Interior design: what do you need to know about stone effect tiles?

When it comes to interior and exterior design, more and more people are turning to natural materials. However, the cost of natural tiles is very high. Under these circumstances, stone effect tiles become an option to consider. What should you know about stone effect tiles? Follow us!

Imitation stone tiles

In general, the imitation stone tile is a material designed on the basis of porcelain stoneware. Today, tile manufacturers like Novoceram are able to design imitations of this natural stone thanks to this natural material.

Novoceram’s advanced tools allow them to reproduce various natural stones in an amazing way.

The models of ceramic tiles imitate various traditional stones. For example, you have slate, basalt, quartzite and many types of sedimentary rocks. Their colors vary from one model to another, but encompass more tones of gray.

The new methods of manufacturing promote the design of very innovative tiles. It becomes possible to imitate any kind of stone or material thanks to the many color pastes and press tools to obtain the desired finish.

Use of the tiles

Imitation stone tiles are ideal for use in all rooms of a house and for outdoor flooring because ceramic stoneware is non-porous. When it is to be used on walls, it is suitable for kitchen credenzas, bathrooms and showers. For outdoor flooring, non-slip imitation tile versions are most recommended.

Similarly, there are other types of imitation stone tiles such as full body porcelain stoneware and glazed porcelain stoneware. Full body porcelain stoneware is very resistant and its color is the same inside and on the surface. Glazed porcelain stoneware is coated with a layer of surface glaze that provides an excellent finish. Nevertheless, it is more expensive and more fragile unless you choose a more resistant model.

The advantages of imitation stone tiles

Apart from its extremely affordable price and modern look, imitation stone tiles offer many other advantages.

Excellent durability

Stone effect tile is a completely inert material that will not change or deteriorate over time, unlike natural stone. In addition, the model designed for outdoor use is very resistant to frost and various weather conditions, in addition to being non-slip.

Easy maintenance

In principle, imitation stone tiles have almost zero porosity. Dirt remains on the surface and can be easily cleaned with a mop. For more stubborn stains, simply use a slightly more aggressive detergent to remove the stains.

A very practical material

Stone effect tiles can be laid without risk in a kitchen, a bathroom, a terrace, because it does not absorb water. In addition, it is a hygienic material that limits the proliferation of bacteria in a room.

In addition, imitation stone tiles are less expensive than real natural stone. However, they have the charm of natural stone while offering the same practicality of ceramic tiles.

Some limitations of imitation stone tiles

Although imitation stone tiles offer many advantages in use and design, there are still some shortcomings. Imitation stone tile preserves the same appearance over time. While this may be taken as an advantage for some people, it is a limitation for others, as it does not gain in shine or gloss.

In addition, the stone effect tile does not offer several installation options. Rectangular or square in shape, it can be put in herringbone, strip, staggered or checkerboard. It is almost impossible to lay opus incertum with this type of tile.

How to lay imitation stone tiles

There is almost no difference between the methods of implementation of stone effect tiles and ordinary tiles. The tiles are glued to the substrate with a suitable adhesive mortar, regardless of the size of the tile. To accentuate the natural look and realism of the stone, a tone-on-tone grouting is done with the color of the tile.

In most cases, the tiles have a rectangular or square shape. There are several sizes on the market, but the most used are 45 × 45 cm, 30 × 60 cm, 40 × 40 cm and 33 × 33 cm. However, if you opt for a trendy decor, large formats such as 60 × 60 cm and 120 × 60 cm are very fashionable.

Budget for imitation stone tiles

The cost of the stone look tile is not a fixed figure, because it varies depending on the size and classifications of use. It should be noted that large formats are naturally more expensive than small formats. For indoor installation, there are models with a price of less than $ 15 per m2 excluding installation. The top of the range products on the other hand cost more, i.e. 100 $ per m2.

In case of doubt or difficulty, it is recommended to use a professional to get assistance in choosing your imitation stone tiles.