Recycled Glass Tiles Vs. Ceramic Tiles

Recycled glass tiles offer variability with sustainable design.

Homeowners creating a tile design have their choice of materials for the job, including recycled glass tiles and ceramic tiles. Recycled glass tiles can help create sustainable design, while ceramic tiles fit any style and design a homeowner desires.

Recycled Content in Glass Tiles

Recycled glass tiles may contain multiple sources of glass.

Glass tiles contain from zero to 100 percent recycled material. Recycled materials may include old light bulbs, glass bottles and window panes. The more recycled content and the more types of content used in a glass tile, the more varied the tile.

Recycled Content in Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile contains little recycled content.

Ceramic tiles that have been reclaimed intact from previous use can be reused for new tiling jobs. New ceramic tiles, however, may contain little recycled content. Only unfired clay and water recycled from the manufacturing process can be reused.

Variability of Recycled Glass Tiles

Recycled glass tiles' texture may vary.

Recycled glass tiles have a great deal of variability from lot to lot and even from tile to tile. Depending on the manufacturing process, this variability may extend to color, size, surface texture and tile thickness.

Variability in Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles can be more consistent.

Ceramic tiles include a wide range of styles and variability. Machine-made tiles are more consistent from piece to piece and from lot to lot in size, color and surface. Handmade tiles, however, vary more widely, depending on the manufacturing process and the type of glaze used.

Designing With Recycled Glass Tiles

Recycled glass tiles work well in modern home design.

Recycled glass tiles have a rich color and depth that can enhance many spaces. They can be used in dark areas to catch and reflect light, in modern kitchen and bathroom designs and as borders combined with other materials for an eclectic look.

Designing With Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are suitable for any design style.

Ceramic tiles are available in nearly any style, shape, finish and color, making them adaptable to any tile design and area of a home. They can be used in any wall application, as well as in light-traffic floor applications alone or combined with another material.

References

• About Glass Tile: Ways of Making Glass Tiles (Types of glass tile)
• Sustainable Build: Reclaimed Materials