Glass tiles: pros and cons

In the modern construction industry, a wide variety of materials are used with unique properties. One of the modern design solutions is the use of glass tiles for interior decoration. Today, manufacturers offer many options from this material that will fit into different styles of the interior. Compared to many types of tiles, glass products have many features that are worth familiarizing yourself with in more detail.

For starters, it should be said that this material is somewhat different from the standard ceramic tiles that we are used to using for wall decoration in rooms. The main feature of glass products is their attractive and at the same time unusual appearance.

Another distinguishing feature of this material is its practicality. Often glass tiles are used to decorate the walls in the kitchen. It is much easier to remove various dirt from such a surface than from ceramic tiles.

Comparing glass tiles to other types of materials used for indoor wall cladding, we can safely say that it has many significant advantages:

• The first plus of this option is the ability to reflect light. For this reason, glass tiles are often used to visually expand the space in a small room. Often the material is used to decorate bathrooms with low ceilings. Thanks to this solution, the height of the walls visually increases. The room does not seem so small, everything in it looks harmonious and compact at the same time.
• Another advantage of glass tiles is their high resistance to moisture. This is an important point in case you decide to use this cladding material for wall decoration in a kitchen or bathroom. Even with long-term use, the tiles do not lose their original properties and appearance.

• In addition, glass surfaces lend themselves well to cleaning with various household products. When using detergents, the glass does not break, no scratches or other defects remain on it. If you are concerned about these problems, you can choose a product specifically designed for glass surfaces.
• Another plus of the tile is that it retains its color for a fairly long period. This point applies not only to neutral transparent materials, but also to colored surfaces. Often, colored tiles are used to improve the interior. It complements the design favorably, making it more interesting and "alive".
• Do not forget about the decorative qualities of the material. Most often, glass tiles are specially used in the interior in order to provide a kind of "luxury" effect.

Like any cladding material, glass tiles have certain disadvantages, which you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing the material.

The most important disadvantage is the fragility of the glass. The facing material has poor resistance to strong mechanical stress.As for light impacts, they can leave small scratches and even chips on the tiles.

Today there are several main types of glass tiles. Each of the options has its own individual properties, which you should familiarize yourself with.

• Enamel tiles. In the process of production of facing products, the firing method is used. The glass undergoes a long and careful processing, after which it is literally baked under the influence of high temperatures. During processing, the material is supplemented with enamel, and all this is melted into a homogeneous mass.
• Marblit. The peculiarity of this type is the use of frosted glass. A rolled painted base is also used for manufacturing. The tile has a smooth or embossed texture from the front and small irregularities from the rear. This ensures good adhesion to the surface during installation.

• Stemalit. For the manufacture of these products, the hardening method is used. This method is somewhat similar to firing, but the difference is that after sintering, the material is treated with cold. Thanks to this, the tile acquires high performance.
• Glass ceramic tiles. This material is highly resistant to moisture and durable. The advantage of tiles is their wide range of colors.
• Penodecor is one of the unique species. The peculiarity of this tile is that it uses a special colored film that resembles glass. Unlike previous options, this species is highly resistant to low temperatures.

When choosing glass tiles for wall decoration, the first step is to consider the performance of the material. For example, if you buy this cladding option for decorating a kitchen or bathroom, you should inquire about the degree of moisture resistance of the products. The durability of the material directly depends on this.

The next thing to look out for is the manufacturer. Choose high quality and reliable material, best of all, represented by a well-known brand. In this case, you will be completely confident in the high technical properties of glass tiles.

An important point is the appearance of the material. The tile should harmoniously fit into the interior of the room, complementing it with its uniqueness. Particular attention should be paid to colored material. Green, white or amber tiles will be a real decoration in any room.

Decide in advance for what purposes you will use the material. Often glass tiles are used to decorate arches and partitions in the bathroom. With the help of the material, you can create a kind of apron on the kitchen wall, which will protect the surface from the ingress of grease and other contaminants.

There are many ways to decorate a room with glass tiles. In the bathroom, the material is used for wall and floor decoration. For such a room, it is best to choose transparent or translucent surfaces that will create a kind of lightness atmosphere. Matte glass tiles are a good choice.

The material in a coffee shade is harmoniously and stylishly combined with various accessories. A soft and unusually gentle tone will decorate the room, help you relax in the bathroom after a hard day. The advantage of this tile is that it does not overload the space, and the area of ​​the room visually increases. As for the use of the material in the kitchen space, in this case there are many ways to use it. The most common option is to create an apron.Often glass tiles are used to decorate walls and even ceilings.

To preserve the properties and the original appearance of the tiles, it is necessary to provide proper care for the material. Basically, glass options are "unpretentious" in this regard. But for cleaning surfaces, it is best to use products designed for this material. In this case, dirt is removed from the surface much faster. In addition, there are no streaks on the glass tiles.

Particular attention must be paid to cleaning if the facing material is used in the kitchen to decorate the work area. Fat, constant evaporation, moisture - all these affect the tiles in their own way, gradually changing its original appearance for the worse.

Regular grooming will help prevent dirt from forming. After cooking, it is recommended to wipe the apron with a damp cloth.

A sponge, warm water and special cleaning agents will help to remove stubborn dirt.

In this video, you will find a master class on gluing glass tiles.