art comes to life
based on abstract kaleidoscopic textiles and wallcoverings
shanan campanaro, founder of eskayel, a new york-based textile design studio creates one-of-a-kind designs inspired by nature and travel. collaborating with clé, several of eskayel's most popular designs have been interpreted for tile with each pattern made up of two or more pieces that create a complex yet meditative arrangement. the eskayel cement tile line strikes a balance between fluidity and a hard surface, creating a calming juxtaposition.
why we love cement tile
from our earliest days, we have championed this timeless building material. tiles made of cement have long graced the halls and walls of homes, cafes and hotels across many continents for hundreds of years, yet they are still relatively new to america. they have been referred to by names like encaustic cement tiles, concrete tiles, hydraulicos, cuban tiles and more, but one thing remains certain: cement tile allows for the most vibrant color possible in tilemaking, with remarkable value for the quality and variety they offer.
clé collaborations
featuring artists and designers has long been a foundation of our tile journey at clé. while we consider all of our tile collections to be works of art, it is clé's artist design collaborations take the craft of tile-making to an entirely new level, juxtaposing age-old traditions and crafts with modern art and design. we have cultivated partnerships with impassioned, like-minded artists with the singular vision of creating and sharing remarkable, accessible art for your living spaces.
product specifications
technical specifications
non freeze thaw resistant
radiant heating compatible
stove backsplash
sink backsplash
exterior floor
interior floor
heavy commercial
heavy residential
interior wall
exterior wall
fireplace surround
shower floor + wall
steam shower floor + wall
* see material guidelines guide for specific requirements
for more information, see our tile variation & imperfections guide
read before you buy this tile
do i need to seal cement tiles?
for sealing cement tiles, clé recommends a 3-coat application of Stonetech Impregnator Pro Sealer from laticrete. An acceptable alternative is a 4-coat application Stonetech BulletProof Sealer from laticrete.
we recommended sealing the grout lines and tile surface in all applications of cement (dry and wet) as the final step of installation.
for more information about sealing please see our encaustic cement material guidelines.
do you offer trim for your cement tile?
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
- another way to complete your tiling is to run a bead of caulk or grout along the exposed tile edge.
- if you have a painted surface next to your tile, you can choose to paint the outer edge of the tile to match the painted surface.
- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.
for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.
how do i take care of my encaustic cement tiles?
mild, pH neutral soaps should be sufficient for most cleaning—test before general use. for all other maintenance, clé recommends laticrete cleaning products.
are cement tiles UV resistant? how will my cement tiles age over time?
cement tiles are not UV resistant and will fade over time from sun exposure. dark colors such as black, dark blue, purple and green colors will fade faster than other colors.
over time, a natural patina will occur on floors as they are maintained and naturally wear creating a softer appearance in both color and character.
patina is an inherent part of cement tile installations and the reason why cement tiles are specified for so many projects requiring a surface that will beautifully age with the structure it protects.
what type of finish should I expect with this collection?
our cement tiles come pre-polished with a smooth matte surface. polishing is a process where the cement surface "tooth" has been polished away and it allows the tiles to resist surface dirt. it also helps to begin their inherent patina right away.
what are encaustic cement tiles?
each encaustic cement tile is painstakingly hand crafted, one tile at a time, to create solid or patterned tiles formed from pigmented cement. these tiles do not use kilns or other firing processes, therefore no fossil fuels are burned during production.
clé 100% gua
