Is Glass Tile Good to Use in the Shower? A Complete Guide for You

Hey there! If you‘re thinking about installing glass tile in your shower, you‘ve come to the right place. As a home improvement expert who has tiled my fair share of bathrooms, let me walk you through everything you need to know about glass tile for showers. I‘ll share with you the pros and cons, tips for choosing the perfect tile, installation recommendations, care instructions, and even some creative design ideas!

An Overview of Dazzling Glass Tile

Before we get into the specifics, let‘s look at an overview of glass tile itself. Made from melted silica sand or recycled glass, glass tile is available in a huge array of colors, sizes, and finishes. It can be frosted, etched, patterned, metallic, iridescent, and more! The reflective, illuminated quality of glass tile can totally transform the look and feel of your bathroom.

According to a report from the National Tile Contractors Association, glass tile has several advantages:

• Highly durable – Glass tile boasts a hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Properly installed, it can last over 30 years!

• Water and stain resistant – With its non-porous quality, glass tile resists water absorption and clearly outpaces ceramic and porcelain tile in this regard.

• Resilient – Glass tile can withstand temperature fluctuations from -26°C to 482°C making it very resilient.

• Easy to clean – The smooth face of glass tile does not support bacterial growth and cleans up nicely.

However, glass tile does have some downsides to consider:

• Expensive material and installation costs – Due to production methods, glass tile prices are 25-50% higher than ceramic or porcelain.

• Slick surface – Polished glass can be dangerously slippery when wet. Opt for textured tiles.

• Brittle – Rigid glass is prone to cracking if the subsurface flexes or impact occurs. Handle with care!

• Scratching – Glass tile scratches more easily over time than glazed ceramic or porcelain.

Perfect Places to Use Glass Tile in Showers

With its luminous and reflective nature, glass tile works wonderfully as an accent or full wall covering in showers. Here are some of my favorite ways to highlight glass tile in the bathroom:

Illuminate Shower Walls

Cover a whole shower wall or create a central focal point with glass tile. The reflective tiles will make your shower feel more spacious and bright. Mix glass with ceramic, porcelain or stone for visual interest.

Textured Floor Tiles

Add textured, slip-resistant glass floor tiles to provide grip while still dazzling with color. Use bolder mosaic tiles on the floor to make it pop.

Gorgeous Shower Niches

Glass tile can illuminate plain shower niches or shelves. Use the eye-catching tiles to create a decorative display space for soaps and shampoos.

Bands and Borders

Accent corners, trim edges, or tile seams with glass tile bands and borders. This adds a hint of sparkle without going overboard.

Backsplashes Too!

Continue glass tile from the shower onto surrounding walls or backsplashes. This creates a coordinated, streamlined look.

Tips for Selecting Your Perfect Glass Tile

The options are nearly endless when it comes to the style, color, and texture of glass tile. Keep these tips in mind as you shop for your shower tile:

• Choose a Style – Select from subway, mosaic, penny round, hexagon, and more. Mixing tile shapes and sizes adds interest.

• Mind the Texture – Etched, frosted, pebbled and textured tiles provide grip. Super slick polished tiles require caution.

• Pick a Perfect Color – From bold primaries to chic neutrals, glass tile comes in every color under the sun. Select one that energizes or relaxes you.

• Consider Grout Color – Contrasting grout makes tile patterns stand out. Matching grout gives a seamless look.

• See Coordinated Sets – Many brands offer packaged collections with coordinating soaps, accessories, and decors.

• Set a Budget – Due to higher costs, glass tile averages $10-20 per square foot installed. But it can exceed $50 for specialty/artisan styles.

Comparing Shower Tile Materials

Let‘s see how glass tile stacks up against some other popular shower tile materials:

Material	Pros	Cons	Cost Per Sq Ft
Glass Tile	Reflective, illuminating. Waterproof, durable. Easy to clean.	Expensive. Slippery when wet. Prone to cracks/breaks. Scratches over time.	$10-20 installed
Ceramic Tile	Affordable. Wide range of colors/finishes.	Not as water-resistant as glass. More prone to staining and mildew. Slightly less durable.	$5-15 installed
Porcelain Tile	Most waterproof and durable option. Stain, scratch and chemical resistant.	Limited style and color options. Can become slippery.	$8-18 installed
Natural Stone	Elegant, upscale look. Each tile unique.	Requires sealing. Etches and stains easily. Challenging installation.	$15-50+ installed

As you can see, glass tile offers a gorgeous illuminated look, but comes at a cost. For the most budget-friendly option, ceramic is a great pick!

Preparing Your Shower Walls

Before enjoying those dazzling new glass tiles, proper prep is crucial. Ensure your shower walls are:

Clean – Remove all soap scum, mildew and residue from the installation surface. Degreasing cleaners work well.

Dry – Test for any hidden moisture or leaks which could undermine the tile. Repair sources before moving forward.

Smooth – Glass won‘t hide imperfections, so use patching compounds to level any uneven areas.

Primed – After cleaning, apply a primer coat to boost adhesion. Use a latex-modified thinset mortar.

Waterproofed – Prevent leaks by applying a waterproofing membrane to shower walls before tiling. RedGard and Laticrete Hydroban are great options.

Reinforced – Add a reinforcing layer like cement backer board over the waterproofing for shear strength.

Installing Glass Tile like a Pro

Once your shower walls are prepped and ready, it‘s time for the fun part – installation! Follow these pro tips when tiling with glass:

• Use latex thinset – Latexmodified thinsets like Mapei Adesilex P10 give better adhesion and flexibility.

• Double butter – Spread thinset on both the tile and the wall surface to ensure mortar contact.

• Use a notched trowel – Hold at a 45° angle to evenly comb thinset onto the surface and achieve the right depth.

• Work in sections – Only apply thinset to areas you can tile before it dries, about 20-30 minutes.

• Gently set tiles – Due to brittleness, be careful not to crack glass when tapping or setting it.

• Mind expansion gaps – Leave 1/8" gaps between sheets of tile and near walls/corners.

• Clean as you go – Immediately wipe away excess thinset and grout using a damp sponge.

Follow manufacturer instructions for exact thinset use, and your tiles will stick for good!

Grouting and Sealing Tips

Choosing the right grout and sealant ensures your glass tile lasts:

• Epoxy grout – Nearly indestructible and stainproof. Ideal for glass tile showers despite higher cost.

• Matching sanded grout – For wider joints, use sanded grout matched to your tile color.

• Sealing agents – Use a grout release beforehand and seal the tiles after. I like Aqua Mix products.

• Re-seal yearly – Sealants break down over time. Reapply them annually to maintain water resistance.

With the right combo of products, you can rest assured your beautiful glass tile will stand the test of time!

Caring for Your Tile

To keep your glass tile looking its best:

• Use a gentle daily cleaner like Method Daily Shower to prevent soap scum buildup. Avoid harsh chemicals!

• Squeegee and wipe down after each use to eliminate water deposits and mineral residue.

• Reseal tile and grout yearly or when you notice damage, dullness or changes in appearance.

• Immediately clean up spills – glass stains easily. Don‘t use abrasive pads or cleaners.

• Inspect monthly for any cracked, damaged or loose tiles which could indicate water issues.

With proper care, your glass tile can maintain its luminous shine for decades to come!

Inspiring Design Ideas

Now that you‘re a glass tile pro, here are some eye-catching design ideas to spark your creativity:

Smokey Glass Brick Pattern

Cover your shower in a chic, rectangular smokey gray glass brick pattern for an industrial modern look. Use a light grout to define the brick lines.

[Photo of a gray brick pattern glass tile shower accent wall]

Blue Mosaic Wave

Create a mosaic glass tile wave pattern in shades of blue and green. Mix in white tiles and set on a classic white subway tile background for contrast.

[Photo of a blue mosaic wave pattern glass tile shower wall]

Pebbled Floor Detail

Use small pebbled and textured glass tiles in earth tones on your shower floor. Contrast with a polished, vibrant glass wall tile.

[Photo of a pebbled glass tile shower floor]

Mirrored Pennies

Make your shower feel ultra luxe with mirrored glass penny round tiles laid in decorative patterns along one wall.

[Photo of a penny round mirrored glass tile shower accent wall]

As you can see, the possibilities are endless with glass tile! Choose a design that reflects your own personal style.

Time to Tile Your Shower!

There you have it, my friend! You now have all the details on illuminating your shower with gorgeous glass tile. With benefits like durability, water resistance, and easy cleaning, glass tile is a wonderful option for showers. Just be sure to prep your walls, use quality installation materials, grout and seal properly, and maintain the finish. Feel free to reference this guide anytime you need a glass tile refresher! Wishing you success with your dazzling new shower.