Appealing Glass Tile: Pleasing For Your Floor
Saturday, November 21st, 2009Move over porcelain tile, there’s a fresh top dog in household tiling endeavors. Like moths to an open flame, more and more home owners are seeking and using glass tiles for their numerous tiling undertakings for walls or patios. Glass tiles are popular because they bring depth, grace, liquid character and luminescence to every surface they are placed in. Although glass tiles cost more than ceramic tiles, consumers are sure to make a sensible budget to include them because they adore its aesthetic and handcrafted appeal that is surely worth all the price. Take a second to study our mosaic tiling guide.
The loved glass tile takes form in various shapes and designs. This is based on the diverse procedures which are used to produce them. For example, some glass tiles are cut and cold-cooled. In this type of cold processing, no heat is used, just the shearing of the glass. Other glass tiles are made by melting, casting and then cooling them. In this type of glass tile manufacturing, sand and chemicals are blended, melted into a tank and cooled in bins to form cast glass. The end effect of both types of manufacturing is the noticeable dissimilarity in size, color, pattern, width and shape. Some glass tiles even contain tiny bubbles within the tile which generates a wet look. Glass tile manufactures say that glass tiles are like snowflakes: each is unique. The flexibility and variety of glass tiles allow contractors and DIYers endless customization for their projects.
Some glass tile non-believers are hesitant about its strength. They stress that glass tiles are, well, glass: breakable and fine. But in truth, glass tiles are indeed sturdy, long lasting and strong as ceramic tiles are. Glass tiles have, in fact, several advantages over ceramic tiles. More hard-wearing than ceramic tiles, glass tiles are non-porous so it does not soak up water or moisture. Therefore, unlike the ceramic tiles, they are not distressed by mold or mildew if installed properly.
Putting in glass tiles are not that different with ceramic tile installation. Though some tile installers might get a bit anxious with glass cutting but overall, installation is pretty much simple and easy. Glass tiles are positioned by setting the glass unto the designated surface. The thinnest used in application are usually white since glass tiles are clear. This is to maintain a clean and clear backdrop that won’t change the glass color.
Innumerable home improvement and tile websites offer a variety of glass tiles that would be perfect for your home. There are matte, iridescent, and glossy types of glass tile. More and more DIYer’s favor using the mosaic glass tiles because they can easily merger and fit the pattern compared when using large field glass tiles. Other artistically inclined homeowners even create scenery from these mosaic glass tiles to further beautify their homes. Want to make your home greener? Purchase recycled glass tiles. Most recycled glass backsplash tiles are made from almost 90 percent of recycled glass from bottles and other materials. Recycled glass tiles are exceedingly beautiful and colorful.