Good-looking Glass: Use Recycled Glass for Kitchen and Bath Tile

Why tile?

Whether it’s made from glass, clay, or cement, tile has several advantages over other wall- and floor-covering materials. First, tile is heavy and dense, therefore a perfect component in passive solar designs. Laid on a mortar bed, a floor’s worth of tile will absorb the sun’s heat during the day and then slowly release that heat for hours into the evening.

Second, for the chemically sensitive person, tile grouted with a cementitious mortar is the perfect building material. Floor coverings are frequently cited as primary contributors to indoor air contamination. This is, in part, because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used in their fabrication. Particleboard, carpeting, and padding are made, or installed, with combinations of plastics, adhesives, and other materials that emit VOCs for months after they are brought into a home. Comparatively, once fired, tiles and glazes are completely inert; there is no possibility of peeling or outgassing. (Ask for low-VOC mortars, grouts, adhesives, and sealers.)

Third, other, more porous, products also have the potential of becoming “sinks.” Sinks absorb outside contaminants, such as cigarette smoke or cleaning products, and release them at a later date. Sinks also have the potential to absorb moisture and promote mold and mildew. Tile is impermeable to water and chemicals; this helps keep contaminants at the surface where they can be easily removed by sweeping and mopping with a mild, neutral cleaner.

Last, tile’s fabulously long life cycle means fewer replacements and reduced waste.