Laying a Glass Backsplash

Prepare the wall by painting over dark wall paint if necessary. Sand the wall lightly for a rougher surface that allows the thinset to stick better. Remove electrical outlet face plates after shutting off the power source. Wipe down the wall so it is free of dust and debris.

Mark the center of the backsplash area by measuring it to find the vertical and horizontal mid-point. Draw a line across the wall through the mid-point to serve as a guide while installing the glass tiles. Use a level to ensure this line remains straight.

Hold the tile sheets up to the wall to get an estimate of how much you will need and how they will fit together. You will likely need to cut some of the tiles to fit in around the edges.

Apply the thinset to a section of wall about 2-feet-by-2-feet, allowing you to work in small sections so it doesn't set up prematurely. Use the notched side of the trowel so you get an even layer of thinset on the wall. Go back over the area with the flat side to gently smooth out the grooves, as they will show through the glass tile. Focus on keeping the thinset the same thickness as you smooth so you don't end up with uneven areas.

Apply the first sheet of glass tiles, using the line you drew as your guide. Continue placing whole sheets of tile, applying more thinset as you reach the uncovered areas. Leave the areas around electrical outlets and other cutouts, as well as the edge pieces that need cut, to do at the end.

Measure the gaps along the edges of the wall. Cut the sheets of glass tile to fit, allowing for about 1/8 inch along the edge for caulking. Measure and cut the sheets to fit around the electrical outlets, being sure the tiles cover enough of the wall so the face plate will cover the tile edges.

Cut individual tiles with two-wheeled glass nippers if necessary to fit in the areas around outlets and other fixtures. Position those pieces by hand in the correct spot.

Let the tiles set for about 30 minutes if you are using the sheets with paper backing. Gently dampen the paper with a wet sponge and carefully peel it off at an angle to avoid shifting the tiles. Adjust individual tiles as necessary for even spacing.

Let the tiles continue to set for another 48 hours so the thinset is able to harden. Wipe down the tiles with a clean sponge before grouting.

Apply the grout to the dampened tiles with a grout float, focusing on the joints between the tiles. Use a diagonal action with the float to remove the areas of grout on the tiles. Wipe the tiles down with a clean, wet sponge to remove the rest of the grout on the surface.

Caulk around the edge of the backsplash to fill in the 1/8-inch gap you left. The silicone caulk prevents moisture from getting into the gap between the countertops and the backsplash.