April 19, 2011

Hydraulic Tiles - How to use


Leia esse post em português

 The hydraulic tiles (or cement tiles) technique was developed by the byzantines many years ago and spread around the world, being brought to Brasil by people from Portugal. It is made of cement, iron oxide, marble powder, and then put on a mold with water (that´s why it´s called hydraulic), then its finally dried. Many old houses in Brasil still have this kind of floor covering (my grandmother´s, for example!) but, due to standardization and aceleration of building methods it was slowly replaced by the ceramic ones, which are more common nowadays.


Recently, there was a resumption of the cement tiles use, and it´s being choosen not only to covering floors as usual, but also on walls. Nowadays, the use of hydraulic tiles allows more freedom and the drawings and colours of the pieces are more versatile. Some manufactures offer the costumer the possibility of choosing the colours, drawings and size of the pieces, what gives the opportunity to build a completily personalized design.


Its is an extremely durable and resistent material, easy to clean, and unlikely to show problems such as cracks. Besides, it´s not a good heat conductor, making it a "always fresh" floor covering. The only special need it has, is that you´ll have to cover each piece with an appropriate resine, in other to make it always shiny and bright. It can be found for ordering at finishing stores, or bought directily with the manufacturer.


Hydraulic tiles are great when placed at more relaxed places such as kitchen panels, leisure areas, terrace floors...what your creativity tells you to! It combines beauty and performance, and gives your home a vintage and cozy feeling.



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