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Geometric Floor Tiles – as Popular
Today as in the 19th Century
it migrate to the furthest England where their history and manufacture
reaches of the Empire and have generally been most popular.
Singapore where, in 1886, Enhance authenticity and interest in
it first graced the billiards geometric flooring by including a hand
room and bar at the decorated centrepiece, panel or frame for larger
splendid Raffles Hotel. areas. They can be used to create impressive
At home, both plain and variations to schemes which would otherwise
decorated tiles started to comprise plain tiles only.
be used in every type of Like perfectly framing a beautiful picture,
property and situation from the effect of a geometric floor will be greatly
porches in terraced augmented by a matching or contrasting
houses to bathrooms in border. An important function of borders is to
stately mansions. fill in the space left around a floor design laid
Geometric floor tiles are as with an exact number of pattern repeats.
stylish today as when they Today’s nostalgia for Victorian elegance has
first appeared in the mid led to the re-creation of these classic floor tiles,
e-creating the splendour of 19th century and are ideal for projects where a using modern production methods combined
R
traditional geometric floor really spectacular floor is needed. with traditional clay colour stains.
tiling is proving as popular They are available in numerous shapes and Many of the popular designs seen today are
today as in the 19th century, colours allowing almost unlimited design drawn from original Victorian pattern books.
Frankie Wilde from Original permutations ranging from traditional Victorian However, these are intended as a guide only,
Style explores the history of this striking to timeless classic and contemporary patterns. its possible to make changes to the colour
flooring and why it's still a stylish option Due to the unglazed and vitrified nature of the and shape, or to design your own patterns.
for a multitude of commercial and product, they are hard-wearing, moisture Some manufacturers offer a CAD design
residential applications. resistant and incredibly versatile with an R11 service to architects and designers,
Part of Britain’s heritage, geometric tiles were anti slip rating and frost resistant to 50 which enables the following:
used originally to ornament medieval churches freeze/thaw cycles, therefore suitable for heavy • Floor tile displays can be visualised in their
and monasteries and the homes of the domestic or light commercial use. intended settings.
aristocracy. Their popularity was enhanced in Geometric tiles are used nowadays in a • Tiling displays can be designed from scratch
the 1830’s with the accession to the throne of multitude of commercial applications including • Different colour / pattern / border
the young Queen Victoria and they soon restaurants, bars and churches, to say nothing combinations can be experimented with.
became one of the hallmarks of the new of the historic uses in and around the home; • A bill of quantities can be calculated.
romantic movement. paths, porches, conservatories, entrance halls, All geometric tiling today needs to be
For example, the classic design was kitchens, bathrooms, patios and verandahs. independently tested by British Ceramic
orginally laid in Inverlochy Castle in 1863. Geometric tiled floors exist all over Europe and Research Ltd to BS EN ISO 10545 Part 7
Within a quarter of a century its popularity saw the United States but are most prevalent in Surface Abrasion and comply to Class 4.
203
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.adfonline.eu
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