White Glass Subway Backsplash for Kitchen

8 years ago

My new kitchen has BM Chantilly Lace White shaker cabinets, built in wall oven and microwave and a gas cooktop with Cambria quartz Swanbridge faux marble countertop.

I like glass subway but do not like the classic 3x6 size. So here is my dilemma. I am thinking of doing 3x12 white glass staggered but behind the cooktop I want white glass herringbone. If I go with 3x12 staggered what size do you use behind the cooktop for the herringbone? Can I use 3x12 for herringbone? Usually herringbone aren't that wide I believe. Would it look weird if I do 3x12 staggered and use a different size for the herringbone?

My cooktop and range hood are both 36 inches wide.

What size is this herringbone by the way?

Featured Answer

Aurora Tee (Zone 6a)

8 years ago

I am coming out of lurking to comment on this because I had a bad experience using white glass subway tile. "White" is a very relative term with glass subway. We thought we found the perfect tile but once it was installed, it was horrible. Why? The blue-green undertones in the glass just did not work with the white in the rest of the rest of the room. My painted cabinets are"Super White" and just a shade different from Chantilly. The counters are also a faux marble. Unfortunately, we had to rip it all out. There are a few others on Houzz who have experienced the same problem. There are glass tiles you can find that are low-iron and will read truly white but they are more expensive. I am not trying to be negative, just want to save you some possible heartache.

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Comments (6)

Fori
8 years ago
That looks about 3x9, or some 1:3 ratio. I like how it is all herringbone on your example. But with a longer tile like you're thinking, it might not work as nicely.
PRO
Skippack Tile & Stone
8 years ago
The tile in the photo is likely a 2x8 tile. The 3x12 is too long to properly do the herringbone at the stove area. How do you plan to separate the pattern? I would look for other glass vendors that have 2x8; AKDO is one.
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sandradclark
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I personally think that highlighting the stove area is somewhat outdated. I'm sure you will have many comments based on my statement. Going with subway is always a classic, timeless choice.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
that tile in that picture is tilebar Cadenza. I believe it's 2.3X9.5" they have it in white as well.

Aurora is correct on the blue/green tinge of cheaper glass. if you must have glass, make sure you're guaranteed a true white color. the stuff you buy at floor and decor or home depot, won't give you a true white.

herringbone layouts do best when the length is divisible by the width. otherwise, you get uneven sides and cuts. if you want the herringbone pattern, do the entire splash in the herringbone. 2x10, 3x12, 2x8, are all fine sizes. I did my shower in a 4x12. if you want to do a spot behind the stove, do a mockup and lay out all your tiles. measure where you're going to make the cuts so that all sides are equal. you could use a Schluter edging strip if you need to separate it from the other layout.

exactly what I did here, but on a larger layout. took hours to get the math right on this wall! but it's all even.
PRO
BELK Tile
8 years ago
Some dimension would be good. Herringbone larger than a 3 x 6 will be awkward with a lot of cuts. Check out this ceramic that offers dimension to the tile.

Now this is mesh mounted, but you could pull off the mesh to do a herringbone.

2 x 6 Oxford Vault