Ceramic and stone tiles have been extensively talked about with their durability, versatility and low maintenance. But there’s one other material that is ancient and so beautiful that it probably beats all types of tiles: glass.

Glass is most often used to create mosaic patterns rather than a whole but today, it can commonly be seen adorning the interiors of houses, hotels, offices and other establishments in the form of tiles. The range of colors, designs and shapes that can be created is very vast which is why it has withstood the test of time. Read on to find out the types of glass tiles typically available in stores around the world.

Slumped: Slumped tiles are made by melting glass in a mold and curing it at lower temperatures. As the glass cools, it takes the form of the mold in a curved fashion.

Fused: Fused glass tiles are made by cutting glass into size and shape and firing it in a furnace. The result is flat and clear tiles which are among the most commonly utilized.

Cast: Cast tiles are formed using a similar process to that of the slumped variety but the resulting tiles are flat and not curved.

Smalti: Smalti is a process that involves mixing metal oxides and glass which is then rolled out flat and fired at high temperatures. Once cooled, the slab is cut into pieces.