What are Encaustic Tiles?

Encaustic tiles are like simple cement tiles. The difference lies in the making of pattern that is on the tiles. In cements, the pattern is a result of glazing process. In the case of encaustic tiles, the pattern is formed by using different colors of clays. There are usually 2 colors used in a tile, but this depends on the choice of user. Sometimes there can be as many as 6-7 colors involved in a tile. It does not, however, mean that the encaustic tiles cannot be glazed. They can be. Plus, unlike the common cement tiles, encaustic tiles’ design does not worn away with time. They are also more resistant to cold temperatures which makes them perfect for colder regions.

Encaustic tiles are made using a mold made of steel. The colored mixture is poured in it and allowed to cool. The desired pattern forms, keeping the colors in their places. A hydraulic press is then used to apply even pressure to the mixture to form a single tile. After this, the tile is placed in water for chemical reactions to occur. The tile is then dried.

Brief History of Encaustic Tiles

In the early 19^th century, there was a great demand for a medieval style of tiles that were to be used for monasteries. In 1828, as an experimental product, Herbert Minton first invented the Encaustic Tiles. Later in 1835, Samuel Wright helped Herbert Minton in creating unique attractive designs for the tiles. They eventually came up with 62 designs, based on medieval style. The tiles gained much popularity when in 1844, Herbert Minton’s company, Minton Co. received the order of encaustic tiles for Queen Victoria’s Osborne House. The tiles further gained fame when Gothic Revivalist architect AWN Pugin, recommended the tiles for religious buildings. Since then, these tiles have been the first choice for churches around the globe. But, their use was not restricted to religious buildings only. The unique designs over the many years attracted people of all backgrounds. People used encaustic tiles Sydney for their homes, offices and other buildings. Many famous buildings used encaustic tiles, for example, the House of Parliament in Westminster and House of Representatives in Washington DC.

How to select Encaustic Tiles

Selecting the type of tile is somewhat easy. You look for the one with suits you and there it is. But, selecting the design in the tiles can be really tricky. Your mind is full of second thoughts and it’s hard to make up the mind for a single design. So, this section will guide you on making the tile selection easier.

Of course when selecting a design, you’ll be going for the one you like, but it’s very important that you do not completely rely on that only. You need to make sure that whatever color or design you choose goes with the overall theme and interior of the house. As Sonya Marish of Jatana Interiors says, “What you choose comes down to personal choice but from a design perspective it’s also important to achieve a sense of balance”. Using the word balance, she refers to the balance between the room’s size and the pattern of tile. Since some patterns make an area seem smaller than it really is, it is important to choose the pattern that has no such effect. Similarly, it is important to choose the color using the same consideration. The features of the pattern also need to be matched with the interior or the furniture of the room. Another common advice is to avoid ‘too much’ pattern on a single tile. Keeping these considerations in mind, one can choose the tile that not only suits the room, but also looks good.

Benefits of Encaustic Tiles

The reason encaustic tiles have gained such popularity over the century is not just because of their attractive design. There are a number of other pros of choosing this tile. These are as follows:

Wide range of applications; can be used for many purposes, ranging from bathroom tiles to commercial building tiles.

Other than these, there are many other short and long term benefits of choosing encaustic tiles.

*    Easy to maintain. A single visit from a local tile cleaning expert will restore their look completely

*    They can survive toughest of conditions. They are resistant to scratches and stains.

*    They help in insulation due to a higher thermal mass.

*    They are manufactured using environment friendly method.

*    They’re customizable. This means, apart from the wide range of designs, you can also create one of your own.

Encaustic Tiles in Sydney

Other than England, Australia is a major consumer of Encaustic tiles. For decades, people have been switching to these tiles for their real estate and the benefits discussed above. Therefore, there are a number of companies that specialize in these tiles. Especially in the capital, Sydney, it is very easy to get a dealer for these tiles. However, it is suggested that you have a survey of designs and quality before you choose one for yourself.