Posts tagged ‘DIY’
Tile Design vs. Electrical Outlets & Switches
We get asked this great question quite regularly:
“I LOVE my new tile, but I need some advice…What should I do with the electrical outlets that fall within the kitchen backsplash area?”
Good news! We’ve got several creative solutions for you – yay!!!
These little necessary items can possibly ruin your beautiful, and often pricey backsplash! We are confident that if you consider the locations ahead of time, you will improve the finished look of your kitchen or bathroom. 
Details on outlets…
It’s required by law that you have electrical outlets within your kitchen – which is a good thing!
Your kitchen has many electrical needs: major appliances, small appliances, built-in appliances, lighting, exhaust fans, and basically anything you might want to plug in or switch on while you’re in there.
In regards to your kitchen or bathroom, the National Electric Code requires:
- Small appliance circuits feeding countertop receptacle outlets are required to be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected
- Any countertop wider than one foot requires a receptacle outlet
- Receptacle outlets must be installed every four linear feet at minimum – more is totally fine too
- Countertops separated by range cook top, refrigerators, or sinks are considered separate countertop spaces
Examples of kitchen appliances in need of electrical outlets.
Are you in the planning phase of your new kitchen or bath remodel?
If you are planning your kitchen or bath remodel, congrats(!), you are thinking ahead! Here are some helpful questions you can ask yourself and discuss with your electrician regarding your kitchen or bath’s electrical needs:
- What fixed/portable appliances do you plan to install/have in your kitchen? What are the locations and their power requirements?
- What kind of lighting do you want/need: Ceiling? Under cabinet? Toe kick? Pendant or chandelier? Recessed? Surface Mount? Ceiling fan?
- What kind of lighting controls do you need?
- Where do you want your light switches and appliance outlets?
- What materials/installation practices do you need to comply with National Electric Code requirements? Hint: ask your electrician
- Do you have special requirements due to disabilities and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act?
- What are the brand specification of all fixtures you want? Have your electrician check these out too.
After you discuss your electrical needs with your electrician and have a final layout in mind, the electrical outlets and switches can be located and installed. Don’t worry if you already have your outlets in place, it’s really easy to move them around and make adjustments before the installation of your backsplash.
There are several different ways to approach this without ruining your backsplash with a bunch of ugly, poorly placed outlets and switches. Here are some creative solutions as to how you can address the outlets & switches within your backsplash.
Implementing Creative Solutions…
#1 - Flip your outlets horizontally to coordinate with the pattern of your backsplash (but if your backsplash has a vertical pattern to it, keep you outlets vertical too)
#2 - Install a power strip under your upper cabinets
#3 – Install the outlets or switches on or within your cabinets…(some additional planning involved).
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#4 - Install your outlets where you know you’ll need them!
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#5 - Install custom pop-up grommet outlets where you know you’ll need them!
Find these at www.mockett.com
Find these at www.mockett.com
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#6 – Specify outlet and switch plate covers to coordinate with your material selections: making them a design element instead of an eyesore!
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#7 – [Bathroom specific] – Install the outlets or switches within your bathroom mirror and trim with a mirrored cover…some additional planning involved. Look closely for them!
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Q: Have some other creative outlet and switch solutions? Share them with us and we’ll add it to this blog!
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Putting the LUSH in Luscious :)
Are you in the process of selecting the perfect Lush® color for your project?
Selecting the right glass subway tile color can be difficult - especially from a computer screen! We find ourselves regularly attempting to describe the nuances of similar Lush® colors over the phone, and trust me, it’s not easy!
In an effort to help make this process a little easier, we’ve taken these pictures to compare the subtle variations of our most popular Lush® colors.
Enjoy!
- Cameo is our latest neutral addition. We would describe this as a rich, creamy color. It evokes a real warmth – like coffee with lots of creamer in it. Yummmmmy!
- Almond is slightly more golden-beige than Cameo. Goes well with lots of earth-tone granites.
- Driftwood is a gray-ish beige color with a faint hint of green. It’s definitely the chameleon of our neutral colors and tends to go with all sorts of materials and design aesthetics.
- Dune is the most golden of our neutral colors. We often say it’s more peachy/beige/buttercream-y.
- Reef is a rich brown color…like a freshly roasted coffee bean. In some lighting conditions, it appears to have a hint of green.
- Taupe is a gorgeous warm gray color. (One of my personal favorites actually ).
- Cloud is our white-est white possible in our Lush® line. Made of clear glass, this is truly a white glass subway tile (which we know is hard to find!)
- Breaker is a beautiful light and bright medium aqua blue color.
- Vapor is our most pale, watery blue color.
- Sky is a true sky-blue color. Think of how the sky looks on a clear and bright Spring day. A very cheerful shade of blue…
- Rain is tranquil blue gray. It reminds me of a lighter shade of denim as well…or indigo.
- Bluebell is a super fun and vivid periwinkle-blue color.
- Pool is a nice balance of aqua + blue together. It’s more saturated than the previous blue colors above. Pool Frosted has a softer and somewhat lighter appearance because of the frosted surface finish.
- Surf has more green than aqua coloring and it’s one of our most popular Lush® colors. Goes beautifully with a variety of design aesthetics.
- Seagrass is a more saturated version of Surf.
- Peacock is a lovely jewel toned turquoise/ blue/ green color.
- Rain is tranquil blue gray. It reminds me of a lighter shade of denim as well…or indigo.
- Fog Bank is one of our most popular gray colors. It has a cooler base tone to it so the tile can sometime appear more blue. It’s a very calming color.
- Storm is a darker gray color. This also has a cooler base tone to it like our Fog Bank.
- Taupe is a gray beige color. Warmer by comparison than Fog Bank.
- Inkwell is a beautiful saturated inky-blue color.
- Wasabi is a very wasabi colored green . Still bright and vivid, it’s one of our softer looking greens by comparison.
- Surf has more green than aqua coloring and it’s one of our most popular Lush® colors. Goes beautifully with a variety of design aesthetics.
- Bamboo is a fresh medium spring green color. When comparing to Lemongrass, we say it has less yellow to it.
- Seagrass is a more saturated version of Surf. When comparing Seagrass to our other greens, it appears to have more blue in it. I’d also describe it as a celedon green color.
- Lemongrass is our most bright and vivid lime-y green color.
- Peacock is a lovely turquoise/ blue/ green color.
- Moss is an earthy olive green color.
One last look at all these beautiful colors….
On a Budget? Meet Brio Custom Blends!!!
Brio® Custom Blends Fit Every Budget!
Customizing your kitchen or bathroom gets extremely pricey! Especially if you’re working within a specific color scheme.
Meet our Brio® Custom Blend Program! With literally millions of possible glass mosaic color combinations right at your fingertips, you can easily create the right tile blend for your project…Plus, it’s totally budget-friendly and fun to do!!!
How-to Create Your Custom Blend Recipe:
Step 1) Access the blender at: http://www.modwallsblender.com/
Step 2) Select the colors that you’d like to blend by clicking on the Brio® ¾” glass tile images.
The colors will automatically move into the blender after 2 colors have been selected. Remove any color by dragging it away from the blending area.
If you wish to start over, just click RESET.
Step 3) Feel free to adjust the color percentage by moving the arrows up and down on each color. (Note: your design must add up to 100%)
Step 4) Think you reached your desired colored combination? Click on REMIX to randomly remix the colors. (Note that all of our custom blends are random, not patterned)
Step 5) Optional, but highly recommended: Select grout colors to see how this changes the effect of your blend. The grout colors shown are part of modwalls® StarGlass/ Dimension Urethane Grout collection. Grout is sold separately, but we believe this is the best choice available for any glass tile installation.
Step 6) Order Your Custom Blend Sample here. Be sure to enter your blend recipe on the Customer Comments area – including color names and percentages. Note: you will be prompted to enter your recipe on page 2 of checkout.
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Why should I order a sample?
We strongly encourage creative customers like yourself to order samples of your custom blend – which eliminates any online purchasing woes. Each computer monitor may slightly distort the true colors and it’s always good to have a sample in-hand. Btw, samples are about 5″ x 5″ and are not refundable.
Once you have received your sample and are ready to order your Brio® custom blend, simply call us toll-free @ 877-439-9734. We have real people ready to take your order Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm Pacific Time. Please note that there is a 20 sq.ft. minimum order per custom blend.
How is my custom blend assembled?
Since 2005, we proudly and locally outsource our modwalls® custom blend production to the wonderful people at HOPE Services. HOPE Services is a non-profit organization which employs developmentally and physically disabled adults to do a variety of production work. Their mission is to assist individuals with disabilities to live and participate in their communities – and we LOVE this.
HOPE’s clients are responsible for making each sheet of your custom blend – a true work of art – made with pride and love! There are currently over 30 HOPE clients dedicated to the modwalls® custom blend production.
Here are some photos of HOPE’s client’s in action:
HOPE Services receives our customer’s custom blend recipes on a weekly basis. Each individual Brio® Mosaic Color comes with a paper facing that HOPE soaks off prior to mounting and assembling each blend. Tiles are then set individually onto plastic grids in a random pattern according to your recipe. Each completed grid (or 1.15 sq.ft. sheet) is then reviewed for quality control. Once approved, a plastic film is placed over the top or “face” of the tiles to hold it in place for installation.
This entire process generally takes about 1 week to complete. Once your blend is complete, we’ll ship it via UPS and email you the tracking number.
Real Customer Satisfaction!
Here’s a recent client review we received about their custom blend experience:
Brio Custom Blend
Rating: 
Installation Location: OUTDOOR SHOWER (see below)
“We created an outdoor shower using a custom blend. It turned out really great. It was so easy to work with ModWalls.”
-Keith (of Palm Springs, CA)
Be Inspired: Some of our favorite Brio® Custom Blends to date…
Brio custom blend inspired by Reggie the Cockatiel
Want to see more? Check out more custom glass tile blends created and installed by our customers here.
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Cleaning Grout: Helpful Tips w/ a Personal Recommendation
We were recently asked {again} by a customer for some helpful tips on keeping grout bright and sparkling clean. Who wants dirty grout? No one.
As as self-described OCD cleaner myself, I have personally experimented with all sorts of products in the cleaning product and technique realm. I’ve read tons of suggestions via Pinterest, blogs, and online searches, and what I have found may surprise you.
**************** Drum roll please!!! ****************
May I introduce you to the power of the Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser?!! If the reviews don’t convince enough to purchase this for your home – specifically for grout – maybe I will.
Thinking way back to the first time I ever bought this now very addictive little cleaning gem… I vaguely remember wandering around Target in the cleaning products aisle and saw this box (but maybe a smaller version). I figured it was worth the very cheap cost to try out something new for my typical cleaning rituals.
After reading all the do’s and don’ts on the box, I started out small, testing it on areas that seemed up for the challenge. First was walls, switches & outlets, then baseboards, then eventually tile & grout. I give all the credit to these little erasers for helping me get my deposits back on not only one, but two different rental properties.
I sometimes find myself wandering around my house looking for hidden scuffs and dirt to clean up – eraser in hand. No joke, I almost asked for these as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. Maybe I’ll get lucky?! 
Easy How-to Instructions:
- Vacuum, sweep, or wipe away larger debris from the area you would like to clean.
- Remove the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser from the packaging.
- Put on rubber gloves.
- Hold eraser under running water to get it wet and give it a couple of squeezes to remove the excess water. (Sometimes only a bit of water is more than sufficient).
- Rub eraser over the affected areas: could be soap scum, scuffs, dirt, mildew, mold, and stains in your shower or on your floor. It takes very little effort to rub away the grime (although sometimes I have to use my fingernail to get into tight grout joints). Might be best to test on a smaller area to get comfortable with the process.
- Change the position of the Magic Eraser once the portion you are using becomes dirty. Stubborn stains may require you to go over the surface area a couple of times.
- Wipe area clean with a damp cloth.
- Allow your Magic Eraser to air dry and then store it away.
Anyway, I now purchase this wonderful product in bulk since it’s become such a regular favorite. Of course, not every product works on every surface, but you’ll be pleased to know it definitely works on grout. Here’s a link to get a coupon for it through the manufacturer – or – you can find it on amazon.com here.
Be additionally forewarned that this product does break down as you use it (like a real life eraser), so you may need more than one sponge per dirty job. I’ve found that lightly scrubbing an area seems to work better than putting a lot of muscle into it.
Details, details, details….
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is made of a compound called melamine foam. Although it can appear soft, the inner fibers are very thin and strong. With small openings across the surface, the melamine works much like fine sandpaper, reaching into the small grooves where stains have settled.
When lightly moistened, the holes in a Magic Eraser bind to dirt particles, resulting in a clean surface. The spongy eraser may then leave behind a residue, which can easily be wiped away with water or a damp cloth.
Melamine is also used in other applications as a resin, such as for soundproofing and as insulation for pipes. According to the Mr. Clean website, the Magic Eraser contains no harsh chemicals. However, some consumer Internet sites claim the Magic Eraser can cause chemical burns on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Magic Eraser can abrade the skin when rubbed directly on the skin. When used in the intended manner, however, the melamine should not cause burning. *Always keep out of reach of children*
NOTE: The hard surface and fibers of the Magic Eraser can scratch certain surfaces, making them appear dull, so it should not be used on varnished surfaces or other materials prone to scratching.
Read more: How Do Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Work? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5268583_do-clean-magic-erasers-work.html#ixzz2EnPG7JUb
Best of luck keeping your grout bright and sparkling with my latest favorite thing!
Cleaning Grout: Helpful Tips w/ a Personal Recommendation by Katelyn Bowman
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Inspired by…Brio SUNDAE!!!
Life’s too short…eat dessert first!! Here’s a special & delicious treat just for YOU!
Introducing, our newest Brio Blend – Sundae!!!
This cheerful, fun, mouth-watering color palette will be sure to remind you of the good old days and the great days to come!
Think soda fountain fun…think gigantic ice-cream sundaes that are delicious year-round! Let’s dig in!!!
This fun mosaic blend is ideal for walls, floors, backsplashs, shower tile, and even pool tile. Each tile measures 3/4” square x 4mm thick and comes mesh-backed for easy installation. Did I mention this is only $5.95 per 1.15sf sheet?!! Order your sample today online or call us at 877-439-9734.
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Introducing New Products In-Stock NOW!!!
We seriously couldn’t be happier to spread the news about our latest additions to modwalls®!!!
Take a few minutes to check them out, order samples, or make a mental note for later.
We know you’ll love them as much as we do!!!
New ModDotz™ Colors!!
From top left: Spa Blue, Sherbet, Lemon, and Key Lime
Find all these mouthwatering colors here for only $7.95 per sheet!
New Lush® 3×6 Colors!!
From top left: Poppy, Blue Bell, Storm, and Inkwell
Find these colors as well as many other Lush® colors for only $19.95 per sheet!
ALL New Lush® Weave™ Subway Tile!!
From top left: Cloud, Vapor, and Fog Bank
All 3 of these Lush® Weave™ colors are available for only $19.95 per sheet.
ALL New Harvest Bamboo Mosaics™!!!
This gorgeous collection is made entirely from eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo.
Find all mosaic patterns here for only $14.95 per sheet.
The one and only…Real Penny Mosaic™!!!
Now available for custom order in 3 ways: ALL HEADS, ALL TAILS,
or the most popular MIX.
Click here for more Real Penny Mosaic™ info.
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Inspired by…Poppy~!
The Lush color formerly known as Quince is now……….POPPY!!!
“Oh good! Yes, Poppy is a much better name. Much more fun & it just sounds more ORANGE!”
[...said a wonderful customer just a few minutes ago! Hence, this explanation of the name change...]
“Orange is the happiest of colors” - Frank Sinatra
Color names are a funny thing; it can make or break a persons opinion of said color or product. If you have ever studied color theory, you know what I’m talking about, and our products are no exception. This is why we decided to re-name our color Quince to the fun-loving new Poppy color.
“The color orange creates a lot of controversy; it evokes strong emotion and is a color that people seem to either love or hate. Color experts agree that orange radiates warmth and energy.” – The Examiner
More Fun Facts About The Color ORANGE:
- Physically, the color orange stimulates activity, appetite and our ability to socialize.
- Orange is a color that really stands out, even at a distance, and invites attention.
- In the practice of Feng Shui, colors hold great significance, and orange represents fire.
- Orange helps us focus our powers of concentration, and it’s also the color that’s credited with assisting us in organizing our thoughts and our things.
- During the Elizabethan Era in English history, only nobility were allowed to wear orange clothing.
- An orange vehicle says you are fun loving and trendy.
What do you think of our the color orange? And our new Poppy name? We would love to hear your feedback!
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
FB Quarterly Photo Contest Winners Announced!!!
Modwalls Facebook Quarterly Photo Contest WINNERS!!! These 3 lucky owners get $50 cash or $100 store credit – and all they had to do was show off their gorgeous tile!!!
Next quarterly contest has officially started!! Enter your pics now for a chance to be a future winner! Send your pics to service@modwalls.com and LIKE us on facebook to stay in the loop and place your votes (the most ‘likes’ per pic will win!).
HELPFUL TIPS FOR TAKING THE BEST PICS:
- Switch all your lights ON
- Clear your counters or area of distracting accessories and clutter
- Clean tile photographs the best – wink wink
- Take your pics when it’s daytime – you’ll get better lighting and won’t get any weird glare from dark windows
- Think like a photographer and ask yourself…what’s the best angle here?
- Avoid capturing yourself in the bathroom mirror
- Don’t rush it! Wait until your space is completely done so we can all enjoy the results
- Send us actual size /high resolution images – 300dpi is ideal
- Have fun with it!!!
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
Did you know that all grouts are NOT created equal?
Seriously…All grouts are not created equal.
More often than not, grout becomes an overlooked element within the tile installation process (why is that btw?). We believe it’s just as important as finding the tile that’s right for you! Grout is what seals everything together – literally. Don’t go through all this time to find the right tile only to not think about what grout you will grout it with.
Since we have the fortunate privilege of chatting daily with wonderful people like yourself about their tile installations, we are in the know as to what people are planning and what they are…well…not.
Grout can either be something that you have to do OR it can be something that makes your tile look even more amazing when it’s complete! Like we have mentioned in the past, we are extremely passionate about StarGlass Grout paired with most of our modwalls tile. It’s kinda like the perfect marriage of tile and grout. And we want to encourage you to specifically ask yourself, “What type & color of grout would look best with this tile [I've selected]?”…and “When is sanded grout most appropriate?”…
Since most of us are visual learners, I had this super cool idea to photograph our ModRocks Recycled Glass Pebbles in both StarGlass Grout and regular sanded grout. The visual speaks for itself…one is “clearly” better AND it’s better for the environment.
Helpful hint = whenever you are installing glass or any translucent tile, the surrounding grout has a major impact on how your tile will appear once installation is complete.
On the left- Diamond Starglass Grout and on the right is a standard white sanded grout.
Note: Both of the above images are taken with the same digital camera in the same lighting conditions.
In the application on the left, the StarGlass grout allows light to enter in and through the grout and also the clear glass pebbles – making the whole area appear more illuminated. The sanded grout application, shown on the above right, does not allow light to flow through the grout and therefore makes the pebbles appear much darker overall. Same exact pebble tile, but with different grouts.
Here are some other examples of StarGlass Grout paired with our Lush® modwalls tile:
Modwalls Lush Blend installed with Opal StarGlass Grout
Modwalls Rex Ray TYPE White Tile grouted with Diamond StarGlass Grout
Modwalls Lush Glass Subway tile grouted with Diamond StarGlass Grout
Now lets get a little more in-depth on the StarGlass specifics…The actual product description is Translucent Grout for Glass Tile.
For all you eco-friendly peeps out there, you’ll be happy to know that this product is made from post-consumer recycled glass – a truly revolutionary one-of-a-kind product!
The recycled glass is reduced down to teeny tiny beads (texture totally resembles the consistency of sugar) and is mixed with a translucent urethane binder that allows light to pass through the grout itself. So cool! This waterproof, stain-proof formula won’t crack or break down over time, emits little to no VOCs, and eliminates jobsite waste since it’s pre-mixed and stored in a resealable container. StarGlass long lasting, easy-to-use formula provides unmatched stain resistance, ultimate color consistency, crack resistant flexibility, mold/mildew protection and UV stability (aka it won’t yellow over time). Plus, it comes in these fantastic 15 colors: diamond, onyx, opal, aquamarine, topaz, hematite, jade, amber, moonstone, aventurine, palm wood, citrine, copper, silver, and bronze.
One final benefit we want to be sure to point is how the StarGlass Grout has the ability to minimizes the look of grout lines – if this is your goal. Check out these two kitchen backsplash installations below where both purchased Lush® 3×6 Sky tile, but one kitchen grouted with Aquamarine StarGlass grout and the other with regular sanded grout. The images truly speak for themselves.
Left – Lush 3×6 Sky with StarGlass Grout and to the right is Lush 3×6 Sky with white sanded grout.
StarGlass also offers benefits of a traditional Urethane grout:
• Pre‐mixed, ready to use
• Excellent chemical, stain and mildew resistance
• Semi‐flexible, low shrinkage and high crack resistance
• No color fading, streaking or shading – Even when wet!
• Fast, easy clean‐up when compared to epoxy and cementgrouts
• Innovative, proprietary coloring system
• Excess product can be saved and used later
• UV stable colors (non‐yellowing)
• Self‐sealing – no sealing required
• Non‐sag formula for vertical surfaces
• Free of BPA (bisphenol‐A) found in epoxy grouts
• Dust‐free mixing
• Fast, easy installation ‐ installs up to 50% faster than othergrouts
• Superior to cement grout
• Contributes to USGBC LEED Credits: MR 4.1 & 4.2(Recycled Content), MR 5.1 & 5.2 (Regional Materials), and EQ, 4.1 (Low‐Emitting Materials).
• Contains over 80% post‐consumer recycled content.
Overall, all these features and benefits are sure to minimize life cycle costs and provide a translucent, three-dimensional, reflective appearance that you can enjoy for years to come!
Where can you use StarGlass grout you ask? StarGlass Grout can be used on vertical or horizontal surfaces in a variety of interior and exterior installations of ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone tiles in a range of grout joint widths.
When is sanded grout appropriate?
Sanded grout is appropriate in many installations. I think sanded grout looks great with natural stone, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, etc. – basically any solid tile aka non-translucent. Below are images of a some modwalls products installed with neutral sanded grout. As you can see, sanded grout can be used as a design element to add heavy contrast and definition to the tile and/or the pattern.
Example where sanded grout is totally acceptable = with ceramic, porcelain, or other opaque tile products.
Modwalls ModDotz Confetti grouted with a sanded grout
Brio Blend Palisades grouted with a neutral sanded grout
ModDotz shower installed with white sanded grout for high-contrast.
Now what???
It is our hope that you would soak up all this information and spend some time to select the best grout for your tile – whether that be StarGlass Grout or sanded grout!
Have more questions? Feel free to call or email us with any related or unrelated tile installation questions.
We’d love to help!
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
Our Recycled Glass Pebble Tile is Baaaaaack!
Our super fabulous, eco-friendly, ultra sustainable, 100% recycled glass tile, ModRocks™ Recycled Glass Pebbles are now back in stock!!
Joy, joy, joy, joy!
These beautiful babies are a perfect choice for floor tile, kitchen backsplash tile, bathroom tile, shower tile, pool tile, or any other tile application you can dream of.
Check them out on our website here, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Woot!
