encaustic cement tile

here is our modern take on a historic tile that, over the past 150 years, has been referred to by dozens of names including encaustic cement tiles, cement tiles, concrete tiles, hydraulicos, cuban tiles, and so on. these alluring tiles have stood the test of time and have echoed their beauty across many continents.

clé creates one of the finest cement tiles in the world, and this quality still permeates a surface which is muted, varied, matte and silky. cement tile patterns and shapes are already impossible to refuse, but it's the variegated colors that make them one of today's most sought after tiles for, both, walls and floors, as well as, indoors and out.

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. the tiles are not fired in a kiln, but are cured in water for a lasting cement surface that is as stunning in its finish as it is good for the environment.

are you intrigued by these hand crafted inconsistencies?

clé 100% guarantees that no two encaustic cement tiles will be alike. in fact, it is all these imperfections that designers find so captivating. HOWEVER, should your design tendencies not lean toward imperfection, then encaustic cement tiles are not for you!
and please enjoy our clé exclusive finish...your clé cement tiles will arrive pre-sealed and pre-polished to assist in the shipping and first steps of your tile installation.

what does it mean to have cement tiles pre-polished and pre-sealed?

other cement tiles do not have the benefit of a pre-polish and pre-seal finish. this finish is typically a 30% additional fee.
however, clé provides this finish complementary with all our cement tile orders. this means that all of our cement tiles arrive with the cement surface "tooth" polished away. this allows the tiles to resist surface dirt and helps to begin their inherent patina, right away.

the polishing is completed with a light penetrating sealer that allows the tiles to ship without the abrasion issues that are prevalent when shipping pigmented tiles. this sealant also assists through the first stages of installation (setting and pre-grouting). we keep the sealant light so that it doesn't act as a bond barrier for the setting material. this is why we require additional sealant prior to grouting (to help prevent grout staining).
therefore- please be sure to seal your tiles prior to grouting- and then again, after grouting and cleaning the final installation. *see sealing information below.

i've heard that cement tiles can be difficult to care for. how do i know if cement tiles are suitable for my project?

cement tiles have been gracing prestigious architectural projects around the world for a very long while. however, they are new to the U.S. and Canadian markets. due to this, clients in these regions are not accustomed to these tiles that have a natural unglazed finish and will undergo an inherent patina. (*click here for our patina guide)
if you are using tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, restaurants and lobbies (all high-traffic areas) even after sealing cement tiles- you should expect a degree of patina as your tiles slowly acclimate to their location. if you are not familiar with unglazed surfaces that will age with time (such as limestones, terracottas, marbles etc) and are not a fan of patina, then you may want to select another tile.

how much variation should i expect?

if you are expecting perfect tiles- then cement tiles may not be for you. cement tiles are created from cement and natural pigments. this, alone, creates tiles of extreme variation of color, pattern, shade and size. additionally, each tile is made by hand- one tile at a time. if your project requires beautiful hand made variation that is perfectly imperfect, then cement tiles will be good for your project.

what grout joint size, type, and color do you recommend?

clé recommends the use of mapei flexcolor cq tile grout and a 1/16"" grout join with this collection.

Grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. However, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. And due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.

• First, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion. 
• Next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.
• Lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). During that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.

Note that the full Mapei Flexcolor CQ color catalogue contains 40 colors to choose from. Visit the Mapei website to view.

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?

Industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs.

For more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages

interior floor, exterior floor, interior wall, exterior wall, shower floor, shower wall, steam shower, residential low traffic, residential high traffic, commercial low traffic, commercial high traffic, backsplash, kitchen, fireplace surround.

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