Shopping for glass tiles, the first thing you notice is the virtually limitless number of styles, colors, and textures to choose from. From tiny pebbles or 1/8” squares, to normal 3” x 6” inch sizes, it is important to understand what fits the framework of your design before you shop.
Functional Tiles
As a building material glass is a practical choice. Most tiles are made from vitreous glass, which is opaque or translucent, with an almost smoky or frozen look. The material is sold in sheets, making it easy to cut to size using basic hand tools. As a backsplash, counter top covering, or a border or accent in a bathroom, this is the perfect tile. Glass is non-porous and will not accumulate mold and mildew; and, the color is on the backside, so it does not fade.
A common use of glass mosaic tiles is to create artwork on any surface of a home or building. They are particularly suited to the job because they can be custom ordered in various color gradients to create horizontal, vertical, and circular progressions of color. Mosaics in a kitchen are artistic and functional, as the stain resistant qualities of the vitreous tile are perfect for protecting the wall behind the cook top. Glass is practical from an environmental perspective as well, when consumers purchase from collections of recycled glass styles now widely available.
Art is the Reason
It is hard to escape the effectiveness of this material in creating artistic accents. In fact, for many artists, this is their chosen medium. Early examples of this method date back to ancient Mesopotamia and the Roman Empire, where intricate floor and wall mosaics using tesserae, or small pieces of cubic glass, were used to create masterpieces.
Modern artist Susan Jablon used this medium extensively, and her work is seen covering the walls where the cooks of Hell’s Kitchen battle it out.
Installation Notes
For professional installation, find a contractor familiar with working with glass tile. Setting this material requires expert skill with mixing and spreading thin set mortar, and attempting to use an inferior quality cement mortar may result in poor bonding.
Precision of placement is a priority as well, which is another advantage of an experienced installer. Working in wet areas, special attention should be paid to manufacturer recommended waterproofing materials for the best results.
For a kitchen backsplash, bathroom accents, or an entire wall, glass tiles are a fun and impervious material to use. Properly installed, they will endure for years with minimal maintenance.
Decorating