Cement tiles – also known as cement bricks or cement mosaic tiles – come from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other countries and are traditionally handmade by hand. The carrier layer is made of cement, hence the name. About 0.5cm thick paint layer contains marble powder and color pigment. The real cement tiles are completely handmade.

Decorations of cement tile

To make cement tile, first of all, color is the most important thing. What are the most popular tiles’ colors in 2021?  The trendy color in 2021 is to mix marble powder with white cement and color pigment. Later decorations are created using metal templates placed in precision frames with smooth polished (or embossed) metal surfaces. According to the desired distribution in the pattern, pour the slightly liquefied color mixture into each compartment of the mold. The more colors in the pattern, the longer it takes to produce cement bricks. The second layer of cement inlay is a mixture of dry sand and cement. It is applied directly to the paint and absorbs moisture. The last layer, the bottom of the finished cement brick, also consists of sand and cement. It is a solid foundation for subsequent installation.

Manufacturing of cement tile

The cement brick is then solidified in a hydraulic press and removed from the mold. In order to ensure its stability, each cement board must be dried for about one day, and then replenished with water in the water bath. This moisture ensures a uniform drying process and a perfect curing effect, which can be completed after about 28 days.

Cement tile decoration

Each tile manufacturer provides its own decoration, usually more than 100. However, many “classic” patterns can be found in the slightly modified variants of all cement panel manufacturers. You can achieve your own design in cement bricks. This requires the sketch or graphics of the required cement brick, which is used as the template to make the template. It is also possible to reproduce cement bricks based on historical models.

Cement board is enough, build template according to the model, and then mix the colors together. It’s usually much cheaper than tearing up old floors and laying new ones. It also helps to preserve the original and thus the historic sites. The decorative cement brick can be laid on the whole surface, or its edge can be laid with monochrome brick. However, due to the “turbidity” of the product itself, even the floor made of monochrome tiles also has obvious accent, which is caused by the manufacturing process. For some flooring or unusual wall designs, patchwork (a color mixture of different patterns) may also be a good choice.

Installing of cement tile

You will need some skill to place the cement brick correctly. Ideally, the installation should always be carried out by experienced bricklayers. Before laying, the untreated perforated cement bricks must be kept clean and dry. As with all ceramic tiles (e.g. terrazzo or porcelain ware), the substrate must be clean, dry, uniform, stable, dimensionally stable, and free from any substance that reduces adhesion, even for cement tiles.

Check that the new screed is ready to be covered and measure the residual moisture. A good, fast hardening and flexible tile adhesive with good crystallinity and water adhesion is used as tile adhesive for cement board. The most suitable is the middle mortar. It binds the water and chemically transforms it, so the cement tile doesn’t sink. The middle layer mortar also has the advantage of easily compensating the small difference of cement brick height caused by the production.

Precision is required for laying. The width of the joint should be small to make the decoration unique. The adhesive is applied thinly on the base material and on the whole surface of the cement brick (so-called “floating method” or “composite paving method”). Clean thoroughly after laying (before grouting), ideally with initial impregnation. After grouting, a second impregnation is carried out.

During this process (completely dry and clean), the ground is sealed with cement bricks and sealed with rock oil or hard oil or special impregnant provided by professional dealers. Oil or impregnant will penetrate into the cement brick and make them have moisture and antifouling properties.

Complete instructions for installation and maintenance of cement bricks

Clean cement bricks with a regular soft soap or a small amount of detergent. Acid cleaners are absolutely taboo. They will irreversibly damage the surface of the tiles. There is, however, little opposition to laying cement bricks in bathrooms and toilets. However, especially in the shower, it must be completely impregnated and free from water stains, in other words, the water must always flow away.

Various uses of cement brick

Cement brick, cement brick, cement mosaic brick – whether you want to call it hand-made floor brick or wall brick, you can be sure of one thing: with its excellent decoration and color, they are not only beautiful in appearance but also durable. The real traditional cement brick is completely handmade; Only use a hydraulic press to compact the material. Cement bricks can be used in many ways in homes, shops, hotels, restaurants and public places