More than 900 companies from 33 countries around the world descend on Bologna, Italy, annually to showcase their ceramics and toilet products in the CERSAIE, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings.
From what I could see in the 2013 event, the Italian ceramic industry is forging ahead with its plans to push ceramic tiles as the sustainable material of their future. Meanwhile, a huge selection of Spanish companies appear to be giving Italy a run for the money, presenting stylish patterns that use high-tech methods to produce a handmade appearance.
Here is an summary of some of the highlights and trends that I noticed during my day in the 2013 show, which ran from September 23 to 27. Keep in mind, I did not get to see everything. Covering 176,000 square meters of exhibition space was a challenging task, even within my trusty boots.
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Many Spanish tile organizations are drawing inspiration from their country’s Moorish history, leading to some beautiful patterns that reference the Arabic background of the Mediterranean.
I’d strongly advise looking at samples before ordering any printed tiles, yet. The laser technology that’s utilized to apply the decoration may result in a broad range of quality. Some of the tiles seem almost pixellated up close, whereas many others more closely resemble their hand-painted predecessors.
Tile: Vives
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Meanwhile, a number of the big-name Italian companies have raised the bar on large-format tiles. Larger. Thinner. Lighter. That is the goal.
These superslim products may initially seem somewhat too industrial for a home job, but do not dismiss them. The fact that they are lightweight means that they may be used in areas you might not have thought of. For example, this 11/2- by 3-meter behemoth of solid porcelain is only 6 millimeters thick and seems like Cor-Ten steel.
Tile: Eiffelgres
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
The other significant benefit of those big, thin tiles is the ecological one. This faux cement may be used anywhere you’d want a stained or polished concrete finish, but its impact on the surroundings is a lot lower, because it uses far less raw stuff.
Many producers state that if you were to factor in the saved energy in terms of installation and transport (because it’s lightweight), you would find even more ecological benefits in this kind of material. As the ceramics sector grows, we are likely going to find out more research about the life-cycle prices and savings associated with tile.
Tile: Ariostea
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
As we have seen in recent years, wood textures have been mastered with the ceramics sector. It’s hard to argue against the case for a tile that resembles wood while being a lot easier to clean and maintain.
The trend of this floor substance’s continuing the side of this wall as well as on the ceiling lasts this season. I must mention that there were far fewer big examples, and a lot more stripes like this one cutting throughout the bathroom and emphasizing a specific strip along the wall.
Tile: Sant’Agostino
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Now that we have become accustomed to viewing wood that isn’t wood, tile makers appear to be stretching the limits of what seems natural. Wood-grain textures are being combined in ways that appear much more modern.
Tile: Ariana
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
In accord with the drive for more textures, I saw a couple of companies playing with all the orientation of the tile installation, like tilting tiles slightly and stacking them to make the appearance of shutters or siding.
Tile: Ariana
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Whenever the stacking effect is combined with specially formatted tiles (like these pieces with rounded borders), the architectural impact of the finish becomes essential to the look of this room.
Tile: Natucer
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Another twist on faux-wood tile is the new polished appearance, a glistening alternative to the more rustic interpretations of this timber appearance. I could see this having an elegant floor covering at a formal dining room or study.
though it appears pretty slippery, keep in mind that European tiles are, generally, more slip resistant than those in the USA. American designers often use small tiles that have many joints to provide enough friction for security. In Europe the large-format tiles are needed to be antislip. As the regulations and awareness concerning this growth, I anticipate the U.S. market will see more and more large-format styles, also.
Tile: Sant’Agostino
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Not only do these new surface technologies allow for more slide resistance, but they also address easier ways to clean ceramic tiles. Many companies this season are boasting new coating merchandise or treated tiles with all kinds of associated benefits. This one boasts antibacterial cleanliness and stain removal with just water.
Tile: Hydrotect Self-Cleaning Ceramics by Casalgrande
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
If the wooden appearance or the Moorish hand-painted appearance were for your liking, you might be considering something I observed popping up all over the place.
At a rustic-meets-modern kind of manner, there were several cases of wooden textures being combined with traditional patterns to make large expanses of patchwork. For example, these wooden tiles are cut to form a base grid, after which you can chose any sort of ornamental tile to fill in the boxes.
Tile: Natucer
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Along the very same lines, I watched many exhibits with big collages of ornamental tiles, interrupted by strips of solids, stones or forests.
The variant from the patterned tiles makes a geometric tapestry that seems organic in its own flow of colour. If you were to do exactly the same thing with just one cosmetic pattern, it might fortify the repetition of that pattern’s geometry.
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Tile: Fondovalle
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Now that the ceramic sector has handled wood, stone, metal and cement, I believe we are going to start to see more innovative textures like this one. Especially as the large-format technology grows, so does the chance to treat the tile itself as a piece of artwork or a painting.
The individuality of each tile also becomes more significant, and we’ll see more version and less repeat in each collection. I spoke with a single company that now has 36 different feel pictures for each format of each kind of tile. In tiny spaces it’ll appear as if each one is unique.
Tile: Cisa
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
Natural and organic references persist, but there seems to be more emphasis on feel. Juxtaposing contrasting textures also resulted in some interesting patterns.
Tile: Efesus
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
As important as the tile is what’s between the tiles. At this year’s CERSAIE, I watched several companies playing with the grout for a means to combine two contrasting appearances in subtle ways.
Tile: Sant’Agostino
Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)
The more advanced the technology gets, the easier it’ll be to generate specialty tiles — those with specific formats or abnormal profiles.
Certainly, architects and interior designers will have to start knocking their heads together sooner in the process of designing a home. As the versatility of substances expands, so do the choices.
Tile: Vives