Unlike mass-produced tile, cement tile is handmade from start to finish. It’s an unglazed decorative tile known for its rich, matte colors and a signature velvety feel underfoot. Its legendary durability comes from a unique construction where the pattern isn’t just a surface print—it’s a thick, inlaid layer of pigmented cement that develops a beautiful patina over time instead of chipping or fading away.
What Makes Cement Tile a Unique Design Choice?
Think of a cement tile’s construction like a layered cake. The vibrant pattern you see isn’t just printed on top like thin frosting; it’s a substantial layer of pigmented cement that runs deep into the tile’s body. This is why it’s so resilient and why, after years of use, the design ages gracefully rather than wearing off.
This artisanal quality is at the heart of its appeal. Cement tile first appeared in 19th-century Europe and has seen a major comeback, fueled by our collective desire for authentic, sustainable, and handcrafted materials in our homes. Every single tile is a testament to that tradition.
The Beauty in Imperfection
When you choose handmade cement tile, you’re embracing authenticity over perfect uniformity. The very process of making it by hand ensures that no two tiles are perfectly identical. You’ll notice subtle variations in color, texture, and pattern from one piece to the next.
These are not defects. They’re the celebrated hallmarks of a genuinely handcrafted product. These slight differences come together to create a rich, dynamic surface, turning any installation into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It’s this character that sets cement tile apart from sterile, machine-made alternatives.
The charm of cement tile lies in its ability to tell a story. Every slight color variation and subtle textural difference is a mark of the artisan’s hand, creating a surface with a soul that mass-produced tiles simply cannot replicate.
A Growing Appreciation for Artisanal Quality
The resurgence of cement tile isn’t just a passing trend; it reflects a real shift in design preferences. Homeowners, designers, and architects are all moving toward materials that offer both beauty and longevity. The market data tells the same story. According to a recent analysis, the global cement tiles market, valued at USD 3,500 million in 2024, is projected to hit USD 5,000 million by 2035. This steady growth highlights a clear preference for durable, eco-friendly options in both homes and commercial projects. You can read more about these market projections and learn about industry trends.
Ultimately, choosing cement tile is an investment in craftsmanship. It’s for people who appreciate materials with depth, history, and a tangible connection to the hands that made them. Whether it’s on a floor, a wall, or a backsplash, it brings an unmatched level of warmth and personality to a space, ensuring your design feels both timeless and deeply personal.
The Art of Handcrafting Cement Tile
The soulful charm of cement tile isn’t just in its patterns—it’s baked into the traditional, time-honored process that gives each piece its character. Unlike mass-produced tiles fired in a kiln, authentic cement tile is born from a meticulous, hands-on hydraulic-press method. This journey from raw materials to a finished work of art is a true testament to skill and patience.
It all starts with the most artistic step: pouring the pattern. An artisan carefully ladles a liquid blend of Portland cement, fine marble dust, and natural mineral pigments into a custom metal mold. Each color is poured individually into its compartment, slowly building the intricate design.
This initial layer is what you see and touch, and at 3-5 millimeters thick, it ensures the pattern will never fade or wear away. It’s part of the tile’s very structure.
Building Strength From Within
Once the vibrant color layer is in place, it needs a backbone. The artisan carefully removes the metal pattern divider and adds a second, much thicker layer—a dry, coarse mix of sand and cement. This is the tile’s structural core, providing the durability to absorb impact and support the delicate pattern above.
It’s this marriage of a beautiful face and a strong body that gives cement tile its legendary resilience.
The two distinct layers are then fused together not by heat, but by sheer force. A hydraulic press applies an incredible 2,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, compacting the materials and bonding them into a single, solid tile. This is the critical moment where the tile gains its density and strength, all without ever seeing the inside of a kiln.
This diagram shows you exactly how the layers come together.
As you can see, the thin, pigmented pattern isn’t just painted on top; it’s an integral part of the tile itself, backed by a robust cement body.
The Curing Process: An Eco-Friendly Approach
After pressing, the brand-new tiles are still “green” and need to cure to reach their final hardness. They’re first submerged in water baths for about 24 hours. This kicks off the hydration process, a chemical reaction that strengthens the cement from the inside out. After their bath, the tiles are moved to curing racks to air-dry for several weeks.
This natural, kiln-free method is often called ‘cold-curing,’ and it’s a big reason why cement tile is considered a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice. It uses far less energy than the intense firing required for ceramic or porcelain.
The absence of firing is what preserves the soft, matte finish and rich color saturation that are unique to cement tile. Heat would fundamentally change the tile’s character, altering the mineral pigments and creating a harder, more glass-like surface.
The result of this painstaking process is a product where every single tile is unique. Minor variations in pigment and texture aren’t flaws—they’re the signatures of the artisan’s hand, ensuring every installation is a true one-of-a-kind. This traditional manufacturing is core to the identity of heritage producers, which you can read more about in our article on the history of Original Mission Tile.
Comparing Cement Tile with Other Materials
When you’re picking out tile, the number of options can feel pretty overwhelming. To make a decision you’ll love for years, it helps to understand what makes cement tile so special—and how it actually stacks up against other popular materials like ceramic, porcelain, and terrazzo. Each one has its own personality, and the right choice really boils down to your aesthetic goals and practical needs.
This isn’t just a simple pros-and-cons list. We’re going to dig into the factors that truly matter: how it looks and feels, how it holds up over time, what it takes to care for, and how it performs in real-world spaces.
The Core Difference: Pattern vs. Print
The single biggest difference between cement tile and its ceramic or porcelain cousins is how the design is made.
Think of it this way: most ceramic and porcelain tiles are like a photograph printed on paper. The design is just a super-thin, glazed layer baked onto the surface of a clay body. If that top layer chips—and it can—you’ll see the plain clay underneath. The damage is pretty much permanent.
Cement tile, on the other hand, is more like a piece of natural stone. The pattern isn’t just on the surface; it’s a thick layer of pigmented cement that runs 3-5 millimeters deep into the tile. Because the color goes all the way through, the pattern stays intact as the tile wears down from decades of foot traffic. Instead of chipping away, it develops a soft, beautiful patina. That built-in durability is its greatest strength.
The real value of a cement tile is in its substance. You’re not just buying a pattern; you’re investing in a solid, colored body that ages with grace, much like hardwood floors or natural stone. The wear becomes part of its story, not the end of it.
Comparing Key Attributes
To give you a clearer picture, let’s break down how these materials compare across the features that matter most. While cement tile has its own unique character, it’s always a good idea to explore various flooring options to be sure you’re making the best choice for your home.
Cement Tile vs Ceramic, Porcelain, and Terrazzo
This chart offers a quick, feature-by-feature look at the most popular tile choices to help you decide which one fits your project’s blend of looks, durability, and maintenance.
| Feature | Cement Tile | Ceramic Tile | Porcelain Tile | Terrazzo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Rich, matte colors with a velvety, soft finish. Artisanal variations create a unique, handcrafted look. | Wide variety of colors and patterns, often with a glossy or glazed surface. Machine-made uniformity. | Can mimic natural stone, wood, or concrete with high-definition printing. Very consistent appearance. | Composite material with chips of marble, quartz, or glass. Can be polished to a high sheen for a seamless look. |
| Durability | Extremely durable due to through-body pattern. Can be refinished. Porous and requires sealing. | Less durable than porcelain; the glaze can chip, revealing the clay body underneath. | Highly durable, dense, and resistant to scratches and stains. Less porous than ceramic. | Very durable and long-lasting, often used in high-traffic commercial spaces. Can be repolished. |
| Maintenance | Requires sealing upon installation and periodically thereafter. Clean with pH-neutral products. | Easy to clean and maintain. Non-porous surface resists staining. | Very low maintenance. Resistant to moisture and harsh cleaning agents. | Requires periodic sealing to prevent staining. Clean with pH-neutral solutions. |
| Installation | Heavier and thicker (5/8-inch standard) than ceramic, requiring a robust subfloor. Must be sealed before grouting. | Relatively lightweight and easy to install. A popular choice for DIY projects. | Heavy and dense, can be more difficult to cut and install than ceramic. | Typically poured in place or installed as large-format tiles. Requires professional installation. |
What this really shows is that the choice isn’t about which tile is “better” in general, but which one is better for a specific job. For example, if you’re looking for the best tile for a kitchen backsplash, the authentic aesthetic of cement might be exactly what you want, but you’ll have to be diligent about sealing it to protect against splatters.
Porcelain offers a nearly maintenance-free alternative, but it just doesn’t have that handcrafted soul. At the end of the day, people choose cement tile for its unique character—a quality that machines simply can’t replicate.
Bringing Your Vision to Life with Cement Tile
Here’s where the real fun begins. The true magic of cement tile isn’t just its durability—it’s the incredible design freedom it gives you. Think of it less as a building material and more as a creative medium, a way to turn a floor or wall into a personal statement.
It all starts with shape. While the classic 8×8 inch square is a timeless go-to, the world of cement tile has opened up to include a whole range of formats. Each one brings a completely different rhythm and feel to a room.
A few popular shapes you’ll see everywhere:
- Hexagons: These six-sided tiles create that modern, honeycomb vibe. They’re fantastic for adding a dynamic, graphic energy to floors and walls.
- Arabesques and Lanterns: With their curvy, interlocking forms, these shapes have a distinctly Old-World elegance. Perfect for creating a sophisticated, historic feel.
- Fish Scales: Also called scallops, these create a soft, organic pattern that feels right at home in bathrooms or coastal-inspired spaces.
- Star and Cross: This classic duo locks together to produce a captivating pattern that feels both traditional and surprisingly bold.
From Timeless Motifs to Modern Geometrics
Beyond the shape, the pattern is where your personality really comes through. Cement tile has a rich heritage filled with intricate, European-inspired motifs that look incredible in historic restorations or classic homes. Think floral elements, scrolling vines, and complex geometric repeats that have been loved for centuries.
But there’s also a huge appetite for bold, contemporary patterns. Clean lines, simple shapes, and high-contrast colors are the hallmarks of modern geometric cement tile. These designs can create a powerful focal point—a graphic punch in a minimalist kitchen or a playful vibe in a modern entryway.
Cement tile is a canvas for self-expression. Its ability to be customized with an endless array of pigments and patterns means you can create a surface that is not just beautiful, but deeply personal and entirely unique to your project.
This adaptability is a big reason why its popularity keeps growing. Market forecasts show the demand for concrete tiles is set to climb, hitting a market value of $220.4 billion by 2035. While it’s made all over, European countries have a special love for the material, with architects in Germany and the UK specifying it for everything from historic buildings to trendy hotels. You can discover more insights about these global tile trends to see where things are headed.
The Art of Customization and Creative Layouts
Maybe the most exciting part of working with cement tile is the chance to create a totally custom design. You can select your own patterns and specify a unique color palette from a huge range of mineral pigments. It’s how you get a perfect match for a room’s decor or create a signature look that’s one-of-a-kind.
For a more eclectic, bohemian feel, many designers are using the “patchwork” layout. This just means mixing and matching different patterns and colors in one installation. The result is a vibrant, quilt-like surface that’s full of personality, turning a simple floor into a piece of art.
Finally, the sealer you choose adds one more layer of customization. This final step can subtly tweak the whole look of your tile.
- A penetrating sealer keeps the natural, matte finish, preserving that velvety texture cement tile is known for.
- A color-enhancing sealer will deepen the pigments, making the colors look richer and more saturated.
- A topical sealer can add a slight sheen—from a subtle satin to a higher gloss—for a more polished appearance.
Every choice proves that cement tile is so much more than a durable surface. It’s a flexible, expressive tool for creating spaces that feel as individual as the people living in them.
A Practical Guide to Installing Cement Tile
A beautiful cement tile installation isn’t just about the tiles themselves—it’s the direct result of careful technique and a mindful approach. Unlike porcelain, cement tile’s handmade, unglazed nature means it behaves more like a natural stone, and it requires a specific process.
This guide breaks down the essential steps for contractors, installers, and ambitious DIYers who are ready to achieve a flawless, lasting finish.
Success starts long before the first tile is set. It begins with an impeccable foundation. Your substrate must be perfectly level, structurally sound, and completely free of any debris, moisture, or old adhesives. Any imperfections in the subfloor will telegraph right through to the tile, potentially causing cracks or an uneven surface down the line.
The demand for high-quality underlayment, like fibre cement backer boards, highlights just how critical this step is, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. The market for these boards was valued at USD 694 million in 2025 and is projected to climb to USD 902 million by 2034, proving that professionals know a great installation is built from the ground up.
The Single Most Critical Step: Sealing Before Grouting
If you take only one piece of advice from this guide, let it be this: you absolutely must seal the tiles before you grout them.
Because cement tile is porous, it will immediately absorb the pigments from your grout. Skip this step, and you’ll be left with permanently stained, hazy-looking tiles. Applying a high-quality penetrating sealer first creates an invisible shield that protects the tile’s surface.
This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a non-negotiable part of the process. Use a clean cloth or a small foam roller to apply a thin, even coat of sealer to the face of each tile. Let it cure completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the full installation and grouting are done, you’ll apply another coat or two over the entire surface, including the grout lines, to lock everything in.
Best Practices for Setting and Cutting
With your substrate prepped and tiles sealed, it’s time to start setting. For a rock-solid bond, it’s crucial to back-butter every single tile. This just means you apply a thin, even layer of thin-set mortar to the back of the tile in addition to troweling it on the floor. This simple technique ensures 100% mortar coverage, eliminating any hollow spots or air pockets that could lead to cracks later.
When it comes to cutting, your best tool is a wet saw fitted with a diamond blade designed for stone or concrete. This minimizes dust and helps prevent chipping, giving you clean, precise cuts for all your edges and corners.
Remember that cement tile is typically thicker than standard ceramic, often around 5/8-inch thick. You’ll need to account for this extra height and weight in your plan, especially to ensure smooth transitions to any adjacent flooring. Our guide on how to measure for tile can help you plan for these details.
Grouting and Final Cleanup
The right grout joint makes all the difference. For cement tile, we generally recommend a slightly wider joint of 1/8-inch to 3/16-inch. This spacing helps accommodate the subtle, beautiful variations that are inherent to handmade tiles, resulting in a much more uniform and professional look.
When you start grouting, work in small, manageable sections. Clean the excess grout off promptly with a damp sponge before it has a chance to dry on the tile surface—this will save you a major headache later. For technical jobs like showers, where every detail matters, working with professional tile shower installation services can ensure a beautiful, watertight result.
Finally, remember that ongoing care is what preserves the beauty of your installation. This isn’t a chore; just simple, routine maintenance. Periodically re-sealing the tile every few years is key. An easy way to check is the water-drop test: if a drop of water beads up on the surface, you’re good. If it soaks in, it’s time for a fresh coat of sealer to keep your tile protected for a lifetime.
Caring For Your Cement Tile For a Lifetime of Beauty
Let’s clear up a common myth: the idea that cement tile is “high-maintenance.” A better way to think about it is mindful maintenance. It’s not about constant work, but a few simple, intentional practices that protect your investment and ensure it looks stunning for decades to come.
With the right care, your tile won’t just last; it will evolve, developing a beautiful character unique to your home.
Unlike non-porous porcelain, cement tile behaves a lot more like natural stone. Because it’s porous, it needs a good protective sealer and the right gentle cleaning products to keep it looking its best. This isn’t difficult, but it does mean using the correct approach from day one.
Daily and Weekly Care Routines
For routine cleaning, simplicity is your best friend. The goal is to get rid of dust and debris without harming the tile’s surface or its protective sealer.
- Sweeping and Dusting: Regularly sweep or vacuum (just be sure to use a soft brush attachment) to remove the fine grit that can act like sandpaper underfoot over time.
- Mopping: This is the most important rule. Clean your cement tile with a damp mop using only water or a pH-neutral cleaner. Acidic or alkaline cleaners—including common household products like vinegar, lemon juice, or ammonia-based formulas—will etch the surface and strip away the sealer.
And whatever you do, avoid abrasive scouring pads or harsh chemicals. A soft mop and a gentle, pH-neutral solution are truly all you need for beautiful, clean floors.
Tackling Spills and Periodic Re-Sealing
Accidents happen, but quick action is all it takes to prevent a spill from becoming a permanent stain. Blot liquids immediately with a clean, dry cloth. For tougher spots, a targeted dab of your pH-neutral cleaner should do the trick.
One of the most beautiful things about cement tile is its ability to develop a patina. Over years of life and foot traffic, the surface will gently wear, softening the colors and adding a depth and character that tells the story of your home. This graceful aging is a cherished feature, not a flaw.
To keep your tile’s protective barrier in top shape, you’ll need to re-seal it periodically. The easiest way to check is with the water-drop test. Just place a few drops of water on the tile and wait a few minutes.
If the water beads up on the surface, your sealer is still doing its job. If the water darkens the tile and soaks in, it’s time to apply a fresh coat. For most homes, this is only needed every 2-3 years. By embracing this simple routine, you ensure your cement tile remains a timeless, cherished part of your home’s story.
Common Questions About Cement Tile Answered
As you get closer to choosing cement tile, a few practical questions always come up. It’s one thing to love the look, but you also need to know how it will perform in your home day-to-day. This is where we clear up any lingering doubts, giving you the confidence to move forward.
Let’s dive into the most common queries we hear from homeowners and designers.
Can I Use Cement Tile in a Shower or Other Wet Areas?
Absolutely. Cement tile is a fantastic choice for wet areas like showers, bathroom floors, and laundry rooms, but with one critical condition: it must be installed and sealed correctly. Proper prep is everything in these high-moisture spaces.
The key is a two-part process. First, your installer needs to create a fully waterproof membrane behind the tile. Second, a high-quality penetrating sealer must be applied to the tiles both before and after grouting. This creates a robust, water-resistant surface. With occasional re-sealing, your tile will stay protected and look beautiful for years.
Is Cement Tile Slippery to Walk On?
One of the best-kept secrets of cement tile is its fantastic slip resistance. Because it isn’t fired in a kiln with a hard glaze, it has a naturally matte, almost velvety finish. This texture provides a much more secure grip underfoot than you’d get from a glossy ceramic or polished stone tile.
Of course, any floor can be slippery when wet, but the inherent texture of cement tile makes it a safer, more practical option for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. It’s a great feeling, especially in a busy family home.
Because cement tile is not fired in a kiln, it retains a soft, velvety texture. This surface quality is not only beautiful to the touch but also provides a more secure walking surface than many mass-produced, glazed alternatives.
How Thick Is Cement Tile and Does It Affect Installation?
Our standard 8×8 cement tiles are 5/8-inch thick. That’s noticeably thicker and heavier than most mass-produced ceramic or porcelain, and it’s a big part of what gives the tile its durable, premium feel. You can literally feel the quality.
This substantial thickness does need to be factored into your installation plan. Your installer will need to account for the extra height to make sure the transition to any adjacent flooring is perfectly smooth and level. The tile’s weight also requires a strong, stable subfloor to prevent any risk of cracking down the road.
Will the Colors and Patterns Fade Over Time?
No, they won’t. This is what makes cement tile so special. The pattern isn’t just a design printed on the surface; it’s a thick layer of pigmented cement that goes deep into the body of the tile itself.
Over many years of foot traffic, the tile will wear evenly, developing a soft, subtle patina—much like you’d see on natural stone or beautiful old hardwood floors. This graceful aging is a cherished characteristic of authentic cement tile, adding to its character and timeless charm.
Ready to bring the timeless beauty of handcrafted tile into your project? Original Mission Tile has been producing authentic, artisanal cement tiles since 1900. Explore our in-stock collections or create a one-of-a-kind design with our Design Studio at https://originalmissiontile.com.