Vendor in Focus: Oceanside Glass & Tile
Discover the secrets of sustainable artistic tile
What makes it art tile?
“The designs and colors are based on artistic creations and what you see in nature. No two pieces ever look the same. And it still has a lot of handmade touches to it.”
How so?
“We use a combination of handmade [processes] and machinery, with presses and equipment we created, to shape the products. The melted glass is hand-ladled, sometimes hand-ground and hand-assembled for mosaics.”
“The designs and colors are based on artistic creations and what you see in nature. No two pieces ever look the same. And it still has a lot of handmade touches to it.”
How so?
“We use a combination of handmade [processes] and machinery, with presses and equipment we created, to shape the products. The melted glass is hand-ladled, sometimes hand-ground and hand-assembled for mosaics.”
How does sustainability come into the mix?
“It was part of the original goal from day one. By using recycled glass, there are no health hazards; it’s readily available, inexpensive, safe. And we also remelt our scraps.”
How many styles and colors do you offer?
“We have 20 different materials and pattern shapes, and 36 different colors with four different finishes, including warmer earth tones, cooler palettes, metallics and neutrals. We try to think about what the market actually needs and what people want to use in kitchens, baths and pools. We have around 10 standard blue colors with different tones and shades, but we don’t really have any versions of pink.”
“It was part of the original goal from day one. By using recycled glass, there are no health hazards; it’s readily available, inexpensive, safe. And we also remelt our scraps.”
How many styles and colors do you offer?
“We have 20 different materials and pattern shapes, and 36 different colors with four different finishes, including warmer earth tones, cooler palettes, metallics and neutrals. We try to think about what the market actually needs and what people want to use in kitchens, baths and pools. We have around 10 standard blue colors with different tones and shades, but we don’t really have any versions of pink.”
What are the most common applications?
“In bathrooms, our tile is used anywhere from backsplashes behind a powder room sink to a full shower surround to all the walls, floors and ceiling. For kitchens, it’s mostly used in backsplashes or around windows and hoods. And it’s used a lot in pools.”
Is it durable?
“That’s the great thing about glass. There’s this misconception that it’s fragile, but it actually has a breaking strength of 700 pounds per square inch.”
“In bathrooms, our tile is used anywhere from backsplashes behind a powder room sink to a full shower surround to all the walls, floors and ceiling. For kitchens, it’s mostly used in backsplashes or around windows and hoods. And it’s used a lot in pools.”
Is it durable?
“That’s the great thing about glass. There’s this misconception that it’s fragile, but it actually has a breaking strength of 700 pounds per square inch.”
What do you think sets your tile apart?
“It’s made to order, with a focus on product aesthetics and quality first. You don’t want to change tile like fabrics and clothing. It’s a hard gig, and you want to do it right the first time around.”
Featured Products: Devotion Echo Herringbone Tile, Muse 1 5/8-in. Hexagon Tile, Devotion 1x6-in. Mosaic Tile
“It’s made to order, with a focus on product aesthetics and quality first. You don’t want to change tile like fabrics and clothing. It’s a hard gig, and you want to do it right the first time around.”
Featured Products: Devotion Echo Herringbone Tile, Muse 1 5/8-in. Hexagon Tile, Devotion 1x6-in. Mosaic Tile
Peacock-hued tile shimmers in bathrooms, and pearlescent mosaics glimmer in swimming pools. Whatever its application and wherever it’s installed, Oceanside’s art glass tile is sure to make a splash. Founded in 1992 by four friends, the Southern California company crafts tile from recycled glass bottles. We talked with cofounder Sean Gildea about the style, function and application of this surface statement maker.