Glass Tile Kitchen
Glass tiles are perfect for your kitchen especially if you’re thinking of having a contemporary or modern look. These provide a very clean and sleek look that will surely bring in lots of light into the area. Glass tiles are durable as well and are not very hard to maintain aside from what most people would think. Here are some design tips when using glass tiles.
Glass Tile Details
There are different types of glass tiles and colors can vary from transparent to colored opaque. Glass tiles acquire colors through mixed pigments in molten glass during manufacturing. The color and shade permeate within the tiles’ body. During the firing method, a layer of pigment is fused to the tiles’ surface. As a result, colors of glass tiles are permanent and well-protected against moisture. Color is generally uniform among batches of glass tiles. Clear glass tiles do not use any pigments and are simply molten then fired.
Glass tiles have many advantages. It is moisture-proof which makes it very useful and sturdy in the kitchen. It works best and is most commonly used in walls where it allows light to enter the area without heat.
It is very aesthetic as well considering the variety of colors so people usually create mosaics which serve as a centerpiece of the kitchen. It is good both indoors and outdoors and with its non-permeable quality, endures moisture, heat, fire and ultraviolet rays. By installing glass tiles, other surrounding structures are protected against instant temperature changes.
Smalti is a type of glass tile made up of melted silica with sodium. Some metals and metal oxides are used to stabilize the material before it is fired and hand-cut. Fused glass tiles are usually translucent in nature with a visible opaque layer. Sintered glass tile usually come in 1 to 3 square feet measurement. It is manufactured by pressing glass powder then heating to fuse particles. Terrazzo glass tiles involve a cast method using glass and concrete amalgam. Cast tiles have a layered appearance created by putting glass chunks into a mold. Slumped glass has a contoured or curved appearance.
On Glass Tile Installation
All substrates should be dry, clean and level to ensure that all pieces are stable and fit well into place. Sand the area to remove any residual mater that may disrupt proper bonding of the tile with the substrate. Glass tiles easily adhere to common structural materials like metal, wood and plasterboard.
It is equally important to choose the right type of adhesive for strength and durability. Sand-based thin-set adhesives are recommended to keep the tiles from trapping air and moisture in between spaces. Since the tiles are non-permeable, spaces can lead to air or moisture accumulation then mold growth. Provide around 3 weeks for the grout and adhesive to set completely before installation.
If you intend to use glass tiles for your kitchen floor, you need to look for specifically made ones with slip-resistant quality. Your retailer or dealer should be able to tell you which tiles are ideal and strong enough for flooring. Glass tiles are very strong and are expected to last as long as other structures and materials in your kitchen.
Kitchen glass tiles are very functional and convenient since these are stain-resistant and can easily be maintained with a simple damp cloth. Use hydrochloric acid and water solution to clean the floor once a month. This will prevent any limestone and calcium buildup.