How Cement Tile is Made
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Cement tile is incredibly versatile, a match for most installations. From walls to backsplashes to flooring, our cement tiles can be used to transform any space. If you’re looking to improve a bathroom or shower, cement tiles are one of the best options available for even wet environments, as their matte finish is naturally slip-resistant.
Read article07 / 07 / 2021
History of cement tile
So what exactly is encaustic cement tile? "Encaustic" is an old world technique for metal enameling and because of similarities in the production process, cement tiles adopted the same name.
The French and Catalans were the first to use the technique in the 1850s, both in France and Barcelona. Complex patterns were inspired by an interest in ancient cultures, most notably early Moorish art. As a result, the tiles spread throughout Europe as a high quality flooring material, then to former European colonies in Latin America, North Africa, and Vietnam.
THE PROCESS
At Zia Tile, our modern cement tiles are crafted by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press. Our cement tiles are each unique, meaning each tile will be one-of-a-kind and subtly different from the next.
In patterned cement tiles, a copper mold is used to make the prints by applying additional pigments. The process is incredibly delicate, requiring skilled artisans with years of experience.
Cement tiles are not fired in a kiln because there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. As a result, their production has a much lower carbon footprint than some other ceramic tiles. Not only are they eco-friendly, they are also incredibly durable, lasting well over a century.
Zia is proud to offer an endless array of exclusive patterns and 100+ custom solid colors to choose from. If you're considering a cement tile project, browse tiles and find installation resources right on our website at ziatile.com.
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How it's made
Cement tiles are made by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press.
The pigment composition is a mixture of high quality white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand, and natural mineral color pigments.The individual patterns are made by manually applying separate pigments, one by one, in a handmade copper mold. It is an incredibly delicate and skilled process that can only be performed by highly trained artisans.
Cement tiles are not fired; there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. They derive their durability from the combination of finely dehydrated cement and a more coarse sand/cement layer. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile. The tiles are then soaked in a water bath for 24 hours and then set to dry for another seven days.
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