Concrete Effect Tiles

Although it’s been around since Roman times, concrete became the building material of choice for high-rise and commercial architecture as we rebuilt after the war. As a consequence it became much maligned, and architects spent the 90s and noughties trying desperately to conceal it. But it turns out they were acting hastily. Well prepared concrete can be every bit as beautiful as natural stone (let’s not forget it’s essentially man-made stone minus the millions of years). And now the stylish architects are making a feature of this fantastic material, particularly on floors, where the polished look is right on trend. Now comes the drawback. You can’t really lay concrete onto a joisted floor. Not only would it need to be several inches thick and put undue pressure on the structure, it can take weeks to fully cure. So you’ll be glad to know that if you have ambitions to replicate the concrete floor look in your home, there’s a wonderful alternative – concrete effect floor tiles. Once laid, they are virtually indistinguishable from concrete slabs, and since they come in a range of colours and finishes, you can get the exact look you’re going for – no guesswork and no waiting. And because they’re much lighter than the real thing, you can lay them upstairs or down, on wooden floorboards and with underfloor heating. Concrete effect porcelain tiles are still relatively new, and you do need to be bold to achieve the minimalistic look in many domestic or professional settings, but once laid, you’ll have a floor that’s sharp, stylish and wonderful to the touch. Need further information? Read more here.