Glass tiles are back! And why not? They’re colourful and bright and add a touch of class to any décor. The resurgence of glass mosaic tiles is due to technological breakthroughs in the 1990s that makes today’s mosaics easier to handle and to install. Commonly used in kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms their popularity continues to grow.

But, before you purchase, it’s important to do a little bit of homework to understand what it is you’re getting.

Tracy Maxwell of Granite Transformations discusses the three ways that glass mosaic is produced. The first type is a clear glass product with colour pasted onto the back. The second method takes two pieces of glass and pastes colour in-between. The third method is by far the best.

“If you’re going to make this type of investment in your home, make sure you the get the overall effect you want,” Maxwell explains. “The richest way to make a glass mosaic is to infuse colour right into the glass in its molten state. This is the truest way to get the most reflection of light and colour into your home.”

Once the decision is made as to the type of glass mosaic tile, then the next consideration is its application. Installation requirements differ if it’s a backsplash or a bathroom. Granite Transformations has solved the tricky installation challenges with a product that is already mounted and pre-grouted. A kitchen backsplash can be competed in one afternoon.

“Because the mosaic comes in a 4 ft. x 10 ft. sheet, we basically make a template of your wall and come in and install it right over top of your existing tile,” Maxwell adds. “And the grout is acrylic so it won’t stain or get mildewy in a bathroom”

Customers are not limited to the pre-grouted glass mosaics. Custom mixes are available. With 200 colours available, customers can choose exactly the percentage of colour they want to use to complement a kitchen or bathroom perfectly.

“You don’t have to try to make a pattern yourself,” Maxwell said. “We make a random colour mix for you and it comes in a sheet that is 1 ft. x 1 ft. making it easy to install.” However, Maxwell does urge customers to have the glass mosaic professionally installed.

To learn how to start transforming your home visit Granite Transformations at www.granitetransformations.ca