Glass tiles are a wonderful new material for the home. They come in a large variety of sizes, shapes, colors and designs offering a terrific opportunity to individualize the design of a room. This material is most commonly used in the bathroom but can be used in the kitchen or other parts of the house as well. They can be used on their own as field tile or combined with ceramic, porcelain or stone as an accent tile. They are beautiful as a total look or an excellent accent. Glass tiles can be used to frame a bathroom mirror, for a counter top or interspersed with other tiles.

The main advantage of using glass tiles is their beautiful appearance. The many options available in this material make it a desirable choice of materials. There is no need for a bull nose with glass tile because there are no raw exposed edges. The only possible disadvantage can be the cost of some glass tiles and the added expense of the installation. It is also necessary to find an experienced or very careful installer.

Glass tiles come in a large variety of colors. Custom colors also can be ordered with a minimum quantity from some companies. There are numerous novelty tiles available in a large variety of designs including fish, flowers, stripes, etc., which can be mixed as accents for borders or interspersed with solid tiles.

Tiles are available in a large range of sizes and shapes depending on the manufacturer. Tiles come in a glossy, clear finish which, have a see-through or translucent surface and can only be used on the wall. These are generally 1/4 “thick to be consistent with the depth of other tiles being used. Also available are tiles with a sanded or opaque finish which are available in 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch thickness. The thicker tiles must be used on the floor, although they can be used on the wall as well. The thicker tiles tend to be twice as expensive as the flatter ones. Some opaque tiles are sand blasted and are very porous requiring that they be sealed with an impregnating sealer.

Glass tiles are considered to be durable if they are installed properly. Professional installation of glass tiles is essential. It is best if the installer is experienced, but if he is not, he must follow the manufacturers’ directions carefully.

Because glass can expand and contract, the adhesive used to install the tiles must be flexible. If the tiles are too close together there will be no room for expansion and they could crack.

White adhesive must be used because the tiles are see-through. If for example a notched trowel is used to apply the adhesive to the wall, then the lines of adhesive will show through the tile.

The substrate or wall behind the tile must be clean, smooth and even. An uneven substrate could cause the tile to crack. Installation instructions are generally given to the customer when the tiles are purchased and if they are strictly adhered to, the tiles should be as durable as any others available.

Glass tile can be used outside but it should be limited to areas which will not encounter large changes in temperature or excessive abrasion. The thicker tiles can be used for pools and other outside applications. •