How much does it cost to install tempered glass? Is price the only drawback of tempered glass? What are the advantages of tempered glass over tiles? Why is the installation of tempered glass more complicated than ceramic tiles, and why is it crucial to take precise measurements?
We’ve previously written about equipping kitchens with wall panels instead of traditional tiles (LINK). This solution offers numerous advantages, from aesthetics to practicality. One option that has become increasingly popular lately is covering kitchen walls with tempered glass instead of ceramic tiles.
This solution certainly enhances aesthetics and gives an impression of luxury, but it’s worth noting that the cost of installing tempered glass is significantly higher than that of ceramic tiles, even the high-quality ones.
Advantages of Installing Tempered Glass
Price is not an advantage of tempered glass. However, tempered glass has some qualities that cannot be overlooked. Firstly, aesthetics. Tempered glass provides a completely smooth surface on the wall between the upper and lower kitchen elements, without grout lines. This makes maintenance very easy.
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Additionally, tempered glass is now available in various shades and surface textures, from high gloss to matte finishes. There are also designs achieved by attaching “prints,” offering endless design options. These prints are applied to the back of the tempered glass, facing the wall, protecting them from damage.
Tempered glass, besides being easy to maintain and clean, is also very strong. A special process of heating and rapid cooling gives tempered glass five times the strength of standard glass, minimizing the chances of damage and scratches.
Is Price the Only Drawback of Tempered Glass?
The high price is not the only drawback of tempered glass compared to tiles. With tiles, it is much easier to trim, modify, and change plans afterward. When it comes to tempered glass, the rule is – measure three times, cut once, literally.
Before installing tempered glass, it is necessary to take very precise measurements of where the glass surface will be because subsequent cutting, drilling, or any processing of the tempered glass panel is impossible. Therefore, before installation, it is crucial to measure all positions for sockets and similar accurately.
Any post-processing of glass after the tempering process would result in the entire glass panel shattering into tiny pieces. Therefore, you should consider that after several years, for example, it will not be possible to drill a hole in the tempered glass to install a hook for hanging kitchen towels. Subsequent additions are only possible by gluing.
How to Properly Install Tempered Glass on the Wall
All these difficulties related to the installation process further increase the final product cost because craftsmen do not perform all these additional tasks for free. Therefore, the already higher initial price of tempered glass compared to tiles rises even more.
Usually, quartr inch (6 mm) thick glass is installed, except when the wall is uneven, in which case one third of an inch (8 mm) thick glass is used to ensure adequate strength.
The glass is fixed to the wall with silicone. If it is tempered glass with a “print” on the back, neutral silicone, used for fixing mirrors, is recommended.
Foto: Almaz