Glass Tile Flooring

Glass tiles offer:

• beauty


• while the natural transparency and depth of glass tiles simply creates stunning elegance


• environmentally friendly


• impervious to water


• easy clean up


• durability


• health benefits for those who suffer from allergies

But glass tiles have a few drawbacks too:

• slippery when wet


• high price


• cold under foot

Most glass tiles are actually made of recycled glass, which makes them very environmentally friendly. To make the tiles, recycled glass from windshields and bottles in collected and crushed. It is then blended with metallic oxides to give the glass added strength. At this stage, colors may also be added in order to produce colored glass tile or uniquely-hued accent glass tile. Finally, the mixtures is poured into tile molds and fired at high temperatures. Some manufacturers add a glaze in order to make the glass even more durable.

Glass tile is actually very sturdy and durable. According to tests run by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) the water absorption of glass tiles is 0.03%, breaking strength is 420 lbs., and the abrasion resistance index is 137.5. The MOH (measure of hardness) rating for glass tiles is between 5 and 6, making them very durable. Glass tiles are also available with reinforced hardness and durability, suitable for commercial and industrial flooring uses.

Glass has been used through the years for decorative purposes. For hundreds of years, beautiful glass panes have been used in decorative windows and glass tiles have been used on walls. Glass tile flooring, however, has is a more recent use of glass tiles. Even in the 1990s, glass flooring required lots of explanation and was often misunderstood by customers. Mostly, modern hotels and buildings made use of special glass tiles for floors as accent pieces before homeowners became aware of it as an option for themselves.

Glass has some drawbacks in tile form. It can be slippery when wet and can be cold on bare feet as well. Non-slip sealants and in-floor heat can help minimize these disadvantages. Glass tile can be quite expensive as well. Special tiles such as glass mosaic tiles are often made by hand, making them more expensive than other types of flooring options.

Glass tile has many advantages which outweigh the few shortcomings of this flooring option. The transparency of colored glass tile, for example, creates beautiful depth and affect that is simply not possible with other tiles. With accent glass tile, homeowners can complement and enhance any style of decor. It is easy to clean, resists chemicals and stains, and discourages mold growth. This type of tile is also a beautiful and practical addition to rooms that frequently have high moisture or temperature, like bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens. Glass bathroom tile, for example, can be an elegant and durable solution to flooring. Bathroom glass tile offers a very elegant flooring solution that will look great even after many years. If you decide to install bathroom glass tile, however, you will want to ensure that you have anti-slip glaze or tile surfaces that will help prevent accidents.

If you are ready for a unique and beautiful flooring solution, the environmentally friendly and beautiful glass tile flooring choices may be for you. Whether you decide to decorate your floors with glass mosaic tile or colored glass tile, glass can provide surprisingly durable and practical flooring designs and options.