At Zia Tile, our goal is to deliver perfect handmade encaustic cement tile to every project. We work with designers, contractors, developers, and DIY homeowners nationwide on projects of all sizes. We manufacture standard 8” x 8” handmade encaustic cement tile and can customize colors or designs to suit any style. Our cement tiles are handmade by artisans on 3 continents with generations of experience in producing encaustic cement tiles with lasting quality and beauty.
All of our cement tiles will have subtle variations due to the handmade nature of cement tile and it’s timeless tradition of press and form molds with pigmented concrete. Variation in cement tile is the point!
Zia Tile is based in Los Angeles and ships 120+ unique handmade encaustic cement tile designs worldwide.
Encaustic cement tiles are made by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press.
The pigment composition is a mixture of high quality white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand, and natural mineral color pigments. The individual patterns are made by manually applying separate pigments, one by one, in a handmade copper mold. This incredibly delicate and skilled process can only be performed by highly trained artisans with many years of experience creating handmade encaustic cement tile.
Cement tiles are not fired; there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. They derive their durability from the combination of finely dehydrated cement and a more coarse sand/cement layer. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile. The tiles are then soaked in a water bath for 24 hours and then set to dry for another seven days at the factory before they ship to our Los Angeles and Mississippi warehouses, where they are stored before shipping to our customers worldwide.
Proper installation and protection of cement tile is key to enjoying its lasting beauty. Please ensure that tile is laid by a licensed tile installer. Encaustic cement tiles are installed in both commercial and residential environments, from restaurants and retail stores to kitchens, bathrooms, shower walls, shower floors, patios, and living areas.
We do not recommend installing cement tile outdoors in places that experience extreme frost and freeze in winter. Cement tiles are also unable to withstand the weight of vehicles and therefore should never be used in driveways. Wall tiles can be affixed to plaster, drywall, cement block, and cement backer board. The installation surface should be flat and dry with any loose paint removed and cracked surfaces patched prior to installing cement tiles.
Regularly clean cement tile with acid-free, pH neutral detergent. Water spotting can be avoided with a regular cleaning routine, which includes resealing the floor every two to three years, depending on the conditions of wear.
