Decorating
Decorating: Discover the Beauty and Practicality of Cement Tiles
Bring pattern, character and colour – and a hard-wearing finish – into your home with cement tiles
The fascinating art of making cement tiles in a variety of multi-coloured, inlaid designs has been around for hundreds of years. In many countries, they are often still hand-crafted using traditional patterns, but as newer designs are introduced, their popularity in modern homes is increasing.
Be inspired by the versatility and dynamism of unique, artisan-made tiles and bring a classic, enduring look to your home.
Be inspired by the versatility and dynamism of unique, artisan-made tiles and bring a classic, enduring look to your home.
Where did they originate?
Inlaid-pattern cement tiles are found world-wide. The art form survives in France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Latin America and Scandinavia, although composition and designs vary with cultural influences.
Imported tiles influenced by the Mediterranean were all the rage in Victorian times. Cuba adapted the process from Spain and Havana’s gently decaying colonial buildings are famous for their lovely time-worn tiled floors. Vietnam, where examples of decorative cement tiles are found in 18th-century pagodas and churches, also has a thriving tile industry today.
Inlaid-pattern cement tiles are found world-wide. The art form survives in France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Latin America and Scandinavia, although composition and designs vary with cultural influences.
Imported tiles influenced by the Mediterranean were all the rage in Victorian times. Cuba adapted the process from Spain and Havana’s gently decaying colonial buildings are famous for their lovely time-worn tiled floors. Vietnam, where examples of decorative cement tiles are found in 18th-century pagodas and churches, also has a thriving tile industry today.
Why cement tiles?
Georgia Ezra, director and creator of Tiles of Ezra, says that there is lots to love about these decorative tiles. ‘They are an incredibly versatile product and are not just for indoor floors,’ she says. ‘Courtyards, pathways, bathroom walls, splashbacks, hallways – anywhere you use them they’ll really make an impact.’
As well as keeping artisan crafts alive and providing commercial opportunities in less-affluent countries, there are also some environmental payoffs in handmade cement tiles. They use earth-based components, natural pigments and consume less energy to make than fired tiles.
Georgia Ezra, director and creator of Tiles of Ezra, says that there is lots to love about these decorative tiles. ‘They are an incredibly versatile product and are not just for indoor floors,’ she says. ‘Courtyards, pathways, bathroom walls, splashbacks, hallways – anywhere you use them they’ll really make an impact.’
As well as keeping artisan crafts alive and providing commercial opportunities in less-affluent countries, there are also some environmental payoffs in handmade cement tiles. They use earth-based components, natural pigments and consume less energy to make than fired tiles.
Accept imperfections
A major attraction for Ezra, however, is their perfect imperfection. Thickness can vary slightly from tile to tile, as can pigment shadings, and patterns may bleed at the edges when they’re compressed, all enhancing their uniqueness. ‘What I love about them is their lack of uniformity,’ she says. ‘They don’t look mass-produced because hand-pouring the pigments that form the design means every tile is slightly different. This inconsistency adds to their beauty and interest.’
A major attraction for Ezra, however, is their perfect imperfection. Thickness can vary slightly from tile to tile, as can pigment shadings, and patterns may bleed at the edges when they’re compressed, all enhancing their uniqueness. ‘What I love about them is their lack of uniformity,’ she says. ‘They don’t look mass-produced because hand-pouring the pigments that form the design means every tile is slightly different. This inconsistency adds to their beauty and interest.’
Welcome the ageing process
Another reason for their attraction is that they are a ‘living’ tile that changes over time. Ezra says that although some may consider this a disadvantage and prefer a tile that stays bright and new-looking, the mellowness of a tile that ages gracefully is what makes them special.
‘If you don’t want the safe option of a mass-produced, unchanging tile with no maintenance needs, they are a dynamic and personalised choice,’ she says. ‘An attractive patina is more likely to develop outside, with exposure to wind, water and sun, or in high-traffic areas.’
Another reason for their attraction is that they are a ‘living’ tile that changes over time. Ezra says that although some may consider this a disadvantage and prefer a tile that stays bright and new-looking, the mellowness of a tile that ages gracefully is what makes them special.
‘If you don’t want the safe option of a mass-produced, unchanging tile with no maintenance needs, they are a dynamic and personalised choice,’ she says. ‘An attractive patina is more likely to develop outside, with exposure to wind, water and sun, or in high-traffic areas.’
Go small for big impact
Ezra says that, compared to other good-quality tiles, the cost for such a distinctive product is moderate, ranging from around £85 a square metre. Because they can make such an impact as a feature tile for a small area, they give a lot of value for a modest cost.
Pathway edges, courtyard wall panels, worktops, stair risers, outdoor tabletops or, as seen here, a neat kitchen splashback, are just some of the ways that a small quantity of patterned tiles can bring big design returns.
Ezra says that, compared to other good-quality tiles, the cost for such a distinctive product is moderate, ranging from around £85 a square metre. Because they can make such an impact as a feature tile for a small area, they give a lot of value for a modest cost.
Pathway edges, courtyard wall panels, worktops, stair risers, outdoor tabletops or, as seen here, a neat kitchen splashback, are just some of the ways that a small quantity of patterned tiles can bring big design returns.
Add warmth to a pared-back kitchen
With many homeowners preferring low-maintenance materials and super-efficient interior design, especially in functional areas, these spaces can look a little clinical. Swap the laboratory look of a monochrome kitchen for a warm and inviting space with the natural textures and colours of a hard-wearing patterned cement tile floor.
And as a bonus, patterned tiles hide crumbs! Perfect choice for the kitchen.
Check out 9 ways to work patterned tiles into your kitchen
With many homeowners preferring low-maintenance materials and super-efficient interior design, especially in functional areas, these spaces can look a little clinical. Swap the laboratory look of a monochrome kitchen for a warm and inviting space with the natural textures and colours of a hard-wearing patterned cement tile floor.
And as a bonus, patterned tiles hide crumbs! Perfect choice for the kitchen.
Check out 9 ways to work patterned tiles into your kitchen
Liven up a white bathroom
This minimal bathroom is saved from plainness by just a small injection of luxuriously intricate patterned tiles in deep mulberry pink. There is hint of Marrakesh in the classic lantern shape of the mirror, a traditional Moroccan motif.
Check out this gorgeous tiled bathroom
This minimal bathroom is saved from plainness by just a small injection of luxuriously intricate patterned tiles in deep mulberry pink. There is hint of Marrakesh in the classic lantern shape of the mirror, a traditional Moroccan motif.
Check out this gorgeous tiled bathroom
Create diversity
It’s easy to co-ordinate a colour scheme for a room that features a multi-coloured floor tile. Rather than restricting options, it opens up a whole range – just carry two or three of the tile colours around the room in furniture, artwork and accessories, and the room will fall into place with minimal effort.
It’s easy to co-ordinate a colour scheme for a room that features a multi-coloured floor tile. Rather than restricting options, it opens up a whole range – just carry two or three of the tile colours around the room in furniture, artwork and accessories, and the room will fall into place with minimal effort.
Choose one colour to highlight
Changing the direction of the décor is easy too. By pulling out one colour in the tile and amping it up in the rest of the room, you can achieve many different looks.
Changing the direction of the décor is easy too. By pulling out one colour in the tile and amping it up in the rest of the room, you can achieve many different looks.
Go bold
Patterned concrete tiles cover all style bases. While some patterns are soft and understated, with elegant geometrics and curves, others just want to have fun. The lively stylised flowers on this jazzy bathroom floor demonstrate this perfectly.
Discover 12 ways to add style with patterned tiles
Patterned concrete tiles cover all style bases. While some patterns are soft and understated, with elegant geometrics and curves, others just want to have fun. The lively stylised flowers on this jazzy bathroom floor demonstrate this perfectly.
Discover 12 ways to add style with patterned tiles
Pair with natural materials
As well as creating contrast with smooth engineered modern surfaces, handmade cement tiles are a perfect partner for natural materials like rustic waxed timber, stone and aged metal finishes. Their patina and slight imperfections work well with vintage and industrial elements.
As well as creating contrast with smooth engineered modern surfaces, handmade cement tiles are a perfect partner for natural materials like rustic waxed timber, stone and aged metal finishes. Their patina and slight imperfections work well with vintage and industrial elements.
Customise it
With the almost endless combinations possible with patterned cement tiles, you can choose your own adventure when it comes to the design. Be your own tile artist and design a unique feature. By picking complementary colours and a mixture of plains and patterns, your floors and walls will be completely unique. Some manufacturers will even custom-design a tile just for you.
With the almost endless combinations possible with patterned cement tiles, you can choose your own adventure when it comes to the design. Be your own tile artist and design a unique feature. By picking complementary colours and a mixture of plains and patterns, your floors and walls will be completely unique. Some manufacturers will even custom-design a tile just for you.
Mix and match single colours
If you’re pattern-shy but want a bold punch of colour, go for monochrome cement tiles with a deeply inlaid pigment layer, a handmade artisan look and slight surface variations. Choose your colour combination and play jigsaw puzzles for a one-of-a-kind feature. ‘Plain tiles will have slight tone variations and shadowing, which just adds to their character,’ says Ezra.
Randomly laid, bright, six-sided shapes make for a fresh and playful floor in this bathroom, alongside a traditional clawfoot bath.
If you’re pattern-shy but want a bold punch of colour, go for monochrome cement tiles with a deeply inlaid pigment layer, a handmade artisan look and slight surface variations. Choose your colour combination and play jigsaw puzzles for a one-of-a-kind feature. ‘Plain tiles will have slight tone variations and shadowing, which just adds to their character,’ says Ezra.
Randomly laid, bright, six-sided shapes make for a fresh and playful floor in this bathroom, alongside a traditional clawfoot bath.
Use outside
Paths, patios and hallways in many Victorian homes often retain tiled areas with plain or contrasting borders, and complement period features such as decorative brickwork, plasterwork or stained glass.
Paths, patios and hallways in many Victorian homes often retain tiled areas with plain or contrasting borders, and complement period features such as decorative brickwork, plasterwork or stained glass.
Make it eclectic
If your home is filled with a variety of styles, ignore the rules and jumble up patterns for a look that is uniquely and boldly you. Many cement tiles are made in quartets that fit together to make a symmetrical design, as on this floor in this Barcelona study. But they can be laid randomly for a more free-and-easy look, too.
If your home is filled with a variety of styles, ignore the rules and jumble up patterns for a look that is uniquely and boldly you. Many cement tiles are made in quartets that fit together to make a symmetrical design, as on this floor in this Barcelona study. But they can be laid randomly for a more free-and-easy look, too.
Use in open-plan rooms
Spacious, modern, open-plan homes are well suited to patterned tile features as well. A bold geometric accent wall, which would overpower an enclosed space, is shown to advantage in an openly flowing one. And it can be appreciated from several angles around the space.
Spacious, modern, open-plan homes are well suited to patterned tile features as well. A bold geometric accent wall, which would overpower an enclosed space, is shown to advantage in an openly flowing one. And it can be appreciated from several angles around the space.
Be prepared for some maintenance
‘Cement tiles are hard-wearing – after all, they’ve survived all over the world for centuries,’ says Ezra. ‘But the secret’s in the sealing. It’s a porous tile and needs annual sealing. If left “raw”, it’s susceptible to staining.’
So, be prepared for some maintenance. In wet areas, the membrane must be completely waterproofed prior to installation and sealed once installed. Sealing tiles once a year may be not be convenient for some homeowners, who may prefer a non-porous (or vitreous) tile. Ezra recommends that the slip rating should be confirmed with the supplier before laying in wet areas, such as a bathroom.
‘Cement tiles are hard-wearing – after all, they’ve survived all over the world for centuries,’ says Ezra. ‘But the secret’s in the sealing. It’s a porous tile and needs annual sealing. If left “raw”, it’s susceptible to staining.’
So, be prepared for some maintenance. In wet areas, the membrane must be completely waterproofed prior to installation and sealed once installed. Sealing tiles once a year may be not be convenient for some homeowners, who may prefer a non-porous (or vitreous) tile. Ezra recommends that the slip rating should be confirmed with the supplier before laying in wet areas, such as a bathroom.
Call in the experts
Because of their handmade nature, these tiles are not a DIY project and should be professionally laid. Ensure your tiling professional is familiar with the tiles’ properties and the care required in their installation.
If you’re seduced by the design possibilities of patterned cement tiles, be aware of their special qualities. Ezra advises that they need maintenance, but not pampering. ‘All that beauty and uniqueness comes with a little upkeep, but it’s well worth it,’ she says.
TELL US…
Would decorative cement tiles enhance your décor? Share your thoughts with us in the Comments below.
Because of their handmade nature, these tiles are not a DIY project and should be professionally laid. Ensure your tiling professional is familiar with the tiles’ properties and the care required in their installation.
If you’re seduced by the design possibilities of patterned cement tiles, be aware of their special qualities. Ezra advises that they need maintenance, but not pampering. ‘All that beauty and uniqueness comes with a little upkeep, but it’s well worth it,’ she says.
TELL US…
Would decorative cement tiles enhance your décor? Share your thoughts with us in the Comments below.
You’ll often see the word ‘encaustic’ applied to patterned multi-coloured cement tiles. Historically, this term refers to the firing process that burns a glazed pattern onto the surface of a tile. But it has also been applied for a long time to cement tiles with a deep inlaid pattern (rather than a surface glaze). These tiles are compressed in their manufacture, not fired.
Mineral pigments are hand-poured into a design mould, the tile is backfilled with cement then set by hydraulic compression before curing. So although not strictly correct, the term ‘encaustic’ is now widely accepted – even in the trade – for these tiles. In this story, we talk about hydraulically compressed cement tiles, with a moulded pattern in the body of the tile.