Glass Mosaic Tile

Smalti or Vitreous? There are several types of glass mosaic tile. Which is right for your project? Can you mix varieties? 

Descriptions of Different 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" x 3/4" tile with a thickness of approximately 1/8", so tile of various types and from different manufacturers can be used in custom mosaics. However, larger tiles may be slightly thicker, even in tiles as small as 1". 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. 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" 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" x 3/4" x 1/8" 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. Smalti comes is many bright colors as well as earth and flesh tones. Thickness typically varies around 1/4" to 3/8". Smalti is made in Italy and Mexico.

SWIRLED OR MARBELIZED. 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" x 3/4".

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 3/4".

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.

Tips on Glass Mosiac Tiles

Glass mosaic tile should be cut with a Mosaic Glass Cutter. This tool has wheel-shaped blades and cuts tile much more cleanly and precisely than a tile nipper. Tile nippers were designed for ceramic tiles, and they tend to crush and splinter most types of glass mosaic tile.  (Nippers can be used on vitreous glass mosaic tiles, but the cuts aren't as precise or controlled as they are with a wheeled glass cutter.)  Most artists find that the mosaic glass cutter pays for itself in tile that would otherwise be wasted.  For advice on how to cut, glue and grout mosaic tiles, please see our page on cutting mosaic tile.

Glass mosaic tiles usually (but not always) have small glass ridges on the BACK side to allow adhesives to bond to the tile more securely.  This is the side that should be glued. Please see our Online Mosaics Instructions Guide for links to tips and information on working with glue.

Shop for Glass Mosaic Tile

The faces of all our glass mosaic tiles are flat.  The backs of the swirled, metallic, vitreous and mini tiles are embossed with small ridges to help glue bond more securely. All of our glass mosaic tiles are made for indoor and outdoor use.  

How much tile do you need?

Mini Glass Mosaic Tiles

Mini glass mosaic tiles are sold in loose bags of approximately 200 tiles.  Each mosaic tile is 3/8" x 3/8" and over 1/8" thick. The thickness is the same as our vitreous glass mosaic tiles, and the minis are made from the same material, which in theory allows both products to be used in the same mosaic.  However, you should be careful doing this because many colors that are nominally the same may not match the color of the 3/4" tiles exactly if they are from two different batches of glass.  The risk of color varying slightly between batches is inherent in all vitreous glass tile, particularly reds, yellows and oranges.  These tiles are great for applications where the artist would like to avoid cutting, although you should be aware that sharp edges may be present due to an occasional broken or chipped tile.  Return to Top

Iridescent Glass Mosaic Tile

Iridescent glass mosaic tiles come mounted on a removable mesh sheet. Each mosaic tile is 15mm x 15mm (9/16" x 9/16") and over 1/8" thick. The sheets we have in the online store are 3.75" x 3.75" and contains 36 tiles. Larger sheet sizes are available, although the tiles themselves are only available in this one size.  The mesh backing can be removed by soaking in hot water, or you can glue the tiles with the mesh still in place as intended.  The mesh ensures consistent grout spacing between the tiles. The finest Italian mosaic glass made, the tiles are fired at high temperatures in the presence of mineral salts to produce the iridescent finish.  The result is an opalescence that shimmers like mother of pearl.   Return to Top

Metallic Glass Mosaic Tiles

Metallic glass mosaic tiles sparkle with tiny metallic flakes that are swirled throughout the glass.  The metallic flakes are a bright copper-golden color, and the overall effect is stunning.  The tiles come FACE-MOUNTED on paper. Simply soak in water to remove the paper from the face of the tiles.  Each mosaic tile is 3/4" x 3/4" and over 1/8" thick.  Return to Top

Vitreous Glass Mosaic Tiles

Vitreous glass mosaic tiles sold in loose bags of 225 tiles. Each mosaic tile is 3/4" x 3/4" and over 1/8" thick. The most economical of all glass mosaic tile, vitreous is extremely popular with amateur crafters, yet it is often used by professional mosaic artists for large installations in buildings.  A full pallet of colors is available, allowing the artist to create strikingly beautiful mosaics.  Made to be cut.  Return to Top