If you are considering renovating your existing pool or constructing a new one, you have likely encountered the seemingly endless number of product choices available. With different materials, manufacturers, and products, making the most informed decision for your investment can be challenging! Outdoor living projects are particularly tricky due to weather fluctuations. Durability is vital to ensure your outdoor space remains visually appealing and structurally sound through the years.
Glass Tile Advantages:
- Highly durable and frost resistant
- Impermeable, anti-microbial, and hypoallergenic
- Highly stain resistant, easy to clean, and no requirement for harsh chemicals
- UV ray resistant
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use with timeless offerings
Durability
Many people associate glass with fragility. However, you might be surprised to learn that glass can be very strong, durable, and thermal-shock proof! The secret to transforming glass into a non-fragile state lies in its scientific properties. Glass appears solid, but its molecules are scrambled, much like those in a liquid. Unlike liquid molecules, glass molecules are fixed and immobile. During the transition from a molten state to a solid, rapid cooling creates internal stress in the glass, leading to weak points and potential spontaneous breaks.
To prevent this natural reaction, glass must be properly annealed. Annealing allows glass to cool steadily to a temperature where the atoms are still moving freely, creating more consistency and minimizing stress points. As cooling continues, the molecules relax uniformly, evenly distributing stress points to eliminate concerns. Unfortunately, many glass tiles on the market shortcut this step to speed up production and maximize profit, resulting in a subpar product.
Impermeability
Glass is a non-porous material, allowing it to remain in damp conditions without risking contamination from mold, algae, fungi, or bacteria. It is also non-toxic, ensuring it won't leach harmful substances into your pool. Glass is less likely to attract mites or dirt, making it a hypoallergenic product. In contrast, ceramic and stone tiles provide an ideal environment for mold to spawn and thrive.
The natural porosity and organic material ensure that mold spores have a dark, damp place with easily accessible food sources, such as dirt or leaves. The pores in these materials don't need to be large; individual mold spores range from 1-40 microns, while a fine grain of sand is approximately 62 microns. Natural stone is notorious for permanent staining, even with sealants, while ceramic tiles can develop surface stains that require harsh cleaners and effort to remove.
Stain Resistance
Since glass is impervious, it is highly stain-resistant, easy to clean, and doesn't require harsh cleaners. Though pools typically contain chlorine, no one wants to spend hours removing stains or dealing with additional chemicals.
Avoiding stains and the need for abrasive, corrosive materials means that your glass tile will stay looking fresh and new for years with minimal wear and tear—much longer than some stones or ceramics can offer. The time saved on deep cleaning will keep you looking fresh and new as well.
Make Oceanside Your Choice
If you seek a material with all these qualities and timeless style, make Oceanside Glass Tile your tile-buying destination. We offer In-Stock cast glass, Make It Your Own custom order blends, and overstocked Oceanside Outlet products to suit various styles and budgets. Get in touch with our team today for more information on creating your dream pool!
