Glass tiles vs ceramic?

tomfrh · Feb 7, 2019

I'm considering tiling our pool.

The glass mosaic options look nice, but I worry about the long term performance of glass. Grout and glue sticks nicely to ceramic tiles, less so to glass. The last thing I want is tiles falling off, and cracking and reduced durability.

What's the TFP verdict?

At this stage I'm thinking 48mm ceramic mosaic.

kimkats · Feb 7, 2019

If you do the correct prep and use the correct stuff you should be good with glass tiles. MANY TFP pools have glass tile (LOVE some good glass BLING!) without any problems.

tomfrh · Feb 7, 2019

The glass ones comes with all different backings. mesh, dots, etc.

I've heard you mustn't use mesh because it makes them fall off, but I've heard other people say the worst ones to use are dots ... I have no idea which to use!

tampatommy · Feb 8, 2019

I tell you what. Whatever you do, make sure your thinset is the same color as your grout. Dont risk having to chip all of the thinset out of the joints with a razor knife. 6x8 spa took a solid day.

tomfrh · Feb 11, 2019

tampatommy said:
I tell you what. Whatever you do, make sure your thinset is the same color as your grout. Dont risk having to chip all of the thinset out of the joints with a razor knife. 6x8 spa took a solid day.

thanks. I'll keep it in mind and make sure of it.

Spookie · Feb 11, 2019

I'm kind of in the same situation. I'm having a pool built and to add 90 square feet of glass tile, the cost to upgrade the tile is $600. I was pretty happy about that. Then I saw they want $5,400 to install it!!!! I figured it is the same as installing ceramic tile...piece of cake. So off to the interweb I went. Turns out, installing glass tile (properly) in a pool is a bit of a task. I would love to find a step by step process showing the proper way to install glass tile, along with the correct materials. I know it's something I could do. After reading the following site that I attached, I kind of understand why I am being charged more to have the glass tile installed. However; probably not $5,400 more. I'm hoping to do it myself.

https://www.poolspanews.com/how-to/design-construction/special-report-glass-tile_o

lasvegaspools · Feb 13, 2019

http://www.nptglasstile.com/pdf/2016 NPT POOL TILE QuickRefGuide.pdf

Here is a quick reference, many builders elect to use other products and tweak install. Note the cure time and procedures, many extra trips involved, lots of different materials and a skilled setter drive the cost up quickly.