Waterjet mosaic tiles come in various chemical combinations, manufacturing techniques, shapes, colors, and styles. Some tiles are natural while others are artificial but regardless, these tiles can bring a touch of class to your space. The problem arises when it comes to picking the right waterjet mosaic tiles that will suit your space and actually buying them. Here are some of the main types discussed that will help you make a more informed purchase.
Vitreous glass
These are solid, almost stone-like glass that is also one of the cheapest and popular tile types. They are easy to cut and will leave a clean edge that is not as sharp as the more costly glass tile. The average size of these tiles is one square inch and they are mostly in bags of a hundred pieces or more. They are ideal for both outdoor and indoor use but not for flooring projects.
Ceramic
These are common tile options and are mostly mass-produced and sold at craft stores. Ceramic tiles look more like stone and come either in glazed or unglazed finish. They are easy to crack with a hammer or cut using the water jetting method resulting in a clean edge. They come in a broad selection of colors so you can choose the one that appeals to you most. Nevertheless, ceramic tiles are the weakest of mosaic materials. They do not perform well under extreme heat, or cold temperatures. As such, you should only consider them for decorative purposes.
Smalti glass
In the mosaic tile world, these tiles are the jewels. Hand-made in Venice, Italy, they are the most expensive and beautiful of all the mosaic tiles available presently. Their price varies depending on the weight and color of the tile. They are popular for their applications all over the globe. First used in Rome, they have stood the test of time and continue to appear in higher-end design contracts. The reflective properties of these tiles are matchless and the brilliant light diversions are unequaled by no other tile on the market.
Creative tile
These tiles are products of stone, wine bottles, jewelry, glass marbles, or broken china. Tile stores often carry an assortment of these fragmented objects. The basic consideration is to find materials that are approximately the same width so your arrangement will not be bumpy or unbalanced.
Organic tile
These tiles are by-products of limestone, basalt, granite, and marble. The stone itself determines the beauty and range of each tile. You can buy them either in individual squares or sheets.
All the aforementioned glass tiles can contain one or more of the following properties.
- Swirled- Combination of various glass colors swirled into the base color, creates various depths of color and hue within each tile.
- Metallic- Tiny metallic fragments are swirled into the glass and then fired. This creates a stunning sparkle within the tile.
- Iridescent- This is a glass firing procedure that includes mineral salts to give the glass a gleaming appearance.
