| For the past five years I have witnessed an | | | | any imperfection in either the setting application or |
| unprecedented increase in the use of glass tile | | | | the thinset is magnified. Whichever tile is being |
| mosaics in residential and commercial applications. As | | | | installed, the substrate must be perfectly smooth |
| with many other high end, popular products, cheaper | | | | using the manufacturer's suggested setting materials |
| knock-offs have quickly flooded the market. | | | | and following their instructions exactly as written. Any |
| Unsuspecting consumers purchase these | | | | "waves or grooves" in setting material are noticeable |
| attractive-looking, cheap tiles only to become | | | | which is another reason a consumer needs to hire a |
| frustrated months later when they learn the | | | | contractor trained in glass tile installation. |
| investment in their home is not only worthless, but | | | | Another major quality difference between glass tiles |
| also costly. When a glass tile installation or product | | | | is in the quality of the glass used during production. |
| fails, homeowners are left with expensive tear-outs | | | | Oceanside Glass is famous for using recycled bottles |
| and repairs. | | | | in its production and provides consumers with a guide |
| To the end user and many untrained contractors, the | | | | of how much post-consumer recycled material are |
| quality differences may seem subtle, but these | | | | used in their production and can assist with LEED |
| distinctions have a major impact on the final | | | | accreditation. Additionally, their state-of-the-art |
| appearance and durability of the project. I am | | | | equipment for precision processing in batching, |
| amazed at the number of tile contractors who claim | | | | changing furnaces and cooling molten glass is |
| to be experts in glass tile installations, yet cannot | | | | revolutionary. Their craftsmen work the glass by |
| even tell the right direction the tile should be installed! | | | | hand to transform each tile into a piece as unique as |
| Some contractors will not admit they are unskilled | | | | a snowflake. Bisazza glass tile uses the highest quality |
| and untrained at this specialty and install the tile | | | | ingredients and constantly works to improve the |
| upside down because they have never worked with | | | | production process to result in stronger materials with |
| "paper faced material". They later call to complain | | | | more vibrant colors. Shortcuts in production and |
| that tiles are falling out and have glass imperfections. | | | | compromises with materials result in a finished |
| So, the first rule is to ensure the person who is | | | | product lacking perfectly squared edges, color quality, |
| installing your glass tile has attended a glass tile | | | | and strength. To the untrained eye, the product may |
| setting seminar such as those offered by Bisazza or | | | | look similar in display, but it is in fact extremely |
| Oceanside Glasstile or otherwise demonstrated glass | | | | inferior. |
| tile installation competency. Most quality | | | | Quality producers of glass tile may also apply a bevel |
| manufacturers sponsor minimum of two-day seminars | | | | to each of their tiles to allow for more level and |
| to ensure a finished look that will last decades rather | | | | consistent surfaces during installation. According to |
| than months. A Phoenix, Arizona based company | | | | Wes Wayland of Bisazza USA, "It gives a client the |
| recently conducted two-day seminars, bringing Alex | | | | ability to clad curved surfaces, both concave and |
| Arcaro of Bisazza to their Scottsdale showroom to | | | | convex, and to form clean inside and outside corners |
| teach contractors the fine art of glass tile installation. | | | | with more ease and a finished look. This also gives |
| The benefit of a "paper faced glass tile" is that it | | | | them the ability to create mosaics on furniture, walls, |
| allows for an efficient method of installation and is | | | | ceilings, pools, even cladding of entire buildings with |
| used by quality glass tile manufacturers. When | | | | unique designs". Glass tile isn't JUST for the bathroom |
| installing a paper faced material, 100% of the glass | | | | anymore. Bisazza wants consumers and designers to |
| tile is bonded to the substrate which has tremendous | | | | think outside the box and are offering prefabricated |
| benefits especially if it is being used in wet area | | | | mosaic patterns and designs intended to cover large, |
| applications. Consumers need to consider that many | | | | vertical surfaces as wallpaper would and that are |
| mesh backed material use poor quality glue to bond | | | | perfectly suited for the bedroom - living room - |
| the tile to the mesh. When the mesh side is installed | | | | board room - foyer - etc. Quality mosaics offer the |
| to the surface, the mesh acts as a barrier between | | | | clients, designers, and architects, few, if any |
| the tile and substrate. If the glue subsequently | | | | limitations on their visions. Almost anything can be |
| breaks down or the bond fails, the tile can then easily | | | | designed and made from quality glass tile including |
| loosen and fall out because little of the tile surface is | | | | furniture. |
| actually bonded to the substrate. This failure can | | | | The best word of advice when considering glass tile |
| begin almost immediately or can take up to a few | | | | is a consumer should always consult with an |
| years, after all installation warranties have expired. | | | | authorized distributor regarding the tile's suitability for |
| With Chinese produced glass tile, my experience has | | | | the intended use. Authorized distributors spend an |
| shown the glue used to bond the tile to the mesh is | | | | enormous amount of time educating their employees |
| lower in quality than the glue used in higher quality | | | | and they always know who to contact for installation |
| products produced in Europe or quality US | | | | related questions. Please contact your distributor for |
| manufacturers. | | | | a list of installers who have completed formal training. |
| Often glass tiles are translucent in appearance and | | | | |