Glass Tiles
Glass tiles
Successful decoration projects that rely on the use of glass tiles are very demanding in terms of practical issues and aesthetic achievement. Despite the extent of the project, the design of the glass tiles installation can be made either on one's own or together with a professional team, with the only mention that there is a whole range of things to be taken into consideration before starting work. Personal expectations are crucial for the design that relies on glass tiles, and personal vision definitely needs to match the budget. The living habits, the overall house design and personal taste all play important roles for the matter.
It is advisable to purchase more glass tiles than necessary so that you may cover the possible breakage hazards and the wrong cuts that sometimes occur during installation; yet the surplus should not be higher than five or ten percents, so that you may not end up with too much unused material. Glass tiles usually work great for various mosaics, and they are available in a very wide offer particularly for the common designs. In case one should require a more complex pattern, special orders can be placed with manufactures, but you should expect prices to be pretty higher.
The installation of glass tiles for mosaics requires special adhesives and mortars, and their choice depends on the location and the function of the glass tiles as such. Consequently, you may choose between thin-set adhesives that ensure great durability and strength though only a very thin layer is used. This type of adhesives is generally lighter and preferred by most experts in the installation of glass tiles. A second kind of adhesive is the Portland-cement mortar that is usually meant for thick-set installation of glass tiles; it is widely used when you want to create a floor mosaic that requires higher durability. It also works great for the creation of gentle slopes required for drainage in bathrooms.
One other important matter for the installation of glass tiles is the choice of the surface sealer that has to be stain and water resistant. These requirements are an absolute must since most stone and glass tiles mosaics are located in house areas with increased moisture levels such as kitchens and bathrooms. Not all tiles require the use of sealers, it all depends on the quality of the glass and the type of paints used in its manufacturing; very often, the use of sealers may not even be necessary, but for such cases it would be advisable to ask for the opinion of a professional.