If you've started exploring mosaic art beyond beginner kits, you'll encounter a range of tile types. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right material for each project. Here's a straightforward guide.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are widely used, durable, easy to cut, and come in an enormous range of colours. Unglazed ceramic is popular for outdoor projects — it's slip-resistant and frost-proof. Glazed ceramic gives a shinier finish ideal for wall pieces. Ceramic is generally the most budget-friendly option.
Vitreous glass tiles
Vitreous glass tiles are the classic choice for decorative mosaic art. Made from coloured glass pressed into uniform squares, they have a lovely depth and translucency that catches light beautifully. Our mosaic supplies include a wide range of vitreous glass in every colour imaginable.
Stained and mirror glass
For maximum light and sparkle, stained glass and mirror tiles are unbeatable. More advanced materials that require cutting tools, but the results are spectacular — particularly in bathrooms, garden spaces, and feature walls.
Glass pebbles and gems
Glass pebbles add wonderful texture and dimension. They're effective as focal points within a design and brilliant for children's projects as they're easy to handle. Browse our mosaic supplies for a variety of pebbles and gems.
Which tile should you choose?
For indoor decorative pieces, vitreous glass gives the most beautiful results. For outdoor projects, unglazed ceramic or porcelain is most practical. Our mosaic workshops offer hands-on guidance for choosing materials. Mosaic Art Source also has an excellent in-depth guide to tile types.
