encaustic / Cuban / cement tiles (backsplash + floor)
We recently had the most marvelous tile installed in our laundry room, and I posted about it in the Decorating forum. palimpsest suggested I share the info over here so here I am!
Obviously I love color and pattern (although if you've seen my serene kitchen you wouldn't know it!) and I chose to do a vibrant patchwork pattern. But this isn't how it has to be -- these tiles come in solid colors as well, and you can make a deliberate pattern or whatever.
We got our tiles from Villa Lagoon Tile and worked with the owner, Lundy. She was a joy and so helpful. I didn't choose the patterns but instead said to her "colorful & busy!" and she complied. I am really happy.
I'm going to say it ended up costing, inc. freight (it came on a pallet), like $10 per square foot. Before installation I sealed it with Miracle 511 twice, then sealed it again after it was laid but before it was grouted. Since it was grouted I've waxed (using paste wax and a buffer) a few times. It cleans up like a dream! It is insane how easy it is to clean. I've been a painting maniac in the laundry room and every little splatter just peels right off, no staining. I credit both the sealing and waxing. However, in socks it is slippery.
I'm still painting (the gingham pattern) and not done (knobs) in here, but this gives you an idea what a beautiful space it is with these fabulous tiles!
Comments (16)
suzanne_sl
13 years ago
pinch_me
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Pros and Cons of Encaustic Cement Tiles as Bathroom Floor
Comments (26)Hi everybody, I’m a tile installer. Even though this thread is a little old I thought I’d chime in. I have 12 years installing tile. I was just contracted to install an encaustic cement tile. I had not worked with this tile previously and was Not informed of the 2 page pdf of handling instructions. I was already halfway done with my floor when I found out that I had done everything wrong. Luckily my installation was very clean but I still had to sand off effervescence which is lime leaching from the tile surface. after sanding dusting then scrubbing with special cleanser then rinsing with water again I still am not happy with the result. But they are much better. While doing all this extra work that I can’t charge for I noticed hairline fractures in all the tiles. what could I have done so wrong that the tiles have fractured? I won’t name the company here out of professional courtesy but I am beyond upset that a product such as this could be sold for $50 sqft. It should be pre-sealed and the warnings should be on the box at least. I’m asking the company to refund my clients but I am still out 4000 in labor. it may be the last job I take under my company before joining the tile union again. I will never recommend cement tiles for installation in any application....See MoreCement/Encaustic Floor Tile
Comments (3)We purchased through the Cement Tile Shop about three years ago. We used them for kitchen backsplash tiles and installed and sealed them ourselves...no issues or problems since install, but they were just in a backsplash. Our experience with ordering: no problems, just ordered in stock as we were in a rush. One thing to know:. They delivered via freight to our house...you are supposed to inspect for broken tiles and have them note it on the delivery slip. A little awkward making the guy wait for me to open each box and lay them all out! He was nice about it, but it could have gone poorly had he refused to wait. The tile shop was easy to deal with in terms of replacing broken tiles, but we did "follow their instructions." This was a while ago, maybe policy is different now. Overall, i would order from them again, but plan on being present (and having helpers to help check tiles) on delivery day. Can't remember how many were broken- maybe 1/8 of our order- they weren't packed tightly or with any padding. All were replaced quickly and without problem. Hope this helps!...See MoreCement/Encaustic Tile
Comments (5)Thank you saltnpeppa. Great link. Aimeekm, I'm building a craftsman style house and want the tiles for the rear entry/friend's entry, which also leads out to the pool. The house I eventually purchased has a beautiful kitchen that needs nearly nothing. Only people on gw can understand that is a little disappointing! OMG. I do feel for you. My DH complains that I find something wrong with every home I walk into. He just doesn't get it. Thank you april. I'm hoping they'll be ok for my friend's entry and not too slippery. I'm assuming by the time people get out of the pool to come into the house to use the powder room, they'll have dried off enough that it will be ok. (Finger's crossed) Aimeekm, here is the front exterior of the house we're building. Colors aren't quite set yet. Once we start building, I'll be posting a thread in the building a home forum....See MoreEncaustic cement tile - is it still a pain if you seal properly?
Comments (7)OK...first things first. You know that cement is MORE POROUS than marble??? And Encaustic cement tiles are still cement = more difficult to keep happy than marble? Ok...now that you know that, you can make the decision for yourself. You have already learned the "marble up-keep sucks" lesson (tongue firmly in cheek). You will want to keep in mind that cement takes more effort - not less - than marble. Excellent. That lesson has already been learned. On to the "fix". Encaustic-Look porcelain tile. They are out there. They are gorgeous and they will give you EVERYTHING you want without the BIG maintenance of encaustic cement tiles. The sealers do NOT prevent all stains - and urine is a huge stain producer. The sealants do NOTHING for acid/water/urine etching. Nothing. So...these will still stain AND they will continue to etch - just like your marble. The porcelain tile options are looking MUCH better I'm going to guess. The price will be higher....but the benefits are MUCH greater! Have fun. Go shopping for encaustic-LOOKING porcelain tile. You will be MUCH happier....See Moreremodelfla
13 years ago
mtnrdredux_gw
13 years agodee850
13 years agomarthavila
13 years agocardamon
13 years agosabjimata
13 years agormkitchen
13 years agoGood Morning Kind People! Thank you so much for all your nice words. I swear I only posted so there'd be a picture / info (vendor, prices, installation) about these tiles, but you all have just made my day. Thank you!!!
My 4.5 year-old son has a rare and profound neurological disorder (Encephalopathy with Status Epilepticus during Sleep (ESES), the Penelope Syndrome). He was mostly toilet-trained, able to speak, and then fifteen months ago he lost both of those as well as the ability to understand language, concept of danger, learned memory, etc. Since we're back to diapers and we change his diapers in the laundry room, I wanted to make that space as chipper, colorful, inviting as possible. We also do A LOT of laundry (like many Special kiddos, he is a v. messy eater due to Sensory / fine motor issues -- doesn't bother me).
Here he is "helping" with the tile install:
He's chewing on a chewy tube -- that back of the jaw pressure feels good to him, similar to people who gnaw on pencils / chew gum.
maggie and sabji, thank you for the compliment about my painting! It's actually fun and soothing to paint those squares. It's taking a while but since I'm enjoying it that's okay by me!
sabjimata -- are you talking about the grid on the wall or the pattern on the floor? Both were done solely by me, and I want full credit! Full! Re the floor, I told Lundy, the owner of Villa Lagoon Tile, that I wanted no solid colors and lots of vibrant patterns. She told the warehouse, who picked and packed them up. It was a big, fun surprise as I opened all the boxes and laid them out in the garage as my "dry run." There were no black & white, no yellows, no greens, so I contacted Lundy and she sent me some more so I could get a better mix (for what I was after).
Nate, our sweet tile helper, removed the washer and dryer and old vinyl floor, and then he and I dry laid the tile in the laundry room. I tweaked some things and then we laid them -- that "we" was more Nate than I, admittedly.
But, I bet Lundy could and would design a pattern if that's what someone was after. She really is great.
Thank you again everyone! They really are a fun, inexpensive, durable way to get some color / pattern (bright or subtle) in any space, and I really believe they'd be terrific in a kitchen. **Except they are slippery in socks.**
adel97
13 years agoboxerpups
13 years agokathylquiltz
13 years agormkitchen
13 years agoideagirl2
13 years agohapahaole76
12 years ago
italyvespa