2024-25_NTCA_Reference_Manual_dig_dwnld

Pressed Cement Tile

Introduction

What is pressed cement tile? Pressed cement tiles are handcrafted one by one and hydraulically pressed. Unlike other cement tiles, these tiles are not fired. They are made of layers of fine ground Portland cement and coarser sand mixed with cement. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile. It is speculated that these tiles were first manufac tured in the 1850’s in Spain. The trade names of the tiles have a variety of names such as: Cement Tile, Redondo Tile, Mission Tile, and other privately labeled names.

Pressed cement tiles are manufactured in the United States, Spain, France, Italy, North Africa, Latin America, Indochina, Vietnam, and Mexico.

Note : There is a marketing strategy that labels encaustic tiles to be the same as cement tiles, but they do not meet the same defi nition. This section is for Pressed Cement Tile Only

CONTRACTOR CONSIDERATIONS WHEN INSTALLING PRESSED CERAMIC TILE

Joint Size Customers sometimes ask to butt joint the tiles. This is not advised! Best practice is that the grout joint width should be not less than three times the size variation of the tiles being installed. It is particularly important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install their product properly because pressed cement tiles do not meet ANSI A137.1 standards. Fading or discoloration Direct sunlight may cause the tiles to fade or discolor over time. Heavy foot traffic can also alter the appearance of the tile over time. Porosity of pressed cement tile can create issues Porosity is a challenge with pressed cement tiles because they are not fired in a kiln. Some of these tiles will even have a high content of moisture after shipping from the factory. Check the tiles with a moisture meter for excess moisture before installation . If pressed cement tile is installed and not allowed to dry sufficiently, curling can occur. Additionally, when placed over impervious membranes, moisture exposure is increased and extended which can result in warpage. Grouting concerns Most manufacturers recommend pressed cement tile be sealed with multiple coats of a specifically recommended sealer before grouting to minimize or eliminate staining from the grout. Topical sealers, penetrating sealers, and grout releases are used to minimize staining. Most manufacturer’s recommend high-performance and/or urethane grouts to minimize staining. Mockups It is strongly advised to do a sample mockup of the tile assembly with several loose pieces before starting the actual installation. Testing mortar and grout on these tiles will set end user/owner expectations and can point out any issues to be resolved prior to the actual installation.

Although they have been installed successfully for over 150 years, there are challenges with installing these types of tiles. Here are some considerations/questions that may arise during when pressed cement tile is installed.. Thickness variations of pressed cement tile create challenges installing them. The traditional method, prior to the invention of thin-bed adhesive mortars, utilized a mortar bed and the beating of the tile into fresh mud using a bond coat of neat cement. This method allowed for the installation of the pressed cement tiles of varying thickness to have no apparent variation (lippage) in the finished surface. With the development of thin-bed adhesive mortars, the ability to install tile of different thicknesses was lost because the adhesive mortar bond coat is only 3/32 in. to 1/8 in. (2.4 mm to 3 mm). LFT/LHT adhesive mortars which allow for bond coats thicknesses from 3/32 in. (2.4 mm) up to 3/4 in. (19 mm) to help, to achieve flat finish installations of pressed cement tiles that have variations. Use of adhesives that allow for thicker bond coats can make it possible to achieve installation that meet the required finish flatness and lippage requirements outlined in ANSI A108.02-4.4 and the TCNA Handbook . To achieve an acceptable installation, the installer must account for variations in the tile thickness and size. Do a mockup to manage customer expectations and show the irregularities that are inherent with this type of tile. Non-sag tile mortars for large and heavy tiles allow for a thicker bond coat to account for different thicknesses while supporting the weight of the tile. Lippage control devices can be used as an aid to help with the different thicknesses of adjacent tiles, although they are not recommended due to possibility of chipped tile edges when removing their bases or stems. A skilled, experienced craftsperson is recommended to flat finished installation with tiles manufactured in different thicknesses and without exceeding maximum bond coat requirements.

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NTCA Reference Manual | 2024 / 2025

Chapter 5 | Material Specific Products and Installation