What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Recycled Glass Mosaics

Are you thinking of installing a new backsplash in the kitchen or bathroom? New tile could be just what you need to give the room a fresh pop of color and personality. But which material should you choose for your new tiles: glass or ceramic? Both options provide various styles, colors, and price points to suit your needs.

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Most of the more popular glass tiles are made from thin pieces of glass with translucent glaze fired onto the back of each tile. Depending on the process and materials, glass tile can be clear, colored, and even textured for a unique appearance. Glass tile is typically sold individually or in mosaic patterns with a mesh backing. Here's what you need to know about glass tile backsplash pros and cons.

Advantages of Glass Tile

• Unmatched beauty: The translucence and endless color varieties of glass arguably make it the most beautiful, contemporary-looking backsplash material you can choose. The tiles reflect the light to give your kitchen or bath the appearance of being brighter and larger.
• Easy to clean: Grime and splashes can easily be wiped off glass tiles with soapy water or an all-purpose cleaner. Also, mold and mildew don’t readily grow on glass.
• Zero water absorption: Glass is impervious to water with an absorbency rate of 0% (compared to ceramic, which has an absorbency rate of 0.5% to 3%).
• Eco-friendly: Many glass tiles are made of recycled materials. Even if not, they are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan. Glass tiles also require only about half the energy that is required to produce ceramic tiles.

Disadvantages of Glass Tile

• More expensive: Glass tiles are trendy, though they are the most costly backsplash material available today. The approximate cost of glass tiles is $8 - $30 per square foot, not including labor.
• Professional installation is a must: Because glass is translucent, the adhesive is visible through the tiles. Achieving a professional-looking result is difficult if you attempt DIY glass tile installation.
• Scratches can occur: One of the most significant disadvantages of glass tiles is susceptibility to scratches. Sanded grout will scratch glass tile, so unsanded grout is a must. Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers can also scratch glass, so use nylon scrubbers and non-abrasive cleaners.

Types of Glass Tile

Most glass tiles feature a glossy or matte finish and are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors. From subway tiles to mosaics, bright patterns to subtle shades, each type of glass tile offers unique and beautiful options.

• Cast glass tiles feature a textured finish with bubbles, creases, and distinct designs inherent to a high-heat firing process. Because the high temperatures create a liquid state, cast glass tiles have color throughout, similar to marble.
• Fused glass is made with sheet glass that goes through a multi-step firing process that involves adding layers of glaze and color. The unique process can produce tiles with a smooth or textured finish and uniform or non-uniform color patterns.
• Coated glass tiles are made with sheet glass fired at low temperatures at lower temperatures. These tiles will have color coatings applied to the back of the transparent glass, which allows the back-coated colors to transfer through clear glass.

Once you weigh the pros and cons of a glass tile backsplash, glass tiles are perfect for updating a kitchen, bath, or other areas in your home.

Best Uses for Glass Tile

Glass tile is a versatile and beautiful material ideal for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes, but many more applications exist. Because glass tile is waterproof and durable, it's ideal for bathroom tubs and showers. The debate over the pros and cons of glass tile in a shower continues, but advancements such as slip-resistant glass tile for the floor tip the scale.

While large glass tiles aren't ideal as a primary floor covering, mosaic glass tiles can transform a bathroom floor or entryway. Glass tiles are suitable for nearly any vertical application, from unique fireplace accents to one-of-a-kind bathroom walls.

Pro tip: Install light-colored or transparent glass tile in a small bath or kitchen to make the space appear larger. Contact a professional installation company for guidance.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Glass Tile

One of the most attractive features of glass tiles is how easy it is to clean them. Glass cleaner or soap and water are usually enough to keep glass tiles looking new. As long as you don't use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, you can clean glass tile without worrying about scratches. After you clean glass tiles, rinse them with warm water and polish them to a shine.

While tile is hard and durable, grout is not as hardy and should be cleaned gently. Avoid bleach for cleaning grout unless as you risk discoloration. Instead, use an over-the-counter grout cleaner which will typically be less harsh. Inspect the grout monthly for missing grout and other issues and regrout as necessary to keep moisture under control.

Final Thoughts on Glass Tile

Even when they know the glass tile backsplash pros and cons, many homeowners choose glass over traditional ceramic tiles. If glass tiles aren’t in the budget, you might consider combining glass and ceramic. This is done by installing ceramic tiles for most of the backsplash with a stripe of glass tiles as an accent. This could be the perfect compromise to balance the higher cost with the benefits of glass tiles.

Deciding what kind of materials you are going to use on the decoration of your bathroom is complicated. There are many factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing the right mosaic, like the colours, the shapes, the sizes… Can you glass mosaic tiles on our shower floor?

Glass mosaics can really change the appearance of your bathroom. Their unique characteristics and special features enhance the personality of any room they are placed in.

What do the experts think about it? Can you use glass mosaic tiles on shower floor? There are different opinions around this matter. Architects and design lovers share diverse points of view that might affect our final decision and it seems difficult to finally arrive to a conclusion.

L’Antic Colonial is a space where exclusiveness and elegance meet. Here you will find the most refined designs, created with care in every single detail.

The company is the world’s best Recycled Glass Mosaics supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

What should take into consideration when choosing?

Just like people, there is not a single mosaic like the other. Each of them is made to represent a personality, to evoke different emotions and feelings. When choosing the right material for our shower floor, there are a couple of things we should consider first.

• How difficult is it to maintain it? There are some materials that require less care than others. This should be a priority when looking for a floor that does not demand frequent maintenance.
• Gripping texture. It is important that the floor does not get slippery when wet. The condensation of the water will accumulate on the surface of the mosaic and if it does not have a good gripping texture, it will be dangerous. Materials like natural stone or ceramics are good for this purpose.
• Easy to clean. Finding a mosaic that matches the decoration of the rest of the bathroom can be one of the main aspects to be considered. However, cleaning must be also a priority in order to assure your maximum comfort.
• Durability. Are the mosaic tiles susceptible to scratches or breakage? The materials you choose for them should be resistant to possible unexpected events or stand the test of time.

Advantages and disadvantages: Can you use glass mosaic tile on shower floor?

When designing or remodelling a bathroom it is imperative to think both on the decorative and the functional aspects. You can use glass mosaic tiles on shower floor and it will really transform the room and the way people feel in it.

Can you use mosaic tiles on shower floor? Is it comfortable on the feet? Does it get slippery when wet?

Pros of glass mosaic tile on shower floor

There are many positive aspects that should be contemplated when looking for the right mosaic floor. You can use glass mosaic tiles on your shower floor and truly start appreciating all the advantages this material has to offer.

Water resistant

Water can tend to stain some materials after time, like for example ceramics. You can use glass mosaic tiles on your shower floor knowing that it is waterproof and that it will not get stains, no matter how much time you spend on the shower.

Gives more depth and profundity

Glass mosaic floors have something different that do not have other materials. They reflect the lights and can add depth and profundity to your bathroom. It goes well both with dark colours like black or blue but white will also add a great luminosity and dimension to the space.

Easy to clean

Cleaning is also a relevant factor when designing a bathroom. You can use glass mosaic tiles on the shower floor and know that it will be very easy to clean and that it will always look fresh and new.

Wider range of variety

Glass is very flexible and it can adopt diverse forms and colours. This is one of its most attractive features and one of the reasons why many architects and designers choose it most of the times. With a glass mosaic they are able to create splendid patterns, adapt it to any style and reinforce the personality of the environment.

Cons of glass mosaic on shower floor

Even though there are many positive aspects, there are also some disadvantages that should be reminded before taking the final decision.

Glass mosaics can be slippery

One of the main aspects about glass mosaic tiles is that when they are wet, they can be slippery. This might provoke designers to be reluctant to use it. However, if the tiles have a small size, its grunt joints add the enough traction to make it ideal for any surface.

You can use glass mosaic tiles on your shower floor knowing that is totally safe.

Tends to be more expensive

Sometimes, this kind of material can require a higher budget than others. This is one of its main drawbacks, but its quality and diversity in colours and shapes are worth the extra investment. If you are going to use glass mosaic tiles, consider first what is more important for you.

More susceptible to breakage

Another important aspect about glass mosaics is that they are more fragile than other materials. Their maintenance is quite easy; however they can get scratched more often.  However, you can use these glass mosaics on your shower floor without fearing it being spoiled since this is a space without potential menaces for it.

Conclusions: can you use glass mosaic tiles on your shower floor?

Using this kind of decoration on your bathroom will depend on your priorities and the type of place it might be placed. Glass mosaics can truly redefine the personality of any space. In L’Antic Colonial we are sure of its potential and that it will add the depth and dimension every designer looks for in their creations.

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