Benefits of Using Recycled Glass Tile

Recycled glass tile is becoming one of the fastest growing trends in the area of home décor. It is formed by melting down post-consumer and post-industrial waste glass in boilers that are heated to a temperature of more than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The molten glass is then maneuvered into shape, hand trimmed, and then positioned to its finished product. This form of tile can be utilized anywhere that ceramic tile is used - kitchen and bathroom floors, backsplash areas, shower stalls, and other such places.

Using recycled glass tile has a number of advantages. Some of these benefits include:

1. It utilizes the overabundance of post-consumer and post-industrial glass.

2. It keeps more glass out of the landfill.

3. It helps cut down on the need for recycled glass storage.

4. It helps to support the economic viability of recycling programs.

5. It is very durable.

6. It uses less fossil fuels. Reshaping glass takes far less time and energy than making tile from scratch.

7. It comes in a multitude of colors and pattern choices and is unique.

8. It is easy to clean. You only have to use glass cleaner to get this type of tile clean.

9. It has handmade appeal because of the way it is made.

10. It is resistant to chemicals and stains and does not allow certain types of bacteria to grow.

11. It can be used outdoors as well as indoors.

12. It reflects light, so it can help to brighten up a dark area.

A number of websites sell recycled glass tile, and these include http://www.bedrockindustries.com/blazetile_colors.html, http://www.delphiglass.com, and http://www.ecofriendlyflooring.com/glass.html. While recycled glass tile can sometimes be a little costly, the benefits far outweigh the price, and as this type of tile continues to grow in popularity, the cost should decrease.

In installing recycled glass tile, a few things should be kept in mind as suggested by the HGTV website:

1. More time and greater care should be taken when installing recycled glass tile.

2. After the coat of thin set has been applied, the comb marks should be knocked down and smoothed, for if they are left, they will be visible through the glass and look unsightly.

3. As the thin set is being smoothed, an even layer of adhesive must be left at a safe depth to secure and support the tile.

Sources:

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycled_Glass_Tile

http://www.aboutglasstile.com/en/articles/recycled-glass-tile.php

http://www.bedrockindustries.com/blazetile_colors.html

http://www.delphiglass.com/index.cfm?page=itemList&viewcat=

http://www.ecofriendlyflooring.com/glass.html

http://www.ecowise.com/green/tile/gtile.shtml

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/bp_interior_finishes/article/0,2617,HPRO_20148_4538414,00.html

http://www.kitchenbacksplashtileandmosaics.com/Recycled%20Glass%20Tile.htm