Glass Tile
Glass tile is popular for its color depth and shine but is also among the most scratch-sensitive materials at the waterline. It handles pH-balanced chemical descaling well but requires strictly non-abrasive tooling to avoid permanent dulling.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic is more forgiving than glass but its glaze can still be etched by overly aggressive acid or damaged by high-pressure mechanical tools. Ceramic grout lines tend to absorb minerals deep into the surface, requiring longer chemical dwell time.
Natural Stone and Stacked Stone Waterline Tile
Stone tile reacts differently to acid than glass or ceramic, since some stones are calcium-based themselves and can etch if the wrong chemistry is used, requiring a stone-safe descaling approach and often a post-cleaning sealer.