Cement tile alternative?

4 years ago

I’ve fallen in love with a particular cement tile (image added), but am too afraid to use it as my bathroom floor after reading all the negative comments about cement tile that are out there. Problem is, I’m really attached to the pattern and no other pattern will do.

**Are there any companies that will custom make or already makes porcelain tile that looks like his particular cement tile??**

Thanks in advance, Houzz community—I’ve lost hours over this!!

Featured Answer

PRO

GannonCo

4 years ago

It would make no sense to have a tile made to look like the above as it would start at about $50sqft plus set up fees.

Cement tiles have their shortcomings but for whatever reason you cant seam to go on without that tile just get the cement tile and have someone who has worked with them instal them. That will eliminate 90% of the issues. Better ones come almost polished that helps seal the surface for an easier installation. Order extra as they are handmade and you will have waste. Also note they are not perfect and the design wont be that accurate either but thats their charm.

If installed properly they will outlast you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Mrs. S
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Fireclay has a very good reputation. It looks like they have a custom painting tool.

https://www.fireclaytile.com/color-it

If you can't actually design it yourself, it's worth a phone call to them to ask what they can recommend. I'll continue looking.... I recall seeing a few tile manufacturers with some things custom.

Perhaps Beth will chime in. She knows all about tile.
whoaitszoe thanked Mrs. S
Related Discussions
Can I just use cement board and paint, no tile?
Q
Comments (16)
Have you looked into swimming pool paint? you could do a marbleized effect with that I would think. I have never had a swimming pool but I have been in swimming pools and I know they are painted. I would still get a shower pan and not try to build one. If you build one you need to make a pre slope, then a waterproof membrane integrated with the drain, then the mud bed that the tile is installed upon. I've never done that either but it sounds like a lot of work. If I hear you right, you are more into a novelty shower than the work of constructing a working shower. You can have both. Another thought. Would the "granite" paint for counters work as a water proof barrier? It is a product that people paint their formica countertops with, to give the look of stone. I don't know how waterproof it is though. Is there an epoxy paint that is shower ready and waterproof? Some of these options I mention are probably very toxic to work with. These are just thoughts and I have never seen any of these things use for the shower you'd like. If you got the panels that were mentioned above, you could get the look you are after, and have a safe installation environment.
...See More
Porcelain tile that looks like encaustic cement tiles
Q
Comments (2)
This doesn't have quite the same pattern, but it's porcelain meant to look like cement. It is lovely in person--we saw some samples of two patterns at a tile store. https://www.msistone.com/porcelain/kenzzi/
...See More
Help with cement tile alternatives
Q
Comments (9)
Ash,,,the clay imports is basically a ceramic tile that looks like the cement version. Porcelain tiles are in the same group. the benefit over porcelain is that the coloring usually goes all the way through. if you ever chip a tile, it will be less noticeable than the clay (which you will see the clay color ). Overstock and Wayfair carry the porcelain lookalikes. many tile stores do too. can't believe you've been to all of these stores and haven't found anything. porcelain/ceramic cement-look tiles are everywhere now. https://www.allmodern.com/home-improvement/pdp/nouvelle-1238-x-1238-ceramic-field-tile-in-graywhite-eml3792.html I think Tilebar has this one, and many others. 9x9 porcelain That being said, why are you so worried about cement tiles? what will you be doing in this small bathroom that will trash your floor tiles?? The complaints that people have about them staining is improper prep/install methods. Cement tiles MUST be sealed, numerous times, prior to install. the person who installs them must be very careful while grouting. you can't spread the grout all over the face of the tiles like you would w/other tiles. It's not a big deal, it just takes a bit more time. I sealed my cement tile 4 times the week before they were installed. when grouting, because I used black, I did one joint at a time and quickly wiped up any excess. Since then, they still bead when water hits them. If you're afraid of staining, don't drink red wine or get clumsy w/the nail polish while you're in the bathroom!
...See More
Where can i find this beautiful blue tile?
Q
Comments (23)
Thank you jdesign_gw! These tiles are truly unique in that so many different patterns can be achieved. That thickness is much much better! Looks like HD have these porcelain tiles in black and white only, no colors though, sigh....
...See More
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
And just to be a bit of a stick in the mud, I've seen sheet vinyl products from the 80's that had a pattern JUST LIKE THIS one.

Of course if money is no object, you can get your OWN pattern going by installing a mosaic-like floor. You would purchase several different types of tiles and have the installer (who is HANDSOMELY rewarded) put them in like your inspiration photo.

This type of install would be CHEAPER than a special order (special orders require minimum square footages...like 300 - 1000sf of product) but not as 'cheap' as a cement tile install.

Personally I would take your inspiration photo to a professional tile show room and ask them to use their computer software to recreate this look using multiple tiles. Then purchase the product needed to create this and then hire the BEST INSTALLER your money can buy.

The money you SAVE on a special order will be SPENT on your installer (quality of labour). A GREAT installer will have a wait list of a few months. That's a GOOD sign. Make sure you get their input before doing ANYTHING beyond the design stage.
chispa
4 years ago
Lots of companies have encaustic-look porcelain tiles. I have been looking at them recently too. Need to go run an errand, but will look through my notes/photos later and give you names of any that I found.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
All of these tiles are from Floor & Decor
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
4 years ago
Lots of porcelain tile options out there these days meant to look like cement. Daltile and Arizona Tile make a few different styles. Less expensive and easier to care for, too.

https://www.arizonatile.com/en/products/porcelain-and-ceramic/cementine

https://www.daltile.com/product/Quartetto?color=Cool-Blend&shape=Square
chispa
4 years ago
Another line from Arizona Tile:

https://www.arizonatile.com/en/products/porcelain-and-ceramic/reverie

Glazzio tile has some nice ones too:

https://www.glazziotiles.com/products/AMALFI%20COAST%20SERIES.aspx

Saw these at Emser Tile, but HD carries them too. The colors are way off on the HD website. Really nice look and feel to these tiles.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/merola%2520boheme?NCNI-5
chispa
4 years ago
This company are wholesalers, so you would need to find local dealers who sell them:

https://somertile.com/SearchByKeyword?word=vanity

https://somertile.com/SearchByKeyword?word=tre+por+mo

https://somertile.com/SearchByKeyword?word=kings

https://somertile.com/SearchByKeyword?word=anticatto

https://somertile.com/ProductDetail/FPEBXT_Brixton-1758x1758-Ceramic-Fw-Tile

Cement tile alternative?

GannonCo

Comments (8)

Mrs. S

Related Discussions

SJ McCarthy

chispa

BeverlyFLADeziner

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

chispa

chispa

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US