Posts Tagged recycled glass tiles

Glass and Metal Tile—Which One Should You Choose?

If you have exhausted all your choices and everything boils down to two options, glass and metal tile, you have come to the right place because this article will help you pick the right one based on your needs.

Glass and metal may not be the top materials that people automatically pick when it comes to tile selection because ceramic and marble tiles are more popular. However, these tiles start to gain popularity as people and interior designers become more adventurous in their designs. These materials are not as common as ceramic or marble for your kitchen or bathroom installation but they are just as functional and decorative.

To give you some tips on how to choose between metal and glass tile, you can check out the paragraphs below.

Price

Price is an important consideration when choosing tiles especially if you need to buy other materials for your home. Generally speaking, glass tiles are cheaper than metal tiles. This is especially true if you buy recycled glass tile or discount glass tileRecycled glass tiles are cheap because they are not made of raw materials that need to pass through several processes that can cost the manufacturer a lot of money. For the discount glass tiles, you can find them when home depots and hardware stores hold an inventory sale or you can use discount coupons that are offered online or in magazines and newspapers. If you are low on budget, you should consider choosing glass tiles rather than steel tiles.

Appearance

Both of these materials have their own unique look. If you want a modern look for your kitchen, you can choose a metal tile backsplash. Steel has a futuristic look that makes it perfect for modern or contemporary homes. On the other hand, glass is more versatile in terms of appearance because it comes in a number of designs, colors, and shapes. For example, you can choose a simple design for your modern bathroom or a mosaic glass tile design for your vintage kitchen. Choose the right kind of tile based on your design needs.

Durability

Metal is more durable than glass. It can last for a much longer time especially when you know how to properly care for it. You should choose stainless steel to prevent rust. You do not want your metal kitchen backsplash to be full of rust because you prepare food in the kitchen and it would seem unhygienic if your backsplash is dirty and rusty. Glass can also last for a long time but it requires more effort on your part to prolong its lifespan.

Value

Both of these materials can add value to your home. If you decide to sell your home in the future, your tile installation will surely hike up the market price of the property, especially if it is still in good condition. Remember that the kitchen and bathroom are the two rooms that home buyers look into when purchasing a home so be sure that they are in excellent condition.

 

 

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Creating A Beautiful Tile Shower You Will Love

It is possible to spend only a weekend creating a beautiful tile shower. Everything you need should be easy to find at any hardware store. The first step is to take your old blocks off well so the new slabs can look beautiful. You should wear safety gear such as goggles and gloves while you use a reciprocating saw, which you will need when cutting the edges of your old shower tile and the old backer board. Do not to cut very deep into the wall because there may be plumbing or even wiring behind the tiles.

Using a hammer, crush your old blocks and the backer board. Clear any debris. Put in your new backer board but ensure that the factory edge parallels the edge of the bath pan. Leave some space from the top of the shower pan to the board so no water gets between them.

Apply thin set mortar on the backer board with a trowel. Try to get it as even as possible and then make ridges in your mortar with the trowel’s notched edge. Apply the mortar in small sections so it does not dry while you are placing your tiles.

Once you start placing your slabs, press them evenly but lightly so the mortar is not forced to the sides of each tile. Sort of twist each one into place, embedding them in your mortar. Make sure to use safety gear while cutting the blocks around plumbing and corners. Use a wet saw for this task.

Because it is so important to have the right amount of space in between each tile, place plastic spacers in between them. This is a crucial step when installing a new blocked shower so the tiles are evenly placed. When you are done, let the tiles set for 24 hours. The plastic spacers should remain in place while your slabs are drying.

When the tiles are dry and it is time to grout, press the grout in between them. The best tool to use is a grout float. Scrape the extra grout with the grout float and also use your sponge to wipe the blocks clean. Wiping diagonally will give you the best result. If there is a thin layer of grout on the slabs after it dries you should use some type of soft cloth to get it off.

The last step is to seal the grout by painting sealer on top of it once the grout is dry. Use a sponge brush. Following these step-by-step instructions will give you a beautiful new bath in no time.

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Hakatai Ashland-e series Smoky Quartz iridescent

This is a beautiful fireplace done in the Hakatai Ashland-e Series Smoky Quartz iridescent recycled glass tiles.  The shimmer of the glass tiles makes this a focal point of the room!

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