Your Questions Answered

We have two sizes, a square tile 200 x 200 x 16 mm and a hexagonal tile 230 x 200 x 16 mm. Variation of up to +/- 1 mm in thickness can be expected.

The colour pigment layer is typically 3-4 mm deep and is not likely to wear off for a very long time!

No. Our cement tiles will need to be sealed with a penetrating sealer, one coat prior to grouting and a second coat after. Additional coats are recommended for external installations and when installed in the shower. Sealing of cement tiles is an important step but not a difficult or onerous task.

Yes, for orders of 4 or less boxes we offer this service at a cost of $15 per box. We will seal the tiles for you with two coats of our preferred sealer prior to delivery.

Yes. Our preferred sealers STAIN-PROOF premium impregnating sealer and STAIN-PROOF Color Enhancing Sealer are available for purchase. Please enquire at the time of order placement.

They can be used pretty much anywhere. Interior spaces include kitchens, entertaining areas, bathrooms, feature entryways, foyers, sunrooms, laundries, mudrooms and even fireplace surrounds and stair risers. They are suitable for exterior spaces too, including verandas and porches, terrace walls, or as a feature wall or façade. They make an ideal choice when connecting indoors to outdoor living.

Yes, encaustic cement tiles can be installed in wet areas, including bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, provided they are sealed appropriately. When installing in wet areas, waterproofing of your substrate is necessary, as is the case for all types of tiles. Care must be taken with cleaning, using only a mild pH neutral cleaner and an occasional scrub with a non abrasive cleaning pad to remove soap build up. Harsh chemicals that you may typically use to clean your bathroom should not be used.

Yes, they make beautiful kitchen, bathroom or laundry splash-backs. Again, they need to be appropriately sealed to prevent staining.

Yes, if you really want to make a statement this is where Cement Tiles come into their element!

Cement Tiles are non-flammable and can be used behind and adjacent to gas stoves and cooktops.

Exterior application is possible. There are however a few considerations. In areas subject to freeze conditions the tiles may experience some micro-cracking if moisture enters the tile and expands. This can be overcome with the correct installation of a moisture barrier between substrate and tile and correct sealing of the tile. Further information should be sought from your experienced installer. Exposure to sun is a further consideration. Under UV conditions the tile colour may fade slightly over time, correct sealant selection and the application of will prevent any significant fading. Verandah and porches are well suited to these tiles as they are not exposed to the above mentioned.

Yes, cement tiles can be installed on floors, walls, splash backs, along bar fronts, stair risers – pretty much anywhere. In a commercial situation, slip resistance is imperative. Our tiles have been NATA accredited slip rated as P3 and therefore suitable for most spaces. Please contact us for further information.

It is not recommended to use Cement Tiles in and around swimming pools where they will come into contact with harsh chemicals. Driveways and garages subject to vehicles are also not appropriate. Over time, irreparable damage to the tiles will occur in both instances.

NO. Do NOT use dark coloured grouts as they contain fine carbon pigment, which is very invasive and can cause staining. A popular choice which works well with many of our tiles is Davco Sanitized Colourgrout in a shade called Cashmere. Test your grout selection first on remnant or excess tiles, or a small area of the surface to ensure you are satisfied with the results.

The surface of the tile should be continually cleaned during the grouting process to prevent the grout from setting on the surface of the tiles.

As with glazed porcelain and ceramic tiles, hairline cracks may appear overtime in cement tiles. It is rare, but it can happen. In the tiling industry, this is referred to as 'crazing'.  The occurrence of crazing can be a result of extreme fluctuations in temperature, movement of substrate or as a result of the adhesive used at the time of installation. Crazing can also occur over time naturally, it is not a defect and is not detrimental to the performance of the tile.

Like most surfaces, ink and dyes are likely to leave a permanent mark on cement tiles. Hair dye should not be used where cement tiles have been installed. If you plan to use hair dye at home please choose a different location, or better still spoil yourself and have a professional hairdresser work their magic.

Variation is to be expected – lighter, darker, less or more intensely hued – each tile will be different. Our encaustic cement tiles are made one by one and even when the same colour mix is used, each piece will vary. It is the natural properties of the cement and marble powder, combined with the earthen nuances of the mineral-based pigments that creates this unique finish. The variegated colour from tile to tile and within each tile provides a chic, rich effect. It is most noticeable on plain colour tiles and where brighter colours are used. This variation is not a fault, it is part of the charm and is one of the most appreciated characteristics of encaustic cement tiles. The beauty of perfect imperfections!

Mixing of your tiles from each box to avoid clusters of shade variation is recommended, and dry laying them prior to installation to ensure you have the right spread is also a good idea.

As our tile are all individually hand made, a slight variance in the thickness of the tiles should be expected, +/- 1mm tolerance. This is easily accommodated for in the adhesive when laying the tiles. It is recommended that an 8-10mm notch trowel be used.

Our tiles have a slip resistance rating of P3. NATA accredited test report is available upon request.

Cement Tiles have been produced and used traditionally since the 1850’s throughout the Mediterranean, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and old European colonies of northern Africa, Latin America and Indochina. Today, these countries continue to be the predominate makers of these tiles. Demand for Cement Tiles has grown in recent times; they are widely sought after in North America, the UK and increasingly in Scandinavia, Netherlands, Germany and other European nations.