FLOOR TILES
FOCUS ON THE FLOOR AND WALL TILES MARKET
Although tiles are most commonly used on walls, floor tiles are gaining popularity. AMA Research presents the latest trends driving demand.
UK TILES MARKET The UK market for tiles reached a low
point in 2010 having been negatively affected by the recession. However, after stabilising in 2012-13, the market grew by 4% in 2014. This was boosted by growing demand for both ceramic/porcelain and natural stone tiles. Market growth was driven by
FLOOR TILE TRENDS The floor tiles sector continues to
benefit from interest in porcelain tiles, as well as the trend for using interior tiles in exterior applications such as patios, decks, and swimming pool surrounds, for example. Other trends over the last three or four years include:
• Larger format natural stone tiles have remained popular for kitchens, but with stone-effect porcelain also taking share.
• The trend for co-ordinating 42
a combination of rising consumer confidence in general and a recovery in the new housebuilding sector. In addition, steady recovery from some non-residential construction sectors, including offices, leisure, hotels/ entertainment, has also contributed to growing demand.
The outlook in 2015 is for further growth of around 4-5%. Construction output in both the housing and non- housing sectors is set to recover steadily, while consumer confidence is recovering on the back of a rise in real incomes, though the wider economic climate remains fragile.
kitchen worktops, upstands and splashbacks has remained strong, often with floor tiles either matching or picking out highlight colours from the worktops.
• ‘Heritage’ floor tile patterns have experienced some resurgence, with many manufacturers now offering cheaper porcelain and ceramic alternatives to expensive encaustic floor tiles, whilst others have introduced bi-coloured geometric
ranges with matching border tiles.
• The trend for larger floor tiles has also continued, with 30 x 30 cm now the norm. Some floor tiles, particularly natural stone, are now available in larger formats including 40 x 60 cm and 60 x 60 cm.
• There is an emerging trend for ‘rug effect’ styles, which use combinations of patterned and plain tiles to create the effect of a rug on a plain tiled floor.
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
www.flickr.com/photos/84063900@N02/7697116148
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66