Avon Clear Glass Brick 398 x 80mm Wall Tile

In practice the terms overlap. Both describe a rectangular wall tile laid in an offset, brick-like pattern. 'Metro' usually refers to the classic 200 x 100mm proportion made famous by underground stations, while 'brick' is used more loosely for any elongated rectangle, including longer, slimmer formats.

The laying pattern matters more than the name. A half-offset bond gives the traditional look, a third-offset feels more contemporary, and a stacked vertical bond reads as distinctly modern.

Horizontally in a running bond is the traditional choice and it visually widens a room. Stacking them vertically draws the eye upward and suits a tall splashback or a shower recess, and herringbone turns the same tile into a feature in its own right.

Vertical and herringbone layouts use more tiles at the cut edges, so allow a little extra on your order. We usually suggest 10% wastage for a straight bond and around 15% for herringbone.

Yes. Glass is completely non-porous, so it will not absorb water, harbour mould in the body of the tile, or stain — which makes it a strong choice for shower walls and splash zones.

The performance of the finished wall depends on what sits behind it. You need a properly waterproofed substrate, a suitable adhesive for glass, and a waterproof grout. We can specify the full build-up for you.

Use a white, flexible, cement-based adhesive rated for glass. Grey adhesive will show through clear and translucent glass and dull the colour, which is the single most common mistake we see.

For grout, a white or colour-matched flexible grout is usually best. In a shower, use a waterproof or epoxy grout. Buy your adhesive and grout at the same time as your tiles and we will make sure the combination is right for the tile you have chosen.

At 398 x 80 x 6mm, each tile covers roughly 0.0318m², which works out at about 31.45 tiles per square metre.

To work out your order: multiply the height by the width of each area you are tiling to get the total square metres, multiply that figure by 31.45, then round up to the nearest full tile. Add 10% on top for cuts and breakages, or around 15% for a herringbone or diagonal layout.

If you would rather not do the sums, send us the dimensions of your space and we will confirm the quantity — and if you are close to a box quantity we will tell you, as it is often cheaper to take the full box. Free cut samples are available, and you are welcome to see the range in our Ascot showroom.