I went back and forth on doing an antique white grout or white and after looking at many pics, I went with bright white. The tiles are white.

I have no idea what the sq footage cost was. I bought the tile at Lowes. The 3x6 were .22cents a tile, the accent was $2.67 a tile and the bull nose was .85cents a tile. For the entire backspash with all materials it was just under $200. Just in my budget :)

beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

It really is a matter of personal preference...
And to me personally, there are very few things prettier than a really nice ceramic.

When I first saw glass tiles, I thought they were the most gorgeous things I had ever seen. But the more I looked at them the more I realized that because they are so beautiful and interesting, they would become a very dominate feature if I did my whole backsplash with them. So in the end, I let my granite be the star and used a much simpler tumbled travertine BS with glass tile accents. It was a nice compromise and a huge money saver as well.

I love Laurie's--classic and current at the same time.

If you want a little glass sparkle, you can do a few glass highlights or trim, or a bit around the stove.

Paintpanther, for some reason I remember you as having white cabinets, walls, and white and dramatic-spot granite, right? (I'm sure your granite has a better name than that...) Laurie has a little more color in her kitchen so the white works perfectly, but I think you'll need to be careful to balance out any accents. I think your granite will anchor things but um...well, I'm sure you've thought about this plenty and don't need me to tell you to be sure it matches. :)

Glass is cool, but white glass isn't 10x prettier than white ceramic! (Unless you're doing iridescent, but that's a whole 'nother ball game!)

You are the only one who can answer that :)

If you really love the glass, I think that in the long run, the extra money will be well spent. Otherwise, you may look at your ceramic and wish you had gone with glass.

I think glass gives a more contemporary vibe, whereas ceramic is sometimes more traditional. Do you have any kitchen pictures?

Because we have a busy granited, I used porcelain, matte subways (3x6) with a glass liner which adds a hint of shimmer to the splash. I wanted to achieve a simple, clean, yet almost timeless look. I think I accomplshed that. Another thing, I wasn't keen on having two reflective surfaces against each other (shiny granite and glossy splash).

Personally, subways in a simple design will give you a look that will be around for a very long time, and an all glass splash will more than likely go out of style sooner than later (though they are pretty but more maintenance). Just my opinion.

So, my answer is no, I don't think it's worth it, but it's your kitchen, your money, and you have to look at it everyday, so do what you really want.

{{gwi:1589892}}

Not sure if you've seen the modwalls website but they have a lot of pictures of glass subway tile backsplashes. They are approx $22/sq foot for those tiles. The closest color to white is "cloud" which has a little bit of a greenish/bluish tinge, but is very beautiful if it matches everything else.

Personally, I think if you are going to be doing pure white, the cost of the glass subways may not be worth it. It is actually cheaper to do the smaller white glass mosaic tile if you want to do glass, and also I think white ceramic for subways is a pretty, classic look.

Here is a link that might be useful: Modwall glass subway tile

We just finished using subway tiles for our blacksplash. While picking up the tiles DH spotted the glass tiles, fell in love with them and so we added a 1x6 gray glass to our design. Really happy with how it all turned out. Beautiful but I'll agree pricey. Picture to follow. Kim

THanks all for the advices, i agree with all of you it may not be worth the difference, esp if i am just going to do pure white glass tiles, until i saw the picture setancre posted, wow, look at those beautiful glass tiles!!!

i have seen modwalls website, i am not comfortable buying it online because pictures do not really represent the true color. our granite is white/brown/gray, so i dont think i want any tint of blue or green in the white, although blue/green is very pretty, unfortunately i dont think it matches with my granite.

fori, yes i have white cabinets and again heres a picture of our kitchen:

you can purchase a sample of an on-line tile.

ccoombs1, I would love to see a pic of your BS as that's what I am thinking of doing....tumbled travertine subway with a few glass tile subway here and there.

It's all up to what you like to do with your disposable income.

Right. But that wasn't the question. So I'll go out on a limb and say that opaque white glass isn't worth $900. However, if you go with something translucent, so that you can see all the way through the tiles, yeah, it might be worth it. Especially with the white on white, translucent glass will give you a depth that will really make the rest of the kitchen pop.

So. What is $900 worth to you? A couple pair of Jimmy Choos? Go for the tile. A couple weeks of day care? Not so much. A couple months without Starbucks? Go for the tile! Airfare to visit Favored Relative? Maybe not.

But I think the translucent glass would be wonderful.

At the website above, a lot of the glass tiles clashed (my opinion) with the granite counters. With white cabinets, it's less likely to happen. On the other hand, that countertop is pure diva. Maybe all it needs is a big red glass dish on a plate stand. For $900, red this year, blue in '10 and still have money for one pair of Choos.(good point plllog)

See the thing is, if i know for for sure i will be $900 happier(i have no idea how to measure that), i am more than willing to spend the money, no jimmy choo for me now, but 900 can help with my custom cabinets around the house, thats the big one!!

yeah i saw on modwalls i can order samples, i think i will go ahead and order the cloud, i think it is still too blue/green so we will see.

heres another option: mirror tile:

Also ceramic tiles, whiter ones on the left and creamier ones on the right. What do you judges think?

Not the mirror. A silver grey that picks up the colors in the stone, yes, but not mirror. With your b&w color scheme that'll send it right into the '80's, and that's not long enough ago to be "retro".

It's too hard to judge whiter vs. creamier in a photo on a computer monitor. One is probably warmer and the other cooler, so choose the one that captures the temperature you want most.

hey i am from the 80s and still live in the 80s, well, music wise. that is too funny, you really think so? i actually thought about that but when i see the mirror tile on the counter, i am like, wow, that looks glam!! the only thing is, i worry about it being too busy with the already busy granite.

now on to the ceramics, our cabinets are a creamier white. i am not sure about this but i think i shouldnt have a stark white backsplash when i have a creamier white cabinets. but at the same time, pictures i have seen with creamier subway doesnt look as good as the white white subway...okay i know i am beginning to sound like a woman (hey i am one)!! wish there is a way to put those tiles up without glueing them. i actually tried tape but right, thats gonna hold up the weight of the tile.

I love my glass tiles they are from Arizona Tile and they were less than $12/sq ft.

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Tile

>the only thing is, i worry about it being too busy with the already busy granite

Well, that and the other reason people were ripping those mirrored splashes out even back in the 80s: they reflect your midsection and not that many people want a constant reminder about that, especially when cooking!

Quite honestly, I think I'd opt out on the glass if for no other reason than that I wouldn't want anything else fighting for the attention with the countertop! That stone is outrageous, and should stand alone as the focal point of the kitchen!

so if i want to go on diet, then i should definitely install those mirror tiles eh ;-)

agree i do not want the backsplash to compete with granite, i do want it simple and clean and i think with all white glass tiles shouldnt cause too much competition. although ceramic will also be very nice, i just have to figure out whether i should go with the whiter than cabinet ceramic tiles, or as creamy as cabinet tiles.

klutterkara thanks for the link, your tiles are very pretty, are they the khaki? looks like they dont have white, the arctic looks very blue to me. The price is great though, what i have been quoted at local shops for glass tiles are at least 35/SF, ouch!!

thanks all again for chiming in, i will be ordering some glass tiles samples, and will post pic when i get them!!

If you go to ebay and search for "glass subway tiles" you'll find quite a few sellers.

search for my 'bling' thread in the bathrooms forum to see my pure white glass tiles.

ceramic tiles do not have the depth and optics of glass tiles. However, your stone is stunning and small tiles will interfere with the countertop. I would recommend starphire glass painted white (sheet of glass, not tiles) for your backsplash. It will have the depth of glass and the polish of the granite.

Re the '80's, I get it. You're wearing neon lace and massive hair, right? (WINK AND GRIN) If you want the glam of the mirror tiles, how about some 1"x1" as accents? You'd have an interesting set without adding a lot of color, and a little sparkle, glam and liveliness amidst all that white.

I think you're over thinking the words. It's the color that matters. Either bring home more sample tiles (a lot of places will let you have half a dozen), or pop off one of your doors, wrap it up, and take it to the store. If you have a granite sample, take that too. If you can, take a bunch of the contenders outside and line them up on the sidewalk. Put your door (carefully!) next to them. Do you like it? Do you like the other one better? You might not be able to analyze why one white is better than the other. But you'll know. You really will.

pharaoah love your glass tiles, and the bling bling!!! i know you said they are pure white, but i see blue/green sometimes, is it just the lighting? So where are you, you still have those leftover tiles?

i am confused, so are yours starphire glass? do you have a link to your supplier? also what you meant by sheet of glass? i thought if it comes on a sheet they are pretty much tiles?!?

you are right, i dont think i want too small tiles i think it will make it too busy.

plllog: if only i can have massive hair, well thats a subject in the beauty forum.... anyways, along the same lines, i am thinking about going to lowes and pick up a sf of tiles and see if i can find a way to temporarily glue them on the wall. we have been several suppliers and i guess i we dont have as much luck its hard sometimes to get even one tile sample.

When I say pure white, I mean low iron. Removing the iron from the glass reduces the green tint you see in regular glass. So starphire is an example.
The backs are painted white. So the green/blue tint you see depends on what is around it or the color of the light coming through the window. Glass is very tricky. It picks up the hue of anything around it.
That can both be fun and frustrating. My glass looks gray sometimes, white other times, green and so on.

The left over tiles have been bought up, unfortunately. I had them made abroad and shipped to Los angeles. Took a lot of work and trouble but totally worth it.

But there is a company in san dieo that sells the 3x6 size. http://www.theglassmosaicoutlet.com/3x6blanco.html
Get the blanco glossy or matte finish samples and see for yourself.

The other option is not to use tiles but whole sheets of glass. You can get the backsplash made from starphire panes of glass. It will look stunning with your stone. http://www.glasskote.com//index.php?category=Showcase&section=Showcase

Email me directly if you want to know more about the glass tiles.

I used 1 x 3 mini subway glass tiles from Susan Jablon Mosaics (many recommendations on this forum). They were much less expensive than prices I was quoted from local stores, and excellent quality. You can buy a sample bag from her site too.
Personally, I think I would do quite a simple backsplash with that stone, and I love the look of ceramic subways. I have a more modern kitchen without a patterned countertop, so glass worked well for me. Good luck!

Thanks for the info pharoah and houscrzy.

i really want to order some samples from theglassmosaicoutlet, if i am reading it right, their samples are pretty expensive, considering its 15/SF(min 4 SF purchase), and it is $7 per tile sample. hmmmm.... why do they make it so hard...

also went to susan jablon's website, i dont seem to be able to find what i am looking for on her site. or maybe i am just tired...

did order some from modwall, should get them early next week, will post some pictures.

Thanks again to all, guess i wont be completing my kitchen this weekend =(

If you e-mail Susan Jablon, she'll get right back to you. I found the colors on my monitor didn't match her colors in real life at all. I sent her a picture of my countertop and she sent me colors she thought would match. So, tell her what you're looking for and she'll help you find it. Very good service.

Add me to the camp that thinks that you should let your countertop be the star in your kitchen (it IS gorgeous!). You might be interested in this article from the Colour Me Happy blog... Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Selecting your Kitchen or Bath Backsplash; Accent Tile or NOT?

prill, you are right, Susan is EXCELLENTE!!! I emailed her a picture and she will be sending me samples. Whether or not i will go with her tiles, her service is simply top notch!!

cncnh, agree with everything on that article, thanks for a good read!!

also, just an update, received samples from modwalls, another great service company. shipping is lighting fast!! unfortunately the cloud glass tile is even greener than i thought, so, guess i will still be searching...

If you want large format glass tile; glasstilestore.com has a super white in 9x18.
{{!gwi}}
It appears to be a cooler white. It is also backpainted glass.
They also have a Super White Frosted in a 2x6
{{!gwi}}

thanks remodelgla, they have pretty good selections. i ordered these two samples:

{{!gwi}}


{{!gwi}}

what do you guys think?

I like the top one a lot, if it's the right color (only you will know that--it comes up pink on my monitor, but that's light/camera/monitor.

The second one is really great, but I think it might compete with the stone.

I love the top one. The bottom one is too busy.

AH-HA! You like the textured tile from them! I actually LOVE that style... I'm not sure if the "swirly" design (texture) will look too much with your granite or just perfect because it mimics the movement in the stone. It looks from the bottom pic that you choose the White Gold color, that I'm not sure of either. If you decided to go with a subtle color; I think I'd lean toward the grays more then a caramel tone. The maiin secondary color in the stone appears more gray to me and I think that's what I would lean toward. What did you think of the color they call Pure Silver?

{{!gwi}}

I had fun with mine. Random 1/8" thick solid stainless "tiles".

hey guys, i actually had the same concern about the silver one, i dont really like the textures, i wonder if it is too busy.

yes it is the white gold, i did look at the pure silver, first of all, not sure what is the difference between that and the white gold. from the pictures seems to me the white gold is less busy and thats why i went with it.

jeffrow: i actually have seen your pictures, i have also thought about stainless steel, what color is your grout?

all, i know i keep saying i dont like the backsplash too busy or i dont want it to be the star but but..... i found this and love it. All you Judges, help!!!!

I think it is beautiful, but not with your granite. Sorry. With a plain gray or white quartz yes, but not with the brown/bronze movement in that stone.

the stone does have silver quartz/crystals on it and thats why i think silver is a good match.

i tried to take pictures but it wont pick up the silver....

Tantrum in Raffia

Paintpanther, I agree that the new samples might be too eyecatching with the granite, but it's hard to tell from pictures. If you love them together, do it!!

Again, from pictures, which aren't really reliable on details this specific, I'd say that the smaller ones would work better because the larger ones seem more the same scale as the patterning in your stone, and contrast will help the stone and the splash keep their separate identities.

jeffrow: i actually have seen your pictures, i have also thought about stainless steel, what color is your grout?

Light Grey

My personal opinion is that your granite is gorgeous and any of those tiles with silver in them will either:

a. be too much
b. compete with your granite

or both. But a classic white back splash (either glass or ceramic) will be beautiful.

First off- it's your kitchen, so anything you decide on will be perfect. My humble opinion is... go with either a ceramic or glass 2x6 or 3x6 subway. If it were my kitchen with that beautiful granite- I'd go with the white glass subway. I think the glass tile has the depth and visual interest you are looking for, but if it's white I don't think it will "compete." I just finished a shower with smokey blue glass subways- love them. Whatever you pick will be great!

thanks guys sooooo much!!!

alright, i will try and stay away from the beautiful gorgeous silver sparkling tiles. hopefully the samples i get next week will keep me away from it.

Thanks to all who chimed in!!!

mccarthy3, any picture?

I also vote for the glass white subway tile that will compliment your beautiful granite and not compete with it but give you the look that you want.

thanks lynn2006, i hope so, cant wait to get my samples!!!!

I would go with the large format (9x18) white glass tile or pharaoh's suggestion of solid glass. A "nothing here" backsplash will accent your countertop.