FLOOR TILES
EXCITING DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES
Ian Kershaw, chairman of The Tile Association, outlines some of the opportunities presented by the ever- dynamic and innovative tiling sector With a host of new
products being offered
by suppliers to the tiling sector, there are great opportunities available for flooring contractors and installers. The market continues to grow as consumers are keen to explore floorcoverings other than carpet, vinyl or wood. Modern tiling certainly has a lot to offer.
The market is currently buoyant and is being driven by trends such as the popularity of larger format tiles, as it has for a number of years, and customers are now more willing to look at new product types. An example of this is the growth in underfloor heating (UFH). Current growth rates of UFH, according to one manufacturer, are around 90% a year. UFH systems can either be electric, which are typically used to heat small areas such as bathrooms, or wet systems, which link with the general heating system for the home. The technology for underfloor heating is not new, in fact in origin it goes back to Roman times, and the benefits are many – freeing up space, cleanliness, economy and consistency of heat output, to name just a few.
UFH is easier to install nowadays with the use of new screed panel systems that eliminate some of the problems
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often associated with traditional ‘built- up’ heated floors, such as the height and weight of the floor installation, the tendency for cracking and intolerance to movement within the floor substrate. The new generation of screed panels eliminates most of these problems and simplifies installation at a stroke.
With regard to the aesthetic of tile one has to look to the big European exhibitions, such as Cevisama, to spot what might be heading our way. Geometrics, multi-layered tiles, relief and textured tiles are all to be found on the international scene just now. Wood- effect porcelain tiles for floors and walls have been around for a few years and have very much been to the fore in the annual Tile Association Awards during the last couple of years. Undoubtedly there is more growth to come in that particular aesthetic. The popularity of timber flooring is well-established - the tiled version is longer-lasting, as well as easier to clean and maintain. Many of the products now available come in a choice of wood hues, such as teak brown, dark oak, green oak, mid oak, washed oak and silver grey and with a natural sheen. Unlike wood, which requires nurturing over time and will soon reveal scuffs and scratches, porcelain tiles simply need a wipe clean and remain pristine.
Now one of the latest trends is metallic- effect tiles, made possible by new inkjet technologies for ceramics. Glazes are also popular, offering a high lustrous finish, which can be highly effective in certain applications.
Another trend is towards large format porcelain tiles, where 315 x 1,000mm is not uncommon. One of the entries to this year’s TTA Awards featured a tile used externally in a domestic project, which was 3m x 1m in size. While not all tiling involves these extremes, it does show what is possible, particularly since the tile in question was just 3mm thick, and is unique in that regard. Large format tiles need not necessarily be incredibly heavy.
Natural stone is an area which is growing in popularity, although there remains a perception that natural stone tiles are difficult to fit, due to varying thicknesses. If this variation is not accommodated within the screed depth, then the floor will not be level.
The tiling market continues to show great diversity and innovation, reflecting the fact that, while providing a highly practical floorcovering, it is at the same time a fashion-driven sector.
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