From modern designs, to rustic styles, glass tile mosaics can fit any home design. Glass mosaics are available in styles that range from sleek and contemporary to recycled glass mosaics with a hand poured, hand cut, artistic look. Paired with stone or ceramic, or left on their own, there are glass mosaic tiles to suit anyone’s needs or budget.
Color Backed Glass Mosaics
Color backed glass mosaics are amongst the more contemporary, as well as the least expensive options for glass tile mosaics. Clear glass, often in a slightly rounded square shape, has the color applied to the back of the glass for rich, vibrant look.
The glass surface can be left polished, or sand blasted for a frosted look. Depending on the thickness of the glass, color backed glass mosaics can be suitable for floor applications as well as wall, with the high gloss mosaics actually wearing better in floor use than the frosted. Because of the way that light hits the surface of the glass, glossy surfaces will reflect scratches and marks more readily than the frosted surfaces, which are prone to showing scuff marks and scratches.
Glossy glass mosaics are non-skid when installed in 3/4” tiles or smaller, since the amount of grout used will provide traction for the feet.
Use a blend of colors in a glossy finish to create a sleek, modern look on a backsplash or shower walls. Frosted glass mosaics will create a more quiet, toned down look, perfect for tranquil styled bathrooms, and beach homes. Mixes of glossy and frosted glass can help add additional depth and interest to transitional designs, bridging the gap between modern and traditional.
Iridescent Glass Mosaics
Iridescent glass mosaics are thin, solid color glass tiles, which use a small amount of metal ions in their manufacturing to give them their sheen, and color changing depth. No two mosaics on a sheet are exactly the same color, and lots of color can range dramatically, depending on the time of manufacture. This creates a shimmering, unique look, suitable for floor or wall application.
Iridescent glass mosaics will contain multiple colors, which can be used to pull colors for walls, towels, throw rugs and other accessories. Using a shade of iridescent glass mosaics in a gold or tan, will keep a space neutral in feel, while providing plenty of additional colors to provide an ever changing look to the space.
Recycled Glass Tile Mosaics
Recycled glass tile mosaics can be produced from 20% to as much as 100% recycled glass. The glass may come from light bulbs, bottles and other containers, and the amount of recycled glass added to each mixture can result in a great deal of variation of color. Solid color mosaics will have subtly shifting shades throughout the glass, whether glossy or frosted, while translucent glass tiles will have veins and swirls of various colors running through them and producing an effect with a great deal of movement.
Recycled glass tiles may have rough, hand cut edges, as well as ridges and veins throughout the glass pieces themselves. This helps them work well for nearly any application, from modern to rustic, and makes them ideal for mixing with other materials. Blends of frosted glass and honed slate are available, as well as glass mixed with hand made ceramic tiles. The glass can be paired with ceramic subway tiles for a traditional appearance, and mixed with large slate tiles for a more rustic feel. Used alone, in large area applications, recycled glass tiles can create a modern look.
Glass mosaic tiles can catch the light on each individual tile, creating a sparkling, shimmering look that can brighten the darkest room. Use glass tiles to catch and reflect back any natural light in a backsplash or shower, to brighten and enhance any design.
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