Known for its aesthetic value and good looks, stone tiles made from natural stone are becoming quite popular. These natural stones, or pebbles as they are sometimes called, come from riverbeds or places where they have been polished under running water to a smooth finish. Once collected, they are molded into a slab in the required shape as per what the customer wants and then installed with relative ease. They have a great finish and are used on floors and also on counters, pavements and even on some walls. Glass mosaics are also used for these purposes and have inherent advantages. Although they are interchangeable in some uses, they do have some disadvantages. They include;
1. Pebble tiles come in different colors, sizes, and shapes, as well as variable texture; that makes it better in some ways than glass mosaic. However, glass mosaic can be modified to fit most needs.
2. Pebble tiles will wear less and last longer than glass tiles because they are not as brittle and less likely to chip. Heat and other elements of nature will have less of an effect on natural stone.
3. Natural stone mosaics and glass mosaics have been used for centuries, however, stone mosaics still stand out as a fashionable finish. They have never gone out of style and complement almost any type of interior finish you may want to use.
4. Natural stone tiles are very affordable and easy to maintain, while glass mosaic tiles are more expensive and require more maintenance work. Excessive cleaning of tiles only results in re-polishing of pebbles, while glass tiles are easier to scratch and that makes them look worn.
5. Although glass tiles can be found in a wide variety of colors, they do not have the warm colors of stone tiles. Warm tile colors are more homey and inviting. This is why stone tiles are most often used in homes, offices, and conference centers where a warm serenity is desired.
6. Due to its versatility, stone tiles are a sought after product. Stone tiles’ immeasurable ability to be molded into almost any configuration, including paving slabs, kitchen tiles, and floor and bathroom tiles, makes them very popular.
7. Because they are of natural origin, stone tiles are always available and easy to find, while glass tiles are more difficult to find and sometimes need to be ordered in advance before starting your project.
Although we have been talking about the advantages of stone tiles over glass tiles, you need to consider the application. Depending on the rest of the bathroom, glass tile may look better.
