About Cement Tiles

Cement tiles (carreaux de ciment, encaustic cement tiles) are handmade decorative tiles produced by hydraulic pressing - not firing. A mixture of Portland cement, marble powder, and mineral pigments is pressed in a metal mould at high pressure, then cured for weeks. The result is a tile with vivid geometric patterns embedded into the surface layer (3-4mm deep), not printed on top like ceramic tiles.

Originating in southern France and Spain in the mid-19th century, cement tiles spread throughout Europe, North Africa, and Latin America. They are experiencing a major revival, appearing in restaurants, cafés, hallways, and bathrooms. Vintage cement tiles from demolished European buildings are also salvaged and resold at premium prices.

Because cement tiles are not fired, they are essentially concrete - highly porous and acid-sensitive. The marble powder in the surface layer reacts to acids exactly like marble. Unsealed cement tiles stain within seconds from coffee, wine, or cooking oil. Proper sealing immediately after installation is absolutely non-negotiable. With correct sealing and pH-neutral maintenance, cement tiles develop a beautiful aged patina while retaining their patterns for decades.