Dune doesn’t make that any easier by offering a huge array of tiles to choose from. Whether it’s for your bathroom or kitchen or breakfast nook, Dune’s ceramics can fill the spaces for you. The thing about Dune also is their versatility: they have everything from natural stone, to ceramic, to glass. And they don’t just provide your run-of-the-mill tan look. There are vibrant reds and yellows oranges and blues. Their ceramic borders really make a statement as well. You can mix and match the different styles and put together a look all your own.

Most tiles are easy to install for the do-it-yourselfer. If you are laying tile for flooring, you just need to make sure the subfloor is level and free of any dirt and debris and then apply thinset, and lay the tiles in the order and direction you have in your layout according to your product’s specifications.

If you are applying the tile to the wall as a backsplash or in a shower, make sure you have the appropriate underlayment in place, such greenboard sheetrock for backsplashes or cementitious ceramic tile backerboards for shower walls. Apply with thinset mortar or mastic (check your exact product installation guidelines to make this decision) in the pattern you have created or chosen.

Apply both types of adhesives with a notch trowel, making sure to back-butter your wall tiles to get a sure hold. Glass tiles are installed in a similar fashion. You just have to make certain any air pockets that might get between the glass tiles and the wall are eliminated because with transparency in some glass tiles, you might be able to see imperfections like that. The next step is to grout. Again, consult with your supplier and documentation for your particular product to see what kind of grout is recommended and follow directions on the grout packaging.

Take a few minutes and check out Dune’s selections online — you’ll be delightfully overwhelmed — and get to work designing your project with your own personal style.

Glass tiles are basically installed in a similar way to ceramic or porcelain tiles, but because of their delicate nature and cutting requirements, it’s probably better to leave any major glass tile job to experts. They are “glued” to the backerboard with either mastic or thinset mortar and grouted. (Make certain you select the proper underlayment for the specific area in which you are installing the tiles. Moisture can kill a nice installation from the get-go.)

Raffi glass tiles come in individual tiles or small tiles attached to a mesh backing. The mesh squares make installation much faster — no having to place hundreds of individual tiny tiles, but you can install in groups that can be size of standard tile. You can install glass to accent a pattern of ceramic tile floors for a unique, exciting look — there are floor-grade glass tiles, and you can do a whole floor in glass, but for the floor, glass is often an accent, and wow, can it make a statement! You can mix and match the different colors and styles to come up with a look that’s all you.

Care and maintenance is not as easy as that for ceramic tiles or vinyl, but you can decide if the look you want is worth it. Glass shows fingerprints and smudges more readily than other flooring alternatives (think about how many times you have to clean your glasses to keep them shiny and reflective), and you should try not to allow people to walk on it with bare feet. But for counters and walls that don’t see much contact, glass can be a gorgeous addition to your décor. Glass reflects light like no other product, so your rooms seem larger and brighter.

Do some additional research on glass if you’re thinking of installing it as flooring, but if you do, be sure and take a look at Raffi for your materials. The beauty and uniqueness of their designs will surely win you over!