Cement tile was first manufactured in the 1800s to cover floors with novel designs and bold colors and to withstand footprints and the passage of time.  Placed on the ground, walls, or roofs, anything cement tiles cover becomes art. Cement tile appeared in the 1850s in Catalonia, Spain. They were exhibited in the Paris (France) International Exposition of 1867 by the Catalan company Garret & Rivet. 

Widely used in Europe and America, they represented a revolution in flooring due to their initial low cost of manufacturing, durability, and ease of making compared to the common glazed tile at the time. This made cement tile more universally available for residential use and is widely seen throughout the end of the 19th to the mid-20th centuries. Cement tile was gradually superseded by newer technology of the 1960s, such as terrazzo and salt-glazed stoneware that didn't allow for such decorative embellishment as the cement tile but were much cheaper. 

Today, cement tile is no longer considered a low-cost product, as its main ingredient, concrete, is high in demand and in short supply. 

Cement tiles are crafted once at a time by skilled artisans. An average artisan can make 80 tiles daily, and each tile takes 7-10 days to make (much longer for companies that make their own Portland cement). Due to its durability, there are historic installations of cement tiles that are over 100 years old and still in very good shape.   

You may hear cement tile referred to by many names.  In Morocco, they are called Moroccan tiles, and in Mexico, they are called Mexican tiles – the name is synonymous with where they are imported from.  Most commonly, they are referred to as "encaustic cement tile" or "concrete/cement tile", although it is worth noting that they are not true encaustic tile. 

• Cement tiles are handmade and unglazed and will develop a patina over time. 
• Durability—When installed properly, it can last a lifetime or longer.  The top layer is 1/8" thick, so the tile can be lightly sanded and restored. 
• Endless options of patterns and colors to fit many design styles. 
• Hand Crafted – Cement tile is made piece by piece, which means slight imperfections are expected, such as irregular edges and fine crazing.  Tiles vary slightly in thickness due to the handcrafted nature of the tile, averaging 5/8" 
• No Fossil Fuels are needed in production as the tile is not baked in a kiln.
• Tiles do not contain any lead or chemicals and are not flammable. 
• The tiles are cured with water and fresh air. No glaze or kiln is involved in the manufacturing process. 
• Artisan process to manufacture which takes time. The complete cure process takes 21-28 days. 

Choices - Despite the handcrafted nature & slower artisan manufacturing process, cement tile designs are plentiful and land beautifully on almost the entire design style spectrum, with colors and patterns to fit any design story. This benefits designers & Architessa staff but can be tricky to navigate for others.

Cement tiles are made from three layers of organic material bonded together by a hydraulic press to solidify the layers and create one tile. 

• Top Layer - The top layer is how patterns are made—color by color inlaid to a mold that resembles a cookie cutter. This layer is typically 1/8" thick, prepared in batches, and every component is weighed to guarantee color consistency. It consists of white Portland cement, white marble powder, sand, and mineral-based pigments. The color components are then mixed with water and hand-poured into the different sections within the mold.  
• Middle layer – a combination of grey Portland cement and fine sand, typically ½" thick. Its function is to absorb the excess water from the color layer and to reinforce the first layer, providing the ability to withstand high compression loads for the finished product. 
• Bottom layer - a mixture of grey Portland cement, regular cement, sand, limestone powder, and water, typically ½" thick. This is a porous mixture with the required thickness for impact strength before and after installation. This is accomplished by using rich, high-quality cement.  

The three layers are bonded with a hydraulic press that solidifies the cement and creates one tile.  The hydraulic press can be operated by hand or electric-powered machine. Hand-pressed tiles are less consistent in nature.  Mechanically pressed tiles apply approx. 1,500-1,700 PSI and allow a thicker pigment layer to be applied. Mechanically pressed cement tile will appear more consistent from tile to tile as opposed to the hand-operated press. 

The Name – is it cement tile, concrete tile, or encaustic tile? The universally accepted term is Cement Tile. Although comprised of concrete, the tile industry frequently uses the term "concrete" to describe porcelain with a concrete look. Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles from history, and because they too adorn colored patterns, they were associated with cement tile and used to describe it. Since most people don't know this, the term stuck and is still incorrectly used today. Architessa uses the word "encaustic" to describe tile with a patterned encaustic look, regardless of the material type.

Grout Compatibility- Due to their porous nature, cement tiles absorb color pigments in dyed grout. Some manufacturers recommend using quartz-based groutsto prevent discoloration and staining when installing cement tiles. See this case study to see how a white portion of a pattern turned to black due to using a grout and sealer that was not recommended.

Handmade, Not Perfect – Each tile is individually handcrafted, and slight variations, such as in size, shade, slight imperfections, irregular edges, and the appearance of fine crack-like lines, are inherent to cement tiles. These characteristics add to the product's natural appeal and do not compromise the performance of the tile. Keep in mind that colors can vary in natural pigments, so make sure you have enough tile for the whole job + some spare tiles because any orders placed after won't match the original tile. 

UV Sensitivity – Green and blue colored cement tiles are more sensitive to light. Tiles may have a sealer to protect against this so always check with the manufacturer before specifying a cement tile in direct sunlight.   

Acid Sensitivity – Keep acidic products away from cement tiles as they may damage the surface. 

The MARINA Collection, pictured above, shows the importance of seeing the full pattern adorning a space. Whether you are seeking a historic pattern, botanical motif, or custom design, designing with cement tile is just plain fun.

Below are typical areas for which cement tile is suitable. Always check with the manufacturer for project suitability. Most cement tiles are suitable for all areas except the exterior in freeze/thaw environments and submerged applications.

RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS

• Cement tile kitchen backsplash & floor
• Laundry room cement backsplash & floor
• Cement tile shower walls, including mud room dog baths
• Sunrooms
• Cement tile feature walls & cement tile fireplaces
• Stair risers

COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

• Cement tile restaurant floors
• Cash wrap or reception desk
• Desk face, cash wrap, and reception counter.
• Cement tile feature walls
• Decorative cement tile panels

Cement tile is an investment for your home or commercial project. To ensure its longevity and to keep any warranty viable, you must always follow the manufacturer's installation recommendations. This includes using explicit setting materials and sealers. If your cement tile was installed outside of this scope, warranties are void. This is true of all specialty materials.

Below, we have provided generic care and maintenance and installation brochures, as well as important case studies. These documents should be used as a general guide, but they do not overrule any specific manufacturer recommendations. Any manufacturer installation instruction links are found in the "Installation & Care" section of the respective product page.

SEALING

It is recommended that cement tile be sealed and reapplied yearly (or sooner if needed). Whether sealed or not, cement will develop a patina over time. 

Sealing is a required step in protecting the beauty and ensuring the longevity of your cement tile. Sealers provide stain resistance (not stain-proofing), allowing extra time to clean up potentially damaging spills by sealing micropores and acting as a pigment protector. When the manufacturer recommended sealer is DryTreat(Lili products), apply a minimum of 2-3 coats or four or more coats if installed on a backsplash where hot oil may present. 

• Test sealers prior to full application, on a sample if possible. 
• Re-seal every year or sooner in high-traffic areas 
• Use the manufacturer's recommended sealer, which can be purchased with the tile. If this is unavailable, use a Stonetech product formulated for cement. View Sealers at Architessa. 
• Use care & be meticulous when sealing, and always read every instruction before starting. 
• Tiles must be completely dry before sealing. Never seal damp cement tiles. 

Cement tile is an unglazed, naturally made material that can last a lifetime if installed and cared for properly. Read & bookmark our cement tile resources below to ensure the success of your design, installation, and project's future.

CRAZING

Crazing in cement tile may be intentional. Learn more through this case study on crazing.