Installing a glass tile backsplash…do I cut the tiles individually, with a tile saw or not at all?
April 14, 2009
The tile mosaic sheets I have are 1×1 in total size made up of small 1 inch square tiles. The tiles don't fit well under the cabinets, too much space to leave, not enough space for an extra row of tile to fit. Can I or should I clip each tile individually to make them fit, use a tile saw, which I imagine would be difficult as the sheets are not taut, or is there another alternative I'm not thinking of. Suggestions?
Posted in Glass Tile Backsplash
content rss
April 14th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Since you must use an un sanded grout in glass tiles, spacing them out may cause to big of joint for un sanded grout. I wouldn t use a grinder since the glass is small to handle and the chipping of the glass will fly. Wet saw will also cause small chips in glass but will cut them better.. I have 1 other way I do it since its only 1 " glass…. You can use a pair of tile nippers and snap them in 1/2.. Some glass will break but it works. Careful of the glass chips though.. They can go on the floor and such and possible scratch any soft surface flooring if stepped on.. I ve done 100s of back splashes over the years GL
April 14th, 2009 at 3:37 am
You could lay in a decorative strip that is 1/2" wide and make a fatter grout line up top for the rest of the space.
Or you could take the tiles off the sheet and widen the space on all of them (not worth the work).
Or you could make a fat grout line at the top and the bottom as an accent line.
Or you could cut the tiles on a wet saw, you remove them from the backer and cut them one at a time. You only remove the lase row that you are going to trim.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:37 am
If you don't have the existing tiles set yet, it is easier to just take a blade and cut the parallel lines between the tiles and space them out about 1/16 to 1/8 to make the grout joint larger yet not noticeable. They sell wedges that you can use to do this very easily. After about 4-5 rows; it will make a perfect fit that nobody will notice and have all whole tiles. Since you are using the sheets; if you use a wet saw; the adhesive to the sheets will unbond and you will have all the pieces falling off. I've found it the easiest, if you decide to cut them, to use a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder with a dry diamond blade to cut them. It is easy to operate, cheaper than a wet saw with more uses, and will keep the pieces together for an easy install.