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One of the most effective ways of adding interest and beauty to your pool area is by installing tiles. But when it comes to choosing the type of tiles you’d like, there are some very important things to keep in mind, as each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Today, we’ll be looking at ceramic tiles vs glass pool tiles. We’ll explore the differences, look at which situation each is best for, and help guide you towards the right choice for your project.
To begin with, let’s take a look at a side-by-side comparison of ceramic and glass tiles, pinpointing the key differences between each.
Ceramic pool tiles are made from natural clay that has been placed into a mould, left to dry, and then fired at high temperatures. They are then glazed to make them water resistant and less susceptible to chemical damage.
Glass pool tiles go through a multi-step firing process, which involves layering glaze and colour. This toughens them further and produces a textured, coloured finish.
Generally speaking, ceramic tiles are less durable than glass tiles and are more prone to cracking or chipping over time.
Glass tiles are much more durable than ceramic pool tiles and won’t easily crack or chip. They are susceptible to scratches, however, especially when placed in high traffic areas.
As they are made from clay, ceramic tiles are less durable than glass pool tiles and will typically last up to 10 years when properly cared for.
As glass tiles are toughened and non porous, they have a longer lifespan than ceramic tiles and will last up to 20 years when properly maintained.
Ceramic tiles are much cheaper to purchase and install than glass tiles, making them a much better choice for those who need to stick to a lower budget.
Glass tiles are generally around twice the price of ceramic tiles, but while they are more expensive, they are also more durable.
It’s very easy to cut ceramic tiles using a simple tile cutter, making them a good choice if you need to lay tiles around awkward spaces.
Glass tiles are more difficult to cut compared to ceramics and, unless done with the help of a professional, are likely to shatter or crack.
Ceramic tiles have a higher water absorption rate than glass tiles, and this means that they are more susceptible to stains, watermarks, and weakening over time.
As glass tiles are completely non porous, they have a very low water absorption rate, and this makes them stain resistant and less susceptible to water damage.
Because ceramic tiles have a higher water absorption rate than glass tiles, they are more susceptible to bacteria buildup and discolouration over time. This means they require more ongoing maintenance.
Glass tiles are very easy to maintain, and aside from regular cleaning, they’re unlikely to discolour or develop bacterial growth.
Ceramic tiles are best for people who are looking for a low cost way of beautifying their pool area and who want to save on installation costs by laying them as a DIY project. They’re also a popular choice with people who want a wider range of colours and patterns to choose from.
Glass tiles are ideal if you’re looking for a highly durable pool tile with a long lifespan. They’re also a very good choice if you need something low maintenance and easy to clean.
One of the biggest advantages that ceramic pool tiles have to offer is the wide variety of colours and patterns they’re available in. This makes it much easier to create a space that’s unique to you, whether you’re going for hot Mediterranean colours to match the rest of your outdoor space, creating an interesting mosaic, or want a cool, modern look.
Ceramic tiles are also much cheaper than glass pool tiles, giving you a more cost effective way of tiling your swimming pool and the surrounding space. Likewise, they are easier to cut and install by yourself, so you’re able to save even more money as you may not need to worry about paying for professional installation.
Compared to glass tiles, a ceramic tile is much more susceptible to staining and discolouration over time, even if treated with a glaze to improve water resistance. They’re also a little less durable than glass tiles, and both of these things mean that you’ll have more ongoing maintenance to think about.
Ceramic swimming pool tiles also have a shorter lifespan than glass tiles, and this adds to their ongoing maintenance, as you’ll need to replace cracked or chipped tiles after about 10 years of use.
Another disadvantage of ceramic tiles is that, unlike glass tiles, they don’t reflect the light through your swimming pool. This can make the entire space feel less open, which is not ideal if you have a smaller swimming pool that you’re trying to make appear bigger.
Ceramic tiles are best for people who are aiming to tile their pool and the surrounding areas but want to keep their costs as low as possible. The wider variety of colours and patterns available also makes them a good choice if you’re looking to design a unique space, but it is worth remembering that their longevity is far less than that of glass pool tiles.
First of all, glass tiles are extremely durable and have around twice the life span of a ceramic tile. This makes them a great choice if your pool is regularly used, as they’ll be able to take whatever you and your family can throw at them with very little risk of becoming damaged.
Likewise, the non porous nature of glass pool tiles means that they’re far less likely to suffer from water damage. They won’t get stained as easily either, and this, mixed with the fact they’re so easy to clean, means that they’ll stay looking good for a really long time.
Glass tiles also require less ongoing maintenance than ceramic tiles, and you won’t have to worry about them cracking or chipping as easily over time. Likewise, they require less deep cleaning because there is a much smaller risk of them harbouring bacteria and grime.
There’s a beautiful design element to glass tiles that ceramic tiles can’t provide, as well. Whether you’re designing glass mosaics or choosing the same tiles throughout, the glass reflects through the water, and this adds more light to it, creating the illusion of space. This can also make a smaller pool seem a lot bigger, especially when you choose tiles that are clear or have a translucent lighter colour.
The biggest disadvantage of glass tiles is that they are so much more expensive than ceramic tiles and often cost double the price, which makes them an unsuitable choice for people who are trying to stick to a smaller budget.
Glass pool tiles are also harder to cut and install by yourself, meaning that the overall cost continues to rise as you’ll need professional installation to get them in place.
Glass pool tiles are best for people looking for a highly durable, long-lasting tile that is also easy to clean and maintain. They’re also a good choice if you have a smaller pool or if you want to create a clean, modern look. However, since they cost so much more than ceramic tiles, you’ll need to have a decent budget if you’re planning to use glass.
There’s plenty to keep in mind when choosing between a ceramic tile and a glass tile for your pool, but one of the most important things to keep in mind is how often you’ll use your pool. For pools that see a lot of action, glass tiles could be a better choice because of their extreme durability. For people with pools that see less action and are used more as a garden design feature, ceramic tiles could be the best choice, as you’ll have a much wider variety of colours and patterns to choose from.
