Long shunned in favor of flooring, cement tiles are coming back to the scene to bring the charm and style to your home.
Stay in the bathroom through the kitchen, cement tile reconciles vintage and modern.
If you too fall for this flooring trendy, we give you the keys to enter the home !

The origin of cement tile

The manufacture of cement tiles dating back to the late nineteenth century in Viviers in Ardèche in France.
The production at the time was mainly located in the South East of France.

Conceived originally to decorate the walls and floors of mansions, it quickly became a popular product used in homes.
This very resistant tiles and offered an alternative to marble and stone.

He quickly won all Europe by its technical and aesthetic qualities.
But stiff competition from industrial glazed ceramics, manufacture became extinct in Europe in the 1970s.

This is mainly Morocco, which has taken this expertise.
And fortunately for the cement tiles are back in the hexagon to always bring more charm to our homes.

A homemade

Making cement tile is done by hand as follows:

1- In a mold is cast, using a funnel, a fine fluid mortar composed of a mixture of pigments, powdered marble and white or gray cement (depending on the desired color).

2- If you want a tile patterned placed a divider in the mold (sort of brass stencil).

3- Under this first layer called the wear layer, is then carried out another layer called structure layer which serves as support and gives depth. The latter is made of gray cement, sand and gravel.

4- The thus filled mold is then passed under press the tile is removed from the mold by hand.

5- 24 hours after demolding, the tile is immersed in water for several hours. Thus is the final outlet.

6- The tile will then need to dry for at least three weeks before being packaged and sold.

Source : YouTube - Mosaic del Sur

The charm of cement tiles

We mentioned above: cement tiles undergo numerous manipulations throughout their manufacturing process.
This is what explains the presence of small defects that do not have the tiles manufactured industrially.

All these little imperfections, due to their craftsmanship, give them lots of charm and authenticity.

Real unique pieces, they fit without shocking in the old interior as well as in contemporary interiors.

As they have the distinction of never being completely united, you will find with very different ornamental motifs: flowers, arabesques, geometric figures ...

They stand alone or may be combined by two or three or more to form a complex pattern and all the more spectacular.
To render colorful and original, you can achieve true works of art by assembling patchwork example.

You'll understand the variety of possible combinations is almost endless allowing to create fully customized sets.

Know that a cement tile saw and acquires its beauty with age unlike glazed tiles on which never print the mark of time.

Derivative cement tile

Widely acclaimed by the design enthusiast, cement tile has the major totally dress a piece advantage.

If you like the idea but do not feel like blowing your budget or you begin the important work, know that new materials are inspired by playing with materials and patterns.

To boost your home, opt for the modernity of vinyl or the strength of imitation tile cement tiles.
Install an adhesive pad printing cement tiles to delineate the space and think of adhesive PVC coating for your walls!

The craze is such that the cement tiles are no longer content to just dress up your floors or walls.
Their motives are now declining on a multitude of accessories and decorative items.
What delight fans of cement tile !