WOOD-EFFECT AGAINST THE GRAIN
Sian O’Neill, Head of Marketing at Topps Tiles, explains the benefits of porcelain wood-effect tiles.
At Topps Tiles, we’ve seen a surge in the demand for wood-effect tiles thanks to advances in printing technology creating much more realistic and sophisticated looking products. There can be no doubt that this popularity is down to consumer lifestyle choices. We’re a busy nation that’s constantly on the go and porcelain tiles are durable, suitable in high-traffic areas of the home and much easier to look after and clean than its real wood counterparts, which usually require sealing or ongoing specialist treatment.
Over the past decade, the development of inkjet technologies has also made a significant difference to our interiors with recent innovations allowing manufacturers to produce a vast array of patterns, colours and textures on a wide range of tile materials. This means wood-effect tiles now have an authentic wood grain finish, meaning there really is very little difference between these and the real deal. All of this is available at a fraction of the cost of traditional wood materials, no doubt playing a big part in the appeal of purchasing a porcelain replica for the home.
Thanks to these printing advances, homeowners are more able to create realistic and sophisticated looking
interiors. This, coupled with the increasing appetite for low-maintenance products, means there’s been a specific interest in the effect ranges, especially wood.
The main benefits of choosing a wood-effect tile over real wood are the cost and maintenance involved. They are often half the price of their real counterparts and this is a worthwhile selling point for installers to remember. They also offer the customer a choice of designs that might not be within their budget if they were to use real wood.
Unlike laminate options, wood-effect porcelain tiles are incredibly strong, durable and low on absorbency, meaning they really stand the test of time. Additionally, they require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for busy households and high footfall areas of the home. You can also wave goodbye to cold feet as porcelain is much better than wood at retaining heat, lending itself well to use in conjunction with underfloor heating.
If your customers are always on the go but still desire the look of wood, then wood effect porcelain tiles are a great alternative to the real thing. Visually appealing, low maintenance, and extremely durable, they are ideal for use in hardworking areas in the home that are prone to high traffic and spills, such as the bathroom, kitchen or the hallway.
Patterns and shapes remain a key element of interior design in 2018, with ‘random- lay’ decorative tiles for both walls and floors proving popular. For design- conscious consumers, tilers should consider laying the tiles in a different pattern, such as herringbone or basket weave, to create a unique and stylish look that will place homeowners at the forefront of the latest interiors trends.
www.toppstiles.co.uk — 30 —
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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
