Design Resources

Design Resources

Design Resources

The New Trend: Glass mosaic tile is not just for waterlines anymore - and for good reason.

Over the past 3 years, instead of marching around the waterline as a bit player in pool design, glass mosaic tile has steadily become the star.

For decades, porcelain tile was the only choice offered for pool design. Recently, however, homeowners and developers alike have begun to look at other, more creative, options for swimming pool design and glass mosaic tile is quickly becoming the most popular choice. While there are thousands of varieties and patterns available in glazed porcelain for use in swimming pools, those options have been used by so many for so long, that they no longer offer the "e;wow"e; factor that they once did.

In the design arena, glass mosaic tile offers myriad possibilities:

  • Semi-Gloss or High-Gloss solid field colors.
  • Standard or Custom Color Blends
  • Mosaic Tile Patterns or Borders
  • Iridescent or Metallic styles. The natural play of light and water in a pool echoes all of the best qualities of both iridescent and metallic glass tile.

    • With all of these possibilities, generally not available in standard porcelain pool tile, glass mosaic tile offers the ultimate in design flexibility. Due to the availability of reasonably-priced glass mosaic tile lines such as those in our Kaleidoscope ® Glass Mosaic Collection, budget concerns are readily overcome. Contact our Sales Dept for volume discounts on orders of 750 s.f. or more.

    It is true that designers lead the charge toward glass tile use in swimming pools for aesthetic reasons, but the most important reasons for this change in trend are firmly anchored in the building and construction sector, where functionality and stability are the most important factors to consider. Glass mosaic tile's functionality as a surface treatment in water surrounds is unsurpassed for several reasons.

  • Glass is completely non-porous, or impervious, and therefore will not take on any moisture, unlike exterior grade porcelain and ceramic tiles, which can have porosity levels of .3 to 3%, according to ANSI standards.
  • Through-body colored glass tiles are weather-resistant, acid, alkali, and chemical resistant, and will not fade over time, unlike glazed porcelain.
  • Glass tiles, being impermeable, will not stain.
  • The smaller size of glass mosaic tiles allows for easy coverage of the curved dimensions necessary in standard pool shapes.
  • Glass tile is easily and inexpensively maintained.
  • Glass tile will not decay or deteriorate with exposure to the elements.
  • Glass is long-lasting. Historically, glass has been used as a design element for centuries. Its use in early architectural elements proves without a doubt that glass does stand the test of time.

    • Last, we have to discuss glass mosaic tile's health benefits:

  • Glass tile does not support the growth of mildew, mold or bacteria
  • Glass tile, because of its impermeability, is hygenic and non-allergenic.
  • Glass is environmentally green and a sound ecological choice.
  • The frequent and regular placement of grout joints when using glass mosaic tiles offers better traction than larger wall and floor tiles.
  • The advent of new anti-slip products for glass tiles such as Grip-On™ by Safety Seal Products offer extra assurance against slips and falls. In an afternoon, any glass tile surface can be treated with Grip-On™ to attain a Co-efficient of Friction rating of .75 and above. (Note that the industry standards published by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) require only a rating of .50 or greater to be considered safe and/or slip-resistant.)

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