STONE EFFECT TILES


WHY STONE EFFECT IS THE TALK ON THE TILES


Sian O’Neill, Head of Marketing at Topps Tiles, explains the benefits of stone-effect tiles and how this knowledge can help installers to offer a better service.


Porcelain, ceramic or stone-effect tiles have been on the market for some time and their popularity shows no signs of stopping. With new technology increasingly evolving and the trend for marble, granite and travertine on the rise with homeowners, stone-effect tiles are the answer to an installer’s prayers when it comes to recommending their customers with a cost-effective alternative to natural stone flooring.


THE BENEFITS OF USING


STONE-EFFECT TILES Porcelain stone-effect tiles are an ideal alternative to natural materials and can give the exact look and finish of natural stone. This man- made material is as durable as many varieties of stone and, with today’s rapidly developing inkjet technologies, it doesn’t matter if the homeowner is after marble, slate or limestone, as there’s a porcelain alternative that will give them the same desired look.


The benefits of choosing a stone- effect tile over a natural one is the cost and maintenance, as they are often more budget-friendly than their real counterparts; and this is a worthwhile selling point for installers to remember.


Made using ultra-fine porcelain clays fired at extremely high temperatures, porcelain stone-effect tiles are much harder, denser and less porous than natural stone and are therefore less susceptible to damage from the elements. This means they need much less maintenance and are harder wearing.


Porcelain tiles are also produced to specific standards, ensuring quality, consistency and uniform sizing, while virtually eliminating defects that would occur with natural stone, making them easier for the installer to lay.


— 28 — WHEN SHOULD YOU OPT


FOR A STONE-EFFECT TILE? The truth is, with so many stone- effect tile choices on the market, it’s always worth giving customers the option of a stone-effect tile, along with a choice of natural stone tiles too. There are certain scenarios where a stone-effect tile actually holds greater value for the homeowner as it might be more beneficial to their lifestyle (e.g. less maintenance and cleaning required). A perfect example of this is when tiling a large bathroom floor. Here,


a natural tile has some impractical implications, such as additional sealing and after care treatments. Being porous in nature means natural stone needs extra protection against the moisture it’s exposed to in the bathroom. Also, a larger natural stone tile can add up to an expensive investment, whilst a large format stone-effect tile can give the same look but at a more cost-effective price for the customer.


SPOILT FOR CHOICE At Topps Tiles we have a huge selection of stone-effect tiles that are designed to cater for every room and surface of the home. We have seen an increase in demand for natural stone such as marble and limestone as well as the classic formations and fossil effects that are synonymous with natural stone. So, for every stone tile we produce, we aim to provide a porcelain alternative and this includes creating ranges that are able to be used both inside and outside of the home.


The Spaces range is the first flooring available in the UK that incorporates Serafoam technology, which means the tiles are not only available in a stone-effect style but can also be laid seamlessly from a kitchen or lounge through to a garden, creating a modern extension of the living space. Similarly, the Regional Reflections collection is a series of stone-effect tiles which are the identical replicas of iconic stone from across the British Isles, and can be used to create stunning floors or feature walls.


For installers looking to make themselves indispensable to their customers, knowledge on the pros and cons of natural stone and stone- effect tiles can be invaluable.


www.toppstiles.co.uk/trade www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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