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Varieties of Glass Mosaic Tile

Glass mosaic tiles come in a variety of sizes and thickness, but one common industry standard is the 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch tile with a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.  This means that tile of various types and even from different manufacturers can be used in custom mosaics.  However, larger tiles may be slightly thicker, even tiles as small as 1 inch.  This difference in thickness can provide interesting texture to the surface of a mosaic, and poses no serious problems in wall mosaics, but should clearly be avoided in floor mosaics for obvious reasons.  Furthermore, difference in tile thickness is the primary concern in mixing glass mosaic tile with ceramic or stone tile.  Stone tile is usually 3/8 inch thick and ceramic tiles appear to be produced in a variety of thickness.  

Vitreous Glass Mosaic Tile

The most common type of glass mosaic tile is vitreous glass mosaic tile.  It is said to be stone-like (vitreous) in that it is opaque, has a grainy stone-like texture and cuts easily.  This variety of glass mosaic tile is often called "Venetian."  This variety commonly comes in the 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch x 1/8 inch size.  

Smalti

Smalti is the original variety of mosaic glass that was used in the mosaics of medieval churches.  Smalti is made according to traditional recipes in small batches, poured in slabs and hand cut into irregular rectangles.  Understandably, this material is slightly more expensive than modern molded tiles, but the surface and shape of each piece is unique, and this makes smalti more appropriate for fine art mosaics.  Use this material (or stone) for reproductions of ancient mosaics.  Smalti comes is many bright colors as well as earth and flesh tones.  Thickness typically varies around 1/4 to 3/8 inches.  Smalti is made in Italy and Mexico.

Swirled or Marbleized

Craft mosaics are often made from tiles cut from sheets of opalescent stained glass.  These tiles have the swirled colors of the beautiful glass from which they were cut, but they aren't practical for architectural applications due to the labor involved, and the edges can be quite sharp.  Fortunately, these tiles are also produced as modern molded tiles by several manufacturers.  Typically, swirled glass mosaic tiles come in the standard 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch size.

Metallic

Metallic glass mosaic tiles are made from translucent or marbleized glass that includes flakes of shiny copper inside the glass.  The flakes are tiny and highly reflective, so the glass has a gold dust appearance.  These tiles commonly come in the 3/4" size.

Translucent

Translucent glass mosaic tiles come in a large variety of colors, but usually the tiles are colorless glass with a thin sheet of colored material fired to the back side.  Most translucent glass tiles available in the US are produced in 1 inch, 2 inch and larger sizes.  

Iridescent

The surface of glass mosaic tiles are made iridescent by covering in metal oxides and firing to a high temperature.  Manufacturers of iridescent glass mosaic tile include Oceanside Glass in the US and Sicis in Italy.

No warranty is implied by the information on these pages.  Follow manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions.  Use proper safety equipment and keep tools and materials out of reach of children.

Copyright 2003 J.E. Moorman.  All rights reserved.  Not to be reproduced without express permission.