Glass Subway Backsplash in Universal City

This kitchen backsplash in a Universal City home near Pat Booker Road used a 3x6 glass subway tile in a green-tinted translucent glaze. Glass tile requires a different adhesive than ceramic or porcelain: a white non-sag mastic is used rather than gray thinset, because the adhesive color shows through the glass and affects the finished appearance. Using the wrong product results in a blotchy look that cannot be corrected without removing the tile.

The existing backsplash was a painted drywall surface with no tile. We confirmed the wall was clean and flat before applying the mastic. The tile was set in a running bond pattern, with the first course established from a level reference line rather than the countertop edge. Outlet boxes were extended to sit flush with the tile surface before grouting.