If this striking new tile looks otherworldly, it’s probably because the technology to create it came from space. The process of making dichroic glass (glass that changes color under different lighting conditions) was invented to put linings on the mirror of the space telescopes. Once the space telescope projects were complete, makers of dichroic glass started looking for other industry applications.
When the process started testing on ceramic tile, Meridian began collaborations with Coatings By Sandberg (CBS), an Orange County, Calif. dichroic glass manufacturer. Meridian makes the tile, presses and fires the clay, then sends the tile to CBS to have the glass applied.
“There’s nothing that looks like it out there,” says Joel Manly, president of Meridian Tile, “about 30 layers of metal oxides are attached to the tile and layers of quartz crystals are grown over that.”
The biggest challenge was getting the right ceramic glaze combination for the dichroic coating to attach to, according to Manly.
The surface is impervious to chemicals, wear and tear, staining and temperature changes, which makes it appealing for use in the pool.
