SPECIFICATIONS FOR GLASS TILE
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Technical Specifications (Download this document in PDF format)
Floor Technical Specifications (Download this document in PDF format)
EarthenGLASS TCNA Lab Report (Download this document in PDF format)
Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Tile TCNA Lab Report (Download this document in PDF format)
Interstyle glass wall tile products are manufactured to satisfy industry standard specifications for glazed wall tile.
Interstyle glass tile products are made of pure impervious glass, and therefore have the properties of being:
- frostproof
- impervious to water and stains
- highly resistant to chemical attack
- resistant to fading and discoloration
Interstyle glass wall tile products have a cross-section of 4 mm or 6 mm, and its physical strengths should be compared to wall tiles of comparable thickness.
With respect to the ANSI standard A137.1-1988, Interstyle glass wall tile products satisfies the requirements of ANSI Section 6.1 (Glazed Wall Tile). The only exceptions to ANSI 6.1. are Subsection 6.1.1.2.6. (Spacers) and Subsection 6.1.1.3.3. (Thermal Shock). Interstyle glass tile products do not have lugs or spacers, and have not been tested for thermal shock failure (though this is an area that has shown no problems).
INTERSTYLE also makes glass mosaics, and their characteristics satisfy the standards set out in ANSI Section 6.2 (Glazed Ceramic Mosaic Tile). Glass mosaics satisfy all requirements, except those in Subsection 6.2.1.3.2. (Thermal Shock) and Subsection 6.2.1.2.10. (Coefficient of Friction). Glass mosaics have not been tested for thermal shock. In addition, the COBBLETONES glass mosaics (mosaics made from 1 x 1″ chips of recycled glass) may not meet the limits of variance regarding warpage and facial dimensions (Subsection 6.2.1.2.5./6.2.1.2.6.). It is the lack of consistency in the visual characteristics of the refired chips which gives COBBLETONES their unique appearance. All of the other glass mosaics made by INTERSTYLE meet the requirements of these two particular subsections.
EXTREMELY HOT CLIMATES OR HEATED ENVIRONMENTS
All INTERSTYLE glass tile products are suitable for interior and exterior surfaces. They can be used in both residential and commercial applications.
Glass tile is suitable for exterior applications where temperatures may reach 50 C during the day and where there may also be a rapid cooling of temperature at night. In addition glass tile may be used in heated areas such as steam-rooms, saunas and hot pools, where it retains the strength and durability of a ceramic tile and the delicate translucency of glass. In exterior applications, glass tile also has the added benefit of being resistant to chemical attack, water absorption, and discoloration.
The production of glass tile involves the fusing of glass to colored glazes at temperatures above 900 degrees Celsius followed by a rapid cooling of the individual pieces to room temperature. Even at these extreme firing and cooling temperatures in the stage of production, the glass tile pieces do not show any occurrences of cracking or stressing in any manner. Glass tile has been used extensively in exterior applications subject to effects of high heat and sunlight.
Correct installation and the use of proper installation materials is essential to avoid stress on the glass. A cement-based thinset mortar must be used in exterior applications with a latex / acrylic additive. This mixture will allow enough flexibility to expand and contract with the glass tile in high to low temperatures. Expansion joints are also a critical consideration in long spans and areas subject to extremes in temperature.