The Pros and Cons of Glass Tile

Glass tiles come in many show stopping varieties and colors. "There's nothing prettier," says Dave Gobis, executive director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation. "But glass is a very picky product — it's extremely particular in how it's installed. It is not a do-it-yourself project."

Be prepared to pay top dollar for someone with expertise to install your purchase. "Glass installation is a specialty," Gobis says. Beware of general contractors who claim they can do the job.

Some glass is suitable for residential floor traffic; make sure yours is rated for that use before you have it installed. The main obstacle to a glass floor — or any installation other than as an accent piece — is the price.

Install Yourself? No
Best Use: Decorative accent, backsplashes
Pros: Beauty, variety
Cons: Expense, difficulty of installation
Price Range: $7–$30 and up per square foot