Tile Today Issue 90 | August 2016 by Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd

contents

TILE TODAY

ARCHITECTURE & SPECIFICATION 35

An artistic vision rendered in tile

Tiling in commercial kitchens

Modern tile in public places

MARKETS AND TRENDS 07

Cersaie 2016 preview

Contemporary classics with firm historic foundations

Fashion takes shape

Brick tiles – the latest iteration of urban chic

Ceramic tile imports continue to rise

INSTALLATION 62

Crack suppression fundamentals

Why are expansion joints needed in tile and stone applications

Risk of shower proofing failure

INTERVIEWS 58

Philip Gray, Mapei Australia

Design

Featured Products

News

Advertisers index

READ ON THE GO: Scan code to view the latest FREE digital versions of the magazine on our website. Simply click on the front cover once you have scanned the code.

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FO REWOR D

MEET THE TEAM

In this issue we start with a preview of the forthcoming Cersaie 2016 exhibition in Bologna …with a reminder that if you are travelling to Italy to see the products on display, look out for our stand (Elite Publishing) where Tile Today magazine will be on display. David Stock, our Associate Editor, will also be there – reporting on the exhibition and taking photographs for the next edition of the magazine. Also reporting on the exhibition will be our new International Correspondent, Joe Simpson. Since 1981, Joe has been one of the leading editors and journalists in the area of the built environment. His past roles include Editor, Building Products; Editor, Building Refurbishment; Technical Editor, Building Design: founding Editor ECO magazine; founding Editor, Wood & Laminate Journal; Editor, Hotel Sport & Leisure; Editor, Specification; Editor, Specifier Profile; and Editor, Specifier Review. From 1996, Joe has primarily concentrated on the ceramic tile and calibrated natural stone market, launching Tile UK in 1996 for CMP, as Editor. In 2005 he joined forces with Kick-Start Publishing to launch Tile & Stone Journal, as Editor: a position he holds to this day. He is also the Editor of The Specifier’s Guide to Ceramic Tiles & Calibrated Natural Stone.

Vicky Cammiade Publisher

Jennifer Curtis Group Managing Editor

In 2009, Joe Simpson was presented with the International Journalist of the Year Award by ASCER (The Spanish Tile Manufacturers Association), having been judged to have provided the most insightful coverage of the international ceramic tile and natural stone industries from a list of more than 650 B2B and consumer publications spanning architecture, interior design and specialist contracting across 180 countries. He is only the second English-speaking journalist to have been granted this prestigious award. Ashley Cooper Group National Sales & Marketing Manager

We welcome Joe to the team. Vicky Cammiade, Director & Publisher Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd

See us at

CERSAIE Bologna, Italy, 26 – 30 September 2016 Anthony Stock Contributing Editor

FRONT COVER IMAGE The brick-effect is just one aspect of Sant’Agostino’s Terre Nuove range of porcelain tiles. Digitally decorated, these tiles have a satin, stone-look surface and are available in 300 by 300, 300 by 600, 600 by 600, 150 by 300 and 70 by 300mm.

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Philip Ashley Machinery Editor

Joe Simpson International Correspondent

TR END S

Cersaie 2016 preview By Joe Simpson, International Correspondent

ersaie is the beating heart of the global ceramic tile industry. Now more than ever, the Bologna-based exhibition showcases the truly global nature of our industry; both in the diversity of exhibiting manufacturers but also in the international melange of buyers attending what is the greatest tile show on earth. Nowhere else can attendees view such a diverse range of tiles from across Europe, North and South America, Asia, and even Africa. A show that was once dominated by Italian and, to a lesser extent, Spanish manufacturers, now features tile factories from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, UEA, UK, Vietnam … the list goes on and on. In total, the 2016 event

will see exhibitors from more than 40 countries showcase their latest designs. For the organisers, four factors - the exhibition, the meeting place, interactions between people and knowledge of the material – will form the foundation stones of Cersaie 2016. “The new image is focused on the concept of exhibition, as a place in which the various levels and spaces of ceramics, in all its manufacturing and expressive variety, can meet and intersect, but also a place for meeting people interested in knowing, innovating and designing this extraordinary material”. Cersaie has always prided itself on its ‘value added’ range of events, talks and exhibitions within exhibitions that run alongside the tile show itself. Highlights of these will appear later in this article, but Tile Today

understand that, for most Australian visitors, Cersaie is all about the tiles: seeing and evaluating the latest trends, exploring new commercial opportunities and meeting up with tried and trusted suppliers. So what is on horizon for Bologna 2016? Regarding floor tiles I expect to see increasingly prominent displays of 20mm thick external tiles that allows designers to really explore inside-out design at its most coherent and sophisticated. The progression for 2016 is likely to be 10mm and 12mm ‘standard’ floor tiles in more coherently co-ordinated settings with 20mm outdoor tiling, and even some 30mm think slabs for ultra heavy duty applications. Surface finishes will continue to concentrate of simulations of sandstone, limestone, quartz and slate; alongside concrete effects. Expect to see more distressed and

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T R EN D S 7

semi-distressed finishes, some made to look like reclaimed materials, other recreating the affect of ageing from the abrasion of the passage of thousands of shoes, or the weathering caused by rain, sand and salt spray. In all cases the objective is to achieve instant character: an interior or exterior finish that looks settled and comfortable; warm and welcoming. Regarding formats, while factories that have invested in either Continua by Sacmi or Supera by Siti B&T will show off mega formats up to 1,800 by 3,600mm, I expect that the dominant formats for new floor tile ranges will be 800 by 800mm and rectangular formats from 300 by 600mm up to 500 by 1,000mm. In wood-effect tiles, one can also expect more elongated plank formats, like 200 by 1,200mm and 300 by 1,200mm. Modular floor tile formats will be increasingly prominent, because both Continue and Supera technologies encourage manufacturers to cut up large slabs, after firing, into a range of rectified tiles formats such as 400 by 400mm, 600 by 600mm, 800 by 800mm, 300 by 600mm, 400 by 800mm, etc. I am also expecting to see many new terracotta-effect tiles in 2016, as the market returns to its roots in search of warmth, tonal variety and 10 semi-polished patinas.

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T R EN D S

One can also expect manufacturers to have picked up on the impact of Vives’ OSB-inspired Stand range – the stand-out tile at Cersaie 2015 – to produce more floor tiles that evoke basic board materials. The brick trend, so dominant in the wall tile sector in 2015, will also increasingly find its way into the floor, with parquet-style wood effects, clay pamments, brick-style paviours and other small format tiles with a high degree of tonal variation. Regarding wall tiles, the dominant design trends will be light marbles, brick-effects, chevrons, textured finishes, complex 3D forms and new small rectangular formats. One can also expect to see more and more ranges that mix matt, satin and gloss 10 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

glazes on the same tile surface, in the manner of Ceramica Sant’Agostino’s Flexible Architecture created by Philippe Starck, or Mutina’s Numi created by Konstantin Grcic. This type of tile has strong architectural appeal, and is also now easier to manufacture due to the use of inkjetapplied glaze effects. The subtle play of light created by such ranges looks set to fascinate tile designers for some years to come. The explosion of hexagonal tiles in 2014 will be followed in 2016 by some new shapes, from asymmetric interlocking pieces through to an old favourite, the Provençal tile. To see the most avant garde wall tile creations, I would suggest visiting Peronda, Dune, Aparici, Lea Ceramiche and CIR.

I am also hopeful that 2016 will also see more startling fabric effects to match the impact of SantAgostino’s Digital Art collection. Early experiments with fabric effects were generally gruesome: some of worst tile designs ever created. Now, the ability to reproduce accurately on textured surfaces using digital inkjet technology has revolutionised the market, making this a very fertile ground for today’s tile design studios. Regarding the stand short list (above), creating your own list in advance is probably the best way to make sense of the sheer scale and diversity of Cersaie. Last year, of course, the situation was complicated by the fact that two of the largest and most influential factories, 12

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Marazzi and Florim, decided to stay away, preferring to host events at their showrooms in Sassuolo. For me this meant that far too much of Cersaie 2015 was spent queuing on the motorway between Bologna and Modena. This year, with only three days devoted to the show before I head off to Verona for Marmomacc, I will be giving such stay-at-home factories a miss. I will, however, make sure to visit, in no particular order, Marca Corona, Refin, Sant’Agostino, Ariostea, Atlas Concorde, CIR, Coem, Rondine, Fioranese, Mirage, Imola, Cerdomus, FAP, Casalgrande Padana, Serenissima, ABK, Emilceramica, Tagina, Ascot, Viva, Piemme and, if they are back this year, Mutina. I know it is a very Italian focused list, but I tend to concentrate on the Spanish factories at Cevisama, and the Brazilian factories at Revestir and find that, at Cersaie, the leading Italian factories are the best place to discover what’s hot in the world of tiles. I will also swing by other leading world producers, like Porcelanosa 12 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

and RAK, who are so commercially successful they can’t be overlooked. I will also visit several of the leading Spanish manufacturers, like Grespania, Peronda, Natucer, Aparici, Saloni and Gayafores, because they offer a superior range of wall tile styles. For high performance technical tiles, swimming pools tiles and the types of flooring found in dairies and food production units, then I will head for Germany and Agrob Buchtal: the specifier’s best friend. But it is always worth going off the beaten track: every year Cersaie throws up some surprises and this year will be no exception as several long-establish factories are now in new hands and have been investing over the past 12 months to revive tired brands. Away from the exhibition halls, Cersaie 2016 promises its usual mix of events, seminars, presentations, press conferences (not for the fainthearted), themed exhibitions, etc. For instance, this year Manuel Aires Mateus, founder of the eponymous Lisbon-based architectural practice,

will be the guest of honour at a conference called The architecture of Aires Mateus on Wednesday 28 September as part of the Building, Dwelling, Thinking program. The Portuguese architect will discuss his projects with architectural historian Francesco Dal Co. Cersaie 2016 takes place at the Bologna Exhibition Centre, Italy from 26 to 30 September. www.cersaie.it/en The free official Cersaie app contains the exhibitors’ catalogue and other helpful information for your visit. http://www.cersaie.it/en/e_app. php ■

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T R EN D S

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Contemporary classics with firm historic foundations Tile Today’s International Correspondent, Joe Simpson, celebrates the revival of interest by today’s designers for the exquisite moulded decorative tiles hand-produced by England’s Craven Dunnill Jackfield.

rom its base in the historic Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire, Craven Dunnill Jackfield is the leading manufacturer of traditionally-styled, decorative tiles in the UK. Established in 2000, with a deserved reputation for quality and authenticity, the company boasts the flexible manufacturing techniques and highly skilled staff to enable the production of any style or volume of ceramic production, ranging from single 3D tiles to murals using thousands of square metres of specialist ceramics. The factory combines modern methods with traditional production techniques to enable the manufacture of bespoke wall, floor, decorative art and faience ceramics in any style, volume or size. Craven Dunnill Jackfield take great pride in the faithful manufacture of

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period style tiles. Where possible, it uses original machinery, glaze recipes and hand decorating techniques to ensure the total authenticity of its restoration tiles. The company’s expertise is perhaps most clearly seen in the range of high profile restoration projects it has completed. Craven Dunhill Jackfield’s wall tile production facilities were set up to cater for specialist restoration projects requiring colour matched glazes, moulded fittings and cappings. Dry pressed tiles are manufactured using a Victorian powder press that compacts powdered clay into a metal mould. This allows the company to consistently repeat a relief tile design. Dry pressing tiles is ideal for reproducing large quantities of the same design. Victorian wall tiles is another area of expertise. 12

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T R EN D S Blues Kitchen Shoreditch.

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Inspired by the spread of the British Empire, Victorian designers were influenced by classical and medieval architecture, while others drew on nature. The one element that unified all of these styles was the use of rich deep colours with a luxurious feel. Craven Dunnill Jackfield’s range of embossed and screen printed decors captures the heyday of this industry; ideal for adding character and style to a Victorian property, as well as creating a design statement in any home. The company also manufactures Art Nouveau and Art Deco style wall tiles, as well as offering clients expertise in ceramic manufacturing processes such as hand dipping, tube lining, slip casting and screen printing. A colour matching service is available for clients wishing to restore an original feature, with all tiles handmade to order. One recent project that placed Craven Dunnill Jackfield’s decorative tiles centre stage is The Blues Kitchen, Shoreditch. This venue now boasts a vast, four square, Victorian-inspired, ceramic tiled fronted bar. Craven Dunnill Jackfield was responsible for the project, from design to handmanufacturing the tiles and then factory-mounting them onto panels for rapid installation on site. The Blues Kitchen faience tiled bar front was manufactured in keeping with a tradition that dates to the 1880s. It is opulent and rich in style, with a central motif that features a mythical lion’s head, embellished with swags and fruit. The deeply textured relief tiles are made using hand-carved plaster moulds and decorated using metal oxide glazes, which craze upon firing to create an authentic aged effect. Special moulded external corner fittings were designed and made to allow the highly decorative and ornate patterning to flow seamlessly around the external corner of the bar front. The lead time for the project was short: less than four months from the initial conversations to the installation of the faience bar front, back bar wall tiles and floor. Having agreed the design, Jackfield created CAD drawings, before plaster moulds were made for each tile element.

Unusually, Craven Dunnill Jackfield worked directly with the customer, rather than with an architect or designer. Craven Dunnill Jackfield was therefore responsible for creating all the CAD drawings for the project, manufacture and making up the tiled modules. In order to meet the planned opening schedule, the Craven Dunnill Jackfield team explored options to reduce the time required to install the tiles and overcome issues associated with fixing heavy, ceramic tiles to a vertical surface. The solution was to supply pre-tiled modules that were assembled on site and grouted in situ. The completed installation is a stunning piece of ceramic craftsmanship, authentic to a Victorian bar from a bygone era. It is robust and hard-wearing and thus able to withstand the hustle and bustle of this stylish themed bar. “The Blues Kitchen is an excellent example of the comprehensive and unique in-house expertise we can provide at Jackfield,” stated Adrian Blundell, Head of Production. “We were able to provide a joined-up service for a technically challenging project, including product prototyping, layout design and specialist manufacture to a specific concept or brief.” The Shoreditch project led on to The Blues Kitchen in Brixton. Located in what was once the old Electric Social premises, the cavernous ground floor space is dominated by a flamboyant faiencefronted, ceramic tiled bar, designed and hand-manufactured by Craven Dunnill Jackfield. This contemporary installation of Victorian-styled ceramic tiles breathes new life into this traditional art form and highlights the practicality of ceramics in a bar environment. The faience tiled bar (traditional tin-glazed pottery, prevalent in the Victorian era in the UK) is 10 metres long and is set off against a backdrop of white and blue brick shaped ceramic tiles and amber dados. The hand-made faience tiles at the front of the bar date back to the 1880s in style. Five different designs of tile clad both the bar and five floor-to-ceiling

pillars. Each of the central, large green, convex tiles measure 245 by 600mm, with the textured relief design featuring a repeating urn motif. They are bordered by four styles of decorative blue and amber coloured dado tiles. The same designs are featured on the 2.5m tall pillars, which are capped with deep capital tiles. The relief tiles were made using hand-carved plaster moulds and decorated with metal oxide glazes, which craze upon firing to create an authentic aged effect. Each of the large tiles, featuring the urns, required 200g of glaze to achieve the desired depth of colour. It took two people to dip the pieces into a large vat of glaze. These were then gently lifted and carefully stacked into the kilns and fired over night at 1,040 oC.3 One of Craven Dunnill Jackfield’s largest ever contracts involved making and supplying over 15,000 handmade tiles in 46 different designs, and a variety of colours, for the renovation of the Victorian Reading Room at Leeds Central Library. The Leeds Municipal Buildings (now Leeds Central Library) were completed in 1884 at a time when tile making had just exploded and decorative tiles had become highly esteemed status symbols. Designed by George Corson, the building is an outstanding demonstration of Victorian tile-making techniques and designs from the leading manufacturers of the day, with the original tiles produced by E. Smith & 18 Co of Coalville, Shropshire. www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #90 | 17

T R EN D S 17

For the last 50 years much of it has been covered over with plasterboard and concrete and was only rediscovered in 2001 when re-wiring was undertaken. While there is an intricate encaustic tiled floor in the vestibule and geometric tiles sweep up the magnificent staircase to a geometric tiled ceiling, it is the former Reading Room where the building’s tiled magnificence is revealed in its full glory. The original room measures 80 by 40 feet and is divided by arches into a nave and aisles which are supported by granite pillars. It features wide expanses of glazed field tiles with intricate relief patterns in a myriad of shades of turquoise and blue, interspersed with contrasting burgundy and aubergine coloured tiled bands. Higher up large format, highly decorative tiles in rich copper green decorate the ceiling and intricate floral mosaics in gold and rose hues surround the stone busts of authors. Craven Dunnill Jackfield worked closely with specialists Heritage Tile Conservationists on the project. Together they re-created the Reading Room, restoring tiles which could be saved, and making and installing 15,000 hand-made replica tiles where the originals had disappeared or were too damaged for re-use. New moulds for each pattern were carved, blocks made and tiles cast in special clay bodies, followed by handdipping in glazes to reflect the myriad hues taken on by the original tiles over time. Another project to benefit from the company’s expertise was the renovation of the Grade 1 listed Newcastle Theatre Royal, which saw the auditorium and public areas restored to the original 1901 Frank Matcham interior, complete with rich burgundy and embossed decorative wall tiles and a geometric and encaustic tiled floor. TheatreSearch, the Consultants overseeing the project, recommended that the wall tiles were reinstated, as depicted on archive drawings of the original Frank Matcham design. The actual patterns and styles of tiles selected were influenced by those 18 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

found at other theatres designed by Matcham, such as The Theatre Royal & Opera House in Wakefield and The Gaiety Theatre & Opera House in the Isle of Man. While Craven Dunnill Jackfield is perhaps best known for its bespoke tile-making service, the company also offers a standard range of embossed, plain and decorative dado tiles, which are all historically accurate in style and are still made using traditional techniques for an authentic look. The embossed Leighton tile design in burgundy, cream and gold was selected as the decorative frieze element, interspersed with plain burgundy field tiles and edged with Dado and Dart tiles for the walls in the rear stalls and side walls in the main stalls. Beneath, plain burgundy tiles create a rich swathe of highly glossed colour down to the floor. The effect is gloriously opulent and striking but also practical, as the tiles are robust and will withstand decades of wear; while the touch of cream in the Leighton tiles is a useful safety feature when the house lights go down. As part of the restoration project, a hand-made geometric and encaustic tiled floor was installed in one of the stall inner vestibules and up the stairs. This features a pattern based on The Gaiety Theatre & Opera House. Craven Dunnill Jackfield’s expertise is much in demand to manufacture authentically-made Victorian-style tiles for major refurbishment projects. Typical is the replacement and restoration of hand-glazed, historic wall tiles for the Grade 2, former East Ham College, now the new Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre. The project involved the origination of accurate models for 39 unique designs and the formulation of several metal oxide glazes, which were fired and applied seamle ssly to match the original tiles of the 1903 building. Many of the tiles in the outer porch, the main vestibule, stairs and ground floor corridors had been extensively damaged. While it was possible to salvage some of the original tiles by cleaning, many others were missing or so badly damaged that they needed to be replaced.

Nearly 1,400 tiles were required across 39 unique designs, 813 of which had to be manufactured from scratch, as there were no existing moulds. These included decorative, embossed border tiles, two sizes of panel frame profiles, skirting borders, 6 by 4 inch and 6 by 3 inch tiles in plain and round edge, and external curved skirting profiles. Fitting new tiles within existing ornately decorated tiles was an intricate job and required the reproduction tiles to be accurate in both size and thickness. Unable to take moulds from the original tiles, the team at Craven Dunnill Jackfield re-modelled all the tile profiles, faithfully copying the remaining originals. The replacement tiles were then manufactured in biscuit before being hand-dipped in specially formulated, metal oxide glazes: green and brown. The glaze recipe used was similar to that of the original tiles. Rick Mather Architects led the refurbishment project, in consultation with English Heritage. Installed by WB Simpson & Son, the newly manufactured wall tiles are such an exact match to the originals, and so expertly installed, that the difference in age of around 110 years is indiscernible to the untrained eye. These projects demonstrate that the combination of intimate knowledge of the tile making process, allied to an extremely experienced and dedicated workforce, still has a vital role to play in today’s architecture and can lead to tiled finishes that have an enduring beauty and appeal. ■

T R EN D S Paisley by Gamma Due Srl reflects buta, a tear-drop design of Persian origin. This intricate pattern combines with seven colours in the Basics collection.

Fashion takes shape Words by Anthony Stock

Rectangular formats which increased from 200 x 100 mm to 300 x 100 mm, now appear in lengths which reach 1800 mm and beyond, in a variety of widths. The popularity of Ceramicwood planks provides a strong indication that this trend is here to stay. Photo 3. Taking the rough with the smooth is an old saying, which relates to accepting your lot and getting on with it. It can also relate to prevailing textural trends. On the one hand, we have utterly convincing replications of natural

La Fabbrica manufacture Icon a rectangular timber-look design which is available in six colours and three contemporary formats.

s Cersaie, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier tile exhibition looms large on the horizon buyers will place their bets in regard to the new trends which will emerge. In recent times, we have witnessed a bold return to design, principally in the shape of decorated cement tiles. Digital inkjet technologies continue to inspire tile manufacturers, providing them with opportunities to render more colourful and complex designs on a canvas which continues to grow in size. Photo 1. There has been a strong return to a variety of shapes which were prominent in the 70s, and early 80s, in particular hexagons and octagons. Photo 2.

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Madison by Ceramiche Roma Spa, is based on the timeless appeal of cementitious materials and the natural appeal of terracotta. Hexagons, octagons and a variety of new and old shapes have been launched in multiple sizes and complementary colours and textures.

T R EN D S 22

stone, produced with high gloss finishes, or textural effects which favourably imitate the feel of exfoliated stone. Take your pick. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not enough to confuse or excite you in equal measure, the rapid and ongoing advances in tile decoration have made it possible to create tile designs that capture several of the popular surface finishes we see every day in our build environment, rendered in one series, sometimes on one individual tile. Photo 4. If the prepared background is flat, plumb and well prepared, it is possible to fix precisely calibrated tiles with grout lines of 1 or 2 mm, as opposed to the 3 mm specified in AS 3958. Careful use of an appropriate colour grout can produce a surface finish that appears to be practically seamless. Ultra slim tiles and panels continue to emerge in standard sizes and large dimensions, which exceed three metres by one metre. This exciting trend will, in this writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion, be a particularly significant development in the history of ceramic tile production. Correspondingly a number of tilemakers have released 20 mm thickness products, which can be loose-laid externally in suitable locations, or incorporated in suspended dry-lay systems which hide underfloor cabling and pipework.

Cir-Serenissima have mastered the art of combining the appearance of a variety of surface finishes. Terracotta, wood and hollow bricks are captured in the Recupera series which offers infinite design possibilities..

Bowl by leading retailer Beaumont Tiles is a fascinating ceramic product which can be installed in myriad shapes and designs. Bowl is one of the intriguing products displayed at the new Beaumont Studio which recently opened in Malvern, Vic.

Special pieces

An increasing number of manufacturers are offering ceramic products which combine intriguing colours, designs and in many instances added volume created by using special technologies like thermoforming. The featured products are available from Ocean & Merchant, NSW.

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Many of the products featured herein are glazed porcelain tiles, fired at temperatures which frequently exceed 1200 degrees Celsius. However, there are still a number of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who specialise in providing traditional ceramic tiles, which are fired at lower temperatures. In addition some manufacturers employ special techniques like thermoforming, which permits the slipware to be curved or moulded, prior to firing into quite extraordinary shapes. Photo 5.

These volumetric pieces can be clustered together to create an eye-catching, highly tactile design, or integrated into a blend of regular ceramic tiles which have contrasting gloss or matt surface finishes. Photo 6. The design potential is endless, any good quality digital image can be accurately reproduced on the surface of a tile. It sounds as if tile manufacturers have all the bases covered, but with 20 visits to Cersaie under my belt, I can guarantee you that there is much more to come. â&#x2013;

BRICK ATELIER An extremely refined collection of slender ceramic wall tiles in a small rectified 8x31.5 (3â&#x20AC;? x 12â&#x20AC;?) format that brings life to spaces of striking sophistication and character. Colours: Calacatta, Carrara, Grigio, Noir S. Laurent, Persian Jade, Silver Dream, Statuario Select, Black Bevel, Silver Bevel, White Bevel Finishes: Gloss Size: 8 x 31.5 Areas of application: Indoor, Living Room, Bathroom, Decoration

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T R EN D S Aura by Iris Ceramics

Brick tiles – the latest iteration of urban chic By International Correspondent, Joe Simpson

ust as metro tiles, a longestablished classic in the tiling world, are enjoying a resurgence, a near relation – the brick tile – has leapt to prominence over the past 24 months. This sudden surge in popularity relates to the latest iteration of urban chic, and the evolution of mix-and-match interiors from shabby chic. But, as in most hot tiling trends there are brick tiles and then there are brick tiles! Of course the classic 230 by 110 by 76mm Australian bricks (8in by 3.75 inch English tile) is represented, but brick tiles come in many different shapes, from elongated rectangles through to micro-bricks that are but a small step from mosaic tesserae. There are also tiles that ape the large format honeycomb bricks that are such a common construction material in Mediterranean countries where it is used as the infill between columns of reinforced concrete. Of course the variety of brick effect tiles should come as little surprise given the huge variations in the material is it emulating. Englishspeaking countries with a strong brick tradition are in evidence, from the standard 8in by 3.75 inch English brick, through 8 by 4 by 2.25 ins (203 by 102 by 57mm) American bricks; and 8.75 by 4 by 3 ins (222 by 106 by 73mm) South African. But today’s brick-effect ranges also reflect the equally ubiquitous bricks found in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the Mediterranean countries. Other common sizes include 215 by 50mm, 215 by 65mm, 225 by 68 mm, 230 by 70mm, 230 by 73mm, 230 by 76mm and 230 by 80mm. The list is extensive and regionally specific. As a result, there

is plenty of inspiration for today’s tile designers and they have responded with an eclectic mix of high quality brick emulations. At one end of the scale is the Micro Brick by Brix. Reducing the dimension of the classical brick to mosaic proportions, this tile range produces small-scale patterns that echo both brick walls and intricate stone pavements. Micro Brick was designed by Nendo who started researching into micro mosaics in 2005 with the I Frammenti collection by Claudio Silvestrin, winner of a Honourable Mention at the XXII Compasso D’Oro. Sant’Agostino’s Terre Nuove collection

Sant’Agostino’s Terre Nuove collection

Ceramica Incontro’s Muretto range

Micro Brick range by Brix

Emilceramica’s Brick Design

The Micro Brick range by Brix comprises small mosaic pieces 5 by 10mm (3mm thick) presented in five different minimalist and simple patterns. The result is a melange of visually stunning Lilliputian looks. The starting point of the project was this the idea of reducing to a smaller scale standard construction bricks. The direction and different distances between the rectangular elements creates a visual pun reminiscent of brick walls or complex paving concepts. The colours are the same as those used in the standard Brix range. The micro-elements are produced in unglazed porcelain stoneware, making Micro Brick suitable for both external and internal applications, such as floors, walls, steam rooms, swimming pools and even Turkish baths. Most of the new wave of brickeffect patterns ape standard brick formats. Emilceramica’s Brick Design, for instance, is a versatile range ideal for interiors ranging from metropolitan lofts through to more traditional settings. The colour range spans Gesso, Paglia, Tortora, Seta, Moka and Nero: all available in either 125 by 250mm or 60 by 250mm. Marca Corona’s Brick Lane range interprets the contemporary taste for building restoration, focusing on a core material, brick, in a 75 by 300mm size. Brick Lane offers a wide variety of shade inside each colour that lends real character to this collection. The range includes a decor, with intense graphic variation, that simulates the remnants of old plaster on the brick.

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #90 | 27

T R EN D S 14

A key component of the range is a “corner tile”, a flexible design element that can be used in a multitude of locations. Brick Lane also comes in a hexagonal size, offering the same variations of colour and shade. CIR’s Recupera range is one of the most eye-catching of all the new wave of brick effects. Introduced at Cersaie 2015, Recupera was inspired by the hollow honeycomb clay bricks used in Mediterranean construction. The resulting tiles have a distressed, reclaimed look as though the original coating of plaster or stucco has just been scraped away. The result is, on one hand, edgy and urban, and, on the other, soft and warm. Recupera may be to “out there” for the average Australian homeowner, but will surely find favour with a new restaurant chain or high street fashion retailer. A glazed porcelain range with a natural finish, Recupera (which means recover in Italian) delivers the

charm of old materials and combines in a single collection all the beauty of terracotta, wood and perforated brick. The range comes in 100 by 200mm brick format and 240 by 277 hexagonal, complemented by a larger 200 by 400mm option. Del Conca’s Cantina range claims to take the brick look in a new direction: around smoothed corners. This has been achieved by moulding the corners of the porcelain tiles to form both inand out-corners with the natural look and feel of traditional fired bricks. This range is available in three colours (white, red, and black). The tiles are durable and long lasting, perfect for accent walls or even fireplaces. Inspired by the rustic eateries of Mexico, Cantina recreates their characteristic atmosphere: dim golden lighting, supple leather seating and rugged wood finishes ... in a sophisticated brick-effect tile. This porcelain range has a rich colour palette and authentic brick graphics achieved using digital ink jet technology.

Suitable for both floor and wall installations, Cantina comes in 100 by 300mm, with 100 by 200 by 100mm internal and external corners. Ceramica Incontro’s Muretto range is a variation on the brick theme that pays homage to Apulian farmers’ dry wall tradition. These are dry stone walls of the Mediterranean, where the light of their white stone gleams in a bright blue sky. This special landscape is captured in Muretto through the use of an innovative ceramic coating. The tiles are made up of 90 by 600mm modules. The stone itself works as the basis for an inspired visual composition that capture the strong and enduring emotional power of dry stone walls. Concealed cut fitting is used to preserve the dry wall effect. Muretto has a powerful tactile appeal, owing to the digital relief printing of Apulian natural slate, which, with its four colour varieties, can recreate the varying nuances between one type of dry wall and the other. There are four specific 30

SAHARA Polished

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Size: 500 x 500 x 9.5mm [Ceramic] Finish: Gloss, Matt, Grit 6 Colours | 1 Size | 3 Surfaces Random Pattern / Design: 1 face

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Rondine’s Brick Generation

T R EN D S

colour references and seven different textures, offering thousands of wall styling possibilities. Coem’s versatile Bricklane range comes in a selection of sizes, suitable for both floors and walls, and can bring a simple touch of modern style to any setting, with its sophisticated, vintage flavour. Bricklane transmits all the allure of brick, thanks to the large variety of textures and diluted, dusty shades that offer a retro look. The colour options are Intonaco, Cemento, Cotto, Bruno, Nero, Total White, Total Grey and Total Black. The available formats are 305 by 614, 101 by 614, 305 by 305 and, perhaps most importantly, 75 by 305mm The Wall, by Elios, is another high impact brick-effect range. This porcelain tile is offered in two formats - 75 by 304 and 100 by 200mm - in a range of seven earthy hues: Bianco, Pietra, Gesso, Nero, Rosso, Cenere and Grigio. The core proposition of Ornamenta’s Pick ‘n’ Brick range is that it is a hand-made 50 by 150mm brick made of extruded porcelain gres. The range offers an irregular surface and small flaws that are claimed to make each tile unique. The extensive range of colour options includes bianco, grigio, grigio chiaro, ardesia, basalto, bianchi/neri, rosa, cipria, rosso mattone, rosso, rosso intenso, lipstick, verde chiaro, verde scuro, verde smeraldo, turcheese azurro, blu note, l’acqua, giallo, senape chiaro, ocra, persiano, savanna, and le terre. Rondine’s Brick Generation recalls the look of the walls in open brickwork typical of a number of specific cities worldwide, with a handcrafted feel that reflects the industrial development of cities such as Venice, London, New York and Bristol. Brick Generation tiles can be used for both floors and walls, and provide a perfect blend of contemporary style and timeless appeal. The tiles, just 10mm thick, are able to offer an impressively accurate reproduction of the surface and the feel of brick. The rough texture, material intensity 32 and wide variety of shades, 30 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

The brick-effect is just one aspect of Sant’Agostino’s Terre Nuove range of porcelain tiles.

Johnson Tiles – Loft

T R EN D S

brings the essence of brick back to life. Brickwork with a twist, it allows designers and homeowners to experiment with a few simple objects to create a 100% urban look. The Bristol design encapsulates the quirky character of the underlying subculture that can be found in this UK port’s artistic and post-industrial heritage. The allure, feel and urban spirit of bricks springs back to life in this porcelain stoneware, that conveys the contemporary nature of the vibrant neighbourhoods that make up this English city. The New York design symbolise the atmosphere of the Big Apple and the raw details that distinguish the most characteristic neighbourhoods of New York. The range is presented in classic colours - white, almond and black – to create a fresh, stylishly contemporary look. The tiles have a chalky, matt surface that emulates the elegant façades of Brooklyn Heights. Venice takes its inspiration from the atmosphere of the world’s most The Wall by Elios

32 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

famous lagoon, and offers an original take on industrial brickwork, bringing a contemporary twist to a long-lived material. The innovative focus of the Brick Generation collection is not limited to the reproduction of the appearance of industrial brickwork, but is also evident in the variety of ways in which it can be used: it is ideal for both floors and walls. Not only the classic 60 by 250mm format, but also the new sizes - 340 by 340, 170 by 340 and 605 by 605mm, plus 600 by 600mm rectified - make it possible to create stylish brickwork surfaces on both floors and walls, inside and out. Terramix, a new range from Marazzi, has a Scandinavian flavour and yet was inspired by the Belgian bricks used to clad the outsides of houses, with their widely varying colours. In the small 70 by 280mm size, it is intended to meet every need, both indoors and out. Shade gradations from red to pinkish brown, and the alternation

of light and dark shades, give naturalness and elegance to the various installation options. The perfect blend of tradition and modern design, which gives of its very best in refurbishment contracts. Its suitability for use as a floor or wall covering extends its versatility and potential uses, in both residential and commercial contexts. Aura by Iris Ceramica is a wall tile that emulates bare brick architecture and gives it a contemporary look with a handcrafted flavour in neutral hues inspired by today’s urban settings. Intended for both residential and commercial uses, Aura offers a variety of decorative pieces to create original inserts in spaces with a postindustrial feel. Aura is available in one size – 100 by 300mm, in seven colours, with either matt or gloss finishes. The two surfaces may be combined to create fascinating contrasts; while the flaws in the individual tiles add a touch of character. 34

T R EN D S

The brick-effect is just one aspect of Sant’Agostino’s Terre Nuove range of porcelain  tiles. Digitally decorated, these tiles have a satin, stone-look surface and are available in 300 by 300, 300 by 600, 600 by 600, 150 by 300 and 70 by 300mm. There are five colour options: Light, Sand, Warm, Brown and Dark. Suitable for both walls and floors, the range’s options include skirtings, decorated mosaics and a worn-out decorated look. Terre Nuove is a new interpretation of the materials of the aesthetic tradition, given a postmodern make-over via smearing, burning and aging. As a result, the even the smallest size tiles have great depth and expressive power. The range captures the naturalness of raw earth in a colour range ideally suited to contemporary. It can generate a new modern aesthetic with strong echoes of a classic visual effect. ■

Part of the Terramix range from Marazzi

We moved from a standard computer software package to ClearTile and what a difference! ClearTile’s reporting system is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Paul Cannizzaro, Director, Designer’s Ultimate Tiles, Victoria

An artistic vision rendered in tile

S artist Nicole Nadeau, best known for A New Wave (2006), Work of Art: The Next Great Artist (2010) and Road Rage (2016), has used one of her own breasts to create a mould for a collection of hexagonal tiles. Nadeau created a single mould of her breast to form the tiles, which are cast in ceramic and mounted onto the solid-surface material Corian. Each tile is glazed white apart from the areolae, which are a rosy pink. The project relates to the mythical Amazon warriors of ancient Greek, who are said to have cut off one breast to more easily draw a bow and arrow. Nadeau has tessellated the tiles to create an installation at this year’s Collective Design Fair in New York, which took place from 4 to 8 May 2016. Titled Everyone Thought I Was You, the wall-mounted piece comprises honeycomb-like configurations designed to look like natural patterns. Nadeau is a twin, and the artwork is an exploration into the territory between individuality and similarity. Although the tiles look identical at first glance, the casting process creates

imperfections that make each one subtly different. “The idea is that my sister and I are a copy and paste, much like the hexagons in these visual patterns that you see in nature,” explained Nadeau. Based in New York, Nadeau trained as an industrial designer, and now uses manufactured and natural materials to create installations and sculptures. “A lot of my work has to do with identity as well as using industrial materials, and I love nature too so that was definitely an inspiration too,” she says. Much of Nadeau’s work deals with ideas of permanence and impermanence, and the natural life cycle. This work stems from the awareness that the body is an unreliable, fragile tool. As humans age they experience a growing realisation that the body can break down and is, in fact, a structure. Here Nadeau explores this theme and the hopefulness that can be found in such impermanence. Setting up the same parameters hundreds of times and yet achieving different results every time, she said,

reflects the fact that while each day may seem the same and dull, it is really new and full of endless possibilities. “I love science and patterns in nature more than anything,” said Nadeau. “Things that surprise me and get me excited are usually strange facts in science that happen in nature. Its magical, all of these great things are happening all around us, especially ones we don’t see. “For me making art is like being a modern day alchemist: having the power or process of transforming something common into a something special.” Everyone Thought I Was You realises this artistic vision in tile. ■

M AR K ETS

Ceramic tile imports continue to rise By Peter Halliday

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE: Due to a change to the release date for import data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics this month, we have been unable to provide our full analysis prior to publication. We did manage to prepare the summary of the 2015-2016 financial year total import data, showing country of origin and the destination state. We hope readers find this useful. While the rate of import increase continued, the destination state mix has shifted with New South Wales importing a greater percentage of the national total. In 2014-2015, New SouthWales imported 36.3 percent of the national total. This year the most populous state increased its national share to over 39 percent of the total. Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share improved by one percent while Victoria and Western Australia both lost approximately one percent of the national share, despite both states recording overall increases in imports. A history of state imports is shown in Fig.2. China continues to supply the vast majority of tiles imported into Australia. China supplied over 66

The latest import data covering the 2015-2016 financial year from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), shows a 9.2 percent increase over the 2014-2015 figures: a similar increase to that recorded for the 2015 calendar year. It can be concluded, therefore, that there has been no abatement in the increased volume of imports over the intervening six months, although this was achieved with a 16 percent lift in the June Quarter 2016. Total ceramic tile imports for the 2015-2016 financial year reached 45,578,639 square metres with a total Australian Customs value of A$495,852,088. The annual total of ceramic tile imports is shown in Fig. 1.

percent of all tile imports. Malaysia supplied 9.5 percent and Italy 9.4 percent of all tiles imported into Australia. While Italy exported almost the same volume as Malaysia to Australia, Italy represented over 20 percent of the total value of all imports to Australia. The average value per metre from Malaysia was A$7.73 while from Italy the average was A$23.44, highlighting the type of higher end products that Australian importers are largely sourcing from Italy. Spain represented 4.2 percent of all imports and increased its exports to Australia by 53 percent in the last twelve months. The total ceramic tile import data by country of origin is shown in Fig.3. â&#x2013;

Fig.1 Annual Total Ceramic Tile Imports

Fig.2 Total Ceramic Tile Imports - Square Metres Summary

Financial Year

HTISC

StateTotal

2010-2011

6907+6908

% of annual total

2010-2011

StateTotal

2011-2012

% of annual total

2011-2012

StateTotal

2012-2013

% of annual total

2012-2013

StateTotal

2013-2014

% of annual total

2013-2014

StateTotal

2014-2015

% of annual total

2014-2015

StateTotal

2015-2016

% of annual total

2015-2016

6907+6908 6907+6908 6907+6908 6907+6908

6907+6908

* inc ACT in 2013-2014 (2618m2) and 2014-2015 (169m2)

New South Wales*

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Combined Total M2

11,880,517

458,749

8,177,729

2,362,192

226,434

8,816,979

4,489,940

36,412,540

32.6%

1.3%

22.5%

6.5%

0.6%

24.2%

12.3%

100.0%

11,480,643

300,264

6,885,813

2,070,206

187,596

8,709,401

4,053,978

33,687,902

34.1%

0.9%

20.4%

6.1%

0.6%

25.9%

12.0%

100.0%

11,769,901

447,759

6,582,414

1,877,920

156,089

7,871,037

3,724,185

32,429,304

36.3%

1.4%

20.3%

5.8%

0.5%

24.3%

11.5%

100.0%

13,125,816

607,672

7,428,412

2,067,966

183,187

8,824,870

4,659,182

36,897,106

35.6%

1.6%

20.1%

5.6%

0.5%

23.9%

12.6%

100.0%

15,138,310

682,979

8,563,024

2,142,032

210,162

9,920,488

5,092,978

41,749,973

36.3%

1.6%

20.5%

5.1%

0.5%

23.8%

12.2%

100.0%

17,876,255

572,244

9,697,908

2,150,700

204,007

10,163,057

4,914,468

45,578,639

39.2%

1.3%

21.3%

4.7%

0.4%

22.3%

10.8%

100.0%

Data Source: ABS

36 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Change on Previous Year 6.6% -7.5% -3.7% 13.8% 13.2% 9.2%

Fig.3 Total Ceramic Tile Imports 2015-2016 Total Quantity Country of Origin

Destination State New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Argentina Australia (Re-imports) Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China (excluding SARs and Taiwan) Croatia Czech Republic Egypt

46,985

144,439

12,313,169

Indonesia Israel Italy Japan Korea, Republic of Lebanon

38,925

4,320

449,425

6,586,610

130,661

1,363

202

2,400 1,359

13,679

1,134

106,004 637,959

1,318

1,377

65,366

240,954

4,419,308

2,408

38,371

2,743,453

30,350,925

272,871,942

621

1,254

62,487

1,203

24,666

114,308

2,602

7,299

9,571

6,698,413

2,612

4,494

10,583

241

3,050

37,645

1,054,343

32,017

571

90,355

9,582

197,385

3,681,241

1,629

17 88,739

10,840

8,586

6,828

114,994

1,248,227

194,939

32,188

5,400

1,953

28,247

42,752

305,478

3,779,331

186,082

38,303

28,032

74,176

105,918

514,981

5,378,151

5,106

83,333

79,566

2,904

1,791

3,316

2,837

3,787

95,691

824,394

950 857,741

4,277,037

100,242,173

74,646

499

84,892

1,634,242

59,629

671,601

1,089

22,969

1,859,562

39,417

479,403

7,995

903

849

192,434

24,086

Lithuania Malaysia

3,204 58,045

1 1,429,194

Total Customs Value AUD

1,572

41,329

1,600

4,676

63,501

Iran

Total Square Metres

3,204

633

19,276

Hong Kong (SAR of China)

2,370

807

Germany

India

Western Australia

13 1,358

France Greece

9,488

Victoria

1,383 976,219

60,316

1,357,027

337,959

2,082

1,300,598

1,383

37,340

282,457

4,316,658

33,394,766

Mexico

17,341

4,329

939

22,633

175,792

Morocco

3,812

220

875

156

5,063

365,201

Netherlands

2,543

17,414

736,661

New Zealand

1,788

6,055

125,217

Philippines

9,709

47,886

14,871 3,242

425

126

Poland Portugal Saudi Arabia

285 32,422

112,378

5,455

891

Serbia

Sri Lanka Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Viet Nam Total Square Metres State Percentage

6,613

7,425

214,932

2,017,706

2,098

540

3,528

39,590

1,037

15,675

240

5,558

240 4,973

South Africa Spain

285

57,187 1,037

Seychelles Singapore

475

800,012

950

98,696

3,115

444

8,532

94,621

3,125

6,391

9,517

210,611

540,962

247,382

1,895,543

35,114,357

20,508

315,373

564,064

5,364,267

141

740

911

107,188

13,214

196,019

207,561

171,379

1,027,949

8,360,286

28,471

60,918

277,759

3,618,942

76,638

16,040

550,011

5,515,181

49,358

103,827

1,526,917

244,498

46,687

117,299

12,188

15,051

30 3,173 403,012

9,454 1,742

56,118 389,045

7,856

40,079

587

224,133

20,122

120,946

11,307

49,576

9,914

942

14,359

10,291

471

134,881

5,002

47,237

12,159

17,876,255

572,244

9,697,908

2,150,700

39.2%

1.3%

21.3%

4.7%

1,154

4,349

16,265

378,789

6,218

19,124

224,622

2,179,612

204,007

10,163,057

4,914,468

45,578,639

495,852,088

0.4%

22.3%

10.8%

100%

Data source: ABS

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #90 | 37

DE SIGN

Urban and Polo Replacing Ace Ceramicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Uptown series, Urban comes in eight neutral colours in three finishes, expressing enormous versatility for projects of any size. The Urban series is divided into a cool and warm colour scheme, allowing you to create a cohesive colour palette with ease. Sizes include 100x200mm, 300x300mm, 300x600mm and 600x600mm. The Polo series is a collection of 75x300mm tiles with gloss and matt finishes, suitable for wall only. The neutral colour palette provides endless possibilities. ACE CERAMICS PTY LTD www.aceceramics.com.au 02 9584 4000

Metro Modern in style, Metro, the stretched hexagon mosaic is a sophisticated selection of all-stone shapes. Part of the Montage 3 range from Southern Cross Ceramics, this versatile product can be used from floor to wall. Available in both white and black marble. SOUTHERN CROSS CERAMICS www.southerncrossceramics.com 03 9535 5252

Painted Wood Made in Italy, the Painted Wood range from ColorTile is part of their advanced tile technology collection replicating painted wood that has weathered over time. With no maintenance, this glazed porcelain range looks identical to the natural product. Painted Wood is available in three colourways and a 200 x 1200mm format. The range is suitable for internal use only, including wet areas, and offers a striking design especially when patterned as a feature wall. COLORTILE AUSTRALIA 1300 265 678 www.colortile.com.au

New designs by Grohn The stunning tonal textured pattern of the Kansas and Beton Range of 60 x 60 two centimeter Porcelain from Grohn is perfect for outdoor and indoor projects. Thanks to their high slip resistance they are extremely suitable for pool surrounds with the added advantage that two centimeter Porcelain can be bullnosed or rebated into the pool. Create a stunning finish with Porcelain by Grohn exclusively imported by Europe Imports Seven Hills. EUROPE IMPORTS 1300 3920774 www.europeimports.com.au

38 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Piccadilly Series Intense contrasting colours inspired by the natural tones of basalt – a material that reflects a natural and sophisticated design. Piccadilly is designed to cover commercial and residential areas and effortlessly transforms any space. Full colour body porcelain is available in six colours; Ash, Beige, Grigio, Marfil, Marrone, Nero; three finishes: Lappato, MattR10 P3, Structured External R11 P4 and three sizes: 30x30, 30x60, 60x60. The Piccadilly series is exclusively distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand by Distinctive Tile Imports. DISTINCTIVE TILE IMPORTS www.dtiqld.com.au 07 3862 9195

Downtown Plus An extension to Ace Ceramics’ existing Downtown range, Downtown Plus has the impact of concrete and all the benefits of porcelain. The series contains more exposed aggregate and a fresh colour palette with three finishes to match internal with external schemes. Available in four new colours in 300x300mm, 600x600mm in matt, semi-polish and textured. ACE CERAMICS PTY LTD http://www.aceceramics.com.au 02 9584 4000

Esagona Legno

Abstract Memories

Esagona Legno from Everstone is a unique timber hexagon porcelain tile made in Italy.

With Abstract Memories Starstile has reinvented the way to have memories of the past.

Available in one size 280x240mm – two colours – Sbiancota and Invecchiato – and two finishes smooth and grip, this tile suits a myriad of applications.

A cotto-cement look in five stunning colours, Abstract Memories has amazing matching memory decors using digital printing.

EVERSTONE

STARSTILE

www.everstone.com 02 9795 2000

www.starstile.it

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #90 | 39

DE SIGN

Evoke the senses Johnson Tiles has a selection of porcelain timber tiles to invite an organic feel into any living space to evoke the senses. These porcelain timber tiles are incredibly versatile, making them more durable than timber and a more affordable option. These tiles are currently available in two sizes: 97x600mm and 148x600mm with more sizing options coming soon. JOHNSON TILES www.johnsontiles.com.au 03 9720 4041

Montverde Introducing a new generation in high quality Italian timber tiles, the Montverde Series from Italian manufacturer Del Conca is a stunning range which stands out from the rest. With high definition digital printing, the timber grain is perfectly matched to multiple structured moulds and prints, which create a uniquely authentic looking product with a realistic feel and touch.

Gris Fluery Gris Fluery by Marazzi is a stone tile of French origin available from Trade Port. It has subtle shade variation in the ground material and an uneven grain, which gives the product an exclusive character and an extremely natural, uniquely tactile character.

Available in three colours, cushioned edge in 1000mm x 165mm size it is suitable for internal and external use.

It is ideal for urban contexts and design schemes with a metropolitan flavour.

TILE POWER LIMITED

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Rak Anti-Microbial Rak Anti-Microbial is a ceramic tile collection that reduces microbial contamination and contributes to a healthier environment owing to its anti-microbial properties given by silver nitrate compounds. The tiles are best suited for hospitals, schools, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play areas, the hospitality industry and other relevant industries and laboratories. RAK Ceramicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; antimicrobial collection of wall and floor tiles features antimicrobial technology, which is integrated into the tile surface permanently. Once bacteria comes into contact with the tiled surface, the silver ions initiate the elimination cycle. RAK CERAMICS www.rakceramics.com

40 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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S PECIFICATION

Left: Kitchens and counters in fast food outlets are areas that are subjected to constant foot traffic. Heavy loads must be tiled with a ceramic tile that has suitable slip resistance, durability and porosity values. (Image courtesy of Metz Tiles Pty Ltd.)

Tiling in commercial kitchens Words by Anthony Stock

n private residences home owners are becoming increasingly aware of the need to choose tiles, installation systems and materials that are appropriate for a particular environment. Ceramic tiles can be installed internally and externally, in dry locations, wet areas or fully immersed conditions, e.g. swimming pools. In a residential environment ceramic tiles can be in a single colour with a smooth or gloss finish for the interior or a rough, matt texture for the exterior. In the hub of the home, the kitchen, consumers will naturally favour a product that complements the wall finishes and the kitchen cabinets. Yet, there is a need to be mindful of several important factors.

46 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

These are: • Wear properties of the chosen tile. • Fire resistant properties of the installation and backing. • Slip resistance of the selected tile. • Ease with which the surface can be cleaned and maintained. An architect, designer or building owner faced with selecting a suitable tile and installation system for a commercial kitchen faces the same selection dilemma. Critically they also have to pay attention to the capacity of the structural base: it needs to be sound, stable and rigid enough to support the chosen tiles and any loads placed on it by regular foot traffic, as well as the impact of trolleys, and the movement of light loads.

Some commercial kitchens are large, many are relatively narrow spaces where staff are constantly subjected to working with and around oily spillages, sharp implements, naked flames, soiling liquids and hot surfaces. In an environment of this kind, the surface of the tile needs to be strong enough to withstand impact resistance, while having a surface finish that provides suitable levels of slip resistance. In addition to safety factors, hygiene and durability are of paramount importance. John West of Metz Tiles advised: “In an environment like a busy kitchen a thick tile, say a 12 mm thickness product, will not only provide the required strength, it will

also provide extra depth in the grout joints to allow more epoxy grout than a conventional eight to 9 mm thickness product.â&#x20AC;? Epoxy grout is mandatory in compliance with AS 4674:2004 Design, Construction and Fit-Out of Food Premises. A chemical resistant epoxy grout protects against spills of fat. Use of epoxy grout combined with a suitable tile, which is at least 12 mm to 15 mm in thickness, combined with a slip resistant rating of R13 / P5, will provide a safe surface finish that can be cleaned rigorously. Some of the tiles marketed by Metz for use in large commercial kitchens are 20 mm thickness. Some have abrasive grains, which are present throughout the body of the tile, providing excellent traction underfoot. In an environment that is subjected to fluctuations in temperature, and may be subjected to heavy live and dead loads, correct specification and application of movement joints is critical. This includes perimeter

movement joints (the junction of floors and walls). Movement joints should be placed over existing joints in the substrate. In ideal circumstances the floor should be divided into separate bays, which do not exceed five metres by five metres. Metz Tiles provide a range of tiles, which are specifically designed for use in busy commercial kitchens and other environments where tiles are subjected to substantial wear and tear, where liquid spills could stain tiles that are too absorbent. They also supply the necessary installation materials. Like Metz, all of our leading adhesive and grout manufacturers can be consulted about installation of tile in commercial kitchens. Rigorous cleaning and mopping is common in commercial kitchens following periods when chefs and other staff are buzzing around during busy periods. For that reason, internal coves and angles (pillars) must be used to protect the point where the wall meets the floor. Coves will also guard against impact damage. â&#x2013;

Some narrow floor spaces bear a particularly heavy load. (Image courtesy of Metz Tiles Pty Ltd.)

S PECIFICATION

Modern tile in public spaces Words by Anthony Stock

uring a recent stay in Sydney my attention was drawn to the number of old hotels dotted around the city, which still have facades clad in ceramic tiles. I also noticed a couple in the Newtown area that have recently been renovated and re-tiled. Ceramic tile was originally specified as a façade finish because it was durable, attractive, and easy to clean. Modern ceramic tiles are entirely fit for the same purpose. Tiles can be produced with hydrophobic properties, which inhibit the growth of germs and the spread of mould, fungi and moss, while reducing the possibility of dirt, grime and grease adhering to the surface of the tile. These hydrophilic surfaces are cleaned when rainwater saturates and rinses the surface of the tile. They are subsequently dried by the sun. The presence of titanium dioxide enhances the normal capacity of a tiled surface to resist staining; it also lowers air pollution via its increased levels of absorption. A growing number of building facades in Australia and around the globe are clad with tiles produced by Germany’s Agrob Buchtal. (Photo 1.) Products of this kind are truly novel and their use extends beyond building facades to the interior of hospitals, surgeries, dentists rooms and private homes where tiles manufactured by leading tilemakers are used to absorb volatile organic compounds and literally clean the air – subsequently reducing the risk of infection.

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The Ausgrid Learning Centre in Silverwater, NSW is a 6 Star Green Star rated building. The main building incorporates a tri-generation plant, built to produce enough electricity to power 50 homes. The Learning Centre has been designed with a number of features to reduce energy and water consumption. The external cladding features a mechanically fixed rear ventilated Buchtal Keratwin ceramic tile system which incorporates “Hydrotect” protection, which has self-washing, air purifying and anti-bacterial properties which enhance the environmental impact of the project. The tiles were supplied by Ceramic Eco Facades, Canberra. A growing number of buildings are clad with Buchtal products which are available in numerous colours and sizes. In essence mechanically fixed tiles can be removed from the cladding system and be easily replaced with a different product of the same dimensions.

Tile surfaces have been created that contain moisture sensors that trigger monitoring controls, which indicate areas where condensation is forming. Interactive tiles can change colour in response to fluctuations in temperature; they can even been programmed to contain exit or warning signs, which glow in the dark.

How will these benefits be applied ? Ceramic tile has been used for centuries throughout Europe, in particular, to clad the facades of churches and buildings of significance. Modern ceramics can be used creatively in public spaces and buildings for a variety of compelling reasons. These include: • Tile is harder and more resilient than it has ever been. It is also available in a greater variety of sizes, shapes, textures and modular designs than ever before. • The interactive nature of these products coupled with their environmental attributes will achieve wide appeal. • These so-called ‘smart ceramics’ will contain electronic elements that are capable of preventing mobile phone or wi-fi transmission within designated spaces. • The aforementioned hydrophilic products, which can be used in hospitals, in public buildings and on building facades, will also be used in private residences. This will be particularly beneficial in Australia where many people suffer from asthma or from the effects of airborne allergens.

Ceramic products are available in conventional formats and thicknesses and large slim (3 mm to 7 mm thickness) panels and tiles. These large products can be used to create ventilated louvered facades which can effectively control ambient light and temperatures. In addition, slim photovoltaic ceramic panels can be installed, which capture and harness solar power. In the not too distant future ceramic tile, in all its forms, may become as commonplace in our public spaces and buildings as it is in wet areas and kitchens in private residences. It is the only decorative surface finish that can be effectively employed in any dry or fully immersed environment. The Ausgrid Learning Centre in Silverwater, NSW is a six star Green Star rated building. The main building incorporates a tri-generation plant, built to produce enough electricity to power 50 homes. The Learning Centre has been designed with a number of features to reduce energy and water consumption. The external cladding features a mechanically fixed rear ventilated Buchtal Keratwin ceramic tile system, which incorporates Hydrotect protection, which has self-washing, air purifying and anti-bacterial properties to enhance the environmental impact of the project. The tiles were supplied by Ceramic Eco Facades, Canberra. A growing number of buildings are clad with Buchtal products, which are available in numerous colours and sizes. In essence mechanically fixed tiles can be removed from the cladding system and be easily replaced with a different product of the same dimensions. ■

P R O JECT SPO TLIGH T

Penn State swimming pool

enn State’s men’s and women’s swimming teams compete against the best. And, to do that, the school needs the best facilities. The McCoy Natatorium, Penn State’s main swimming facility, features a 1960s-era Olympic-size pool that began to show its age in early 2014. Tiles were loose and cracking in the pool and throughout the decking. The grout between tiles was deteriorating, and water was reaching the underlying concrete. When Penn State put the job out to bid, the bid package required a firm that could deliver the highest quality and warranty its work. JP Phillips, a Laticrete MVP firm, won the job in no small part due to its ability to deliver the coveted Laticrete 25-year warranty.

Challenge Once JP Phillips won the job, they needed to overcome three challenges specific to this project: 52 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

• Time frame – The Penn State pool could not be inaccessible for long stretches of time. The swim teams rely on it throughout the academic year so work needed to be completed over the summer break – between July and mid-August. • Harsh conditions – The job required products that can withstand some of the toughest conditions imaginable. This includes chlorine and the constant presence of water. • A significant change in scope – After the initial job consultation, JP Phillips found additional problems that required immediate attention. For example, once the concrete was exposed, the team found areas requiring patching and new plumbing. This additional work needed to be completed within the same tight timeline.

Solution JP Phillips worked with the Laticrete technical services team to design

correct procedures for the repair of the Penn State pool. This included a specifically sequenced suite of Laticrete products including 254 Platinum, 3701 Fortified Mortar, Hydro Ban and Spectralock Pro premium grout. With the tiles and Laticrete products installed, the pool and decking needed 14 days to cure before the pool was filled. Once this two-week period ended, the pool was then filled slowly at a rate of one inch per hour. Through a combination of JP Phillips professionalism and the support of the Laticrete technical services team, Penn State University got the pool its swim teams deserved and the Laticrete 25-year system warranty the university requested. The results speak for themselves. In the spring of 2015, the Penn State women’s swimming team set a new record for the 800-yard freestyle relay. ■

Correction In Tile Today #88, in the Project Spotlight “Rising to a big challenge” it was incorrectly stated that the tiles used for the private residence reno in Ascot Vale, Melbourne were supplied by Beaumont Tiles. This is incorrect, the tiles were designed and supplied by Urban Edge Ceramics, Richmond, VIC. Laticrete wishes to apologise for the misprint.

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P R O JECT SPO TLIGH T

Taking terrace living to a higher level High House is the end product of the creative renovation to a narrow inner city terrace in Melbourne to meet the requirements of a young couple intent on taking terrace living to a new level, reports Joe Simpson.

he brief for High House was to turn inner city terrace living on its head. The design of the built form was driven by the need to provide natural light to the narrow site and south facing ground floor living spaces. An internal courtyard in the middle of the house distributes light into a bedroom, bathroom and dining room/kitchen. The northwest corner of the dining room is ‘cut away’ and replaced with a custom skylight that saturates the dining room and kitchen with light for the majority of the day. Additionally, skylights above the stair void filter light down into the living room at the south end of the ground floor. Finally, a palette of fixtures/ fittings, materials, finishes and colours was identified, each weighed against its impact on all the components in the project. Costs attributed to the limitations of renovating a terrace with shared walls on both sides were unavoidable. To counter this, a significant design decision was made to take utilise the skills of a member of the client’s family who is a floor and wall tiler. Subsequently,

54 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

it was determined that not only tiles would be specified in the expected applications but also the unexpected. Tile size, colour and finish were specified to complement adjacent characteristics. This concept evolved as the project went forward and ultimately resulted in the rear façade of the house, seats, benches, planters and balustrades all being tiled. As a result, in the finished project, the pastel-coloured tiles used on this rear elevation extend onto elements of the property’s integrated furniture, and onto surfaces in bathrooms, the terrace and kitchen. The use of large areas of simple, single coloured tiles, with carefully selected complementary grout colours, creates a restrained aesthetic which proves that Mies van der Rohe’s celebrated mantra “less is more” is still just as pertinent to architecture as it ever was. 56

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P R O JECT SPO TLIGH T 56

High House’s architect, Dan Gayfer, is the founder and creative influence behind Dan Gayfer Design. Since its inception in 2011, the studio has actively pursued the marriage of aesthetic and spatial function. The latest product of this enlightened design philosophy, the tall, gabled extension of High House is tucked behind the Victorian frontage of a mid-terrace house in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North suburb. With its exterior clad in pale blue tiles, High House makes a strong, yet restrained, design statement. The tiled extension contrasts with the ornately embellished verandah facing the street, giving the property one contemporary and one historic façade. Just two rooms of the original Victorian-era dwelling were preserved, and these now serve as bedrooms. The two-storey extension to the rear created a spacious living room at ground level, and an extra bedroom and study above.

“The client essentially wanted to turn inner city terrace living on its head,” said Dan Gayfer. “They wanted the convenience of inner city living without compromising on space, function, interaction, flexibility and light.” “Flexibility is achieved through the integration of both living spaces with adjacent outdoor areas; both spaces become considerably larger with sliding doors open.” “The outcome of this design process is High House; a high level of functionality, flexibility, interaction and detail in a house with high ceilings, a high roofline and high levels of natural light.” This exemplary project is just one of a growing number of refurbishment and new build projects being carried out to update Victorian and Edwardian housing in inner-city Melbourne, creating houses that are fully attuned to modern life. ■

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INT ERVIE W

Philip Gray, Managing Director, Mapei Australia Mapei recently opened a brand new production facility in Wacol, Queensland. Tile Today talks with Philip Gray, the Managing Director of Mapei Australia. Q: When we last spoke back in 2013, you were on the cusp of building a new 16,300 m2 production facility in Wacol, Queensland. Has the plant been full commissioned? A: Yes. We moved the accounting, customer service, marketing, sales and technical support in around the middle of September and then moved the production and warehouse teams and started production of powders and liquids on the 15th of November last year. Leading up to that we were running double shifts 6 days a week to meet the demand. So it is nice to have the new plant capacity, extra warehouse space, meeting rooms, product demonstration areas and a facility to show off to our customers. Q: Readers of Tile Today will appreciate that Mapei manufactures adhesives, grouts and waterproofing products for the installation of tile and stone. They may not be aware that you also produce adhesives for carpet, vinyl, rubber and timber as well as the

fact that Mapei markets 15 distinct product groups, which are relevant to practically every element of the construction industry. Which of these product groups makes the biggest contribution to Mapei’s turnover in Australia? A: Well, of course, the ceramic business is our largest business unit and continues to grow; however, Mapei is also focused on the resilient market where our levellers, waterproofing and adhesives are recognised as the benchmark. The construction market with our structural grouts, repair mortars, epoxy and cementitious flooring, and joint sealants is also gaining traction. Last year we officially launched the Mapei Sport System Technology range, which includes systems for tennis courts, multisport coatings for netball and basketball courts, the Urban Range for school and community play areas, as well as the Mapei Soil and Vertical drainage for artificial and natural playing pitches. Mapei’s new production facility in Wacol, Queensland.

Philip Gray.

Q: Does the same apply in other key international markets? A: Yes. All Mapei subsidiaries increase their product range annually and strive to be the leaders in the building and construction industries. Our R&D facilities around the world are always working tirelessly to formulate products that will assist builders, architects, designers, contractors and end users. Q: Which products do you manufacture at the new facility? A: We manufacture a full range of cementitious adhesives, grouts, levelling compounds and repair mortars, as well as admixtures for concrete and cement production. Q: You previously stated that: “as the market (in Australia) becomes more aware of our professional, but easy to use products”, that you anticipated wider acceptance of Mapei materials. Is this process occurring or are Mapei products still primarily recognised for their use in commercial applications? A: Mapei’s reputation for quality products in the commercial sector will always continue. In addition, however, Mapei products are becoming more and more available through the retail market. This is a positive outcome for the professional contractor as Mapei products are available through a wider range of outlets. These same outlets can also cater for the DIY market, enabling clients’ access to the right product for the job. 60

58 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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INT ERVIE W

Mapei manufacture an extensive range of products at their new premises including cementitious adhesives, grouts and levelling compounds.

additional changes in the short term. But, in saying that, there is always the opportunity to grow in new markets like our successful launch into the sports surfaces market. Q: The new facility in Wacol will host an Australian Stone Advisory Association seminar at the end of October. Mapei will provide one of the speakers. Will you take the opportunity to show the new facility to individuals who register for the seminars? A: We are really looking forward to hosting this seminar and showing off the facility, and to share our experience with those attending. It’s good to contribute. ■

58 Q: I assume that the new production facility is designed to provide Mapei with the potential to penetrate all areas of the market? A: Mapei builds their plants to run efficiently as they possibly can. So, for example, in the Asia Pacific Region we have plants that manufacture different products to supply to the other Mapei companies. It works very well and we understand our supply chain. Q: The tile adhesive market in Australia is ultra-competitive: Mapei’s products are recognised worldwide. You need a talented sales team to penetrate the market. Have you built a team that is capable of taking Mapei to the next level in Australia, or is that a work in progress? A: When I joined Mapei back in January 2012 I inherited a dedicated, talented and loyal team, and based on this I was then able to attract further experienced and talented sales people. People want to work with good people: Mapei is an employer of choice – people want to work for Mapei. Q: Realta Mapei, a magazine which is circulated in numerous countries,

60 | TILE TODAY #90 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

focuses on company developments and recently completed projects. I imagine that each of these projects provides fresh challenges in regards to nominating the right products and overcoming potential hurdles. Do you turn to your peers overseas for guidance when you come across a particular problem; for example, which adhesive can be used for a particular stone in a certain environment? A: Mapei is a technical company and, in turn, Mapei Australia is a technically strong company. We employ qualified people to support the specifiers and our customers in choosing the correct systems. When people deal with Mapei they understand why. We have eight qualified people working in the laboratory and technical department. Q: Mapei does have all the bases covered in regards to your product mix. Nevertheless, research and development has always been important for Mapei. Are there any interesting new products about to be launched in Australia? A: Good question, but the answer is we have all our systems in place for now and don’t envisage making any

The Wacol Tower stands out on the local skyline.

I NSTA L L ATI ON

Crack suppression fundamentals Words by Anthony Stock

hrinkage cracks naturally appear in concrete flooring substrates as the water present in the concrete mix evaporates. Consequently these cracks can transfer from the substrate to the surface of the ceramic or natural stone tiles. Crack suppression membranes, also known as anti-fracture membranes, are designed to act as a barrier between the substrate and the tile. A variety of crack-isolation systems are available, including liquid membranes that can be combined with a mat. Other membranes are applied with a trowel. Some peel and stick sheet membranes can be directly applied to the substrate, others are applied to a preliminary layer of mortar, which isolates the membrane from the substrate. In both cases the tiles are laid in a suitable thin-set adhesive. The assumption that the absence of cracks in new concrete means that cracks will not appear is entirely false. Shrinkage cracks appear at an early stage usually within 12 months of the concrete being poured. Some crack-isolation membranes incorporate waterproofing and noise reduction elements. These products have to be installed in strict accordance with the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions. Most of our leading adhesive manufacturers provide 64 guidance on this subject.

Right: Surface cracks usually appear in new concrete within 12 months of the screed being poured. The entire floor can be covered with an anti-fracture membrane like the featured GreenSkin, which can also be used effectively to isolate individual cracks. (Images courtesy of CDK Stone.)

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I NSTA L L ATI ON 62

“One of the advantages associated with use of some crack-isolation systems on new concrete relates to their ability to cope with the pressure the tile bond creates when moisture evaporates from the substrate. This may permit installation of tile or stone to commence after three days rather than four to six weeks.”

It can pay dividends to use one system of materials – adhesive, grout, waterproofing, sound and crack suppression. However, some of the best crack suppression systems can be used in conjunction with appropriate thin-set adhesives and thick-bed installation methods. One of the advantages associated with use of some crack-isolation systems on new concrete relates to their ability to cope with the pressure the tile bond creates when moisture evaporates from the substrate. This may permit installation of tile or stone to commence after three days rather than four to six weeks. When waterproofing of the substrate or installation of tile over new concrete is not required, a system can be specified that permits crack-isolation and tiling to be carried out promptly.

Are crack-isolation systems essential? Products are getting larger and, in many instances, thinner. Larger tiles

equate to a reduction in the number of grout joints and, in some instances, the width of the grout joint. This may provide a pleasing aesthetic but it may place greater stress on the tiles when there is no barrier between the substrate and the tile. Crack-isolation membranes can prevent shrinkage cracks but will not prevent cracking caused by structural problems. In most instances, contractors fill shrinkage cracks before they apply the specified crack suppression membrane. However, it is important to realise that, ultimately, the key factor is the ability of the over-laid crack suppression membrane to withstand any movement generated by the crack. The act of filling or bridging a crack does not provide a total solution. In some instances, it will be advisable to cover the entire floor with a membrane prior to tiling. Much depends on the size and location of the area to be tiled: this usually determines the need for movement (expansion) joints. In relatively small internal areas perimeter movement joints, which are normally hidden beneath skirting boards or tile upstands, will cope with anticipated movement. In large, internal or external locations, movement joints should be incorporated in the tiling, directly over, or as close as possible to movement joints that are present in the substrate. This is particularly important in areas where tiled floors are subjected to strong sunlight. Tile layers need to obtain precise instructions about installing crack suppression membranes over existing movement joints. In many instances, old concrete floors, which are scheduled to be re-tiled, will feature a number of cracks. These can be treated individually with careful use of a peel and stick crack suppression membrane. Care must be taken to ensure that the applied membrane is installed correctly, with the right width and length to negate any movement in the crack that might transfer to the surface and cause reflective cracking in the tiling. ■

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Why are expansion joints needed in tile and stone applications? By Fred Gray, Laticrete Technical Service Manager

he basic answer is that in the construction world everything moves. Therefore, accommodation for this movement is required to prevent materials from falling apart and causing destructive failure. This principle is no different when it comes to ceramic tile and stone installations. Movement is a natural part of these installations and must be accounted for and accommodated. There have been many industry related articles written on this topic that can be consulted for additional information. In addition, AS3958.1 & 2 provides a very detailed explanation of the requirements and necessity for expansion joint construct, design and placement. Consulting AS3958.1 & 2 for this vital information is a great place to start; a point that needs reinforcing given the number of projects I have attend where this has not been considered, despite the prominence of issues relating to their inclusion or correct installation. Because of the limitless conditions and structural systems on which tile, glass, and stone can be installed, especially on larger projects, it is the responsibility of the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architect and engineer to show the specific locations and details of movement joints on project drawings. It is the project designer/project architect/ project engineerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibility to detail and outline the requirements for each specific project. Design Professionals have available to them tables that outline the expansion rates (coefficient of expansion) of most building materials. In their calculations, they can predict how much movement will take place on a given project over a specific substrate using a specific type of adhesive and installation method.

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There are many reasons why this could have occurred including the lack of or poor construction of movement joints.

As you can imagine, there are countless combinations. There is no way that an installer can know which combination is applicable before they walk onto a project. Therefore, for best results; the “sizing” and “placement” of expansion / movement joints should be CALCULATED rather than assumed. What is the “formula” for calculating the sizes and placement of expansion joints? In short, it is the tile coefficient of expansion -x- temperature range -x- distance between joints. • The tile coefficient information should be available from the manufacturer or standard architectural references. • The temperature range is the lowest anticipated ambient temperature to highest surface temperature that the project will experience. • The distance between the joints is the only variable in the equation. This can be varied to achieve a joint of proper minimum and maximum width. Otherwise, if the planned distance between joints is fixed or if there is a minimum or maximum distance required, the joint width must be followed. Note that the formula is not a simple one-dimensional calculation. There is also differential thermal movement of the underlying substrate, as well as moisture shrinkage/expansion, live loads (including seismic or wind) or dead loads, which may take precedence and determine minimum width of joints over thermal movement. In the absence of a design professional, as a safe harbour, AS3958.1 & 2 suggestions outlined in the guides can be followed. However, if you are unsure, consult other industry professionals. It is interesting to note that the stone industry also points back to these documents for stone tile installations. Some of the factors that affect the movement of tile installations are as follows. All of these factors cause the tile and stone installation

to move. If this movement is not accommodated for, the restriction in movement can allow the grout to crack or powder out or the tile to pop up or “tent” up: • Physical building movement This can include the movement, vibration and deflection that an installation undergoes. This type of movement is the most common and can lead to failure if the proper measures are not implemented. • Shrinkage of concrete Shrinkage of concrete occurs during the curing and hydration of concrete as moisture loss occurs. When this occurs, concrete naturally shrinks. In today’s world of fast track construction, it has become normal to install tile and stone over newer concrete slabs that may not have experienced all the shrinkage that they will undergo. In many cases, you may see tiles tented up over new installations. The reason for this is that the concrete has continued to shrink down as it is curing and the tile installation has remained the same in size. More frequent expansion joint placement can allow for this type of movement and keep the tile installation in place. • Thermal movement Thermal movement can include temperature fluctuations and changes in environmental temperature. This is easy to understand when it comes to exterior applications. However, in indoor applications, it is not even considered. Keep in mind that installations are subject to the cycling of cooling and heating systems that heat and cool the air. Moving air across an installation will cause the temperature to fluctuate and will cause the installation to move. In addition, radiant heat flooring is gaining in popularity and can also affect and stress the installation. The creation of temperature difference on the surface of the installation and behind the installation can also create stresses that need 68 accommodation.

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In exteriors, imagine an installation sitting in the sun. At times, these installations can reach temperatures of well over 60ºC. Then a quick rain shower comes by and douses the installation with cool rain. In this instance, the temperature can drop down to 21ºC in a matter of seconds. This type of stress needs to be accommodated by expansion joints or loss of bond can occur. Also freezing and thawing can affect an installation. Interior installations that have skylights or are surrounded by windows and glass doors may need to be treated as exterior applications. Expansion joint frequency and width should be increased in exterior and immersed applications due to more extreme conditions. In like manner, some interior applications can also see the same type of extreme conditions. • Moisture expansion: In some cases, the finish material used can take on moisture due to its porosity rate. Over time, this absorption of moisture can cause

growth in the finish material. This growth can lead to loss of bond if periodic expansion joint placement is not available to accommodate this potential movement. • Encroachment of dissimilar building materials Perimeter expansion joints are required on all installations to allow free movement at the perimeter of the installation. Generally, a perimeter movement joint is a minimum 6mm in width. Dissimilar building materials can precipitate even faster rates of expansion and can encroach upon the tile and stone installation. It is good practice to place a soft movement joint at all changes of finish materials to accommodate this movement. • Changes of plane Movement joints are also required at all changes of plane: for example, the corners and coves of an installation, or the transition between stair treads and risers. There is greater stress at these areas and they therefore require the use of a soft movement joint.

Treatment of existing movement joints Existing movement joints can take several forms. They are as follows: a) dynamic movement joints are joints in a substrate that are designed to take and absorb dynamic movement; b) control joints are joints that are sawn into green concrete to help control shrinkage of concrete; c) cold joints occur between two adjacent pours of concrete; d) perimeter isolation joints occur at the perimeter of an installation. In all cases, it is best to honour all movement joints and carry them up through the bedding and tile or stone finish layer. These joints should follow the profile and maintain the minimum required width of the joint. In no instance should the movement joint in the tile work be narrower than the existing joint in the substrate. In some instances, a crack isolation membrane can be used over the control and cold joints. If there are no existing movement joints in the substrate, that does not absolve the

Diagram: Typical movement joint detail with two sided bond for the sealant. The width to depth ratio of the sealant is important.

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tile or stone finish layer of requiring an expansion joint at the finish layer. Expansion joints are still required to be placed at the finish layer.

Type of expansion joint materials Possibly the best type of expansion joint material that can be used is a flexible silicone or urethane sealant placed over a closed cell foam backer rod. The sealant used in expansion joints should achieve a minimum SHORE A hardness of 35. It is best to achieve a two-sided bond only to the flanks of the open joint in the tile. The two-sided bond allows for maximum movement of the sealant. A threesided bond to the substrate can restrict the total capable movement of the flexible sealant and cause premature joint cracking and disintegration. Bond breaker tape (a narrow sliver of tape) can be placed in joints that are too shallow to receive the closed cell foam backer rod. This bond breaker tape also makes provision for a two sided sealant bond. In certain cases, a suitable primer should be used in wet area conditions or when using a porous finish material (e.g. sandstone). Pre-fabricated expansion joint strips are also available and can be used in many applications. An advantage to these strips is that they protect the exposed tile edge better than the flexible sealants. However, a drawback to the strips is that they do not allow for full joint movement as do the sealant joints. Some of these strips are composed of very hard plastic or metal and are not as forgiving as the sealant joint. If they are used, it may be a good idea to increase the frequency of placement and/or allow for a wider space when they are placed. Latex- or acrylic-based caulks are not suitable for flooring applications or for vertical applications that will be exposed to moisture or the elements.

Effects of renovations At times, a failure can occur within a tile or stone installation after construction renovation has taken place on an installation. For example, a large skylight is cut into an existing space and now the tile installation is exposed to direct sunlight, whereas in the past it never

saw the light of day. When this type of renovation takes place, the tile and stone installation should be re-evaluated to determine if it now complies with its new environment. In far too many cases, it is taken for granted that the tile will be just fine. Unfortunately, that really is not the case and a failure can result.

Expansion joint placement All installations require perimeter expansion joints. The minimum width for the perimeter joints is 6mm. If the perimeter will be covered with a cover strip, then the joint can be left open to allow for the movement. If the joint will be exposed, then it should be treated with a suitable flexible sealant. In addition, if the size of the installation is large enough to warrant intermediate movement joints, then they should be placed as directed and outlined by the construction documents or AS3958.1 & 2. Exterior applications will require more frequent and wider expansion joint placement and width. It is also not advisable to cut in expansion joints after the tile or stone installation has been placed and grouted. The damage that can occur before the saw cutting takes may be irreversible. Therefore, following industry requirements to construct the joints as the work progresses is the best course of action. In addition, the space left for the movement joint should be clear of anything that can potentially restrict movement, including thin set mortar, spacers, dirt and debris.

Summary This is a well-documented subject and at the sake of being overly repetitious, installers need to understand how important they are and how exposed they can be if the required amount of attention to them is not given. To summarise and emphasise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all tile and stone installations require movement joints. All buildings will move; therefore, accommodation for this movement is necessary. To properly review and place movement joints, the best time to discuss and deal with the issue is before the installation takes place. This will help to avoid problems and finger pointing after the installation is completed. â&#x2013;

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Risk of shower waterproofing failure Waterproofing is different to most other trades within the building industry in that any defect, no matter how small, will result in some damage to the building’s amenity or structure. By Barry Schafer, Australian Institute of Waterproofing

eing a fluid, water flows across the waterproofed surface testing every part for its integrity. The larger the area that requires waterproofing the bigger the risk of water finding a defect. Once water finds a defect, no matter how small, then some leakage will occur. The extent of the damage from this water leaking through a leak point depends on the source of the water feed. The source can be either from a flow that occurs during usage or a feed from storage of water within the waterproofed area. Water stored within the waterproofed area can continue to feed out through the defect for hours after use, often by capillary action. With internal waterproofing the slope that can be provided on the horizontal surface is very limited so there will always be a considerable amount of water on this surface held in place by surface tension. It therefore makes sense to contain water within a building to the area where water regularly flows or splashes. This minimises the risk of water being able to find a defect in the waterproofing. From a risk point of view any large area that requires waterproofing, is more likely to contain a defect. Showers where water flows across the horizontal surface are naturally at high risk of failure. This is why AS3740 – 2010 ‘Waterproofing of domestic wet areas’ has requirements to keep shower water within the defined shower area. There are two types of showers defined within AS 3740: an enclosed shower where water spread is controlled within the screened 72 shower area, and an unenclosed

Figure 1: Enclosed shower.

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Figure 2: Unenclosed shower.

shower where water is not confined within the screened area. A typical enclosed shower is shown in figure 1 and an unenclosed shower in figure 2. With a shower that has its floor level at the same level as the bathroom floor, there is a requirement to install a water-stop angle that protrudes above the floor level under the base of the shower screen. This is designed to prevent water leakage out from under the base of the screen as shown in figure 3. Frameless glass screens have a water leakage problem at the base

of the screen door unless they are fitted with a device to prevent water tracking across the bottom of the door, and dripping off the outside edge by surface tension. A typical example of such leakage from a door not fitted with such a device is shown in figure 4. Here water flowed out from under the screen door across the floor behind the WC pan, and into the bathroom floor waste located on the right-hand side of the pan. This occurred in spite of the presence of a small metal hob fitted below and just on the outside surface of the glass door.

Figure 3: Water-stop under screen where floor level inside and outside shower is the same.

Figure 4: Water leakage out from a frameless glass screen door.

Figure 5: IBS_TileToday_ShowerGrip_QPC.pdf Damage to nib wall bottom plate.

“Frameless glass screens have a water leakage problem at the base of the screen door unless they are fitted with a device to prevent water tracking across the bottom of the door, and dripping off the outside edge by surface tension.” Some shower screens with frames still have leakage from under the door. Figure 5 depicts the damage to a bottom plate of a nib wall outside the shower with a screen similar to that shown in figure 1.This shows that even some framed glass screens do not control the spread of water within the shower area. Without actually running the shower that caused the damage shown in figure 5, it was not possible to find the water leakage that was causing the damage. Apart from the damage to the bottom plate the water also leaked onto the ceiling of the room below the bathroom. This type of damage occurred in what looks like an enclosed shower. It makes me question if there is a requirement for a testing protocol to determine the effectiveness of shower screens in the control of the spread of water? There is a testing protocol of water leakage in windows in AS 4420.5 – 1996 ‘Methods of test – Water penetration resistance test’. Uncontrolled water leakage from showers can result in just as much damage, or even more, than that occurring through leaking windows. ■ C

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New 5kg bag Ardex Australia has released the popular X 18 - fibre reinforced flexible non slump wall and floor tile adhesive in a 5kg bag.

ADH-44 (C2ETS1) is premium quality, high strength, flexible cement based polymer modified tile adhesive with superior non slip, non slump properties suitable for use with larger format tiles including porcelain, ceramic, marble and granite.

The 5kg will be an addition to the Ardex adhesive range and will run alongside the 20kg bag. The X 18 has established itself as the top performing adhesive in the range since its release.

Available in 20kg bags in off white and white colours, ADH-44 will cover 7m with a 10mm notched trowel, Suitable for internal and external applications including bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, decks, verandahs and with ACT SPMat acoustic underlay systems.

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PrimeSil Designer Silicone Bostik PrimeSil Designer Silicone is a single component, elastic, acetic cure silicone for indoor and outdoor use. It is available in a range of 14 colours to match the ASA Designer Grout range of tiling grouts. Features include: • especially stiff body for optimized tooling properties; • ageing and weather resistant; good UV resistance; • very good adhesion on glass, glazed surfaces (enamel, tiles) and anodized aluminium; • compatible with paints; • added fungicide for superior mould and fungal resistance. BOSTIK www.bostik.com.au 03 9279 9333

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ACT LVL-25 is a premium leading edge, fast setting and self-levelling, self-flattening cement compound and underlayment designed to level and flatten uneven floor substrates.

S-25 is a premium European quality, highly flexible acetic cure silicone, ideal for all expansion and connecting joints for internal and external tiling applications.

It can be used for both internal and external floor applications from feather edge to 25mm thickness in a single pour.

S-25 provides superior adhesion with 25% total joint movement capability and contains exceptional mould resistant properties with superior application and clean up properties. It enables quicker application while always achieving an optimum finish to your tiling project.

LVL-25 can be economically bulked out with clean 2mm-5mm aggregate up to 100mm. Available in a 20kg bag, LVL-25 will cover 4m at 3mm thickness.

It is suitable for adhering to ceramic tiles, porcelain, glass, aluminium, fibre glass, plastics, painted surfaces and other non-porous surfaces.

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Unigrip Unigrip is a premium grade polymer, modified, fibre reinforced white cement based tile adhesive. Non slump, it is ideal for large format tiles in internal, external, wall and floor situations. It is designed for bonding all types of ceramic, stone and mosaic tiles onto a variety of substrates like concrete, render, rendered brickwork blockwork, Gyprock, plasterboard and fibre cement.

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Clip-iT The unique Clip-It tile levelling system from CTA is proudly designed and manufactured right here in Australia. It has been engineered with the intent to achieving an optimum finish to your tiling project. Clip-iT’s clever light grey Clip component is made from an Australian premium blend of virgin polymer material designed to easily break where it is meant to… beneath the tile every time! The larger black Wedge component has been specially designed with soft round edges and larger thumbprint saving the finger fatigue that can be experienced with other wedge systems. ACT AUSTRALIA 1300 794 321 www.actaus.com

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Ultracare Penetrating Plus Ultracare Penetrating Plus is a natural-look, water-based penetrating sealer that provides maximum protection against most common stains for all interior and exterior natural stone, unglazed ceramic tile and grout. Penetrating Plus is available in 473ml, 946ml and 3.79 litre containers and is suitable for use on: marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, slate and travertine, some unglazed porcelain tile, masonry surfaces, cement pavers, quarry tiles, concrete and bricks as well as cementitious grouts. Penetrating Plus will not alter the appearance or slip resistance or your surface but will offer a premium water-based solution with maximum MAPEI 07 3276 5000 www.mapei.com.au

ADH-55 ADH-55 (C2ETS1) is a premium quality, high strength, flexible cement based tile adhesive used for wall and floor applications. Engineered for use in high traffic areas including shopping malls and driveways as well as in swimming pools, ADH-55 can be used as an adhesive and grout in a one process application saving time and money.

Laticrete 345 Platinum is a multi-purpose cement based adhesive for interior and exterior installation of tile and stone, reduced thickness porcelain, quarry tile, pavers and thin brick.

Available in a 20kg bag, ADH-55 will cover 8.5m with a 10mm notched trowel. It is suitable for both internal and external applications including bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, decks, verandahs and with ACT SP-Mat acoustic underlay systems.

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Mapecem Mapecem is a special fast setting hydraulic binder for the preparation of rapid setting and drying (24 hours) screeds with controlled shrinkage. Mapecem is used for the formation of floating and bonded screeds on both existing and new slabs for the installation of ceramic tiles, stone material, wood or any other flooring where rapid drying and immediate relaying is required. Mapecem is available in 20 kg bags. MAPEI 07 3276 5000 www.mapei.com.au

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LOCAL NEWS The Beaumont Studio Malvern In November 2014, when the Beaumont Tiles group opened its 100th outlet in Manly, Sydney, Bob Beaumont, the group’s Managing Director said: “Our absolute goal has been to be the best at what we do and the growth has followed.” Until recently the prime objective was to market high quality tiles and bathroom ware to the public, builders and designers. The buying power that Beaumont Tiles has gained since it commenced trading in 1960 provides the company with access to some of the very finest ceramic tiles and natural stone products produced by leading European and Asian manufacturers. The recent launch of two Beaumont Studios in Malvern, Melbourne and Fortitude Valley, Brisbane provides architects and designers with an opportunity to source a variety of exclusive products. At the Beaumont Studio opening in Malvern on 19 May 2016, a large number of industry protagonists and design/construct professionals gathered to view a substantial collection of carefully chosen products,

which reflect the very best elements of the prevailing trends in tile, stone and bathroom ware. The Beaumont Studios contain spaces that are specifically designed for use by specifiers. Many of the products on display have never been marketed in Australia before. The geometric designs were particularly impressive. The slim 1000 by 3000 by 3.5 mm thickness Coverlam, maximum impact panels of high quality porcelain are strengthened by fibreglass, which allows these radical products to be curved. As Bob Beaumont cut the ribbon and officially opened this attractive new addition to the pantheon of Beaumont Tile outlets he stated: “This is a space we’ve built for designers and architects. Striking products from the world over to inspire your design directions.” Bob Beaumont officially opens the second Beaumont Studio

Laticrete celebrates 60 years of industry firsts

The new Beaumont Studio in Malvern, Victoria provides architects and designers with access to exclusive tile, stone and bathroom ware products in an environment created primarily for their use.

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Laticrete founder, Dr Rothberg with his wife seen on site in 1963.

For 60 years, Laticrete has been focused and committed to bringing improvements and innovation into building materials and products. This tradition lives on today and is evident in the caliber of products Laticrete continually introduces to the market. Laticrete is all about product innovation with advancements achieved in the areas of waterproofing, soundproofing, floor warming, adhesives, mortars, grouts, concrete solutions and more. Laticrete products are industry accepted, code approved and backed by 100% materials system warranties, thereby assuring a successful installation each and every way. However, their best guarantee is their legacy with more than half a decade of experience with industrial, commercial and residential installations in every imaginable climate around the world. Laticrete methods, materials and technology have been field and laboratory proven by architects, engineers, contractors and owners. Offering an array of low VOC and sustainable products, Laticrete products contribute to LEED certification, exceed commercial/residential VOC building requirements, and are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.

Davco launches new website Davco’s new website - www.parexdavco. com.au - is packed with product information to ensure professional tilers and retailers can confidently select the right products for each project. With a modern and clean layout, coupled with simple to use navigation, Davco is putting the power of information at the fingertips of the professionals with a minimum number of clicks. Its responsive design ensures it works equally well on mobile devices so it can be easily accessed on-site. Website features include: • The System Selector, which enables professionals and store staff to easily choose the right products for all stages of their project according to the application and substrate. • The Grout Colour Selector demonstrates how different grout colours can change the look of a job and help your clients make the best decision for their project. • The Grout Calculator works out the right amount needed for the job ensuring minimal wastage and overspend. Product data sheets with detailed features and benefits, application information and detailed technical specification data, as well as material safety data sheets (MSDS) can all be easily found and downloaded.

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CERSAIE Bologna, Italy, 26 – 30 September 2016

The Laticrete and Europe Imports Swimming Pool training seminar.

Seminar a success Europe Imports recently held a Laticrete and Europe Imports Swimming Pool training seminar at its store in Seven Hills, NSW. Attendees were a mix of pool builders, pool tilers and mosaic tilers. Fred Gray, Laticrete’s Technical Service Manager and Joe Tabone, Laticrete NSW’s Technical Representative, worked through the Laticrete and Ezzari JointPoint glass mosaic specification for a 15 year system warranty, using Ezzari mosaic tiles inside and around concrete swimming pools. The training seminar focused on the important factors of using a full Laticrete tiling system from preparation to final cleaning. Tradies got the opportunity to get their hands dirty by taking part in a hands-on demonstration with Spectralock Pro Grout. Carl Yench from Europe Imports discussed the Ezzari unique dot mount / JointPoint technology and the accuracy on the placement of the dot; some easy cutting techniques as well as installation techniques to help on the aesthetics of the job. Carl said he was extremely pleased with the overall experience and is looking at continuing these seminars with Laticrete.

Trakt tile range wins Red Dot award The Trakt tile range from Poland has won apresitigious Red Dot award. According to the Red Dot award jury: “Trakt is a collection of highquality ceramic tiles that gains points for its natural appearance that is suited to a range of different interiors.” Manufactured in Poland by Ceramika Paradyz, the surface of the Trakt ceramic tile range appears in varied forms and full of contrasts, just like natural materials. The tiles can take on the appearance of concrete, stone, soil or a country footpath. The collection offers a range of natural earthy tones, which lend themselves very well to being combined. The high-quality, precision-made tiles are manufactured with a tolerance of 0.2 mm and are suited for use in the home as well as in public spaces such as hotels, restaurants or shops.

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Randwick TAFE graduation awards Laticrete was invited by Randwick TAFE, NSW, to sponsor a new perpetual award for Outstanding Student in the area of Certificate lll in Wall and Floor Tiling at Randwick TAFE for the 2016 annual graduation evening in May 2016. The inaugural award is the prestigious Dr HM Rothberg Trophy for Outstanding Achievement for Stage 3, for the final year of students.Students also received their much awaited TAFE certificates on the night. Dr HM Rothberg was the founder of Laticrete and the thin-bed mortar, 4237 Latex Additive, which has helped shape the future of the tile and flooring industry. Laticrete is a firm supporter of TAFE NSW, providing education, training and materials, and helping to develop current and future generations of tradespeople that come through this much valued, skills and learning centre.

Award recipient Nurudeen Adeleke of Bel Castro Tiling, Sydney, with Craig Hunter, Laticrete’s NSW Technical Representative.

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New design centre for National Tiles National Tiles recently held an invitation-only launch event for its new Mornington, VIC store to celebrate its ‘best showroom yet’. The state-of-the-art design centre has an impressive selection of premium tiles from the world’s leading designers and manufacturers. National Tiles’ ever-evolving range includes cutting edge design and premium quality products from Australia, Europe, Asia and South America. The company can also source or produce tiles by request, tailored to specific feature or design briefs; they can even create tiles to complement an existing style.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Keramika

ASEAN‘s only dedicated ceramic event will bring the region’s ceramic manufacturers and international suppliers of raw materials, equipment and machineries together in March 2017. One of the top ceramic producing country in ASEAN, Indonesia is also one of the largest ceramic consumers in the world. Co-located with MegaBuild Indonesia, Keramika will be held at the Jakarta Convention Centre from 16 to 19 March 2017. www.keramika.co.id

RAK Ceramics

UEA-based RAK Ceramics has acquired all the remaining shares in two overseas subsidiaries RAK Ceramics UK and RAK Germany. Complementing this move, RAK Ceramics has also announced the

appointment of a new leadership team to head its core European operations. The move is expected to support RAK Ceramics as it grows within Europe’s high-value markets and further consolidates the interests of its global operations. Alvin Biggs has been appointed as Managing Director for RAK UK. Math Rietrae has been appointed as General Manager of RAK Ceramics’ Central Europe division, based in Germany and Søren Hougaard has been appointed as General Manager of RAK Ceramics’ North Europe division, based in Denmark. RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics manufacturers in the world, with an annual production capacity of 110 million m2 of tiles, five million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 600,000 taps. It exports approximately 70% of its output.

owe much to the excellent market performance of the Lamina process for the production of large porcelain panels and of the Creadigit digital printing system, with over 600 machines sold in the 30 months since the printer’s launch, including 80 in China in 2015 alone. System Group’s Logistics division has achieved astonishing growth since 2008. Payroll has risen from 92 to 512 and turnover from Euro 30 to Euro 136 million. It has now installed more than 1,200 Modula (automatic vertical storage) units across the world.

ABK

Vinci Partners

Vinci Partners, the Brazilian investment company with a majority share in Cecrisa, has invested in two Sacmi MMC180 continuous modular mills and two ATM180 spray dryers. This will boost the Brazilian manufacturer’s tile body output by 80 tons per hour. A new high-productivity line, for both glazed porcelain and monoporosa tiles, has also been installed by Cecrisa. This features Sacmi PH5000L presses, a five-tier ECP307 dryer, a JMC315 prekiln and a 162 metre long FMC 325 kiln.

System Group System Group has reported a 15% turnover growth in 2015 to around Euro 450 million. The goal for 2016 is Euro 530 million. These results

Having posted 11% growth in 2015, ABK is investing in an innovative Sacmi production plant, consisting of the Continua+ line and the EKO kiln, at its factory in Solignano, Italy. In 2015 the Solignano facility saw investment worth a total of Euro 15 million, including the purchase of a new six-colour 400-dpi digital decorating machines from System. Over the last two years (2014/2015) ABK has also invested Euro 5 million in its Finale Emilia factory, especially in production plant for the new Auto-Leveling and Wall & Porcelain materials.

Gemma Gemma has opened the company’s first permanent factory showroom in Spain. This features display of all Gemma’s new sizes and designs, along with new trends, in over 40 room sets and 100 technical panels. The new 500 m2 Castellon showroom has a light and modern atmosphere designed to promote Gemma’s design inspiration and lifestyle ceramics to their best advantage.

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Marazzi Group Marazzi Group has adopted the latest digital products from Projecta Engineering for use at its facilities in Fiorano and Sassuolo: G5, the new generation of digital decorating machines launched in June 2015, and Evo7 (hybrid model). The first completely modular digital decoration system, G5 covers the entire glazing process and further improves all digital technologies developed to date.

extract iconic Bath Stone. Lovell Stone Group has invested heavily in new equipment for Hartham Park, including a Fantini chainsaw.

software. The eight DHD digital decorators currently installed in the group’s facilities will now be joined by a further six machines.

The Abstract Maze

Eporta

Sicis

Sicis, one of the world’s leading brands of mosaics products, is set to open its first UK showroom in London, which the company sees as the nerve centre of design and luxury, and among the most important market for Made in Italy goods. The location will be in the heart of Mayfair, at 15A Dover Street, the most chic and prestigious neighbour of the English capital. Located in a four-storey Victorian town house, every floor will be shown a different part of Sicis. The concept of the project takes up the points and the guidelines introduced by Massimiliano Raggi for positioning the brand. The showroom will host mosaics in many materials including marble, silver and gold, as well as bi- and tridimensional artistic mosaics, furniture and lights. Sicis will also launch, for first time, new luxury fabrics that recall some of the company’s most iconic mosaic patterns.

Lovell Stone Group Lovell Stone Group, which took over the lease of Hartham Park Bath Stone underground quarry near Bath, England in February, has started to

The Abstract Maze exhibition, conceived by Patrick Norguet for the Lea Ceramiche showroom on Via Durini, Milan, showcases Naive Slimtech in all of its chromatic variety and in its integration with the architectural space. The imposing slabs, cut into irregular shapes and positioned in varying directions and at various heights, create new spatial boundaries. Metal tubes extend from the ceiling to the floor, a ‘weave’ of coloured lines that recalls the pattern of the project and creates a new architectural landscape.

Cosentino The Spanish Cosentino Group, a global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces, hired 685 new employees worldwide in 2015, including more than 200 in Spain. In 2015 Cosentino opened more than 10 Cosentino Centres worldwide, new Cosentino Cities in New York and Milan, and took over a major Canadian distributor. As a results, Cosentino ended the year with over 100 of its own logistics and sales facilities around the world. The group’s estimated consolidated turnover for 2015 was Euro 715 million, 20% up on 2014.

RAK Ceramics An important order for the DHD printers was received from RAK Ceramics, which is installing new DHD inkjet printers, together with the Crono 3.0 colour management

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Eporta, the online trade-only marketplace that connects over 1,000 interior trade buyers to more than 750 global brands - www.eporta.com - has listed the most popular products by category in the first of its quarterly trend reports showing what the interior trade is buying. The data identifies the most popular products sold and searched for by the global customer base and proves that interior designers and trade buyers are above all looking for quality and originality, with colour and pattern both featuring heavily. Eporta was set up in 2014 by Aneeqa Khan, who was previously the strategy director for Zoopla.

Banned toxic substances Further to the discovery that XPS (extruded polystyrene) cored tile backerboards manufactured in China are being produced using banned and toxic substances, subsequent tests have shown that other such boards originating in the country contain these materials, according to a press release issued by a group of the leading European brands. Jackoboard, Marmox and Wedi had previously provided test information to the UK’s Environment Agency regarding the chemicals incorporated in Chinese manufactured XPS boards. These showed that the boards contained blowing agent gases, which are banned in Europe due to their harmful effect on the environment. The boards also incorporated a highly toxic fire retardant at quantities also banned throughout Europe. Recently, Jackoboard, Marmox and Wedi submitted further samples of the boards in question to two leading independent European testing laboratories. The results showed that these boards contained blowing agent gases, which were banned in Europe 14 years ago, and four times the permitted level of toxic fire retardant.

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Champion

machines. The entire handling system for platforms and roller boxes will be managed automatically by Pegaso laserguided vehicles.

Al Ezz Ceramics

Champion Building Materials’ full-body porcelain tile production line is due to begin operation at the factory in Miaoli, Taiwan, in July 2016. Led for over 25 years by Chairman Lin Rong-De, the Taiwanese company commissioned CMF Technology to construct a new Tech Tower capable of providing high tonnage presses (PH 7500) with multiple blends of spray-dried powders, micronized powders and granules, with up to 20 different mixtures for each press.

Ceramica Del Conca

A latest-generation G5 digital printer supplied by Projecta Engineering, part of Siti B&T Group, has been installed by leading Egyptian ceramic tile manufacturer Al Ezz Ceramics & Porcelain Co, best known for its Gemma brand. The modular G5 system can accommodate up to 14 fully independent decoration modules. The machine installed at Al Ezz has a 700mm print width and is currently equipped with seven decoration modules. Four Evolve series printers are already in operation at the facility.

Ceramika Tubadzin

A complete ceramic tile finishing plant has been supplied by Ancora, part of Siti B&T Group, to Ceramica Del Conca for the company’s facility in San Clemente, Italy. The line consists of machines for polishing, incision, scoring/snapping, squaring and chamfering, as well as a treatment system for sizes up to 1,200 by 1,200mm that is capable of producing strips up to 150 by 1,200mm in size.

CMF Technology CMF Technology and Estima have signed a new supply contract for the Noginsky production plant in Russia, building on many years of co-operation between the two companies. It includes a new storage system for fired and unfired material equipped with TFLAT and TBOX loading and unloading

Polish porcelain tile manufacturer Ceramika Tubadzin has commissioned a powder preparation plant from LB for the production of large-size full-body porcelain tiles. LB will also supply Rolltech and Stonech 2.0 for products made using the double-filling technique. These systems can produce large ceramic surfaces with the high aesthetic quality required by today’s market.

and more on display, Ceramics of Italy will continue to demonstrate its innovative offerings to the design and architecture community,” said Vittorio Borelli, President of Confindustria Ceramica. “Each year, ICFF provides the opportunity for a smaller group of exhibitors to showcase their wares side-by-side.” Participating companies included Ascot Ceramiche, Atlas Concorde, Ceramiche Refin, Cerdisa, Cooperativa d’Imola, Edilcuoghi, Edimax, Emilceramica, Fap Ceramiche, Fincibec, Florim, Gigacer, Italgraniti, Marca Corona 1741, Mirage, Ornamenta, Settecento, Simas and Vallelunga & Co; with several representing multiple brands.

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Ceramics of Italy From 14 to 17 May, Ceramics of Italy hosted a multi-brand pavilion at New York City’s Javits Center during ICFF. This provided Ceramics of Italy a chance to showcase a selection of the latest Italian ceramics in the New York market. The pavilion displayed a range of products from 19 leading Italian ceramic companies. “With erasable tiles, 20mm outdoor pavers, slim sanitaryware

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