I was wondering if anyone had ideas or suggestions as to how I could install a glass tile back splash and have light shine through the tiles (top-to-bottom). I assumed the use of silicone instead of grout--but am not sure if LED lights placed above the tiles will work or strip lights. Any suggestions?? It could have a great effect of done right!

Thanks!

How about using glass background with silicon to adhere tiles. You could make it a light box with strip light in it.

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Greetings from Boise, the glue is the problem with glass tiles. I would sugest larger glass tiles, 3" wide or larger. Then fasten strips of wood to the studs where the grout lines would be . Then glue the tiles to the strip of would leaving space which would allow the light to shine through. If you are using a 4" tile you would glue an in above and an inch below. This would be enough adhesion and still allow for grout on the horizontal. I would butt the tiles end to end, because it would be hard to grout and the lines would show if you used chaulk. LED lights last the longest. It would be tricky, but if you made this backsplash as one unit, then fastened it to the studs, it could be removed to change the lights. I have back lit mirrors where the lights are on a hinge panel aceessed from the back and I have back lit onyx tiles on the floor for base moldings. Yes! A great affect! Good Luck! DesignbyJohn

If the backsplash is on an exterior wall, you can frame it out like a window and install glass block as the backsplash. THis lets in the natural light from outside and you don't have to worry about glue yellowing under glass tiles. It looks really great too.

LED strip that can be concealed underneath a metal channel could be used to "cap" the backsplash tiles. This would allow future access should problems arise with the lighting unit.
You might also look at using acrylic or "synthetic" glass block units. They look the same, are much lighter in weight and come in very thin unit thickness.
Regardless of which material type you use, I would clad the wall surface behind tile with reflective foil in order to maximize the diffusion of light from your source. A sample mock-up should give you a good idea of how to do this.

What I did in my kitchen was to use a stained glass technique. If you use copper foil on the tiles you get a thin seam similar to a grout line. I backed the whole thing with plexi to prevent any water infiltration (splashing or spilling) and mounted the electrical stuff on the inside top of the box (GFCI of course). The water would have to get pretty deep to be a problem...
If you've never tried using this stuff, now might be a perfect chance. You wouldn't need a lot of tools - just a roll of foil, some solder, flux and a small soldering tool. Or you can surely find someone locally who dabbles in glass.

You might try gluing the tiles edge to edge on a sheet of pleiglass. Plexiglass like fiber optics transmit light. Run the plexi down below the countertop drill a series of holes, insert lights. This in an adaption of the old USN Command center lighted status boards. Be aware of heat from lights. Also it is possible to use fiber optics as the light source, As far as glue is concerned I queired a stained glass co. and they recommended a glue sold in ace hdwr stock no 01-23783 that would show clear. I have not used it so I can't verify the results.

Why not create a channel where you can run a low volt rope light. It is stiff enough to push through and can be cut to size. Replacing it would be easy. Mine has lasted over 2 years. I run them over the top of my cabnets behind decorative items. The look is great and the heat is low. I have a small hole in the top of a cabinet with an outlet.

You can find some design ideas for a kitchen back splash with decorative glass tiles and glass murals at fullcolortiles.com
at: Fullcolortiles.com

How did the glass tile backsplash with back lighting turn out? Did you do it, and what method did you choose, how does it look and work?

Contractors have FINALLY started the work on the kitchen remodelling project...so, we haven't gotten to the finish work--just the footer for the foundation.

I've done this, and it turns out alright. You would probably want to use an LED strip with one steady color, not multi-colored like I did. It was more of a proof of concept test, so I can do it right in the main bathroom when I do the renovations in there.

Anyhow, here's the photos and a video of my installation of DIY LED Glass Tiles

Cheers!