Call: 919-213-8068
Logo for American Dream Flooring and Tile, featuring blue and red script text, a rolled carpet in Wake County, NC and Horry County, SC
Call: 919-213-8068
Contact Us

Glass Tile Wake County, NC & Horry County, SC

Glass Tile That Actually Lasts

You’re looking at glass tile because you want something that looks incredible and holds up to real life. You’ll get both here, plus the installation expertise that makes the difference between a backsplash that impresses and one that disappoints.
Raleigh: 919-213-8068
Myrtle Beach: 843-585-0109
Over 30 Years Experience
Limited Lifetime Installation Warranty
Premium Brand Selection
Best Price Guarantee

Professional Glass Tile Installation in Wake County, NC & Horry County, SC

Glass Tile Done Right From Start to Finish

Glass tile brings light, depth, and a modern edge to kitchens and bathrooms that other materials just can’t match. The translucent quality reflects natural light, making spaces feel bigger and brighter while adding that high-end look you’re going for. But here’s what matters most: glass tile is unforgiving. The adhesive shows through. Every wall imperfection becomes visible. One wrong cut and you’ve got a chipped edge staring back at you. That’s why installation matters as much as the tile itself. American Dream Flooring And Tile handles both. You’ll work with professionals who understand glass tile’s unique requirements, from proper substrate preparation to using white polymer-modified thin-set and unsanded grout. You get access to premium brands like American Olean, Dal-Tile, and Emser Tile, plus the installation expertise that turns your vision into reality without the headaches.
Blue tiled shower with clean lines and modern finish in a Wake County, North Carolina bathroom
Modern bathroom with blue tile walls, white vanity cabinetry, updated fixtures, and clean contemporary design in a Wake County, North Carolina home.

Custom Glass Tile Work

Why Glass Tile Needs Different Installation

Glass tile isn’t ceramic. It’s not porcelain. It behaves differently, and that matters when someone’s installing it in your home. Because glass is translucent, you see right through to the adhesive layer. Use the wrong thin-set, and you’ll have discolored patches visible through your beautiful tile. That’s why we use white polymer-modified thin-set specifically formulated for glass. Similarly, sanded grout will scratch glass surfaces over time, so unsanded grout is non-negotiable. Then there’s the cutting. Glass requires specialized diamond blades and careful technique to avoid chipping. Wall preparation matters more with glass than any other tile because imperfections telegraph right through the material. Even lighting affects how your tile looks, which is why testing samples in your actual space under different conditions prevents costly surprises. We’ve spent over 30 years learning these details. You’re not paying for someone to figure it out on your project. You’re getting the benefit of three decades of experience handling glass tile correctly from day one.

Glass Tile Backsplash Benefits

What You Actually Get With Glass Tile

Beyond looking incredible, glass tile delivers practical advantages that make your kitchen or bathroom easier to live with every single day.
  • Your space feels noticeably brighter and more open because glass naturally reflects light throughout the room.
  • Cleanup takes seconds instead of minutes since the non-porous surface wipes clean without absorbing stains or harboring bacteria.
  • You'll stop worrying about heat damage behind your stove because glass tile withstands high temperatures without warping or discoloring.
  • Water and moisture don't stand a chance against properly installed glass tile, making it perfect for backsplashes and bathroom walls.
  • Your tile looks exactly the same years from now because glass doesn't fade, crack, or deteriorate like other materials.
  • You get the exact aesthetic you want with endless options in colors, sizes, textures, and finishes across premium brands.

American Olean Dal-Tile Emser Options

Premium Brands That Deliver on Quality

American Olean, Dal-Tile, and Emser Tile represent the top tier of glass tile manufacturing. These aren’t generic products—they’re brands that professional installers and designers specify when quality matters. American Olean brings over a century of tile-making expertise with glass collections that range from classic subway styles to contemporary mosaics. Their Color Appeal line offers vibrant hues in multiple formats, while their Solare collection features iridescent finishes that add depth and movement. Dal-Tile, part of the Mohawk family, delivers both innovation and reliability. Their glass tile options include everything from sleek solid colors to intricate blended mosaics, with the manufacturing consistency that makes installation predictable and results reliable. Emser Tile specializes in decorative glass with unique patterns and premium finishes. Their collections often feature hand-crafted aesthetics and specialty designs that become focal points rather than just backgrounds. Working with us means you’re not limited to one brand or forced into whatever’s in stock. You get access to the full range of options across these premium manufacturers, plus guidance on which products actually work for your specific project, budget, and aesthetic goals.
Let’s Build Something You’ll Love

Tell us about your space and your goals, and we’ll help you turn your ideas into a finished result that fits your home.

Raleigh: 919-213-8068
Myrtle Beach: 843-585-0109

Common questions about Glass Tile

Glass tile installation typically ranges from $20 to $100 per square foot for materials and labor combined, though your specific cost depends on the tile you choose, the size of your project, and any wall preparation needed. Premium brands like American Olean, Dal-Tile, and Emser Tile offer options at different price points, so you’re not locked into one budget level. The material itself generally runs $7 to $50 per square foot, with installation labor adding another $8 to $30 per square foot depending on project complexity. A standard kitchen backsplash covering 30 to 40 square feet might cost $600 to $4,000 total. What matters most is getting accurate pricing upfront based on your actual project, which is why we provide detailed estimates after seeing your space and understanding what you want. Keep in mind that while glass tile costs more than ceramic initially, it lasts indefinitely when installed correctly, making it a solid long-term investment.
Glass tile installation requires specialized skills that make professional installation worth every penny. Unlike ceramic or porcelain, glass is translucent, meaning the adhesive layer shows through the tile. If you use the wrong thin-set or apply it unevenly, you’ll see discolored patches and trowel marks through your finished backsplash. Glass also requires unsanded grout because sanded versions will scratch the surface over time. Cutting glass tile demands diamond blades and careful technique to avoid chipping edges, and wall imperfections that you’d never notice with opaque tile become glaringly obvious through glass. Even experienced DIYers often regret tackling glass tile because the margin for error is so small and mistakes are highly visible. Professional installers have the right tools, materials, and experience to handle glass correctly the first time. We have over 30 years of experience with glass tile installation, which means you avoid the costly mistakes that come from learning on your own project. The difference in final appearance between DIY and professional installation is significant enough that most homeowners who price both options choose professional installation.
American Olean, Dal-Tile, and Emser Tile are all premium manufacturers, but they each bring something different to the table. American Olean has been making tile since 1923 and offers extensive color ranges with reliable consistency across production runs. Their glass tile collections include classic options like subway tiles and mosaics, with finishes ranging from glossy to matte. Dal-Tile, owned by Mohawk, combines innovation with massive production capacity, which means broad selection and good availability. They excel at creating glass tiles that mimic other materials while delivering the practical benefits of glass. Emser Tile specializes in more decorative and artisanal glass options, often featuring hand-crafted aesthetics, unique patterns, and specialty finishes that work as focal points. In practical terms, American Olean tends to offer the widest color selection, Dal-Tile provides excellent value with consistent quality, and Emser delivers when you want something more distinctive or artistic. The right choice depends on your specific aesthetic goals, budget, and how much you want your tile to stand out versus blend in. We carry all three brands, so you’re not forced to compromise based on limited inventory. You can compare actual samples and choose the brand and style that truly fits your vision.
Glass tile is actually excellent behind stoves and cooktops because it handles heat better than most other backsplash materials. Glass naturally resists high temperatures without warping, discoloring, or cracking, which makes it ideal for the area that takes the most abuse in your kitchen. Unlike some materials that can suffer from prolonged heat exposure, properly installed glass tile maintains its appearance and structural integrity indefinitely. The non-porous surface also means grease and food splatters wipe off easily without staining, which is exactly what you want in the highest-use area of your backsplash. Many homeowners specifically choose glass tile for behind their range because it combines heat resistance with easy cleaning and beautiful aesthetics. The key is proper installation with the right adhesive and grout, which is where professional expertise matters. Glass tile needs white polymer-modified thin-set that won’t discolor from heat exposure, and unsanded grout that won’t scratch the surface during cleaning. We use the correct materials and techniques to ensure your glass tile backsplash performs as well as it looks, even in high-heat areas. You don’t need to baby your backsplash or worry about damage from normal cooking, which is the whole point of installing quality materials correctly.
Choosing glass tile starts with understanding how light affects glass differently than opaque materials. Glass tile reflects light and can look dramatically different under various lighting conditions, so the first rule is testing samples in your actual space at different times of day. Bring samples home and look at them in morning light, afternoon sun, and evening with your kitchen lights on. You’ll often find that a tile that looked perfect in the showroom appears completely different in your kitchen. For color selection, consider your existing elements like countertops, cabinets, and flooring. Glass tile can either complement these elements with coordinating tones or provide contrast as a focal point. Lighter glass tiles make small kitchens feel more spacious by reflecting light, while darker or more saturated colors create drama and depth. Size matters too—larger tiles feel more modern and minimize grout lines, while smaller mosaics add texture and visual interest. Think about your overall aesthetic: are you going for sleek and contemporary, warm and traditional, or somewhere in between? We help you navigate these decisions by showing you options across American Olean, Dal-Tile, and Emser Tile collections, explaining how different choices will actually look and perform in your specific space. You’re not guessing or hoping it works out—you’re making informed decisions based on seeing real samples in your real lighting with guidance from professionals who’ve done this thousands of times.
Properly installed glass tile essentially lasts forever, maintaining its appearance and structural integrity indefinitely. Unlike plaster finishes that need replacement every 5 to 10 years or other materials that fade and deteriorate over time, glass tile looks the same decades later as it did the day it was installed. This longevity makes glass tile one of the best long-term value propositions despite higher upfront costs. Maintenance is remarkably simple because glass is non-porous and doesn’t absorb stains or harbor bacteria. For daily cleaning, just wipe with a damp cloth or sponge and mild dish soap, then dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbers that can scratch the surface over time—stick with non-abrasive cleaners and soft materials like microfiber cloths. The grout lines need occasional attention—seal them every year or two to prevent staining and moisture penetration—but the tile itself requires almost no special care. Don’t let spills sit for extended periods, not because they’ll stain the glass but because dried residue takes more effort to remove and repeated scrubbing can eventually dull the finish. Most homeowners find that glass tile backsplashes are actually easier to maintain than the countertops below them. We install glass tile with proper techniques and materials that maximize longevity, so you’re not dealing with premature grout failure, tile delamination, or other issues that plague poor installations. You get decades of beauty with minimal maintenance, which is exactly what you’re paying for.
Need more information?
See More Reviews
See More Reviews