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Pressed Cement Tile

Detailed, Textured Surfaces Some pressed cement tiles are incredibly detailed and have up to eight assorted colors and a multiple number of patterns. The texture may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Sealing or grout release prior to installation is paramount to the success of the installation. A mock-up will help alleviate issues during the installation. What other challenges do these products pose to installers? Customers’ expectations are always the main concern. Each job presents its own issues for the installer. Following manufacturer installation instructions and guidelines is necessary for a successful install. Consultation with the mortar and grout manufacturers is also highly recommended. Check the moisture content of the pressed cement tile after obtaining the shipment. Do a mock-up of the tile installation along with sealers, and grout choices. When all instructions are followed correctly, there is a much lower chance for a failed installation and a much higher chance of meeting the customer’s expectations.

Again, following the manufacturer instructions is necessary for success. If tiles become stained, it may be impossible to remove the staining. NEVER DRY SAND PRESSED CEMENT TILE! Dry sanding could scratch the surface. There has been some success with wet sanding the surface of the tiles to remove stains when necessary. Use silicon carbide 200 grit sandpaper to refinish the face. If you use higher grit sandpaper (for example 320, 400 or 600 grit) it will enhance the shine on the tile area in question. Enhanced shine may not match the unfinished tiles. Cracking Substrate preparation is important. Pressed cement tiles are prone to cracking if the substrate is not prepared properly or if there is differential movement of the substrate. Use caution when handling pressed cement tiles. The edges are fragile and can be chipped if not managed with care. What is the recommended setting/grouting products to use with these? Since pressed cement tile does not meet ANSI standards, installers must read and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions on setting and grouting. If none are available, ask the distributor, the installation material manufacturers, and other reputable contractors what they have done for a similar successful installation. Use a premium large and heavy tile mortar with non-sagging properties. A premium grout will help with staining or preventing it. A mockup is strongly encouraged to try to avoid any potential issues when the installation takes place. Pre-Seal or Grout Release Conduct a simple water drop test on the face of the tile to help determine the porosity level. Most pressed cement tiles have high absorption rates which may require pre-sealing with multiple coats of a quality sealer. Typically, the sealer would be applied until the water beads up on the surface or absorbs very slowly into the tile. Pre-sealing should be performed as part of the mockup and will help set customer expectation levels. Contractors should build this step into their price for labor and materials. Never leave a grout haze on the face of the tile. These tiles are sensitive to acid and it should be avoided at all costs if the tiles are not cleaned correctly. Consider a urethane grout in lieu of a traditional cementitious grouts which contain pigments that could immerse the color in the microscopic pores of the tile body and prove very difficult if not impossible to remove. Does grout stick more readily to the surface of cement tiles and how do you avoid this? Always test before doing the entire floor!

Photo courtesy of NTCA Member Legacy Tile LLC

NTCA Reference Manual | 2024 / 2025

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Chapter 5 | Material Specific Products and Installation