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Cement Tile Resources

Encaustic cement tiles get their name from the term "encaustic" which is a old world technique for metal enameling. Because of similarities in their manufacture, cement tiles adopted the same name.
The French and Catalans were the first to use the technique in the 1850’s both in France and in Barcelona. Complex patterns used in the tiles are due to an interest in ancient cultures, most notably early Moorish art. As a result, the tiles spread throughout Europe as a high quality flooring material and then onto former European colonies in Latin America, North Africa, and Vietnam.
We make our modern cement tiles by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press. Our cement tiles are unique and one of a kind, an as such, each tile will be subtly different from the next. A copper mold is used to make the individual patterns by applying separate pigments. The process is incredibly delicate, requiring skilled artisans with years of experience. Find installation and maintenance resources on our website.
Cement tiles are not fired in a kiln because there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. As a result, their production has a much lower carbon footprint compared to ceramic tiles. Not only are they eco friendly, they are also incredibly durable, lasting well over a century. Each tile has an endless array of patterns and 100+ custom colors to chose from. Find the resources you need to find the right cement tile for you at ziatile.com