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Glass tiles on counter top?

14 years ago

We just figured out we've got the money to redo the bathroom (which is in dire need of it, for example the shower tile walls have large patches of pink bondo....). I'm at the learning-whats-doable point and have some ideas but don't know how practical they are.

We're gutting the space, it's a 6x9 room, door on a long wall right in the middle. To the left will be a 36" deep walk-in shower with built-in cabinets to the left to fill in the space so that the entire wall will be the same depths.

Across from the door will be 66" of built-in vanity, a 36" section and a 30" section, with the 36" to the right and the sink centered in that under a mirror and light.

To the right is the toilet.

It's a guest/company bathroom so it doesn't get the same use as the master bath.

Two starter questions: I have this image of a white or light blue iridescent tile, small ones, on the countertop with a white wading pool sink. Even with light use, are small glass tiles practical at all for a counter?

Then we could do the shower in a basic white field tile with the same glass tiles used as decorative inserts.

2nd question: we were thinking of using Ikea kitchen cabinets for the built-in vanity. The ones we have in the kitchen are deeper than the vanity that's currently there. We have the space, is there any good reason not to do this?

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Comments (7)

joannaca
14 years ago
We have the exact same idea for our guest bath. The entire bathroom will be white tile except for the counter top. This photo from the Hakatai tile website inspired me. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Here is a link that might be useful:
just_julie
14 years ago
We have tile counter tops right now. Keep in mind that the grout will get dirty even if it doesn't really get used. Dust will settle and when it gets sprayed down and/or wiped, it will settle in a bit, building up over time.

Once a month or so, I have to take a small brush and scrub everything down, changing rinse water so its fully clean.

It's an off-white epoxy grout.
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I have glass tiles on the wall and solid glass for a countertop. You could do stone tiles with glass inserts but I would prefer to avoid any grout on a countertop. Ultimately the grout gets dirty and a burden to keep clean. The solid glass counter is very easy to maintain. You could carry the shower wall design to an accent wall eg. behind the vanity and use the glass inserts there to tie the two areas together.
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Thanks, Bill! Durability was one of my concerns for her. I think I've heard mention of epoxy grout before for kitchen countertop tiles for durability - would that advice still apply when using glass tile?
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claga: Only two appliances are new and we like them both. GE Cafe range is really nice and the amana refrigerator is also very nice. (stainless becomes dirty with fingerprints etc, but simplehuman microfiber mitt works well on those). At some point we will replace the dishwasher .. but this one is not too old and is working fine. (kenmore) red_eared_slider - This is Ticor S105DR bought from Galaxy Tool Supply (many good recommendations on this forum for the sink and the dealer). It was 31.5" wide Pepper: Depth of countertop is 25.5" from cement board (instead of sheetrock). sink is Ticor S105DR. We actually would have like S405, but it needs 36" lower cab and we didnt have those extra 3" :( Thanks beachpea! We and kids are enjoying the new kitchen :)
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pharaoh
14 years ago
Short answer: NO.

The problem is not the glass but the grout. Grout on a countertop is simply the seed for dirt and grime.
mondragon
Original Author
14 years ago
Once a month + small brush + many changes of water = not going to happen.

So in the decades since I grew up with a tile countertop, grout is _still_ staining? I guess so....

I was trying to save money and not get granite, but other than laminate I don't see any other options...
pharaoh
14 years ago
Prefab is the answer if you are trying to save money. You can get prefab granite vanity tops for around $150.
check your craigslist.

Here is a link that might be useful: prefab vanity tops
jjaazzy
14 years ago
If you are looking for a solid surface for a small 30" or 36" counter, you can look to the large format tiles. It will save you money and open up many choices. Wish that was an option for me. My counter is too long and a seam is not an option.
joannaca
14 years ago
I spray my tile shower with Tilex and the bleach keeps the grout white. I don't see why it wouldn't work the same on the counter top.

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