Although glass could be found in mosaics dating to before the birth of Christ, it would be into the third century before craftsman would begin forming glass into consistent uniform shapes and turning the substance into tile glass. The first applications of this form can be found in Greece and India cultures. These early forms of tile glass were prized possessions, they were treasured for their ability to reflect light and the vibrant colors that came out of them.

While ceramic tiles have been around for thousands of years it took longer for the glass version to take hold. Glass tiles present some difficulties in the developmental process as they require extremely high temperatures to melt the material and they are much more stiff and rigid than their ceramic and porcelain cousins, causing them to break much more easily during installation. Over time however we have been able to understand and develop a process for using glass tiles more effectively and interest in the use of glass tiles has risen dramatically over the past twenty years.

There are very few if any applications in a home that catch one’s eye like glass tile. Today, the most common applications of glass tile are kitchens and bathrooms. In the kitchen it is very common to see glass tiles adorn a countertop or backsplash. Glass tiles can be found in bathrooms around tubs and showers. Glass tiles are impervious to water making them ideal for use as a backsplash around a sink or spigot.

Finally, although glass tiles may present some difficulties during installation, the one thing that ultimately separates glass from the others is the development of a decoration process that allows tiles to have tile art etched in them. This feature allows for clients to select specific tile art designs or images to be featured on the tiles and this in turn helps to create a custom look and feel to their home.

With a little care and careful installation glass tile can be the conversation piece that visitors love to talk about. Thanks to developments in technology glass tiles can now offer a homeowner some creative freedom when it comes to dressing up an ordinary room.