, now you can go to setting tile. If you haven't figured it out by now, understand that setting glass mosiac tile is the hardest and most expensive tiling that you can do. If you're a "First-Timer," I might discourage you from this. Do a smaller and simpler project first...and THEN, MEYBE go for it. Trust this: When faced with the type of installation you have described.....I charge double...

  • 17 years ago

    Our glass tile from (Bel Sol from Westminster) was "ceramic" backed. The glass is crushed glass. DH did all the tile work himself. The 4x4 on the diagonal is tumbled travertine. The rest of the wall and the floor is a porcelain travertine-look.
    Good luck :)
    Monica

  • 17 years ago

    WOw Monica that is gorgeous. Truly- love the colors and your DH does great work.
    Where did you get the tumbled travertine and what was the name? I am trying to get a feel for how they look once installed. ( I am so busy staring at tiles laid out all over my counters, we can barely use the kitchen lol)

  • 17 years ago

    We are using the Oceanside Glass Tiles in our Master Bath in our new home. We wanted a 'spa' bath and I loved the Oceanside products. We have the 'clear' tiles. They appear to have a greenish tint, even with the white thinset. The grout is white. Bath is still being finished, but here are some pics. They are not cheap, but our tile store gave us the best price that we had seen. Some things are worth the splurge!
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  • 17 years ago

    Thank you for getting back to me so quickly everyone.

    lazarususa- I did hear of how difficult it is to set this type of glass during my research-so thankfully I have a really good tile guy that will do it. Thank you for letting me know what I am getting into though.

    monicakm-what a beautiful bathroom and the sinks are amazing. Definately some good ideas and nice to see the larger size glass tiles. I haven't quite decided what to go with and between you and gr8smiles smaller tiles, I still can't quite decide. I love the smaller tiles, but can't afford to do it all over like gr8smiles. I would love to see the finished project. It looks AMAZING.

    Keep the pics and ideas coming. They say pictures are worth a thousand wordS and I have to agree, they definately help you see your own vision of what you want the end result to be.

  • 17 years ago

    We used glass tiles in our kids' bath, as both an accent by the sinks and on the walls in the shower. We also put 2x2 squares in the floor.

  • 17 years ago

    I used the glass tiles only as a trim for the tub and made my own design for the tub surround...There is a little diamond on each side of the straight on the surround. You don't see it often with the shower curtain on one side or the other...but for some reason I love the accent it adds. We could have had tiles placed in the floor also but decided against it as it seemed like alittle too much for our taste.
    Margie