Admired on church or chapel windows, glass mosaics are also ideal accents inside or outside the home. Whether you choose stained glass or plain or colored glass tiles, there are many designs and color combinations to choose from in making any part of the room or the house more attractive with glass mosaics. If it is your first time to buy glass tiles to decorate your home, you might be surprised to know that 25 to 30 percent of yearly customers have no knowledge on which type or kind of glass tile to buy for their home, and for their intended purposes. Before you go out into any home depot, you will need to have a basic understanding of what the different kinds of tiles are, and which are recommended for your needs. In the case of glass tiles, there are also varied kinds that can be used on doors, windows, walls, and in making glass mosaics.
When you visit the store, you will notice that there are huge sections of the area or warehouse where the different kinds of tiles are displayed. Different kinds and colors of glass tiles are attached on vignette boards on walls, to show customers and potential buyers how each variation will look like when used alone or when combined with other shades of glass tiles. In installing glass mosaics in your home on the floor or on the walls, there are two basic methods in applying the tiles on the surface. The first method is the direct method, where the pieces of material, in this case glass tiles, are directly installed and grouted top side up on a base or substrate. The second is the indirect method, involves the process of temporarily arranging the pieces of glass tiles top side down on to a removable base. After accomplishing the arrangement or patterns, to reveal the final form of the glass mosaics, the glass tiles will be cast in its form and the temporary base will be removed. This method is highly recommended if you prefer a smooth and even surface.
The traditional tile tesserae which are glass tiles are Vitreous glass, gold and silver leafed, and Smalti. Vitreous glass is also known as Venetian glass is non-porous, can withstand frost, and is also stain resistant. This type of glass is perfect for making glass mosaics on floors because cleaning can be done easily. The most common sizes used for glass mosaics are 1 cm and 2 cm squares. The gold and silver leafed glass tiles are usually sold in 2 cm sizes. This type of tiles are made by sandwiching between a clear or colored top layer and a colored or transparent base the gold, silver, and copper or gold alloy leaf. You can also choose to buy flat or rippled surfaces, depending on your preference. The Smalti is another type of glass being used for glass mosaics, which are irregularly shaped rectangles of opaque colored glass. This type of tiles is usually three-fourths of an inch in size, have very reflective properties, and are rippled in texture. When you visit the store, you will notice that there are huge sections of the area or warehouse where the different kinds of tiles are displayed. Different kinds and colors of glass tiles are attached on vignette boards on walls, to show customers and potential buyers how each variation will look like when used alone or when combined with other shades of glass tiles. In installing glass mosaics in your home on the floor or on the walls, there are two basic methods in applying the tiles on the surface. The first method is the direct method, where the pieces of material, in this case glass tiles, are directly installed and grouted top side up on a base or substrate. The second is the indirect method, involves the process of temporarily arranging the pieces of glass tiles top side down on to a removable base. After accomplishing the arrangement or patterns, to reveal the final form of the glass mosaics, the glass tiles will be cast in its form and the temporary base will be removed. This method is highly recommended if you prefer a smooth and even surface.
Once you have chosen the kind and color of tiles for your glass mosaics, you should also have with you the other tools that are necessary in making your own work of art. Tile nippers and glass cutters are very useful in giving the exact shape that you want for your glass mosaics, and these tools are very durable and reliable when stored properly. Glass nippers and hammers are also essential tools in applying and removing tiles and grout. Using the proper adhesive for your glass mosaics is also important because the adhesive is responsible in holding the pieces of your work together.
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