Choosing the Right Cement Tile

Tweet

This helpful guide identifies which cement tiles are the best choice based on your project requirements or limits. Take a minute and jot down answers to these three questions. Your answers need to be realistic and honest. It will save you time and allow us to help provide options that meet your needs.

1. Time - When do you need the tiles?
2. Budget - How much you are willing to spend on the tiles?
3. Application Where to you plan to use the tile (i.e., outdoor patio, kitchen backsplash).

Standard Delivery of Cement Tile

Choose our Stocked Cement Tile for Quick Delivery

• Most Cuban Cement Tile patterns.
• A few Heritage Solid Color Cement Tiles.
• Most of the patterned Classic Cement Tiles.
• Most of the Classic Solid Color Cement Tiles tiles

Typical Milestone Schedules for Cement Tile Projects

• Color Substitutions. Add 1 - 2 weeks for color substitutions. If you want to use colors other than those shown in our product catalog, you'll need to purchase a color chip set in the lines color palette. Allow one week to receive your color chip set and one week to review/finalize your color choices.
• Virtual Designs. Add 1 - 2 weeks for virtual designs. Virtual designs or mock-ups are created to help visualize different colorways and finalize a design before creating a strike-off sample. Virtual designs are created digitally using the pattern's line drawing and color chip scans to render a life-like design.
• Custom Patterns. Add 2 - 3 weeks for custom pattern development. If we don't have a pattern or can't find it in our extensive pattern library, our designers can work with you to define and refine a pattern. The process begins with black and white pattern outlines and ends with a full-color rendering of your design.
• Custom Mold. Add 2 - 3 weeks for a custom mold to be made, if not using an existing pattern that has a mold in the size required.
• Strike-off Samples. Add 2 - 3 weeks for strike-off samples to be made and delivered via air freight. A strike-off is recommended when you substitute colors on an existing pattern or create your own pattern or custom color. It's just good sense to see a sample before you place a full-order.

Cement tiles usually can't be expedited for a surcharge. Because of the size and weight, full-orders can't be shipped via air.

Costs of Handmade Concrete Tile

These costs do not include custom patterns, molds, custom colors, color substitution. And, they do not include the cost of freight. Freight on small orders may run as much as the tiles; but, typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the total order.

Tips for Getting More Cement Tile at the Best Price

1. Place a single, large order for all your tiles at once (i.e., order your fireplace and kitchen floor tiles at the same time).
2. Choose tiles from only one manufacturer (i.e., Mission, Heritage, or Classic).
3. Limit the use of patterned tile by make a rug with solid color tiles framed in a patterned border tile. Or, create medallions or groupings of four patterned tiles separated by a 'grid' or row of solid color tiles.
4. Limit customization and work with patterns in standard colorways or in-stock tiles.
5. For orders less than 100 SF, consider tiles in the Heritage Line to avoid surcharges for minimums.

Where can you use Concrete Tile

• Arabesque Cement Tile
• Rustic Paver Cement Tiles

Cement Tile Customization Options by Lines

The chart below should help you find which lines are the best choice based on your schedule, budget, and use. You can also see which color palettes can be used with each line, finish options, what's stocked and typical lead times and costs for samples (strike-offs) and full orders.This guide should help you find the best options for your need. But, it get's confusing. So, don't be afraid to call and discuss your questions with our experienced cement tile staff.