You can purchase glass tiles at most home improvement stores. Try to buy about 5% more tile than you need for the job to account for any errors that occur during installation, though if you’re putting in a backsplash with many outlets or otherwise has many difficult cuts, allow yourself an additional 10%.
If you don’t feel comfortable with the installation after reading the instructions, consider contacting the manufacturer directly for more information. You may want to consider using a qualified contractor, carpenter or professional installer for this job.
Check for any defective or broken glass, as well. Glass tiles with paper or foil backing should be checked carefully for manufacturing defects that will hard to spot until after it is installed.
Gloves will also protect your hands from the extremely sharp edges of freshly cut glass tile.
You can also use nippers to perform other detail work like trimming flares, cutting around pipes and breaking off pieces of scored tile. [1] X Research source An example of small format tiles are 4mm mosaic tiles.
The scoring tool itself does not cut the glass into pieces. It creates a break line, and then the cutter applies pressure by hand to snap the tile along the line.
The score needs to run from one side of the tile to the other, so make sure your cut lines are drawn all the way to the edges of the tile.
If you hear a gritty sound as you score, that means you are pushing too hard. The right amount of pressure will result in a smooth, tearing sound. These scored lines are sometimes called break lines.
You may need to use an additional tool to break the tile. Place a piece of wire or some other thin object directly beneath the score line, making sure the score line is facing up. Apply pressure to both sides of the line to snap the tile. You can try using pliers as long as you wrap the ends with electrical tape.
Switch that blade out with a glass compatible diamond-encrusted blade, which the home improvement store will carry. [6] X Research source
Replace the water frequently when cutting glass tiles, since as the water fills with debris it will increase the chances of chipping a tile.