Custom Glass & Mirror Company Toronto – Glass Showers & More

Author: GSM GLASS

  • The Latest Trends in Kitchen Backsplashes

    The Latest Trends in Kitchen Backsplashes

    In general, the primary purpose of a kitchen backsplash is to protect the wall from water, grease, and food. But it also serves as the focal point of your kitchen. It defines the style and aesthetics of your work area and can bring an otherwise plain-looking room to life. What type of tile and pattern you choose for your kitchen backsplashes can really set the stage for how the rest of the kitchen and house look.

    From a simple, minimalistic look to something that is Mexican influenced, there are countless design options to choose from, and so many fresh and unique backsplash ideas are trending this season. This is the time to create harmony between the counters, walls, floor, and every other element of your workspace. This year’s trends are all about mixing and matching colour and texture to create dynamic and visually exciting spaces. It is really up to you to decide how creative you want to get with your home and kitchen.

    If choosing the right backsplash seems too tricky, worry not, we have compiled the best backsplash trends for you. In this article, we have brought together fantastic kitchen tile backsplash ideas to get you started.

    How to Choose a Kitchen Backsplash

    Deciding on the right backsplash for your kitchen is not an easy task. Below are just a few things you need to consider:

    • You need to decide on a theme.
    • You need to decide what tiles or products fit your personal vision.
    • You need to find a design that fits your needs while keeping with your theme.
      • How do you want your tiles arranged?
      • Will you mix and match?

    Here are five tips that you will find most helpful.

    1. Picking the right tile

    There are so many tile options to choose from; glass, ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, and even metal are some of the most popular choices.

    For most people, though, one significant factor in deciding which tile material to go for is cost. Backsplashes can become very costly, and if you are on a budget, the best options include porcelain and ceramic.

    However, the issue of style is not as important these days when choosing between various tile materials, so cost may not be as much as an issue as it was in the past. The latest trends are more about the creative style of a space rather than costly materials. If you can incorporate “green” methods into your backsplash design, then you are already ahead of the latest in fashion.

    What about a backsplash made of pennies or a mosaic made of recycled or second-hand tiles? The options are really endless, and they won’t break the bank. The latest trends do not have to come at a high cost.

    2. Tile design

    Tiles come in so many cuts, colours, and styles. Here are just a few examples:

    • Diagonal tiles. These tiles come in a diagonal cut, giving your backsplash a unique look. Note that you will require more tiles than usual when tiling a kitchen backsplash. Additionally, diagonal tiles tend to cost more.
    • Laser cut tiles. Because of their intricate designs and patterns, these tiles are cut using laser technology. Different pieces are joined like a jigsaw puzzle, resulting in an elaborately designed backsplash. Laser cut tiles tend to be quite pricey.
    • Subway tiles. These are some of the most popular backsplash tiles. They are named after the tiles used in most subway stations. They create a classic and clean-cut look.

    Don’t be afraid to move away from tiling for your backsplash. Other types of tile designs include:

    • Hand-painted tiles
    • Specialty-shaped tiles
    • Herringbone tiles
    • Mosaic tiles
    • Sheet metal
    • Concrete
    • Wallpaper

    There are so many different tile options to choose from! Compare and contrast the different options. We even recommend collecting samples of different options so you can put them up in your kitchen and imagine what they would be like there.

    3. Mixing and matching

    One of the biggest trends this year in kitchen design is mixing and matching textures to achieve harmony in your workspace. When choosing a backsplash, you need to consider how the design will fit with your countertops, cabinetry, appliances, and paint colour. If you go for a bright, textured, or modern-looking countertop, you may want to choose a simple backsplash. Or, if you have white cabinets, you may go for a more dynamic backsplash to bring depth to your kitchen.

    4. Backsplash height

    The height of your backsplash is another important decision you need to make, as it affects the overall style of your kitchen. While most homeowners opt for the standard countertop-to-cabinet height, you could follow this year’s trend and go for a full-height backsplash or extend the same tiling to other walls and surfaces of your kitchen. Consider extending the same tiling to other areas of your home as well. The backsplash you choose for your kitchen could look fabulous on a fireplace mantle or as the tiling in your bathroom shower. Doing this creates a more attention-grabbing focal point for the kitchen and a nice flow throughout your entire home.

    5. Installing a kitchen backsplash

    If you decide to install a kitchen backsplash yourself, here are some simple tips to follow:

    • Plan your layout.
    • After making sure the wall is completely clean, apply a thin-set mortar or mastic adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Make sure to purchase a great tile saw; then, measure and cut tiles.

    Want more information?

    For more information on trends in kitchen backsplashes, contact Glass Showers and More today! Besides offering design consultation, we can recommend products that can be installed in your kitchen to make cleaning and maintenance easier.

  • 6 Considerations for Choosing a Glass Backsplash

    6 Considerations for Choosing a Glass Backsplash

    When it comes to backsplashes, glass is in vogue. These installations are integral to pulling together kitchens and bathrooms due to their protective function against water damage. With so many options to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of 6 considerations when choosing a glass backsplash.

    1. Plan for versatility

    With so many interesting designs and colours to choose from, it can be tempting to make an eclectic, stand-out aesthetic choice when it comes to your backsplash. If your home is already styled to your preference, feel free to have fun with these kinds of designs. For many, however, a more neutral backsplash may be the way to go.

    Unlike some cabinetry and other semi-permanent fixtures, a backsplash, once installed, takes a fair bit of money and effort to remove or replace. If you go with a showy backsplash and decide five years later that you want to remodel the rest of the kitchen or bathroom in a wildly different direction, your plans may come with extra costs.

    That being said, you don’t have to feel chained down to choosing pure whites. Grey and black can offset many colour palettes beautifully. If it matches, you can even opt for marbled or glitter-splashed neutral colours to give neutrals an extra pop. Generally, you will at the very least want to go with either a monochrome look to keep things clean and crisp.

    Finally, just like any match, sometimes opposites attract. If your space, particularly the kitchen, is otherwise plain and simple in design, a bright backsplash can be the perfect accent to add some style flavour. You can even choose to keep just a few accented tiles if you’re wary of making a long term commitment to ‘loud’ colours.

    2. Aim for durability

    Sometimes the most beautiful designs can’t stand the test of time. Remember that the kitchen and bathroom are spaces that undergo daily use, so aesthetics shouldn’t be your only consideration. If your backsplash design can’t handle ‘splash’, it’s probably not the best choice.

    One option that is especially known for its durability is sheet glass. Due to its transparency, the back side — the side against the wall — can be painted in just about any colour. Mosaic glass is another popular option. An overall advantage of glass backsplashes over some other materials is ease of cleaning. Unlike textured stone, for instance, glass can be easily wiped down in one go. This means that spaghetti sauce can splatter away without the need to bat an eye.

    A final benefit of choosing a backsplash you won’t want or need to rip out later is that minimal renovations are more environmentally conscious. Your home and the world wins when you choose wisely the first time around.

    3. Take cues from cabinets and countertops

    If you are remodelling your kitchen or bathroom from scratch, a good strategy is to pick out your countertop and cabinet colours before anything else. If they’ll be hit with direct sunlight from a window at certain points during the day, hold them up in natural light to get an accurate sense of what your core colours will be. If these items happen to feature prominent designs or patterns, that’s probably a cue that a simpler, monochrome backsplash will complement them best.

    Finally, the style of cabinets and countertops can help you choose the shape of your tiles. An overall rustic appearance, for example, can pair well with brick-shaped tiles, whereas a sleek, modern look can be amplified with neat squares or eye-drawing hexagons.

    4. Think about grout

    If you aren’t one hundred up to speed on backsplash terminology, grout is the paste that fills spaces between tiles. Although grout may seem like a minimal aspect of design, the wrong colour can easily take a wise one-colour scheme into multi-coloured territory. While white may seem like the safest option from a design perspective, you may want to tone it down with a less vibrant hue.

    When in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to go with grout that is one shade lighter than the colour — or most prominent colour — present in your backsplash. Black is another relatively safe option. The big takeaway here is that grout is usually not the aspect of backsplash design where you should channel your individual style with bright pops of colours. Low-key and subdued tends to be the way to go.

    5. Factor in dimensions

    Backsplash height is usually measured to meet the bottom edges of shelves or cabinets. However, there are a couple of other options you may want to consider, such as installing a backsplash up to the ceiling to create an illusion of awe-inspiring height. Standard sizing — the average backsplash height of 18 inches — can be a good starting point to in terms of initial budgeting and planning. However, if you are unsure about measurements or know that you’ll need unique dimensions to achieve your dream kitchen or bathroom, be sure to contact a company that specializes in custom glass backsplashes.

    6. Order with time in mind

    A benefit of going with a local company that creates in-house fabrications is that it’s the best guarantee that your home project will be completed on time. Ordering glass tiles from across the province or the border may come with a myriad of complications. Working with far away companies or those that heavily outsource custom products will add extra days to your renovation timeline, and sometimes even months. Additionally, shipping fragile items, such as glass tiles, comes with the added risk of breakage, delays, costs, and customs fees.

    To learn more about your custom glass backsplash options, call Glass Showers and More at 416-491-8815, or contact us here.

  • Designing Smart with Decorative Mirrors

    Designing Smart with Decorative Mirrors

    Have you ever been in a bathroom and looked up from the sink, only to find a blank wall? There’s something about mirrors that just tie rooms together. Mirrors are a crucial part of our everyday routines before we step foot out the door, but what about the mirrors we choose for decorative purposes?

    Finding the right kind to suit your personal or business needs can be a real challenge if you don’t know your options or what to look out for. Read further for design-inspiring ideas to help you choose the best decorative mirrors.

    1. Reflect your style

    If you want more than just a standard vanity mirror, consider playing around with designs that add a unique style.

    2. Segmented antique mirrors

    Segmented antique mirrors, for instance, can boost the aesthetic appeal of a room with their abstract design. These are made up of various small segments arranged in a wide array of designs to create a single, large mirror. Going with an aged bronze, gold, or silver frame, you can add rustic charm to spaces in need of some welcoming character. An extra bonus is the great talking point these decorative mirrors can be among guests or clients.

    3. Tinted mirrors

    Like some segmented styles, tinted mirrors function primarily as a stylistic piece more so than for practical purposes. If you have other mirror surfaces to consult before you run out the door in the morning, consider the modern, sleek look achieved by tinted bronze or grey mirrors.

    Bronze tones, especially when situated in main entrances or living rooms next to sunlit windows, will bathe rooms in instant warmth with reflected copper colours.

    You can also channel the opposite end of the colour spectrum with the cool appeal of a gray shade. Finding this unique tint can be difficult at times, but the subtle, smokey colours achieved by grey tints are worth seeking a glass and mirror company that offers this option.

    4. Acid etched mirrors

    These are another step in the direction of using mirrors for sheer aesthetics. These matte alternatives are more subtle in their reflective qualities, but they will still look vibrant in the light. With a satiny finish, acid etched mirrors retain some reflection to keep a shiny, clean appearance. They’re perfect as wall coverings and often work well in bathrooms and kitchens. You’ve probably seen plenty of this mirror style in commercial spaces as well, such as on elevator exteriors and in modern office foyers.

    A great thing about acid-etched mirrors is that you have an abundance of options when it comes to tints. Choose anything from neutral tones to bright hues; you can even go on-trend and opt for rose gold.

    5. Shape up to suit the space

    Depending on the space you want to decorate, you may find that certain shapes clash or complement with architectural or stylistic characteristics already present. Consider the following effects certain shapes tend to have on the human eye and think of which could be best used to your advantage:

    • Wide, horizontal mirrors draw the eye along long lines and accentuate wall length
    • Tall, vertical mirrors will draw the eye up and accentuate wall height
    • Curved or rounded mirrors can serve to lend a softer, romantic look to a space, especially when paired with a whimsical or light-coloured frame
    • Sharp-angled mirrors, such as those in a rectangle or square shape, can lend an orderly appearance and tends to work well in most spaces

    In some cases, you may also want to consider the pros and cons of having your mirrors mounted or framed with high, downward sloping edges. Prominent framing or mounting will also make your mirrors pop with a three-dimensional look. These can be a functional choice if you anticipate the mirror will be a permanent or semi-permanent fixture.

    6. Use sizing strategically

    Of course, nothing cramps your style so much as the feeling of being stuck in a tiny space. The size you choose for your mirror will have a direct impact on the effectiveness of your plan for the room, no matter the style you choose. Although a tinted mirror may be striking, for instance, its appeal is easily dwarfed if it is small and placed in a massive room.

    To make a mirror a key focal point, consider a size that is well-proportioned to where you plan to put it. In some cases, you can balance out that ‘lost’ look of a smaller mirror by adding a bold or large accenting frame.

    Alternately, you can tone down the overpowering qualities of a larger mirror by going frameless. This strategy works especially well in the case of mirror walls. Proving that less is more, a mirror wall’s sheer size works to your advantage, as it blends in with the background.

    The best part about using oversized mirrors is that they can work to make the most of extremely limited square footage. Reflections across large dimensions will create the illusion of a bigger space by visually ‘deepening’ the room. You have probably even seen some small businesses successfully use mirror walls to match the open-concept feel of larger competitor venues.

    Perhaps investing in a single large mirror doesn’t meet your stylistic needs. You can also use multiple small mirrors — ideally in the same shape — and group them with equal room between each. Arranging small mirrors in this way can help to fill up some white spaces without actually filling, creating an eclectic, abstract appearance.

    For example, a series of simple, small square mirrors arranged either horizontally or vertically work cohesively to create a larger, rectangular shape. Arrangements like this can make otherwise plain mirrors a focal art piece, intriguingly catching fragments of reflections.

    Getting Started

    If you’re interested in making the most of your space with mirrors, get started today with a trusted glass and mirror company that specializes in customizing designs for clients.

    For more information on decorative mirrors, call Glass Showers and More at 416-491-8815 or contact us here.

  • Benefits of Frameless Shower Enclosures

    Benefits of Frameless Shower Enclosures

    Many people love the convenience of showering: it’s quick and it’s easy. However, showering wasn’t always so. For example, many showers were contained in the bathtub unit. For some, climbing into and out of the tub to shower was not only a safety issue, but difficult for those with stiff joints or other impairments. Often, a shower curtain made the enclosure dark and dreary, and there was limited shelving to place soaps and shampoos on. The shower head, placed on the wall, often left the floor drenched, or a person having to squat to get wet. Once the shower stall was created, a glass-etched door, encased in a heavy metal frame, enclosed the small, tiled space creating a claustrophobic, dark room.

    The trend today, however, is to create a spacious, bright, and clean look for the shower stall. No longer are people wanting small, ceramic tiles to line the walls, cursing when mold or dirt clings to the grout. Instead, they look for large decorative, groutless tiles to line floors, walls, and even ceilings, creating an open, aesthetically pleasing flow. Most importantly, people are choosing to lose the traditional metal-framed doors and are investing in frameless glass shower doors, allowing for natural light and beautiful design elements to be seen. Best of all, the frameless glass door starts at the floor and works itself up, to adapt to any design element a person chooses.

    Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Enclosures

    As mentioned above, the frameless glass shower door and wall panels can be designed to fit any space in any shape imagined. However, as with any product on the market, there are pros and cons with choosing to install a frameless shower enclosure in your home over a more traditional option. The most important thing is knowing the facts, and choosing a product that works for the lifestyle of you and your family!

    Cons of Frameless Shower Enclosures

    1.  Heavier, but more sturdy materials: The glass used in a frameless shower enclosure is quite thick and unusually heavy and, so, hardware must be stronger and sturdier to not only hold up the thick glass, but to also keep the glass panels in place because, now, there isn’t that thick metal frame to keep it together.

    2. The importance of using an installation for frameless shower enclosure systems: Frameless shower enclosures typically lack the rubber and seals that traditional showers have to stop leaks. Also, if the glass is cut ever so slightly off measurement, your bathroom floor risks being ruined by constant puddles. While other shower systems could be installed with some measure of ease by an amateur, you will want a specialist to assist with this procedure to ensure precision when cutting the glass and that your bathroom is constructed properly to stop leaks.

    The Pros of Frameless Shower Enclosures

    Now that some of the cons of frameless shower enclosures are understood, below are the benefits to installing this system in your home.

    Benefit 1: Frameless shower enclosures open up your bathroom space and make it seem larger.

    Benefit 2: Frameless shower enclosures allow you, the homeowner, to customize the look of your bathroom and better create an entirely unique and aesthetic space to enjoy.

    Benefit 3: Frameless shower enclosures are much easier to keep clean than traditional shower systems. They will save you valuable time that could be spent with your family and doing the things you love.

    Let us expand on these points:

    Frameless shower doors offer a minimalist, elegant, and sleek design that mimics an upscale look that more and more homeowners are desiring for their bathrooms. These and the following pro’s will help you decide if this style is the right one for you. Frameless shower doors guarantee the look of having more space. The lack of heavy metal lines framing the glass into place allows a person to feel that the room is bigger, even when it isn’t. The glass panels and clear door is just cleaner. Better yet, if you have added intricate or unique tiles, faucets, showerheads, and the like, your shower stall can become the much appreciated focal point of the bathroom. Another great feature is that you can customize your glass stall. This means that your design can be as big or small as you like. Having a cylinder, square, or rectangle isn’t a problem. You can start the glass at floor level or create a foundation and build from there.

    While some designers opt for the clear glass doors and panels, you can decide to have them etched with acid. Remember the old shower stalls that had rubber seals to keep leaks at a minimum, but grew mold at a rapid rate? Well, this isn’t a problem with frameless shower doors. In fact, having little hardware also ensures that, if maintained well, there is little chance of corrosion and, so, little probability of having ever to replace your door. As well, a squeegee is a fast, easy, and efficient tool to keep glass looking spotless.

    The future of your home, and bathrooms, awaits. With many wonderful design features and options at your fingertips, you can modernize your bathroom to achieve a beautiful, open, and naturally-lit shower stall.

    What are you waiting for?

    Let our consultants help you design your dream shower! Visit our Frameless Shower section or contact us online for more info or call us today at 416-800-1156!

  • What is Acid-Etched Glass?

    What is Acid-Etched Glass?

    What is acid-etched glass?

    Acid-etched glass, or “French Embossing,” is a popular technique developed during the mid-1800s that is still widely used in both residential and commercial spaces today! This method is one that provided individuals with a means of adding elegant privacy to areas without feeling as if privacy or access to natural light has been compromised.

    Historically, to achieve the acid-etched glass effect, hydrofluoric acid was used to remove some of the silica from the glass surface, leaving behind a frosted etched appearance in delicate tones of white diffused shades. Another popular method of creating designs using acid involved applying a non-reactive substance, such as wax, to the glass where the acid could not penetrate, thereby allowing artists to get their creative juices flowing. Like the Victorians’ love for the luxurious and expensive feel the acid-etched glass generated within a room, this same method persists today. After all, why improve on an already perfect method?

    Decorating with acid-etched glass

    Why not consider participating in this age-old tradition by investing in the variety of decorative statements that acid-etched glass offers a space? With new industrial developments to this technique, involving a process where sheets of float glass are treated with hydrofluoric acid and are permanently changed, enhancing the aesthetic and personalizing the style of your home won’t break the bank. Not convinced? Since the process of creating acid-etched glass is permanent, this product will not degrade, the finish will not wear out over time, it will not discolour, and it is smudge-free! As for personalization, acid-etched glass allows you to choose from a variety of opacity levels within a design, and if you still aren’t satisfied, the glass can be back-painted to achieve your desired pattern. Back-painted etched glass is also favoured for its ability to create a unique contemporary classic ambience, and is often used as partition walls on doors, and even as tiling.

    Not sure where you can use acid-etched glass? Here are just a few of the popular places people use it:

    • Doors
    • Partitions
    • Walls
    • Shelves
    • Railings

    Uses of acid-etched glass in windows and doors

    There are also so many interior and exterior applications for acid-etched glass. Many contractors, remodelers, architects, and design specialists use it to enhance every area where glass can be used and where a little privacy and natural light is desired. In addition to many more applications, this classical art form has been used to create feature walls or partitions, to enrich doors and windows, to heighten the look of balustrades, and to augment shower and bath enclosures.

    An acid-etched glass product can be made simple or as complicated as a person wants it to be. Translucency is created via patterns that offer degrees of transparency and diffusion of light. One can usually see this method applied to doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, etc. Or, one can consider doing gradient-etched glass, which is a unique ink technology that creates a faded look. This feature presents a sense of openness, while providing loads of privacy. One can expect a fade to begin with a dense opaque white line (thickness is determined by personal preference) that slowly fades to a clear ending, hence, the term “gradient.” Opacity varies between a range of 0 percent (being fully clear) to 100 percent (being fully opaque). Opacity needs to be specified when ordering, no matter what design feature you decide on. This method offers a more sophisticated look.

    Usually, acid-etched items are only one-sided, but the technique can be done on both sides depending on the glass thickness. If you are looking into acid-etched glass for double-sided hotel walls or office partitions, for example, this is becoming an increasingly popular method that is offered by many companies.

    To find out more about acid-etched glass, visit our website or to talk to a Glass Showers and More consultant by calling 416-800-1156 today!