Cleaning and care of cement tiles
I already have a cement-tile floor. How should I set about giving them a thorough clean?
Mosáico works closely together with leading manufacturers of cleaning materials for cement tiles. Profit from our experience. Write and tell us the area of the tiled floor you need to clean, and we will send you precise instructions with a quote for the necessary cleaning, impregnation and care materials. We can deliver at favourable prices, and within Germany with free delivery on orders of € 250 or more.
Where can I buy suitable cleaning materials?
Mosáico works closely together with leading manufacturers of cleaning materials for cement tiles. We should be pleased to give you a quote for the right care products for your cement tiles. We can deliver at favourable prices, and within Germany with free delivery on orders of € 250 or more. Please enquire about delivery to other countries in Europe.
Must I take particular care of cement tiles?
Cement tiles are a natural open-pore flooring material which is impregnated and waxed after laying. In the chapter Know Howon our website we give comprehensive tips on the care of cement tiles. We should be pleased to supply all the materials you need for impregnating, waxing and cleaning the tiles.
Laying cement tiles
Can I lay cement tiles outdoors?
Mosáico cement tiles have been tested and are themselves frost resistant. Even so, we do not advise laying them outdoors. Cement tiles are laid very close together, sometimes actually touching. This laying technique requires particular care in order to achieve a watertight result. If water does penetrate the joints nevertheless, it can freeze. As water expands when freezing, the cement tiles will inevitably crack.
Can cement tiles also be laid in showers or in other places where they will get wet?
Cement tiles are used by many of our customers in showers and other bathroom areas. You can see examples in our photo gallery in the section ‘Bathroom’. However, just as with high-quality marble, a few special characteristics of cement tiles should be borne in mind. The tiles should be intensively impregnated and waxed. Everyday cleaning should be done using neutral or soap-based substances. On no account should vinegar cleaners or other acidic cleaners be used. We should be pleased to supply all the materials you need for impregnating, waxing and cleaning the tiles
Can I still lay cement tiles if I have underfloor heating?
Mosáico cement tiles can be used with underfloor heating just as ceramic tiles can. In fact the silky matt surface of Mosáico cement tiles creates a particularly pleasant sensation when walking barefoot.
As with other types of stone or ceramic flooring, the underfloor heating must not be turned on until the floor has dried out.
What must be borne in mind when laying cement tiles?
On our website we have set out comprehensive laying instructions. Cement tiles can be laid by any good floor tiler provided these instructions are followed.
Manufacturing process
Are cement tiles still made just like they used to be?
Cement tiles are still in principle made using the traditional manufacturing process. The raw materials are also the same. One major difference is that at Mosáico we subject all our raw materials to a strict quality control. We buy in our pigments and cement from leading manufacturers. Ale 36 colours are mixed according to an exact recipe. To sum up: Mosáico cement tiles are today manufactured according to precisely controlled quality criteria using standardized raw materials in a modern workshop, but using traditional recipes and employing traditional craft techniques.
How is a cement tile made?
A pasty mass of pigmented ground marble, stone granules and cement is poured by hand into a metal mould enclosed in a stable frame. The chambers of the metal mould precisely replicate the future pattern of the tile. When all the chambers are full, the craftsman pulls out the metal mould and fills the frame with a mixture of cement and granules. The tile is then subjected to heavy pressure and hardens under controlled conditions. Further details and photos of the manufacturing process
General questions
Unfortunately I cannot visit your showroom. How can I find the tiles that suit my requirements?
In order for you to convince yourself of the quality and vivid colours of Mosáico Tiles, we should be pleased to send you, if requested, our pattern package (Mosáico Planbox). This contains four colour-sample tiles with all 36 colours, and two additional original tiles demonstrating our high-quality hand-crafted production. We charge € 25,90 for the box, but this is to be understood as a deposit which will be deducted from the cost of any subsequent order. We will also refund the deposit if you return the Mosáico Planbox to us at your expense (app. € 4, depending on carrier).
Are cement tiles a sensitive type of flooring?
We recommend that after the Mosáico cement tiles have been laid, they should always be cleaned, impregnated and waxed with Lithofin or Fila. If Mosáico cement tiles are thus treated, they are highly resistant to stains and dirt, and over time acquire a patina that documents their genuineness. We should of course be pleased to supply the appropriate cleaning, impregnation and care products.
Are cement tiles suitable for restaurants?
You will find numerous examples in our gallery in the Restaurant and Café/Bar department. With Mosáico cement tiles you also have the opportunity to realize your own design. For a small charge we can make the appropriate metal mould corresponding to your desired pattern. In this way you can realize your own wishes for tiles, or have historic patterns reproduced by Mosáico.
How can I convince myself of the quality of Mosáico tiles?
Flooring is a long-term investment, and you will want to take pleasure in your floors for years to come. Cement tiles are on the market in different qualities and at different prices. Low absorbtivity, good dimensional accuracy and colour fastness are important quality criteria, and these are fulfilled by cement tiles from Mosáico.
We are convinced of the high quality standard of our ‘Mosáico Tiles’, and since we market them directly, we can offer outstanding value for money. We should be pleased to convince you too with a few sample tiles. Should you be interested, we can send you a sample package with every colour pattern and a few tiles that will convince you of the high quality. In our planning kit you find 4 small tiles (10x10cm) each with 9 of our standard colours, so that you have all 36 standard colours at home. You also receive 2 tiles 20x20cm, one raw, one waxed so that you can get acquainted with our quality. The service and packaging costs of € 25,90 will be deducted from the final price if you place an order, or if you send it back to us on your own cost. Here you see what else we do to help you find your customized handcrafted cement tiles.
Are cement tiles suitable for heavy-duty use?
Cement tiles have a thick outer layer coloured all the way through. In the case of Mosáico tiles, this layer is at least 3mm, and usually 5-6mm thick. This makes them, like genuine wood floors, highly resistant to splintering and abrasion. You will often see cement tiles in hallways of apartment blocks dating from the 1870s. While these tiles no longer look ‘new’, they have aged with dignity. Unlike traditional ceramic tiles, which only have a thin glaze over an even thinner coloured layer, cement tiles are very tough. The patina they acquire in the course of time makes them all the more valuable
How much does a cement-tile floor cost?
Mosáico cement tiles are a product individually hand-made for every customer. Even so, the cost is much the same as for other high-quality flooring. We should be pleased to make you a binding quotation or send you an e-mail with detailed information. Please use ourcontact form.
Can I order my own pattern from Mosáico?
Mosáico produces every order to customers’ individual requirements. In other words, you can choose freely from among our numerous patterns, and you can choose which colours are used for which elements of the design. Should you want a pattern all of your own, we can, for a small charge, make the appropriate metal mould corresponding to the pattern you have ordered. This allows you to realize your very own tile design or to have old patterns reproduced by Mosáico
How long does it take to deliver my individually hand-made tiles?
As a rule Mosáico delivers in 6-8 weeks after the order is placed. In other words a short manufacture and delivery time for an individually hand-crafted product which you will be able to enjoy for many decades. If you need your tiles even more quickly, we have a solution for you: we have a large selection of our most attractive motif tiles with the matching borders and monochrome tiles in stock. Tiles from this Favourites range, as we call it, can be delivered in 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your order and the deposit. In spite of the short delivery time and the cost of storage, we offer the Favourites range at the same favourable prices as the tiles we make to order. Information on the Favourites range
What is special about cement tiles?
You can recognize genuine hand-cast cement tiles by the following features:
– silky matt surface
– vivid colours and subtle differences of hue
– soft transitions between the elements of the design
A slight variation in the colour and the typical soft colour transitions between the elements of the design are due to the fact that the tiles are hand-made; they are the two quality features of hand-made, genuine cement tiles.