Julie-Ann
07-10-2009, 10:02 AM
3D tiles are the big trend for 2009.
With laser jet printing technology becoming adopted by more companies, we are seeing a very different looking tile. 3d tiles were everywhere at the International Bathroom and Tile Expo in Italy last week. The tiles have been moulded so as to form a 3d surface, most popular were straight lines, some lines raised and some recessed. The new laser printing now allows for the recessed areas of the pattern to be printed as well as the raised areas, but in different colours, if desired. In the past the colour was rolled on to the tile, so the recessed surface of the 3d tile wasn’t able to be coloured. This is also the same technology that has produced tiles that look like wallpaper patterns. With the added texture and range of designs now being produced I see tiles being used in a greater number of areas of the home, such as feature walls in living rooms.
Picture 1
Zenith Porcelain
Picture 2
Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte Joy Collection
As with fashion there is a colour palette to suit almost everyone. But it was noticeable this year that there was a lot less chocolate, black and grey coloured tiles. There were also fewer metallics, and the ones that were shown were more subtle metallic tones.
But what was more popular were light to medium brown tones. Also more natural, even rustic stone looking tiles were on display by many companies.
Picture 3
Roca Ceramica
Mosaics were still just as popular in both glass and ceramic. But once again technology has taken this to a new level. They are now able to create images using different coloured mosaics. There was a picture of Michael Jackson’s face in mosaics. If you are not looking for an image of Michael Jackson on your wall, they were also creating walls of mosaics where the colours changed across the wall. So the wall looked like a prism of colours.
Another new product was the 4.8mm thin tile. Tiles are normally about 9 -10mm thick. The beauty of this thin tile is that it can be used to tile directly over the old tile. So without the need to remove the old tiles, that’s one less messy job. But they don’t recommend you lay this directly onto a concrete slab.
Picture 5
Keope Ceramiche
With laser jet printing technology becoming adopted by more companies, we are seeing a very different looking tile. 3d tiles were everywhere at the International Bathroom and Tile Expo in Italy last week. The tiles have been moulded so as to form a 3d surface, most popular were straight lines, some lines raised and some recessed. The new laser printing now allows for the recessed areas of the pattern to be printed as well as the raised areas, but in different colours, if desired. In the past the colour was rolled on to the tile, so the recessed surface of the 3d tile wasn’t able to be coloured. This is also the same technology that has produced tiles that look like wallpaper patterns. With the added texture and range of designs now being produced I see tiles being used in a greater number of areas of the home, such as feature walls in living rooms.
Picture 1
Zenith Porcelain
Picture 2
Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte Joy Collection
As with fashion there is a colour palette to suit almost everyone. But it was noticeable this year that there was a lot less chocolate, black and grey coloured tiles. There were also fewer metallics, and the ones that were shown were more subtle metallic tones.
But what was more popular were light to medium brown tones. Also more natural, even rustic stone looking tiles were on display by many companies.
Picture 3
Roca Ceramica
Mosaics were still just as popular in both glass and ceramic. But once again technology has taken this to a new level. They are now able to create images using different coloured mosaics. There was a picture of Michael Jackson’s face in mosaics. If you are not looking for an image of Michael Jackson on your wall, they were also creating walls of mosaics where the colours changed across the wall. So the wall looked like a prism of colours.
Another new product was the 4.8mm thin tile. Tiles are normally about 9 -10mm thick. The beauty of this thin tile is that it can be used to tile directly over the old tile. So without the need to remove the old tiles, that’s one less messy job. But they don’t recommend you lay this directly onto a concrete slab.
Picture 5
Keope Ceramiche