Ceramic Tiles – Green, Clean and Great Value

When you think of style and innovation in home decoration, perhaps you do not automatically think ceramic tiles?

Many interior designers are now moving towards the extended use of ceramic tiles in new exciting and innovative ways.

Traditionally the ceramic tile has been used only in bathrooms, kitchens and in a limited way in semi outdoor locations such as conservatories.

The demand for "Green" building materials is however gathering an unstoppable momentum and the common ceramic tile will soon be appearing in unusual locations and some surprising formats throughout the home.

Ceramic tiles have a true "Green" pedigree made entirely from natural materials in an age old process. They are recyclable and biodegradable. Even allowing for the energy used in their manufacture, their durability and longevity in situ makes them a really energy efficient product.

Energy recovery is quickly being introduced into the Worlds tile production facilities and leading the way Pamesa Ceramica have built a new factory in Recife, Brazil. Incorporating ground breaking new thermal heat recovery systems with emission capture far in advance of current Kyoto Protocol recommendations. With a rigorous cleaning and recycling regime in place the factory is setting new industry standards of environmental excellence and as by-product of sensible upfront investment Pamesa Ceramica, Brazil are now producing high quality ceramic tiles with a much lower energy element resulting in great value for money tiles.

Ceramic tiles being naturally waterproof and mould/mildew resistant are a perfect surface for floors and even walls in areas used by people with severe allergies.

Thanks to new developments in digital print technology ceramic tiles are now being produced in an infinite variety of styles able to accurately mimic the likes of white padded leather, fabrics of all colours and types and quickly gaining popularity wood grain floor tiles replicating most types of wood flooring. For use anywhere in the home, but particularly useful where heavy wear or moisture would make a wood floor impracticable.

New on the market and particularly impressive in contemporary kitchens are ceramic tiles with an intriguing metal finish, now available in a number of different metals.

If you would like to learn more about these new ceramic tile finishes visit the home of the Spanish Tile Manufacturers Association: http://www.spanishtiles.info/

For further information on the great value ceramic tiles now available in the UK from Pamesa Ceramica, Brazil visit: http://www.tilesuk.com/ and for online purchases the new: http://www.tileandtoolstore.com/

Valencia Tile Exhibition

Valencia Tile Exhibition 2008

My first ever visit to the Valencia Tile Exhibition CEVISAMA 08 Artechnology now in its 26^th year and with over 1000 businesses on show.

First impressions; it was big! First thoughts; wear comfortable shoes next year. With over 250,000 square metres of display place over three floors and six halls, a satnav devise would have been useful.

As a pure observer on this occasion being neither a buyer nor a seller the whole occasion has been some what surreal. First of all English is perfectly acceptable as a mode of communication, which was just as well as there were UK buyers everywhere. Secondly food and drink seemed to be available to anybody and on any stand at any time.

Everywhere eye catching tiles were displayed in sumptuous brilliantly lit settings, though I must say I did hear frequent comments of "didn't I see these in Bologna?" from the show going regulars.

Most interesting items from my unpractised eye were the kitchen floor tiles that commented on your weight problems whenever you approached the refrigerator, floor tiles that clicked together for installation without adhesive the demo looked fast and simple and could be ideal for those folk that like the idea of taking the floor with them when the move house. Certainly adds new meaning to the saying 'tiles are forever' or should that be 'diamonds are forever' and last and definitely least the floor tiles that operated a bit like lateral lava lamps with a layer of coloured glycerine trapped within the tile that moved when stepped on.

My favourite stand; definitely the Pamesa Ceramica stand, probably the biggest in the show with lots of new tiles on display, the delightful though very popular Clare and food! Whatever time of day I retreated to this sanctuary a new hot meal was available together with cold beer and rather strangely cold coffee + lots of cakes.

This stand was also the best place to meet other English visitors, was it the pull of the food or the quality and value of the tiles?

Conclusions:

• Tiling living room walls is on its way
  
• Ceramic tiles are far from dead
  
• Porcelain tiles continue to evolve
  
• Mosaics are being replaced by scored grout able tiles
  
• Packs of mixed size tiles are selling well
  
• Packs of mixed surface finish tiles are coming
  
• The Chinese manufacturer's stands were strangely empty? and I put on 3 lbs in weight