Lunada Bay Tile Blog

Six Benefits of Choosing Hand-Crafted Glass Tile from Lunada Bay Tile

Six Benefits of Choosing Hand-Crafted Glass Tile from Lunada Bay Tile ,

Glass tile has been a popular option in both home and commercial design, and for good reason. Its unique characteristics offer a range of benefits that can enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of any space.

Lunada Bay Tile designs, manufactures, and stocks hand-crafted glass tiles with these benefits in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes.

Whether you are planning a kitchen backsplash, a bathroom renovation, decorative feature wall, pool and spa, restaurant, hotel, or anything else – here are six benefits of hand-crafted glass tile:

(Agate 1-1/4 x 5 Brick in Amalfi Pearl)

1. Aesthetic Appeal

One of the most significant advantages of glass tile is its stunning visual appeal. Lunada Bay Tile offers a variety of distinctive designs, colors, textures, and finishes in their hand-crafted glass tile collection. This extensive selection allows homeowners and designers to create customized looks that reflect personal style and vision.

The reflective quality of glass tiles can add depth and vibrancy to any space, making them an excellent choice for both contemporary and traditional designs. Whether you prefer bold colors or subtle hues, a sleek modern feel or a classic touch, there’s a perfect tile to enhance your project.

On top of this, each piece of hand-crafted glass tile is unique, showcasing the artistry and skill of the artisans. The attention to detail in each tile adds a personal touch that mass-produced tiles simply cannot match. This ensures your installation will have a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, setting your space apart from others.

Click here, to learn more about the characteristics of hand-crafted glass tiles.

Images of glass tile used in kitchen, outdoors, bathroom, pool, and floor

(Clockwise, starting upper left: Textile Bargello in Mica, Tozen 1x2 in Iodine Natural, Tozen Penny Rounds in Ahou Silk, JAW (Just Add Water) in Amalfi, Agate 1" Hex in Bari Silk)

2. Versatility in Applications

Hand-crafted glass tiles from Lunada Bay Tile are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of applications, from kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls and flooring to pools, spas and outdoor spaces. This adaptability allows for creative freedom, enabling homeowners, designers and architects to create cohesive designs throughout a home, business or other space by integrating glass tiles seamlessly into different areas or rooms. It’s easy to see why this versatility makes glass tiles a popular choice for both residential and commercial projects.

Always review the Applications & Testing charts found on all of our product pages, or in our Resources section, to confirm the tile is right for your application before purchase.

(Tozen 1x4 Herringbone in Oxygen Natural)

3. Light Reflection and Brightness

The reflective properties of glass tiles help to brighten spaces and create an illusion of depth. Lunada Bay Tile's glass tiles can enhance natural light, making rooms feel brighter, and more open and airy. This is particularly beneficial in smaller areas or rooms that don't receive much natural light. By incorporating glass tiles into your design, you can enhance the overall brightness of the room, creating a more inviting atmosphere. This reflective quality also works wonders in kitchens and bathrooms, where good lighting is essential.

4. Durability and Longevity with High-Quality Materials

While glass may seem delicate in their beauty, glass tiles are highly durable. They are resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture, making them an ideal choice for a large variety of spaces and environments. With proper installation and care, glass tiles from Lunada Bay Tile will maintain their beauty and integrity for years without showing signs of wear. This longevity makes them a smart investment for homeowners looking for a long-lasting solution.

(Agate 1x4 Brick in Lucca Pearl)

5. Easy Maintenance

Another benefit of hand-crafted glass tile is its ease of maintenance. Lunada Bay Tile’s glass products are non-porous, meaning they resist stains and odors. Glass tiles can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. The non-porous surface also makes glass tiles a perfect hygienic choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

To learn more about Care & Maintenance of our glass tiles, click here.

6. Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainability is a key consideration for many homeowners today. Lunada Bay Tile offers eco-friendly glass tiles made from post-consumer recycled materials, helping you make a responsible choice for the environment. Choosing these tiles not only beautifies your home but also contributes to a greener planet.

Learn more about the recycled content of our Glass.

Whether you are creating a chic backsplash in the kitchen or a luxurious shower wall, glass tiles can easily fit your needs and style. Hand-crafted glass tile from Lunada Bay Tile offers an exceptional blend of beauty, durability, and sustainability. By choosing these tiles, you are investing in a product that enhances your space while supporting artisanal craftsmanship and provides aesthetic appeal with practical advantages that enhance your home’s value and functionality.

Click here to explore the entire Glass Tile Collection from Lunada Bay Tile.

OR, to find the a glass tile showroom near you, click here.

Ciao Bella Tile Outlet: Top Destination for Luxury Tile at Outlet Prices ,

Have you been envisioning a stunning tile transformation for your space, but hesitated due to the high costs? Whether you're a homeowner with a passion for DIY, or a professional designer seeking quality within budget constraints, Lunada Bay Tile's new online outlet store, Ciao Bella, is set to redefine your expectations for your next project. This platform offers an unprecedented opportunity to access premium tiles at affordable prices, making luxurious home improvements more accessible than ever before.

Introducing Ciao Bella: Premium Tiles at Up to 60% Off

Lunada Bay Tile, renowned for its meticulously crafted, high-end glass and ceramic tile collections, has launched Ciao Bella—an exclusive outlet store offering unbeatable prices on discontinued and limited-stock tiles. This new platform provides both homeowners and design professionals with direct access to Lunada Bay Tile's exquisite designs at prices up to 60% less than MSRP.

Why Choose Ciao Bella?

Special Access: Ciao Bella is the only online retailer where you can find deeply discounted Lunada Bay Tile products. These are the same high-quality, handcrafted tiles that have graced upscale homes and commercial spaces, now available at a fraction of the original price.
Quality and Craftsmanship: Lunada Bay Tile is known for its commitment to excellence. Each tile is designed with an artistic touch, drawing inspiration from nature, architecture, and cultural heritage.
Continuous Inventory Updates: The Ciao Bella collection is constantly expanded with the latest from Lunada Bay Tile. This means fresh selections and exciting opportunities for every project.
Ready-to-Ship: With a vast inventory in stock at their California warehouse, your tiles are ready to ship quickly, within a few days. This ensures your projects can be completed on time and without delay.
Returns Accepted: Recognizing that online purchases happen without firsthand examination, Ciao Bella offers a return policy to ensure your satisfaction.

For Homeowners and DIY Enthusiasts

Ciao Bella opens up a world of possibilities for your home improvement projects. Whether you're renovating your kitchen backsplash, upgrading your bathroom tile, or adding a touch of luxury to your outdoor space, you can now access premium tiles at prices that won't break the bank. The user-friendly website makes it easy to browse collections, order samples, and envision your dream space.

For Design and Building Professionals

Professionals in the design and construction industry understand the importance of balancing quality with budget constraints. Ciao Bella offers a valuable resource for sourcing beautiful tiles at discounted prices, allowing you to maximize your project budgets without compromising on style or quality. The continuous inventory updates and ready-to-ship stock ensure that you can meet tight project deadlines while delivering exceptional results.

Maximizing Your Tile Budget

Whether you're a homeowner or a professional, here are some tips to make the most of your tile budget:

Carefully plan your tile layout to minimize waste
Choose less expensive options for areas with less visibility
Use smaller tiles to create intricate patterns
Consider the cost of grout, adhesive, and installation when budgeting
Prioritize key areas for tiling while using alternative flooring in less prominent spaces

Transform Your Space with Lunada Bay Tile

"Ciao Bella is not just a great deal; it's an investment in the same exceptional quality and design that Lunada Bay Tile is famous for—now at an unbeatable price," says Feras Irikat, Director of Design & Marketing at Lunada Bay Tile. "These tiles are not just building materials; they are pieces of art that elevate spaces with their unique textures, colors, movement, and patterns."

Visit Ciao Bella by Lunada Bay Tile to explore current offerings, new arrivals, and "last chance" tiles. Whether you're tackling a single room renovation or a large-scale project, Ciao Bella offers the luxury and style of Lunada Bay Tile at prices that can't be matched.

Don't miss out on special offers! Subscribe to receive a discount code for five free Sample Cards and be the first to know about new limited-stock collections. With Ciao Bella, luxury meets affordability, making your dream spaces more achievable than ever.

The Colorways of Tommy Bahama Glass Blends ,

Tommy Bahama by Lunada Bay Tile is introducing 3 exciting new color blends, in the continuing exploration of beautiful and untouched locations throughout the world that inspire relaxation, freedom, and adventure. The new colorways in the series are: Fujisan, Lucky Bay, and Motuo.

What are the locations that inspire these colors, and how do they translate into color blends? The question for you is, how will these colors inspire your space and bring encouragement to live spontaneously, unwind in style, and to feel your very best?

Cayo Coco: Don your swimsuit and flip flops for some epic relaxation in Cayo Coco, a luscious tropical island off the coast of Cuba. Famous for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and aquamarine waters, this island paradise entices travelers with the promise of endless surf and sea life adventures. The glass blend transports you to this getaway destination through a combination of whisper-soft whites, blues, aquas and greens.

Cocos Keeling: Australia's last untouched paradise lies in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited; the rest await your exploration. Whisper-soft blues and a hint of gray-green make up this lustrous blend.

Kangaroo Island: Welcome to Australia’s Kangaroo Island where landscapes invite you to stop and gaze. The island may be wild by nature, but anticipate a friendly welcome—sea lions greet you on pristine white beaches; koalas doze in lofty eucalyptus; and pelicans glide over shimmering waterways. The soaring cliffs, dense forests, golden sand dunes and lush wetlands of the island are discernible in this tile blend.

Maldives: Nowhere in the world will you find the whiter-than-white, powder-soft sand that you will discover on the coral islands of Maldives. Whether you arrive by private yacht or by seaplane, spacious villas perch above aquamarine waters. But it is the perfect beaches that lure travelers from the soft comforts into nature. The tile blend of soft whites awakens a sense of spirituality and contemplation.

Cappadocia: For more than a thousand years, people have made their home in the soft rock of Cappadocia, Turkey. Erosion may have shaped the incredible landscape, but humans took a cue from Mother Nature and carved complex tunnels into the rock. The natural-hued blend emulates the dry and rocky plateau of this World Heritage site.

Pamukkale: Located in Turkey, this natural wonder is comprised of terraces and travertine formed by streams and hot springs. The waters are believed to have curative powers and have been used as a thermal bath for centuries. The tile blends reflect colors of gray stone and icy blue water.

Skyros: If it's holistic healing you’re after, look no further than Skyros, the most remote of the Greek Islands in the Aegean sea. An island of dual personalities, the northern half offers a landscape of green and fertile densely wooded forests while the south contrasts with jagged coastlines and barren scenery. The Skyros glass blend amplifies the beauty found in nature through a blend of gray, white, sea and sky blues, and a hint of green.

Kaikoura: Snow-capped mountains meet the sea in Kaikoura, a dramatic landscape nestled between the Southern Alps in New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its abundant wildlife—including whales, fur seals, and albatross – Kaikoura offers wanderers endless winding coastal walks for sea gazing. This mosaic blend magically captures the combination of earth meeting water through hues of deep blue, gray-blue and soft white.

Motuo: In a remote region of Southeastern Tibet lies Motuo, a subtropical and biodiverse region often called the “Tibetan Shangri-La”— where Bengal tigers prowl and Takins roam alongside the Himalayas. The glass mosaic blend brings together hues of native teak and sandalwood with the blues, grays and glacier whites seen along the dramatic mountain peaks.

Surin: Rugged and rewarding, Thailand’s Surin Islands are an undiscovered, remote escape that draw divers and snorkelers to explore coral reefs and sea creatures. The national park—an archipelago of five islands—is only accessible by boat. The tile’s color palette is reminiscent of Surin’s pristine beaches, clear bays and lush jungles.

Lucky Bay: Along the picturesque coast of Western Australia lies a pristine white sand beach with grains of sand so soft and fine they squeak under your feet. The crystal-clear azure waters beacon rich marine life, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot kangaroos lounging on the beach. This mosaic blend is a study in beautiful blues.

Fujisan: Coniferous and deciduous trees blanket the lower slopes of Japan’s Mount Fuji in a lush green. Above the tree line, in the Alpine Zone, you’ll see remnants of past volcanic eruptions, creating a unique and rocky terrain. This mosaic blend captures the connection between the ancient lava landscape and the icy-blue lakes surrounding this arresting scenery.

San Blas: Experience the feeling of tranquil life on Panama’s San Blas Islands. The archipelago comprising 365 islands— many uninhabited—are dotted with coconut palms that grow aside bright turquoise waters. Pristine white beaches and crystal-clear seas offer the ultimate digital detox while you swim among the starfish. Aqua, whites and grays emulate the look of this tropical destination.

Twillingate: Breathtaking coastal views are the hallmarks of Twillingate Island off the coast of Newfoundland. The rock-ribbed landscape, dotted with forests and carpeted with soft grasses, overlooks steel-gray ocean waters and drifting icebergs—even in the summer months. The glass mosaic blend echoes the look and feel of this majestic coastline through a combination of oceanic blues, cool grays, and seafoam whites.

Aogashima: A remote island in the Philippine Sea, Aogashima is an active volcano island accessible only by boat or helicopter. Home to 200 residents and occasional adventurers, the island is a serene getaway with a sense of danger. The striking glass blend takes inspiration from sea blues, cool winds and dark volcanic rock.

To learn more about the Tommy Bahama Glass Blends series, and available patterns within this series, visit our series collection page.

Hand Crafted Glass Tile Characteristics ,

Sophistication And Craftmanship Produced Daily

It is often said that life is not perfect. When considered, natural, organic beauty is not “perfect”. Whether it is dimples, freckles, or some out-of-the-ordinary quality – these characteristics have become signs of uniqueness and beauty resulting from the nuances of life, genetics, and chance.

At Lunada Bay Tile, we inject life into our tiles. Every one of our handcrafted glass tiles is formed and manipulated by our skilled artisans. They apply both traditional craftmanship and modern techniques to create effects unlike any other source in the industry.

Each piece of glass tile is imbued with character and traits from our creative process. The results offer a mix of sophistication and craftmanship many people are looking for today. For those people, our tiles provide the simple joy of hand-made objects and the endless details discovered in them over time.

Common, natural characteristics of our handmade glass tiles include:

Variation in color, shade, and size
Surface texture (such as fissures, folds, and bubbles)
Minor edge irregularities (including occasional chipped edges)
No two tiles are exactly the same

Important Note: These surface characteristics are not within the body of glass and do not create structural problems or sacrifice the integrity of the tiles. Through all performance testing, the results are the same for tiles with these surface characteristics and without.

For Best Results With Your Glass Tile Installation

It is important to take the time and care to fully clean and polish the tile surface as the final step of installation. When tiles are not fully cleaned, and grout remains in a fissure or other surface characteristic, the tile may appear as if cracked or lead one to believe there are flaws in the glass. Fully completing all steps of the installation process will restore the natural luster to the glass and promote the enjoyment, beauty, and other inherent benefits of the glass tiles through many years ahead.

Visit the Resources section of our website for written instructions and tutorial videos as well as recommendations for care & maintenance of our glass tiles.

Before purchasing our tiles, be sure to review the Recommended Usage & Floor Applications to confirm your tile selection can be used in your space.

Click here for a downloadable PDF of this post.

Why Use Paper Face for Mosaic Installations? ,

The beauty of mosaics is evident to most architects, designers and installers. What is less obvious are the specification details and installation techniques that should be used to ensure an expert installation.

There are several types of mounting methods for mosaic tiles, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Lunada Bay Tile and experienced tile installation professionals prefer paper-face mounting.

* The biggest advantages of paper face tiles are being able to make adjustments during your set rather than the day after, and avoiding annoying sheet lines.

** The sign of true craftsmanship can be found in the smallest of details.

Paper-faced tiles are tiles with a paper covering on the front. The paper allows the tiles to adhere directly to thinset. The paper facing is removed with water after the tiles have been installed.

Hand installation with paper sheeting is considered the premium mounting method for experienced installers who follow the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation. These standards are written for architects, designers, general contractors and tile installers in an effort to help professionals in the industry communicate clearly and ensure successful tile installations.

There are many benefits to the paper-faced mounting method. The paper allows a direct bond to the back of the tile while allowing for high degree of adjustability. Tile contractors are able to make adjustments during the set, rather than the day after, and avoid annoying sheet lines. The paper sheets also make it easier to negotiate radius conditions and other curving shapes.

BENEFITS OF PAPER-FACED MOSAIC SHEETS:

Easy adjustment of individual tiles while mortar is still workable
Avoids annoying sheet lines
Ensures possibility of 100% coverage for best bond of tile to substrates
No material between the tiles and adhesive to weaken bond
No mesh material to feed and promote bacteria growth
Allows maximized bond to vitrified materials
Allows uniform mortar shrinkage and cure
No mounting material to be seen through transparent glass
Paper is easily removed with minimal water 20-30 minutes after installation
Entire process is easy to accomplish with a little patience

PRO TIP: When removing the paper face, leave some of the paper adhesive prior to grouting. The left-over adhesive on top of the glass provides a perfect grout release. No additional grout release will be needed.

The sign of true craftsmanship is seen in the smallest details, and paper-faced mounting of mosaics allows for a high level of detail during installation.

TCNA provides information on A108.16, an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard that provides best practices for installing glass mosaic tiles, including paper-faced, back-mounted, edge-mounted, or clear film face-mounted tiles. The standard was published in 2005 and reaffirmed in 2020. Both the TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108-A118-A136.1 American National Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile are available for purchase through TCNA and ANSI.

Paper + Patience = Beautiful, Reliable Tile Installations

See our installation guides and videos, including advice for removing paper face and making tile adjustments, at LunadaBayTile.com/Resources

You can click here for a downloadable PDF on the benefits of paper face.