About Glass Tile

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:49 am Post subject: expensive

I like the tiles you show, but what makes glass tiles cost so much?

John D · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Bowen Island BC

Good question, Guest.
Never fear. This week I saw a flier for a big box home living store, advertising a sale on glass tiles. Glass tiles are hitting the mainstream, which will no doubt bring prices down. But your question is proabably why are they – so far - pretty expensive? I guess the manufacturing process of some glass tiles does involve some tricky technical issues such as stringent annealing requirements, so glass tile may always be priced above say glazed bisques. That’s part of the story. Their modern variants are also new, and as such are something of a luxury item, which tends to push the price up.

As for innovative glass tile designs - these are inevitably priced high, as innovation and marketing new styles is where the risk is, and the higher price is maintained by copyright protection. After a few years though we see these new styles becoming the established ones, and a starting point, conscious or otherwise, for creative designers. At that point, the public is willing to pay less for the styles that have become old hat. At least that’s my reading of the glass tile market and Kensian economics...
_________________
John

khauner · Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Hi Guest:

Good question. Glass tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles at the moment because the glass tile industry is still in its infancy. Raw materials are more expensive (glass vs. clay) and glazes more varied and refined. There is a tremendous amount of research and development driving innovation in the industry (just look at the variety of products compared to ceramics). Also keep in mind that glass tiles are produced mostly for decorative purposes (i.e. small production, more labor, more variety of texture, colors and sizes) that don't yet benefit from economies of scale achieved in large, cookie cutter manufacturing.

On the bright side, you get more options, more quality, attention to detail and above all, product that is uniquely tailored to your good taste!

Kim Hauner
Interstyle