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Glass tile offers endlessly customizable displays

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Glass tile offers endlessly customizable displays

Glass tile offers endlessly customizable displays

Decorating – or redecorating – can be both expensive and time-consuming. That’s one reason people don’t often undertake major redecorating projects. Some Italian scientists may have found a way to remove both the inconvenience and expense associated with redecorating. They’ve created Lumentile, a ceramic glass tile that can be used to redecorate a room virtually, and as frequently as the user likes.

The ceramic tile uses embedded electronics and innovative display technology to display photos, patterns and colors on the surface of the tile. Each tile can be used as an independent segment of a display screen. When the electronics are off, the tile appears to be a standard ceramic tile.

Users can display virtually any image or color on the tile using a computer, smartphone or tablet. A Lumentile wall can be yellow one day and blue the next. In addition, the tiles can display pictures, videos and patterns as the user desires. Each tile is the size of a standard A3 paper – about 11.7″x 16.5″ and contains its own independent power supply.

When the tile is unpowered, it can appear in one of three standard colors – black, white or silver. The tile is specially engineered to emit a uniform level of light across the surface of the tile. The designers don’t just envision Lumentile as a decorative surface for interiors. They believe that the tile system can be used for exterior and mobile applications, saying that the system could provide vehicles or other moving objects with a camouflage surface or a mobile billboard.

Lumentile applications aren’t limited to vertical surfaces, either. The designers say that the tiles can be installed on floors to support security and safety applications, or to provide directional assistance. Currently, tiles are in an advanced development phase, and could be on the market by 2020.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. For more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Battle of the backsplashes: Glass v. stone

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Battle of the backsplashes: Glass v. stone

Battle of the backsplashes: Glass v. stone

Decorators are always on the prowl for new materials. Glass and stone have emerged as popular materials for certain applications. Many homeowners are finding new ways to incorporate glass and stone into their homes. These two heavyweights have staked out their territories in the kitchen and bath. It raises the question of which material is better for home decorating?

Glass has its advantages

Glass is the ultimate team player. It lends a high-end look to just about any room, and it oozes practicality. It’s easy to clean, comes in a variety of thicknesses, and can be tempered to add strength. Glass is so versatile that it can be used on the walls, floors, countertops, cabinet fronts, doors and just about any other space.

Glass is valued for its transparency, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce it up with a little color. Glassprimer™ glass paint is formulated especially for use on glass surfaces. The paint bonds permanently to the glass surface, and won’t chip, peel or fade, even in direct sunlight. You can cover glass surfaces for about $1 per square foot.

You can apply glass in custom-cut sheets, tiles or even in cement/epoxy composites and get the benefit of glass. While custom tile glass backsplashes can be expensive, you can create a cost-effective backsplash by backpainting glass and attaching it to walls with silicone adhesive in kitchens and bathrooms.

Natural stone backsplashes and other surfaces can also be cost-effective, but natural stones are porous. They may be vulnerable to damage from some household cleaners. To maintain sanitation, the stone surfaces will need to be sealed periodically – perhaps as frequently as once per year. Since glass is impervious, no sealing is needed, and glass can tolerate prolonged contact with virtually all household cleaners and sanitizers.

Natural stone surfaces can (and do) degrade over time. Their natural colors may change due to exposure to cleaning chemicals, and they can detach or become dislodged from the mortar. In addition, natural stones can break following an impact. A broken stone will need to be replaced, and that can be a complicated repair!

If you’d like more information about using glass in your kitchen or bathroom, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: jason mcarthur, via Flickr.com

Glass Adds Style to Home

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Glass Adds Style to Home

Glass Adds Style to Home

If you’re intent on adding a modern touch to your home, there’s no better material to work with than glass. It delivers a minimalist touch while retaining its oh-so-practical nature. Glass is insanely versatile, and it’s rarely impractical in the modern space.

Glass works so well precisely because it’s so minimal. There’s just something irresistible about being able to see through a space. Glass allows natural light to travel, so it’s definitely high on the list of materials for small spaces, and spaces that have limited access to natural lighting.

Glass comes in a variety of thicknesses, which means it can be used for more than just windows. Glass walls, staircases, floors and countertops can all find a place in the modern home.

If you want to go glass on a staircase, you’ll need to consult with architects, fabricators and contractors that have specific experience with creating glass staircases. While they seem light and airy, there’s a bevy of local code requirements for staircases (made from any material), and you’ll need to plan accordingly for railings and other required safety measures.

Glass countertops are all the rage, and can be made in a number of ways. Thick glass can be used as a counter surface. The advantage of going with straight glass is that you can light it and paint it to your liking. Glass can also be bound with epoxy or cement to make a composite countertop. Composites are strong and can add a delightful visual component to your counters.

You can also use glass as a backsplash or wall covering. Glass and glass tiles are extremely popular right now, and can give your kitchen or bathroom a unique appearance. When used as a wall covering, glass is relatively easy to work with, and can be decorated easily.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. For more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store

Photo Credit: , via Flickr.com