Major Mistakes to Avoid while Installing a Glass Backsplash
Glass backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular among households, especially the modern trendy kitchen interiors. There are a number of reasons in this shift from tile or metallic backsplashes to glass ones. Before we jump into the glass tiles backsplash mistakes that are commonly made whilst installing it, let us quickly examine the benefits.
The rationale for glass backsplashes
- Glass is perhaps the easiest to maintain out of all options. The inevitable grout lines appearing in between tiles not only tale away some of the style points but are also a nuisance to clean. Both metallic and tile backsplashes require considerably more time and effort to clean and polish compared to glass, which usually looks as good as new after a simple and effortless rub with a soft cloth. Glass doesn’t require polishing either and can maintain its original state for years, easily withstanding the test of time.
- Glass backsplashes come in all shapes and sizes and you can submit your designs to your manufacturer who can create a custom backsplash just for you. This ease of customization grants you the ability to get creative with your kitchen setup. Moreover, if you do like to go by the book, the glass comes in a variety of delectable colors that are sure to spruce up your kitchen.
- Glass backsplashes are incredibly easy to install. Just measure the size you need, select your design, prop it up, caulk it, clean it and you’re done (we’ll be going into a bit more detail later on)! Tile backsplashes on the other hand, are a bit more technical and are ordinarily done by professionals.
- Lastly, despite the numerous benefits listed above, glass backsplashes are quite moderately priced. The total cost including the purchase price and installation costs are about the same or in some cases even lower than tile backsplashes. This scenario might change adversely as glass backsplashes become more and more popular, but for now; give your kitchen a voguish appeal without overspending your budget!
Common glass tile backsplash mistakes to avoid
As deceptively simple as it may seem at times, a technique is involved but you should definitely not attempt it without the proper tools. Ideally, professionals who install backsplashes for a living do installations, but they can rack up your installation costs in the blink of an eye. If you’re looking to save a few bills or if you just want to take on a DIY project for the fun of it, then below are the things you need to steer clear of (seriously):
- Do your homework. Before you canter down to your manufacturer, you need to measure carefully the size you need. With tiles, you could just roughly estimate the area and go a little overboard just to be sure. The unused material would come in handy later in repairs. However, you cannot do that with glass. Your measurements need to be precise, as your manufacturer will create the slab accordingly. The best instrument to do this with is a workman’s tape. Decide beforehand if you want to cover the entire wall, a portion of it, or go for a petite one that adequately compliments the rest of your setup.
- Clear or stained? Most contemporary setups make use of stained glass, which is a bit costlier than its clear counterpart but offers a better contrast to the room and does not dirty as often. If any dust particles or bugs get behind your backsplash, clear glasses would highlight them to the entire world but stained ones can hide them to a certain extent depending upon the degree of the stain. However, for kitchens where there may be a lack of sunlight, clear glasses are a better option as they reflect a greater amount of light relative to their stained rivals. Evaluate your area and decide whether you want to for a clear backsplash or a stained one.
- Better to be prepared than to say sorry. Assume you have your glass slab in your hand. Before you put on your gloves and get to work, make sure you have all the necessary tools for the job. First, you need a good adhesive. Talk with your local hardware store to get an idea of which adhesive would work best. Make sure your wall is clean and dry at the time of installation as the adhesive would look stable but might give away eventually when applied to damp walls. Any dust particles not removed will probably be framed and displayed for the life of your backsplash.
- Better to DIT than DIY! These projects are always better conducted when done with someone else by your side (preferably someone with experience), especially for bigger slabs that require quite the strength to be lifted and properly slotted in. Even if the other person is just holding a beer in one hand and being of little to no use, the company itself can take your mind off the stress or pressure of the task you’re undertaking. Doing it together is significantly more enjoyable than doing it yourself.
These are some common mistakes that you can easily avoid while installing a glass backsplash. Hopefully, this article saved you the strenuous struggle of polishing tiles every now and then along with the regret of incorrectly installing your glass backsplash. Now go give your kitchen the makeover it deserves.
