Charming and traditional encaustic tiles add a decorative and classic element to the floors and walls of any home or project. The word encaustic comes from the Greek word ‘enkaustikos’ which means “to burn in”. The Greeks used it for sculptures and architecture purposes, but it didn’t take long before the Egyptians started using the techniques for their own practices. Europeans used encaustic art for tile making. Today, encaustic tiles are popular in the interior design world for their stunning patterns and eye-catchy colours.
WHY ENCAUSTIC TILES?
Encaustic practices date back centuries and have been used in many settings, even in churches. What makes encaustic tiles unique are the enormous amounts of various design opportunities and different colors. They can even be made to replicate the look of hardwood floors or other natural stones. A tile can have up to 6 colors and also never wear out. Encaustic tiles are water resistant and since dirt just rests on it, it is extremely easy to clean and maintain. The tiles don’t crack easily, and if maintained right, encaustic tiles can last upwards of 20 years. Whenever a tile cracks, replacing it is quite simple. To save time, be sure to store a few extra tiles in case of an emergency. Depending on the environment, the tiles can also be used for indoor and outdoor purposes.
ARE ENCAUSTIC TILES RIGHT FOR YOU?
ENCAUSTIC TILES VS CEMENT TILES
Cement tiles are mostly referred to as encaustic because most modern designs are created with cement. While cement tiles and encaustic tiles may look similar, they are not the same. There is no such thing as encaustic cement tiles. A lot of people mix them up and eventually purchase tiles for the wrong purpose. What separates the two tiles apart are the quality, the production process and the different features both tiles provide.
Cement tiles are made from a mixture of sand and the color comes from mixed minerals. These minerals are poured into a mold and then compressed under a lot of pressure to harden. Cement tiles are not fired up like encaustic tiles.
As mentioned earlier, encaustic tiles are made out of one to six colors of clay that are inlaid together to make a pattern. The tiles are then fired up to harden.
It is important to know which tile you want and the space it will be placed in. For example, encaustic tiles are frost proof so they can be used outdoors. Cement tiles are mostly found in warm countries as they are not able to withstand freezing temperatures.
Beware as there has been a lot of debate on whether to refer to cement tiles as encaustic tiles. It is important to let the tile manufacturer or retailer know where the tiles will be installed and the condition of the location.
SS TILE & STONE | ENCAUSTIC TILES IN TORONTO AND THE GTA
SS Tile & Stone is a trusted retailer and supplier of tiles, stone and wallpaper located in Etobicoke, Ontario. Our gorgeous encaustic tiles are sold at wholesale prices and we service clients in Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke and throughout the GTA. We strive to achieve the highest quality, service and value with every project we take on. We look forward to showing you our beautiful encaustic tiles and demonstrating how passionate we are about our products.
Visit our website and see all the beautiful stone and tile collections we carry.
