Aging of tiles. Tiles in detail: when are scratches, unevenness, stains not a flaw? The Germans' secret weapon

One of modern trends facing products considered aged tiles. It gained popularity not so long ago, and was invented based on the country style. Now it can be seen in public premises, and in the comfort of home, which is due to the wide range and variety of styles.

Features of aged tiles

Aged tiles can imitate soaked boards, worn pavements, worn parquet, natural stone, clay or marble, which adds to the home interior special comfort and warmth. In addition to their spectacular appearance, rustic tiles are high-quality products, which is important for facing materials. Also aged tiles are covered protective layer from abrasion and impact ultraviolet rays, therefore on for a long time maintains its impeccable appearance.

Benefits of rustic tiles

Various colors and shapes of rustic tiles can add a warm, homely atmosphere to the interior, and can help turn the room into an antique temple, rich in amazing ornaments and silhouettes. In this case, all functional characteristics will remain the same. top level, which will allow the tiles to last long years. Rustic tiles, like regular tiles, have a low level of water absorption, are scratch-resistant and are great for home interior design.

Where are aged tiles used?

Like regular ceramic tiles, rustic can be used in the same places - in bathrooms, dining rooms, offices, living rooms, terraces, patios, open areas and hallways, it all depends on the characteristics of the selected collection. The only note is that in rooms with constant traffic it is better to use matte tiles, and glazed ones are not recommended to be installed in kitchens and bathrooms.

Types of rustic tiles

Tiles are distinguished by the type of outdated material (tiles made to resemble stone, clay or wood). The first one imitates polished in color and texture rock, the second - baked clay tiles, used to decorate the hearth and kitchen, and the third - wood, faded and polished with time - a board or solid wood. There are also differences in the surface layer. According to this parameter, aged tiles can be glazed, matte, satin or structured.

Vivid examples of excellent rustic tiles are the collections imitating noble wood, repeating the texture of red clay, and repeating the beauty natural stone and marble.

Aged tiles are produced in both small and medium sizes, and even large sizes. Basically, these are from 10x10 cm to 60x60 cm. But there are also rectangular tiles up to 120 cm long. They imitate wood that has been washed out in water, such as La fabbrica Seaside.

Design solutions with aged tiles

The classic colors of aged tiles are grey, brown, green and cream shades. But, for example, the Gambarelli Maioliche collection features aged porcelain tiles in bright and rich colors.

Rustic tiles in light colors go well with decorative borders and inserts in green, blue and turquoise colors.

They are considered leaders in the production of aged tiles. Among them, the most common are, and. Some also produce rustic tiles.

In the production of aged tiles, special substances are used, the treatment of which gives the tiles an outdated appearance. Another way to obtain aged tiles is art painting. In this regard, the cost of such facing materials much more expensive than regular ceramic tiles.

In general, aged tiles are original design solution, allowing you to make the interior of the house more rich, bright and conveying the character of its owner.

The home designer’s assistant in this interesting activity will be, among other things, the technology of “aging” tiles. Two of her methods can be used without fear of ruining the appearance of the tiles. Naturally, glazed tiles are not suitable for aging. Since both methods are applicable for porcelain stoneware and similar materials that resemble in texture natural stone. The first method is called tumbling, and the second is patination.

The essence of tumbling comes down to grinding the tiled surface to obtain a wide variety of effects. From a stone touched by gray hairs to a stone polished by the touches of millions of hands. It all depends on the coarseness of the sanding material you plan to use in this process. After all, tumbling is grinding. Moreover, it can be both machine and manual. To get the desired result, you should first practice on the remains of the tiles. It is possible that the result will not meet your expectations.

The technology of “aging” tiles using the patination method is not suitable for smooth tiles. It should be used if the tile has an uneven, rough texture with numerous depressions, streaks and smooth areas. Patination is based on additional tinting of the tile surface with a special patina varnish.

Working with this varnish is very simple. It is applied thin layer regular cotton swabs. You can process about 3-4 square meters of surface at a time. In such a way that no more than 20 minutes pass from the start of processing the fragment to the end. After which the tile is wiped with a patina solvent. In this case, the varnish that has eaten into the recesses will remain there, and smooth and convex surfaces will lighten.

Helpful Tips:

Sometimes in old houses you can profitably decorate the interior with an antique look, without using practically anything for cladding. modern materials, with the exception of stone grout imitating an ancient one mortar. To do this, it is enough to remove fragments or even entire walls from the plaster, revealing the real ancient brickwork. In order for antique brick to reveal its texture, it needs to be sanded well, the corners rounded in places and coated with stone varnish (transparent or patinated). But the seams need to be grouted with the same color grout to get the effect of unity of form.

Most collections modern tiles and porcelain tiles are impressive smooth surface, smooth color and smooth edge. And “rustic” or aged tiles, on the contrary, attract fans with their “imperfection” and similarity to products self made. Let's see what gives aged tiles their special charm?

What is multi-tone coloring?

Tiles of the same shade from the rustic style collection may have a noticeable difference in color. This enhances the antique effect and increases the similarity of modern tiles to artisan ceramics.

When is an uneven tile edge normal?

If for rectified porcelain tiles intended for seamless styling, the manufacturer tries to make the edge as even and smooth as possible, but with aged tiles the opposite is true. Unevenness and chipped edges are specially created when molding tiles. Of course, the rustic style does not imply extremes - crooked sides or large cracks. Small irregularities always have a rounded edge and only give the tiles an antique charm. You don’t have to worry about the durability and ease of installation of “antique” tiles.

Tip: an uneven “hand-made” edge will be emphasized by styling with wide seam filled with contrasting grout.

In the photo: tiles with uneven edge Cerdomus Kyrah.

Aged surface

Intentionally uneven surface found both in “aged” tiles and in ceramics stylized to resemble other materials. Most often, manufacturers decorate tiles “like clay” and “like old boards” with cracks, bumps or pits.

In the photo: Sant Agostino Blendart tiles stylized as old boards.

Pictured: Cir & Serenissima Cotto Vogue artisan ceramic tiles.

In the photo: brick-like porcelain tiles Cir & Serenissima Chicago.

The complex relief gives the tiles texture and an unusual appearance. The rough surface goes well with elements of the “eco” or “ethnic” styles.

Craquelure or noble cracks

Glazed wall tiles in old style often decorated with crackle - a network of tiny cracks, as if left by time.

Crackle - integral element many current trends in design. “Shabby chic”, “vintage”, “” styles rarely do without it.

How to choose antique style tiles?

Unfortunately, catalogs and Internet pages do not fully convey the beauty of antique-style tiles. Therefore, it is best to choose it in a salon, where samples can be viewed and evaluated by touch. In the ART REAL showroom you will find several dozen collections of wall and floor tiles in an aged style. Our designers and technical specialists will help you navigate the assortment and choose tiles with the desired properties.

We are waiting for you every day!

Tags: Tiles , Ceramic tile, Elios , Porcelain tiles , Wood effect , Stone effect , Rustic (Aged), Tagina , Cir & Serenissima , Sant Agostino , English style, Ethnic , Brick , Cerdomus , Concrete , Vintage , Craquelure , Ceramic parquet, Cir & Serenissima Chicago , Clay-like , Uneven edge , Cotto , Crackle , Cerdomus Kyrah , Modern , Sant Agostino Blendart , Under Old Boards , Elios Wine Country tiles, Tagina Terrae De Tarsina , Shabby chic , Cir & Serenissima Cotto Vogue , Multitonal

All tiles can be divided into several groups according to the place of use and design features: for bathroom, floor, kitchen ( kitchen apron), for the street, for the fireplace, for facades.

Bathroom tiles. The bathroom is the most wet room in the house, therefore it is traditionally finished with glazed ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware. Walls and floors lined with ceramics do not require special care and are easy to clean.

Kitchen backsplash tiles - This is a separate direction of ceramics in terms of purpose and design. Most often, such tiles have small sizes (10*10, 10*20 cm), you can also find “hog” tiles - this is what they call tiles with a bevel.

Outdoor tiles. Typically, porcelain tiles are used outdoors, as well as some types of single-cut ceramic tiles (motocottura). Outdoor tiles should have a high density so as not to burst during the freezing and defrosting process. It is also recommended to use tiles with a structured surface for the street; it is difficult to slip on them.

Fireplace tiles. Contrary to popular belief, tiles for a stove or fireplace do not have increased heat resistance (during the firing process, the tiles are baked at a temperature of 1050-1300 degrees), so you can use any ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware. Fireplace tiles are a design trend; such tiles, traditionally, should have small sizes, thick layer glazes and painted designs (tiles).

Facade tiles. For cladding facades it is necessary to use porcelain stoneware or clinker, rather than ceramic tiles, such tiles are more durable and waterproof. Facade porcelain tiles also come in larger sizes, for example 300*150 cm, which will minimize the number of seams on the walls.