Cement floor tiles: the pros and cons

Over the past few years, Moroccan style has become very popular in interior design. Luxurious oriental patterns few people could leave indifferent. To create a beautiful picture, cement tiles are most often used. However, this finishing material is far from new. It was used several centuries ago for facing the floor and walls in the luxurious castles of the sultans and other rich people of the East.

Later, the love of bling appeared in Europe, especially in France and Spain. Many years have passed, and the palaces lined with this material continue to amaze the eye with their appearance. First of all, it speaks about the durability of cement tiles, although it has other advantages.

Despite the fact that this finishing material has undergone some changes, its composition remains the same. After mixing all the ingredients, the mixture is poured into special forms.Then the colored filler of pores with a fine-grained structure is applied. Thereby the material does not pass water, which for many is its main advantage.

To impart brightness, manufacturers apply acrylic paints of saturated colors on the surface of the tile, the most common of which are red, yellow, brown and graphite.

Floor cement tile has a large number of advantages explaining its popularity:

• Material differs in the high durability and wear resistance. It should be noted, and a long period of operation of the surface, which can reach one hundred years. This is evidenced by the safety of castles and palaces of the last century.
• The tile from cement mix is ​​rather steady and against the negative natural phenomena. She is not afraid of any sudden changes in temperature, or moisture, or UV radiation. That is why cement tiles can be laid not only in rooms and hallways, but also in places with high levels of humidity (in bathrooms and kitchens).
• Many are also pleased with the ecological purity of this material.And this applies not only to the finished product, but also to the process of its manufacture. This moment in recent years for many becomes crucial when choosing materials for finishing the house.
• Attractive appearance of the tile gives the treatment of a special composition and polishing. They also give it the ability to repel dirt and fluids, which greatly facilitates the process of care for the surface.
• Cement material is perfectly combined with other types of finishes, which allows you to make the interior refined and original.
• The great advantage of cement tile is its affordable price.

However, this material has some drawbacks. For example, Some varieties of tile surface is very slippery.. If you veneer such material entrance into the room, in the cold season, it will become a danger zone.

For some, the gradual fading of the lining is a disadvantage. Although the tile "is aging" evenly and even beautifully, not everyone likes it.

The sequence of laying cement tile is similar to the principle of action with natural stone, however Work should be done only when the rest of the repair is over. First you need to make sure that the surface is leveled and dried.

It is recommended that all parts be laid as close to each other as possible so that they look neater. Do not level the cement tile with a hammer or grinder, as such tools can spoil the quality material.

First you need to apply a special tile adhesive to the surface to be laid. Then it is worth smearing them with the wrong side of the plates and carefully put each element. It is important to ensure the correct amount of glue. (its surplus or deficiency may affect the result). After 24 hours, the floor is washed and smeared with a special solution of beeswax, which forms a water-repellent film.

In addition to interior decoration, this material can be used to veneer external areas. But in this case it is important to consider the requirements for the base - it must be waterproofed.

More clearly the process of laying tiles is shown in the following video.

Thanks to the fashion on the Moroccan style, cement tile has become an integral partinterior of many houses. Perfectly this finish looks on the floor in the hallway in combination with a beautiful console and mirror. Vase with flowers in oriental style will be a great addition to the composition.

Many veneer this material floor in the living room or dining room. In combination with appropriate furniture and soft sofas, the whole room can be filled with the spirit of the east, luxury and wealth.

In private houses, cement tiles make out not only the floor, but also the walls in the bathroom. If while bathing to light scented candles with lavender, you can feel in Morocco. However, this number of colorful patterns to taste is not for everyone. If you want to make a bathroom design in the Oriental style, you can decorate its walls with white tiles. The very same bath can be embedded in the opening, lined with cement tile.

If you do not really like the decoration with patterns, you can choose monophonic tiles of two or more colors, laying out the floor with it. Get a very original design. Monochrome coating will look more succinctly and strictly.