Draft:Cement tile

  • Comment: Largely unsourced entry; content appears to be original research. The entire section, Works by Vetrugno and collaborators, is self-promotional as all four of these self-published books (Youcanprint) were written by a person with the same name, Gianluca Vetrugno, as the article creator. The External links section contains two 404s, and the other two do not seem to back up the content. Netherzone (talk) 04:32, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
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    Some (but not all) of the article appears to have been written or assisted using AI / LLM, and under WP:NEWLLM this is not permitted.
    The main source also appears to be self published and thus does not meet WP:GOLDENRULE. ChrysGalley (talk) 17:54, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

Introduction

Cement tiles are floor and wall coverings made of a pigmented cement surface layer and a backing layer composed of cement and aggregates. The manufacturing technique, developed in the second half of the 19th century, initially relied on a manual press; with the spread of electric power during the Second Industrial Revolution, hydraulic presses were introduced, making production faster and more consistent. Cement tiles achieved global diffusion and were used in Europe, North Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Australia in both residential and public architecture. They continue to be employed in restoration work and contemporary design.

Traditional Italian cement tiles
Traditional Salento cement tiles

History

Origins

Cement tiles developed in the second half of the 19th century in France, particularly in the Provence region, where they were introduced as an alternative to traditional flooring materials such as cocciopesto, beaten floors, majolica, wood, and stone. The technique spread rapidly throughout Mediterranean countries due to the possibility of producing durable, unfired floors with a wide range of decorative patterns.

International diffusion

Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cement tiles achieved global diffusion. They were used in Europe, North Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Australia in both residential and public buildings. Their popularity was driven by the ease of producing monochrome tiles and the ability to create complex patterns using metal molds.

Technical evolution

Early production relied on a manual press. With the spread of electric power during the Second Industrial Revolution, hydraulic presses were introduced, improving compaction and the uniformity of the finished tiles. Advances in modern cement technology further enhanced the structural quality of the tiles.

Decline and revival

Production decreased during World War II due to a shortage of skilled labor and declined further in the 1950s with the rise of industrial ceramic tiles. In the 21st century, cement tiles experienced renewed interest, both in the restoration of historic buildings and in contemporary design.

Materials and composition

A traditional cement tile is composed of three distinct layers:

  1. Surface layer – made of white cement, very fine aggregates such as marble powder or fine sand, and mineral pigments.
  2. Intermediate layer (dry mix) – a mixture of cement and sifted sand that bonds the surface layer to the backing.
  3. Backing layer – composed of cement and damp sand, providing the tile with mechanical strength.

The main properties of cement tiles include:

  • high hardness
  • good wear resistance
  • natural porosity that requires protective treatments after installation

These characteristics are documented in technical literature on cement-based materials and historic flooring systems.

Production technique

The production of cement tiles is based on a technique developed in the second half of the 19th century and relies on metal molds that define the decorative pattern. The pigmented mixture is poured into the compartments of the mold, followed by a dry cement-sand mixture and a backing layer composed of cement and damp sand.

In the early stages of production, compaction was carried out using a manual press. With the spread of electric power, hydraulic presses were introduced, providing greater uniformity and faster production.

After pressing, the tiles are left to rest, immersed in water to promote proper cement hydration, and then cured in a humid environment for several weeks. This process ensures the mechanical strength of the tiles and the stability of the pigments.

Manufacturing process

The manufacturing process of cement tiles consists of a sequence of operations that ensure proper compaction of the materials and the stability of the pigments. After preparing the metal mold, the pigmented mixture is poured into the compartments that define the decorative pattern. This is followed by the addition of the intermediate dry mix and the backing layer.

The tile is then compacted through pressing, initially performed with a manual press and later with hydraulic presses. After pressing, the tiles are left to rest, immersed in water to promote cement hydration, and finally cured in a humid environment for several weeks. This production cycle determines the mechanical strength and chromatic stability characteristic of traditional cement tiles.

Traditional cement tile workshop in Salento

Aesthetic characteristics

Cement tiles display a wide range of geometric, floral, and abstract patterns created using metal molds and mineral pigments. Stylistic variations reflect the decorative traditions of the regions in which they spread, including Art Nouveau, Moorish, Modernist, and Mediterranean influences. The combination of pigment casting and pressing techniques gives the surfaces their characteristic appearance, recognizable for the definition of the patterns and the depth of the colors.

Uses

Cement tiles are employed in various areas of architecture and design. They are used for interior flooring, wall cladding, and the restoration of historic buildings. In contemporary design, they appear in both residential and public spaces, valued for their durability and the variety of available decorative patterns.

Conservation and maintenance

The maintenance of cement tiles involves treatments aimed at protecting the surface and preserving the chromatic characteristics. Protective coatings applied after installation reduce the natural porosity of the material. Routine cleaning requires the use of neutral detergents, while acidic or abrasive products are discouraged because they can damage the surface. In cases of deeper wear, light polishing may be carried out, bearing in mind that cement tiles cannot be ground like graniglia floors.

Contemporary revival

In the 21st century, cement tiles have experienced renewed interest in both the restoration of historic buildings and contemporary design. Their reintroduction is linked to the appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, the search for durable materials, and the diffusion of styles that revisit geometric patterns and traditional color palettes. Today, cement tiles are used in residential and public projects, often in combination with modern materials.

See also

Notes

Bibliography

Works by Vetrugno and collaborators

  • Vetrugno, Gianluca; Martina, Peppino (2023). Le mattonelle ad intarsio in sabbia e cemento. Youcanprint.
  • Vetrugno, Gianluca; Kosan, Meltem (2024). The Sand and Cement Inlay Tiles. Youcanprint.
  • Vetrugno, Gianluca; Kosan, Meltem (2024). Las baldosas hidráulicas en arena y cemento. Youcanprint.
  • Vetrugno, Gianluca; Kosan, Meltem (2024). Les Carreaux en Sable et Ciment. Youcanprint.

General references

  • Collins, Peter (2004). Concrete: The Vision of a New Architecture. McGill–Queen’s University Press.
  • Ferrari, G. (1998). Tecniche tradizionali del cemento decorativo. Hoepli.
  • González Vázquez, A. (2007). Baldosas hidráulicas: historia y fabricación. Ediciones Omega.
  • Salvadori, M. L. (2003). Materiali e tecniche dell’edilizia storica. Alinea.

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