Bathroom Border Tile Update: Replacing the Dated Tree Border with Clear Glass Subway Tile

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Back to the project: we removed the outdated tree-pattern tile border that wrapped all four walls of the bathroom and replaced it with clear glass subway tile. If you missed the pre-demo post, you can find the backstory here. Below are the highlights and practical details of the install.

After some careful prying and a bit of Dremel work, the old border came off cleanly.

We chose clear glass subway tile called “Glass Snow” from The Tile Shop. It cost roughly $50 and has an opaque backing so thinset doesn’t show through, while still maintaining a glossy glass look.

This wasn’t our first tiling job, so the plan felt straightforward. We already owned most of the tools and only needed to buy thinset mortar and thinset admixture (to mix the mortar). We picked those up at The Tile Shop along with the tile for about $28.

We mixed the thinset to a thick, spackle-like consistency—think thick pancake batter. At first the mix looked a bit stiff in the photo, but we kept mixing until it was right.

Because the area we tiled was narrow, we used the same trowel we used for mixing to spread the thinset on the wall. Then we combed it with the grooved end of a small notched trowel to create ridges that help tiles adhere.

Installing the tiles was quick—no complex leveling required. We pressed each tile into place and used 1/8″ rubber spacers to keep consistent grout joints. Our glass tiles are backed, so the thinset doesn’t show through, but they still read as clear and glossy.

We repeated this around all four walls, mixing more thinset as needed.

A few cuts were required in the corners. For straight cuts we used a tile cutter we already owned—it’s fast and gives a clean break on subway-style glass tile. For a small corner notch around the light switch we broke out a wet saw to make precise small cuts. The saw setup was a hassle for such tiny pieces, but necessary for a good fit; imperfections are hidden by the switch plate.

From setup through tiling and cleanup, the bulk of the work fit into Clara’s two-hour naps—one nap for demo, another for tiling. Thinset needed to cure overnight before grouting, so grouting and sealing were done on subsequent days.

For grout we matched the existing grout in the room. The previous owners had left a leftover bag labeled “Antique White,” which wasn’t our first pick for glass tile (we’d usually choose bright white or soft gray) but matching the rest of the room took priority. We mixed the leftover grout with some grout admixture we already had and applied it with a grout float.

After working the grout into the joints we waited a few minutes, then wiped the tile surfaces with a damp sponge to remove residue. This step took about 45 minutes. Once the grout fully cured, we sealed the grout lines the following day with leftover sealer from the kitchen to protect against moisture and staining.

We also added a bit of caulk in the shower corners. In total—demo, tile installation, grout, seal, and caulk—the project took roughly 6 hours spread across a few days (we joked it was about 2.5 of Clara’s naps).

The clear glass border brightens the room and reads more modern than the old trees pattern. The tile subtly picks up surrounding tones—the art and the blue glass pendant—adding a slight cool cast to an otherwise warm, beige room. Matching the original grout made the new border look original to the room rather than tacked-on.

Photos don’t always do the glass justice—if you’re local, feel free to drop by and see it in person. The tile looks especially glassy and attractive when wet: droplets bead up and reflect light through the clear surface.

Budget breakdown:

• Clear glass subway tile (Glass Snow) from The Tile Shop: $50
• Thinset mortar and thinset admixture from The Tile Shop: $28
• Small trowel and tile spacers from Home Depot: $6
• TOTAL COST: $84

If you include a Dremel Multimax and a special grout head we purchased earlier for demo work, the project’s full cost comes to about $214, but the Dremel has already proved useful for other jobs around the house.

This mini-project was perfect to tackle during short windows of free time while working on larger projects like the deck. It delivered a noticeable, low-cost update that refreshed the bathroom without major demolition.

Want to follow the bathroom updates from the beginning? See our planning and previous posts here, here, and here.