Glass Tile-
Over the last ten years we've seen a lot of home renovations, specifically kitchen renovations go through some design changes. We've seen the waves of popularity for certain materials ebb and flow and we've seen some come and go and stay gone. Some are almost off the map now..while others linger. Glass tile has lingered for a while. Is this because they are so popular? Not necessarily. Glass tiles are still readily available and a lot of people still find them to be an ideal upgrade to their kitchen remodeling efforts. Are they? Well not so fast.
Pros- Glass tiles are easy to install-or relatively so, and easy to maintain once installed. They are easy to clean and can be an attractive way to tie in various colors and elements in the kitchen. Large selection of colors, and styles available. They typically come in different sizes from small cubed patterns to elongated rectangular stacked patterns. You can find various colors and color combinations that will work with many paint schemes you have on your kitchen and bathroom walls and cabinets. Glass tiles are still readily available.
Cons- Not the most inexpensive option, depending on how much wall you have behind your counters. Can look dated. Yes I know this seems hard to believe but glass tile has been around for a while. It's a trend, and trends tend to come and go with each decade. Extremely taste specific. It is hard to believe something you spent so much time picking out and paying for would not be loved by all, but of all the kitchen renovation choices you can make, glass tile is the most taste specific choice next to counter top choice. What does this mean? Well it means it is less neutral in appearance and therefore may not appeal to the broader masses. Now this is only an issue if you're planning on selling one day, but still its important. Busy patterns. Glass tiles can be very busy and can clash with many counter tops. Especially granite that also tends to have a pattern involved. Putting the two next to each other can result in something that looks like a bad channel on your television. We really don't want something so busy it should come with an epilepsy warning do we?
The bottom line is this, while glass tile backsplashes are still available they are indeed a trend and all trends come to an end, right after to you spend. Remember that. Chose carefully what pattern or design to go with because you're not only stuck with it, but in many cases if it is too taste specific may be off-putting to a future potential buyer and in some cases can be a deal breaker. I have seen people refuse to buy homes over the design choices involving granite and tile choices. If at all possible try to get an idea what your kitchen will look like with glass tile by either creating the look on photoshop or buying interior design software to explore what the end results will yield.
My advice is to always pick where to spend your big dollars. I'd rather invest in a nice patterned counter top and an complimentary toned down backsplash. Let one be the show stopper, but don't let both compete for that title. It will only come off as disconcerting.
