History and Process of Encaustic Tiles

Moabell Design Handmade Encaustic Cement custom-made bespoke classic Tiles Eco-friendly, Sustainable

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Transport yourself to an exotic location without leaving your house. You could be in Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, or somewhere in Latin America just by using our tiles for your floor or walls.

History The technique of cement (also known as encaustic or hydraulic) tiles, was established in the second half of the nineteenth century, in the South of France, with the discovery of portland cement and the appearance of the hydraulic press. Since the late 19th century, cement tiles are commonly found throughout the urbanized areas of the Mediterranean: France, the Iberian Penninsula (Spain and Portugal), Italy and the old European colonies of northern Africa and Latin America.

Process The process is 100% eco-friendly and a pure art. Each tile is lovingly made one by one, by hand, and each one is different to its ancestor. Encaustic cement tiles are made from natural pigments, marble powder, sand, & portland cement by hydraulic pressing machine. The 20x20cm tile has 3 layers; the first one is the coloured “face”, which comprises of white cement, white marble powder and natural pigments (oxides). The pigment layer is about 3-4 mm which gives the tiles a long lifespan (approximately 25 years per millimetre of pigment). The second layer is 3- 4 mm of portland cement and sand and lastly, a layer of 7- 8mm of cement and sand to ensure the strength of the tile. It is then compressed. The only machine used in the creation of the cement tile is a hydraulic press, to compress the layers into a tile. The tile is then air dried for 24 hours, then cured for 24 hours in water. Cement tiles gain their strength from being cured in water. They are then air dried ag

Colour palette and process page: Each cement tile is individually made and variations in thickness, size and colour, as well as imperfections like irregular edges and corners as well as pattern contours being partly blurred are inherent to the manufacturing process. These characteristics add to the tiles' natural appeal and do not compromise performance.

Dimensions: face of the tile 200mm x 200mm, thickness approx 17mm. This is an image of the cross section of a tile showing the three layers.

The options are vast, you could mix up contrasting pattern designs, create your own design or colour scheme, to suite your existing environment. Or simply choose from one of the existing designs with your favourite colour combination, to add that extra personality and talking point to your home.

Cement tiles can be used for interior and exterior purposes, as wall or floor coverings. Not recommended for driveways.

Encaustic cement tiles, is flooring with handsome character, quality, elegance and a noble ageing process.

Moabell maintenance and technical advice.docx

Moabell maintenance and technical advice.docx