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Paper-backed glass tile in shower?

13 years ago

We ordered tile for our new bath and it came in. After getting it home, we realized that the 1x1 glass mosaics aren't colored tiles -- they're clear tiles with colored paper stuck on the back. And they're made in China. I guess we should have been more careful.

We feel kind of ripped off, because these were expensive tiles -- $32/SF.

Are these tiles ok to use in a shower? (vertical surfaces only.) Should we try to return them? Since we had to order them, I don't know how returnable they are. But even if we have to eat our $220, we don't want to install bad tile.

We need to decide fast. Help, please!

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Comments (7)

live_wire_oak
13 years ago
Are you sure the paper isn't on the face of the tile? Mosaics are usually done with either the fiberglass mesh backing or have a paper facing that will come off when softened with water after being set. If the paper is indeed on the back, then it sounds like a big factory error that the supplier should correct.
s8thrd
Original Author
13 years ago
The paper is on the BACK of the tile -- BETWEEN the glass and the mesh. It's not an error; it's where the color is. The glass, we realized, is clear. Is this stuff junk? If so, why is a long-established tile store recommended by our contractor selling it?
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pharaoh
13 years ago
There are plenty of glass tile sellers on ebay. I would expect to pay between $5-$10 per sq ft for glass tile which is color coated on the back (not paper sticker).

Here in LA, you can also find glass tile on craigslist.

Return the tile and buy it online (after getting a sample first).

Here is a link that might be useful: glass tile on ebay
blondelle
13 years ago
A lot of colored glass tile is done with a color coating on the back of the tile, even better tile. Are you sure it's real paper though? That I've never seen. Usually it's a hard surface that's fused with the glass. Lots of tile is made in China. That's fine.

If it's a solid color without any design that's rather high unless it's 8mm and better quality, but still high for that.
s8thrd
Original Author
13 years ago
Maybe it's not paper. The back of the tile is matte white, so I assumed that it is paper that the color was applied to, but maybe it is two coatings -- one with the color, and a matte white one behind it.

Thanks!
pharaoh
13 years ago
Can you post photos of the tile?
chrystyne731
13 years ago
My bathroom tile had a paper backing as well and when I picked it up from the store I assumed it was the back, but after reading the instructions it turned out that the paper was on the front of it. We paid about $28 /SF for it.

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