2012 Tile Trends: Glass Tiles

Whether you’re looking at kitchen designs or bathroom designs, you’ve probably noticed a lot of these spaces making use of glass tiles. Glass tile is becoming huge in the interior design world and will continue to be for a few more years. If you’re remodeling either your kitchen or your bathroom, you may want to consider incorporating these tiles into your space.

There are a plethora of different glass tile types. This guide will give you a basic overview of each choice, so that way you’re not stumped when you hit the aisles at your local home improvement store.

Cast Tile

To create cast tile, chunks of glass are inserted into a shaped mold. Then, heat is used to melt the glass chunk until it fits the mold. This is typically how recycled glass tiles are made. Recycled glass tiles are a popular choice for those looking to create eco-friendly kitchen or bathroom designs.

A thin translucent layer is applied to the surface of a glass tile. Then, that translucent layer is subjected to an etching method, such as sandblasting, laster cutting or acid etching, which give it the ‘etched’ look.

Fused glass is made in the same way that car windshields are made. This glass is cut into the desired shapes and then furnace-fired, resulting in clear or translucent glass tiles. Color can be added either on top of or under the tile if desired. Fused tile is often paired with colored grouting to create a unique look for bathroom designs and kitchen designs.

Unlike other methods, sintered glass tiles are made with glass powder. The glass power is pressed and heated until the particles are fused together. With this method, color is either added afterword or it is added into the powder before pressing. A great choice for those looking for custom made tiles to match their decorating ideas.

Slumping is a term that refers to glass that has been shaped into a convex or concave shape during the firing process. Surprisingly, slumped glass has been a popular choice for homeowners for both bathroom and kitchen designs.

This particular type of glass tile involves creating a paste made from melted silica and other materials. Stablizing agents are added in addition to coloring agents. The paste is rolled out, allowed to cool and then hand-cut into the desired shape. Typically used in mosaic patterns, which are popular for bathroom designs.