Glass tile was first created by Persian, Greek and Indian artisans to make mosaics. In fact the use of glass tile dates back to the 3rd Century BC. Due to the high temperatures needed to melt glass and the complexities to curve the tiles properly it took much longer for glass tiles be used in creating common projects. Glass tiles have become popular to use in accent and field projects. The trend has spurned mainly because of the new technological breakthroughs used to have glass reflect lights and intense colors.
Using Glass tile presents installers more challenges than ceramic or porcelain tiles because of its more rigid and are likely to break during the installation process. However an experienced and licensed tile installer should have no problems installing any type of tile regardless of the materials it’s made from. That’s why it is recommended that you always deal with experienced and licensed contractors to prevent headaches, wasting money and anguish later.
Types of Glass Tile
When it comes to glass tile just like any other type of tile there are different types to select from, such as: Fused, Smalti, Cast and Sintered.
Fused Glass Tiles
This type of glass tile is made from one piece of flat glass and it’s shaped with fire in a furnace to give it its shape. Once it has been shaped the color is added on the top or bottom to give the tile an opaque to clear layer.
Smalti Glass Tiles
This is a glazed tile made from potassium carbonate or sodium from melted Silica, a type of mineral naturally produced by Mother Nature and are usually cut from mosaics into very small shapes.
Cast Glass Tiles
These tiles are made from recycle glass that has been molded after being placed in high levels of fire. Once it has been removed from the heat it’s cut into shapes and if cut meticulously they can look like precious stones.
Sintered Glass Tiles
These tiles are made from powder glass put into high heat levels to give them their shapes. Sintered tiles have become the most popular of all glass tiles due to their durability and their scratch resistance. They get their color from using color particles before they are placed in the heat.
Where to use Glass
Using glass tile over ceramic, porcelain or any of the other materials at times can get pricey, however the magnificent finishes you get are by far the worth every dollar spent. Glass tiles can be used for many projects that most people would never think of. Here are just a few projects in which these beautiful and magnificent tiles can be used to enhance the overall appearance of your home or business.
Projects Perfect for Glass Tiles
- Kitchen and Bathroom Backsplash
- Showers
- Pools
- Waterfalls
- Spas
- Featured Walls
- And More
Although glass tile is not the most affordable to use for people on a budget it will give any home a modern look plus it will add to the property value. So if you are in the market for a new tile project and want a different look with a wow-factor: use glass instead of the most common used ceramic and porcelain tile cousins.
Can I do it Myself?
Depending on the person’s experience and how handy they are working with their hands, they just might be able to pull it off. It is always recommended for your budget and finish to hire a professional for highly complex tile projects. A do-it-yourself project can be a backsplash whether it is for a bathroom or kitchen, just remember if you do it wrong it will be there for everyone to see and critique. Not mention that if glass tile is not handled carefully it will break and your money will be wasted. But if you are still interested in a do-it-yourself job you should consider taking a few courses at the local home improvement store.
“Don’t attempt to learn by watching a video online, the person in the video is a professional and they have performed numerous tile installations. Plus there is no way to ask questions if you make a mistake.”