Creative Colours - A Spectrum of Inspiration - Tile and Stone Journal

THE LEADING UK MAGAZINE 

FOR THE TILE & STONE INDUSTRY 

WWW.TILEANDSTONEJOURNAL.COM 

JUNE 2010 

VOLUME 7 NO6 

Creative Colours - A Spectrum of Inspiration 

STONE SUPPLIERS 

Extensive survey of 

UK distributors 

and wholesalers 

BARRIER MATTING 

How to keep dirt from 

soiling tile and stone 

flooring 

QUALICER 2010 

Possible future 

applications for 

ceramic tiles explored 

ST MALACHY’S 

Case study of a stunning 

church restoration 

in Belfast 

T 

T A 

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TILE ASSOCIATION

June 2010 

Volume 7 Number 6 

Editor 

Joe Simpson 

tandsjournal@aol.com 

T: 01580 752404 

M: 07885 294814 

Advertisement Director 

Stuart Bourne 

stuart.bourne@kick-startpublishing.co.uk 

T: 01892 752400 

Production Director 

John Heath 01892 752400 

Editorial Director 

Alan Bakalor 01892 680816 

Editorial Administration 

Elaine Hudson 01892 752400 

Designer 

Neil Owen 01892 752400 

Production and Design 

Lorna Reekie 01892 752400 

CONTENTS 

NEWS 

A to Z OF SPAIN: CONNEC BY SALONI P24 

Latest construction statistics, Tile Depot expands, Tilers 

speed challenge, Laticrete’s new online resource, 

Lapicida’s homage to Palladio, Tau invests, and more 4 

TTA NEWSLETTER 

How the Association can help its members to save money 16 

A TO Z OF SPAIN 

More tile innovation from top Spanish manufacturers 24 


TSJ lists a selection of the UK’s leading stone distributors 32 


Simple ways to stop dirt from entering the building 42 

SITE REPORT 

Armatile helps restore St Malachy’s church, Belfast 22 

GENERAL ENQUIRIES 

Editorial 

The Old Corn Store, Heartenoak Road 

Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4PZ 

T: 01580 752404 F: 01580 752604 

M: 07885 294814 

E: tandsjournal@aol.com 

PROFILE: STONECREST MARBLE 

Two brothers build a powerful brand in North London 38 

QUALICER 2010 

Blue sky thinking from Toni Sos and Javier Sastre 46 

PORTFOLIO 

What’s new in ceramic tiles, stone, tools and accessories 52 

Advertising and subscriptions 

The Oast, Great Danegate 

Eridge, East Sussex TN3 9HU 

T: 01892 752400 F: 01892 752404-752405 

W: www.tileandstonejournal.com 

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JUNE 2010 TSJ 3

NEWS & COMMENT 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

“What steps should the new government take to 

improve the UK’s housing market? 

With a coalition government now in power, much of 

the old political dogma has had to be binned and 

the search is now on for consensus and researchdriven 

policies. 

In keeping with this spirit of blue sky thinking, one 

area well worth exploring is the more creative use of 

tax policies. 

To date, most of the green policy initiatives for the 

construction sector have been aimed at new-build 

developments. 

However, given the vast inefficiencies of the current 

housing stock in the UK, doesn’t it make sense to 

look at measures such as the removal of VAT on housing refurbishment and 

renovation projects. This could have significant benefits when it comes to 

retrofitting green technologies into older homes. Governments in the past have 

tinkered around with grants for loft insulation and draughtproofing, but a simple 

measure like the abolition of VAT would incentivise homeowners without 

narrowing their design options. Such a move should also prove excellent news for 

the tiling industry as well ... just imagine the number of wet underfloor heating 

systems powered by solar panels or ground source heat pumps and finished with 

natural stone or ceramic tiled floors that could result. 

The government would also do well to reconsider the arbitrary Stamp Duty 

thresholds. Why should tax bills soar just because a buyer spends an extra £1 over 

one of the £250,000, £500,000 and (from next April) £1m thresholds? The current 

system distorts the market, discourages liquidity and damages labour market 

flexibility. There must be a better way of raising tax receipts from home purchases. 

Finally, while it may be too late to change the decision over the new higher Capital 

Gains Tax rates, there clearly needs to more effort made to recognise the 

difference between short-term and longer-term capital gains on investments. 

Alternatives, in the form of an indexation allowance or, better still, a tapered relief 

structure, exist. It cannot be beyond the wit of Whitehall to come up with a system 

that stops business owners for avoiding their tax liabilities through CGT, without 

disincetivising the entrepreneurial spirit upon which the much needed economic 

recovery will be based. Here’s hoping!” 

Joe Simpson 

Construction activity rises 

for the third month in a row 

UK construction activity increased during May for a third successive month. 

The seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ 

Index (PMI) posted 58.5, rising slightly from the previous month’s reading 

of 58.2, and was the strongest reading since September 2007. A rise in new 

orders drove the increase in activity, and also led to an increase in employment. 

Sarah Ledger, Economist at Markit and author of the UK Construction PMI 

said: “It was encouraging to see growth within the UK construction sector 

maintained during May, with all three sub-sectors (housing, commercial 

and civil) indicating an expansion in activity. However, it is unlikely that 

the current rate of growth will be maintained over the medium-term. This 

partly reflects the low base from which expansion is being built, but also 

the uncertainty surrounding cuts in public spending.” 

“Importantly, staffing levels were reported to have risen for the first time 

in two years during May. Whilst in absolute terms pre-recession employment 

levels are a long way off, this indicates that increased activity is having 

an overall expansionary effect on the industry.” 

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Chief Executive Officer at the 

Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, said: “It really is a double edged 

sword for the UK construction sector at the moment. Purchasing managers 

say that on the surface things are looking positive with recent growth accelerating 

and more jobs on the horizon. However, the recovery is so fragile 

that it will be extremely vulnerable to the impending public sector cuts and 

it is unclear whether the recovery is robust enough to cope with such knock 

backs. Civil engineering is a clear case in point. It has only just started to 

grow for the first time in two years, and is an industry where public spending 

tends to be focused. The cuts are clearly coming and it’s not long before 

we will start to see them making their mark.” 

NEW MAPEI Training Centre 

Mapei are pleased to announce the completion of the New Training Centre, 

at their Head Office in Halesowen. 

The extension on the training facility, now hosts a Practical/Demonstration room to run along side the 

theory training suite, in preparation for future NVQ courses. 

Mapei are pleased to announce the Official Training Centre Launch dates; 

Thursday 22 nd July (Resilient, Textile & Wood Flooring Product Training) 

Friday 23 rd July (Ceramic Tiling Product Training) 

The training is free-of-charge and lasts the duration of 1 day, starting from 9:30am to 4:30pm; please 

feel free to call or email Mapei UK Ltd for the Training Programme. 

T: 0121 508 6970 - Option 4 E: uktraining@mapei.co.uk W: www.mapei.co.uk 

4 TSJ JUNE 2010


Value of construction projects rises by over 10% 

The value of construction projects starts in the 

three months to April 2010 was up 10.5% on 

the same period a year ago, according to the 

Glenigan Index for April. The Index, which 

tracks the value of projects under £100 million, 

showed a gradual recovery in private sector 

confidence coupled with a flurry of public sector 

work. Increases were seen in private and 

social housing, retail, education and health 

projects starts. 

“The construction industry will be looking to 

a continued rise in private sector work over 

the coming months with public sector expenditure 

cuts looming and disruption following 

the result of the general election.‚“ according 

to Allan Wilen, Economics Director, Glenigan. 

Supermarket developments and private 

housing were key growth areas in the three 

months to April. The value of supermarket 

developments were double that of a year ago 

and private housing project starts were 41% 

up on a year earlier, although this comparison 

is against the trough of the recession. 

Mortgage applications appeared to be dampened 

by pre-election uncertainty, but market 

conditions are expected to improve throughout 

2010. 

Continued weakness in the industrial and 

office sectors was partially offset by hotel and 

Olympic related schemes. Additionally, the 

underlying value of health and education 

projects increased compared to a relatively 

weak period in the three months to April 2009 

despite a slowing in government funded projects. 

Civil engineering project starts re-bounded 

following a weak start to 2010. The Glenigan 

Civil Engineering Index was down 4% in April 

2010, compared to 36% and 24% in February 

and March 2010 respectively. 

“Civil engineering was boosted by an 

increase in utility projects. However growth 

was tempered by fewer road and rail projects.‚“ 

says Willen 

Regionally, project starts increased considerably 

in the Midlands and North East. Northern 

Ireland, the South West and South East of 

England were the only regions to record a fall in 

project starts against the same period last year 

“A further strengthening is anticipated over 

the forecast period (to Q2 2012),” argues 

Willen. “Weak industrial and office sectors will 

remain a drag on project starts over the next 

few months. However conditions in the 

industrial and commercial property markets 

have moved off the low point reached in the 

first half of 2009. We can see that housebuilders 

are keen to capitalise in recent 

improvements in market conditions, although 

weak household earning and consumer confidence 

combined with limited mortgage availability 

will restrict the pace of recovery in new 

house sales and project starts during the 

remainder of 2010. The growth in public sector 

project starts seen since April 2009 has 

begun to lose momentum. The result of the 

general election will further disrupt the flow 

on projects in the short term and the impact 

of government funding cuts will be felt in the 

medium term.” 

Tile Depot expands and improves its stores 

NEWS IN BRIEF 

F Ball and Co’s Managing 

Director, James Igoe, has 

recently been appointed 

Chairman of the British 

Adhesives and Sealants 

Association. Igoe, with 

the assistance of the 

BASA Council, will be 

responsible for setting 

and reviewing BASA policy, 

mission, strategy and 

annual objectives. He 

will also provide industry representation to external 

organisations on a wide range of issues and represent 

BASA at the FEICA (Association of European Adhesives 

and Sealants Manufacturers) presidential meetings. 

Norcros has announced that it has signed an agreement 

to sell its 25.5% interest in R J Beaumont & Co 

Pty Limited, its trade investment in Australia, for a 

consideration of Aus $7.75 million to Beaumont by 

means of a selective share reduction. 

“According to data from the US Department of 

Commerce, imports of ceramic tiles to the United 

States rose in both January and February 2010 (by 

12% and 23% respectively), with Italy amongst the 

leading group of exporting countries. If we add that 

sales of existing houses to March exceeded expectations 

to reach a total of 400,000 units, it is evident that 

the recovery in the US property market and in Italian 

tile consumption has begun,” stated Confindustria 

Ceramica Chairman, Franco Manfredini, at a press 

conference held during Coverings 2010. His words 

were underlined by Aniello Musella, Director of the 

North American network of the Italian Trade 

Commission ICE. “In spite of the severe crisis that has 

hit all industrial sectors, the Italian ceramic industry 

continues to maintain its leadership position in terms 

of imports by value, demonstrating the strong appreciation 

of its products by American consumers. 

Tile Depot has opened a new store in Crawley (left). Located on Denvale Retail Park, close to 

Crawley College and the County Mall Shopping Centre, the new store is Tile Depot’s fifteenth 

and the first since revealing plans just three months ago to more than double its number of 

stores by the end of 2012. Open seven days a week from 8am till 6pm on weekdays, the new 

sq. ft Crawley branch of Tile Depot occupies a prominent position on busy Denvale Retail Park 

with Bathstore, Wickes, plumbing, electrical and automotive outlets Tile Depot has also given 

a facelift to its Milton Keynes branch (right), with new signage, an improved store layout and 

a brand new marketing campaign, which puts Tile Depot on the only outdoor advertising display 

site in Central Milton Keynes; the giant Skywall at Xscape. The store is located at 

Grampian Gate, Winterhill. 

Euro/dollar trades have hit a four year low of 1.2185 as 

the unexpected ban on naked short selling of certain 

financial stocks and credit-default swaps enforced by 

Germany’s financial regulator has added to the lack of 

confidence surrounding the Euro. But Mark 

O’Sullivan, Director of Dealing at Currencies Direct, 

believes further falls in the value of the Euro could yet 

be seen. “While politicians are still trying to blame 

speculators for the fall in the Euro, it’s the market’s 

loss in confidence in these politicians’ ability to implement 

the austerity measures needed domestically 

that is at the root of its decline in value.” 

JUNE 2010 TSJ 

5


Stone Fed hosts stone flooring course 

A course on the design and installation of natural stone flooring is being 

staged by Stone Federation Great Britain in London on Wednesday, 30th 

June. It will cover the latest guidance and advice on all aspects of stone 

selection, design, installation and maintenance. It will also set out details 

of the latest British and European codes and standards, the requirements 

of the Building Regulations and of the health, safety and welfare regulations. 

Speakers will form a technical panel at the end of the presentations in 

order to answer questions. The event is for Federation members only and 

takes place at Strand Palace Hotel between 9.30 am and 4.15 pm. The fee 

of £150 plus VAT includes a copy of the Federation’s Code of Practice for 

the Design and Installation of Internal Flooring, all refreshments, a delegate 

pack and course notes. 

01303 856123 www.stonefed.org.uk 

Refurb options save school from pool replacement 

Newcastle under Lyme School was initially considering replacing its existing swimming pool 

with a brand new pool, at a cost of £1.5 million until Ardex presented an economical refurbishment 

solution that reduced the overall spend enormously. 

Ardex worked in conjunction with specialist swimming pool contractors, Aqua Tilers of 

Tyldesley, Manchester, who commenced the project by rendering the wall surfaces of the pool 

with Ardex AM 100 fast-track one-coat tiling render. This hardens rapidly, enabling tiles to be 

fixed just two hours after application. 

An application of Ardex S 21 bedding mortar was used to create falls in the changing rooms 

and to pre-level the pool base prior to tiling. Again, the rapid hardening properties assisted a 

fast track completion, as tiling was able to progress after just three hours. 

To fix the slip resistant ceramic tiles to the pool deck, Ardex-Flex 5001 grey flexible tile adhesive 

was specified. Suitable for internal, external and immersed locations, it is said to deliver 

superb adhesion and a very high yield, plus excellent slump resistance and adjustability. 

Ardex-Flex 5000 white flexible tile adhesive was used for fixing the tiles to the pool surround 

and changing room facilities. Ardex-Flex 5000 provides a wide range of benefits including, 

excellent slump resistance, enhanced adhesion properties and the ability to fix all types of tiles, 

including porcelain. It has a built-in admix, which guarantees factory assured levels of performance 

and results in significant cost savings over separate admix alternatives. 

The pool interior tile joints were grouted with epoxy-based Ardex WA grout. Easy to apply 

and clean off, it provides a waterproof and chemically-resistant joint from 2 to 12mm wide. 

These features make it a very economical choice for use in swimming pools, showers, sports 

centres and other specialised buildings where high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are 

vital. 

Grey Ardex-Flex FL rapid setting, flexible tile grout with built-in admix was chosen to grout 

the floor tile joints, with white Ardex-Flex FS specified for grouting the wall tiles. Available in 

32 colours, Ardex-Flex grouts incorporate key features including flexibility, water repellence, 

ease of application and dirt resistance. 

01440 714939 www.ardex.co.uk 

ROBIN MOORE 

“For the past two issues I have been 

examining a series of tips, given in a 

UK national daily earlier this year, on 

how to turn a failing business into a 

thriving success. Regrettably 

business failures continue to make 

the headlines in Ireland and this 

appears to be an increasing trend. In 

the first quarter of this year the 

construction and engineering 

sectors have been the worst affected, 

but the retail, hospitality, professional and motor sectors have 

also suffered. The housing market too continues to fall, none of 

which makes encouraging reading for our industry. 

So it would seem to be timely, whatever the current health of our 

businesses, for us all to examine this advice in order to make sure 

we are performing as well as we are able. Previously we looked at 

establishing the reasons why customers should buy from you, the 

benefits you are providing, and the need to differentiate your 

business from your competitors, by promoting those benefits. 

Last month we talked about getting to know customers so that 

you know what they need, what makes them tick and how well 

you understand the community in which you are operating. We 

looked at auditing your sales process to ensure that it is delivering 

what you expect of it and, perhaps even more importantly, that 

the customer sees it in the way you intend. 

As I said last month this second area is effectively an extension of 

the first; the first being the benefits you set out to provide, having 

decided you had something different to offer. The second is 

closely interlinked, as it demands that you know what your 

customers want, matching needs with benefits. 

The third area for examination deals with the flexibility you must 

have to deal with change. Products and services have to be 

tailored to meet the needs of the consumer and the business must 

be able to respond quickly to any changes in those needs. We see 

change on a regular basis in terms of materials, sizes, colour and 

design, and how what designers offer interacts with consumer 

taste. We are in a fashion industry but, while many fashions 

change, some are timeless. It comes back to knowing your 

customers and being able to identify what they will like and what 

they will not. Being a good listener is an essential skill in this 

process just as much as being a good salesperson. It is the 

difference between selling customers just what they ask for and, 

recognising that what they say they want may not be the best 

solution, providing them with what they agree is a better answer. 

Achieving a reputation as a business that understands customers 

and continues to provide elegant and practical solutions to their 

needs will keep on bringing them back and repeat custom, in 

today’s difficult trading conditions, cannot be valued too highly.” 

6 

TSJ JUNE 2010


Tilers challenged to take the speed test 

Tilers nationwide are being challenged to prove how 

fast they are by entering the Speed Tiler 2010 competition, 

supported by BAL Variset XP. The event promises 

contestants the chance to win major prizes. The 

three fastest tilers in each local heat will share £1,000 

worth of cash and other prizes, as well as the chance 

to be crowned national champion. 

Winning is easy. All contestants have to do is: fix 10 

tiles to a given specification in the fastest time. Heats 

are already scheduled in locations ranging from 

Edinburgh to Brighton, with more being added all the 

time. Tilers can register in advance or simply turn up 

at their local event, where all materials and equipment 

will be provided. 

The national competition is supported by BAL 

Variset XP, said to be the world’s first controllable-setting tile adhesive. It was recently 

voted winner of The Tile Association 2010 Award for Best Innovation. 

The current schedule and full details of the competition can be found at www.speedtiler.com. 

100% Design set to celebrate its 16th birthday in some style 

Celebrating its 16th birthday this September (23rd to 26th September), 100% Design 

London will be showcasing over 4,000 designs. The exhibition is promising a mix of 

future trends, design technology and innovation covering every field from workspaces 

to hotels, spas and residential interiors. 100% Design London will include furniture, 

accessories, lighting, textiles, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms first hand. 

The vetting process through the 100% Design Panel 1 is said to guarantee that only 

original designs are exhibited. With awards and competitions running through the 

four days highlighting projects and products, and industry bodies including British 

Council, British Institute of Interior Design, Interior Design Association and Design 

Guild Mark offering high levels of knowledge through seminars, talks and advice clinics, 

there should be plenty for the visitor to enjoy. Designs from Corian; La Murrina; 

Grohe; Rauzas; Limited Edition; Himacs; Fjord Fiesta; LK Hjelle and Wik & Walsoe are 

already scheduled. www.100percentdesign.co.uk 

Acimac report offers some cause for industry optimism 

The Italian ceramic machinery manufacturers’ first-quarter performance has brought a breath 

of optimism to the tile industry. Acimac Studies Centre observed an overall increase in companies’ 

revenues in the first three months of the year, largely due to a recovery in exports 

which account for more than 75% of the sector’s total turnover. The most dynamic markets 

appear to be the Maghreb region, the Arabian peninsula and the rest of the Middle East, 

along with Brazil and other South American countries. 

“At Ceramics China (the most important Asian fair for supplies to the ceramic industry, held 

in Guangzhou from 18th to 21st June), we observed buoyant demand not only in China but 

in all the large producer countries in Asia,” explained Acimac Chairman, Pietro Cassani . “The 

large numbers of visitors who converged on the approximately 1,000 sq. metre Italian pavilion 

showed keen interest in the latest technological innovations as well as an appreciation of 

the quality, reliability and high degree of automation of our machines.” 

However Acimac stresses that it is still too early to talk of a long-term recovery. “Although 

the results that have emerged from our study are certainly positive, particularly following a 

year of severe contraction, they are still insufficient to allow us to say with certainty that the 

crisis is over,” warned Cassani. “The increases reported in the last few months may in fact be 

attributable to a rise in orders for renewal or replacement of plant components or consumables, 

as is only natural after twelve months of stagnation,” he continued. .“In the next quarter 

our companies are expecting to see a situation of stability in key markets rather than the 

much-awaited recovery in large-scale industrial investments.” 

MADELEINE HARRINGTON 

“Manufacturers beware: a 

school teacher who fell 

and injured herself on 

some tiles is suing the 

manufacturer claiming 

that the tiles were faulty 

and not fit for the 

purpose for which they 

were sold. The tiles were 

marketed as meeting or 

exceeding slip resistance standards and guidelines. 

They were installed in an elementary school 

entrance hall and she fell in an area where snow and 

ice had been brought in on the shoes of pupils. 

She is seeking damages for loss of her leg, the 

bottom half of which was amputated, medical 

expenses, rehabilitation and life care expenses, pain 

and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent 

disability and disfigurement, loss of earning 

capacity and her husband is suing for loss of 

consortium (which apparently means that he can no 

longer enjoy his conjugal rights). She is also suing 

the school for negligence claiming that they didn’t 

maintain the area properly. 

On a similar note, Morrisons has just been fined 

£12,000 for installing terrazzo in a food preparation 

area after being warned about their use by HSE 

officials, who had had problems with them in other 

stores and, while the blame (and cost) was not, to 

my knowledge, passed on down the line to the 

suppliers, there is nothing to say that in future there 

may not be a claim for supplying products which are 

subsequently found to be unsafe. 

The first incident is, of course, happening in America 

and even the local public seem divided between 

those that know the teacher involved and say that 

she must be doing it for the right reasons as she is a 

“good and beautiful human being” and those who 

find it ridiculous and money grabbing. But this sort 

of attitude is becoming more widespread over here 

too, and it pays to ensure that any claims you make 

about the performance of your products, whether 

manufacturing or selling them, are possible to prove 

and that safety claims for floor tiles can be backed 

up properly.” 

Madeleine Harrington is a director of McMullin 

Harrington Limited, a marketing consultancy specialising 

in the tile and stone industry. She can be 

contacted on madeleine@mcmh.co.uk. 

8 TSJ JUNE 2010


Laticrete launches online specification resource 

Laticrete has launched the Laticrete Electronic 

Architectural Binder under the Architects section at 

www.laticrete.com. Visitors can quickly and easily 

obtain online access to download, print, share or use 

a complete range of Laticrete architectural marketing 

tools and services designed to revolutionise the 

process of specifying tile and stone installation systems. 

The online binder offers a comprehensive, one-stop 

resource tool for designers and specifiers to quickly 

find Laticrete product systems, ecological data, architectural details, installation 

guides, design manuals and warranty programmes. 

The Laticrete Online Architectural Binder contains all of the necessary information 

for the quick, easy and successful specification of tile and stone installation 

systems. Broken out into six sections, the online binder provides complete customisable 

specifications for over 100 types of applications based on industry standards. 

“Laticrete has taken yet another step in making specifying tile and stone installation 

systems quicker and easier for all industry professionals,” said Maria Oliveira, 

Corporate Marketing Manager. “The Laticrete Online Architectural Binder, complete 

with information ranging from products and systems ... is now exclusively 

available online. No more flipping through pages in a printed binder that can 

quickly become outdated - get the most current Laticrete information fast and 

easy, and when you need it, 24-7.“ 

www.laticrete.com 

NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF 

An apple made up of nine green ceramic tiles topped by a stylised stalk is the graphic design used for the poster of the 

2010 edition of Cersaie, which will be held in Bologna from 28th September to 2nd October this year. The poster was 

designed by Alessandra Parodi, a student in Product and Event Design at the Architecture Faculty of the University of 

Genoa. The design was the winning entry in the first Beautiful Ideas competition, open to students at ten Italian architecture 

faculties and design institutes and launched during Cersaie 2009. 

Travis Perkins has made a bid for plumbing and heating chain BSS. The unopposed deal is worth over £500 million 

and is the biggest deal Travis Perkins has taken on since the purchase of Wickes in 2005 for £950 million. 

BSS, based in Leicester, has 439 branches in the UK, employing nearly 5,000 people. 

Galiform, the owner of Howden Joinery, has said that sales in 2010 have stabilised following a difficult 2009. For the first 

16 weeks of the year up to mid April, revenue at its depots was up by 1% and 0.5% on a same depot basis. Five depots 

have been opened so far in 2010, putting the total number of Howden Joinery sites at 467. 

Plumbing group Wolseley has appointed a new UK Managing Director. Steve Ashmore, 45, joined Wolseley in 

2005 as UK Brand Development Director. He then became MD of the UK 'Lightside' businesses of Plumb Center, 

Parts Center, Unifix and BCG. Since 2008 he has been UK MD of the 'Heavyside' businesses of Build Center, Drain 

Center, Brandon Hire and Encon. He will report to Wolseley Chief Executive Ian Meakins. 

Consumer confidence is at its highest level since November 2007, according to a new report by research company Nielsen 

and the British Retail Consortium. The Confidence Index increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, three points higher 

than the last polling in December 2009 and 15 points higher than this time last year. Stephen Robertson, Director of the 

British Retail Consortium, said: "A tentative recovery is underway but it still needs nurturing. Customers feel better than 

they did a year ago but many people are still concerned about jobs, the economy and household bills. There's a bit more 

willingness to spend than there was but one in five say they have no spare cash and most people believe we're still in 

recession." 

Construction workloads turned positive for the first time in two years, says the latest RICS survey of the industry. 

5% more chartered surveyors reported rising rather than falling workloads for the first quarter of 2010. This 

compares with a net balance of 12% reporting falls in Q4 2009. 

JOSS THOMAS 

“Light summer nights give 

us so much more time to get 

jobs done. I’ve recently 

been involved in helping 

our local church clean its 

stone floor. Reluctant to 

spend weeks on my knees, I 

discovered the CleanFix 

Floormac which worked a 

treat. An anti-vibration 

system meant that it got 

into the awkward places 

without throwing me from 

side to side. This completely painless experience left 

an impression. So many people perceive natural 

flooring as high maintenance and this can create a 

barrier when it comes to buying. Yet, with a little 

education and reassurance, this hurdle can so easily 

be removed. 

By their very nature, natural floors are porous and 

some surfaces, like terracotta, require a little more 

maintenance. By ensuring that the correct products 

are specified for the correct areas, and that sufficient 

advice is given regarding laying, sealing and 

maintaining, any potential problems or perceptions 

can be eradicated before they arise. 

There are an abundance of cleaning and sealant 

products on the market, many of which now 

(thankfully) tick the eco boxes too. We’re big fans of 

Lithofin; the products aren’t too harsh or acidic and, 

as a result, they help to feed and maintain the surface, 

rather than erode the stone. All floors benefit from a 

deeper clean every one to two years, to lift ingrained 

dirt and clean the grout; Lithofin Wexa works really 

well. But, we always make customers aware that 

natural floors will darken over time as part of the 

ageing process – this is all part of their appeal. Once 

again, if they’re aware of this, they will see it as part 

and parcel of investing in the genuine article, rather 

than a negative stumbling block. 

No matter how badly a product is soiled, despite what 

you may think, there’s normally a solution. Even deep 

oil marks or stains can be removed, using specific 

spot stain products like Oil-Ex. Over time it will 

probably be necessary to rewax or reseal a floor, but 

this will increase dirt resistance, as well as intensifying 

tone. Waxing is generally carried out annually, with 

resealing carried out every three to five years, 

following a good clean to avoid dirt being trapped. 

Even extreme damage can be addressed by rehoning 

or repolishing using a mechanical tool. 

Of course, for those not feeling the ‘pinch’ or the 

spring-cleaning urge, there are specialist companies 

who deal in floor renovation and cleaning. Though, 

following my recent experience with the centuries 

old church floor, the whole process can actually be 

surprisingly satisfying!” 

For more information, please call 01993 824200 or 

email enquiries@indigenousltd.com. 

10 TSJ JUNE 2010


Marley Eternit says tilers are turning to fibre cement 

With the peak summer season for replacing 

bathrooms and kitchens approaching, 

Marley Eternit is encouraging installers to 

look at the benefits of using fibre cement tile 

backing boards. A number of installers have 

already switched to fibre cement backing 

boards, such as Hydropanel, because it 

makes a huge difference to the ongoing performance 

of the installation, especially where 

there are high levels of moisture. 

It is well known that gypsum-based boards 

are not suited for tiling in wet areas. If gypsum 

becomes wet during the construction or 

utilisation phase, it can loose its cohesion, 

attract fungi/bacteria and start to smell (Ref: Belgium Building Research Institute Technical 

Information 227). In many European counties the use of gypsum-based boards is forbidden 

in high moisture environments due to the degradation of Gypsum when it becomes wet. 

Hydropanel fibre cement board is totally water resistant, making it the perfect upgrade for 

bathrooms, showers and even wet rooms. Even if completely saturated in water, it won’t 

rot or warp, which means that tiles stay in place. The water simply evaporates from the 

board and, because Hydropanel is slightly alkaline, it inhibits the growth of mould, preventing 

development of ‘fusty’ odours. 

“Reputation and referrals make all the difference to kitchen and bathrooms installers, 

which is why we advise them not to compromise with when it comes to tile backing 

boards,“ says Jayne Arkell, Business Development Manager: Hydropanel at Marley Eternit. 

Hydropanel, which is available from merchants and stockists nationally, is offered in 6, 9 

and 12mm board thicknesses. The 900 by 1,200mm sheets are ideal for domestic applications, 

refurbishments and new build. 01283 722588 www.hydropanel.co.uk 


Kris Marshell from My Family, Love Actually and, most recently, the BT adverts, narrates Lapicida’s first commercial, 

which went on air on 28th May in cinemas across the UK. 

The Tile Association has been working closing with insurance brokers, McHale Heaney City, especially in view of 

the Tax Authorities declared intention of investigating self-employed tradesman. This has resulted in some new 

additions to the TTA insurance package. Now, under a single package, TTA contractors can get low cost van 

insurance that includes free VAT and tax investigation expenses insurance. Over the coming weeks representatives 

from McHale Heaney City will be calling TTA members to explain the details of the new package. 

A train service running on Italy’s new TAV high-speed rail lines will allow visitors from a number of Italian cities to organise 

day trips to Cersaie. A special shuttle bus service will also run from Bologna train station to the exhibition centre. Turin, 

Milan, Venice, Padua, Florence, Rome, Naples and Bari are the eight cities involved in the initiative, which will allow for 

savings of up to 70% of the value of the standard train ticket. In the case of the first six of these cities, the service offers 

outward and return trips on the same day. The journeys from Naples and Bari are organised over two days, including a 

night in a 3-star hotel in Bologna at a price of under 200 euro for the entire package. Tickets can be booked until 21st June 

2010 on. +39 051.6375111 or via info@hellobologna.it. 

Seal-Guard has joined the TTA and now hopes to work closely within the organisation to offer the company’s 

expertise in the sealant market. Seal-Guard’s reputation for manufacturing the finest quality 

impregnator/sealants began many years ago with the release of its award winning and the world’s No.1 selling 

DIY Aerosol Sealant. The company has since expanded its range to incorporate liquid impregnator/sealers and 

cleaners. Coupled with independent testing by the Tile Council of America, Seal-Guard claims to deliver in all 

the areas that a demanding trade requires. Alex Kite, Seal-Guard’s Director of Sales says: “Business has also taken 

off for our liquid sealants. In a difficult trading environment it is good to observe the enthusiasm for our 

products is matched by continuing increase in market acceptance. At first, like with all new products tilers and 

contractors were wary of change but once they have tried the Seal-Guard range they invariably start using our 

products in ever increasing quantities.” 

ALAN REYNOLDS 

“What goes round, comes 

round, as the saying goes. 

This was brought home to 

me the other day when 

someone rang about laying 

a terracotta floor in a 

conservatory. Must be at 

least ten years since I’ve 

done the old Saltillo Shuffle: 

sort ‘em, dust ‘em and seal 

‘em. ‘We don’t want any 

doggy paw prints in the tiles 

– we absolutely must have 

them!’ The coming home covered in orange dust, 

reeking of boiled linseed oil and traffic wax, and then 

being forced to change out of my work clothes in the 

garage because the boss can’t stand the smell in the 

house. 

It’s funny but that stuff never really bothered me, apart 

from the time when one of the rags I used for cleaning 

off the surplus oil spontaneously combusted and 

nearly torched my van. 

Looking back I realise I miss those days: the thumbwidth 

variations of the hand-painted Mexican tiles, the 

vibrant colours and crackled glaze of the raised fruits; 

struggling to tile around a burning Aga because 

someone forgot to switch it off two days earlier. 

Nowadays it’s all clean lines and minimalist thinking, 

which is great if you’re young and upwardly mobile. 

Personally I like the challenge of working with a box of 

hand-made tiles that look like rejects from a 

kindergarten pottery class. The sense of achievement 

when it all comes together is like nothing else. 

I remember one customer asking me to fit a nine-tile 

panel depicting ‘Max’ his beloved Staffordshire bull 

terrier, on the wall above the kitchen hob. He never 

stopped grumbling about how much the artist had 

charged for painting the tiles. And, in an attempt to 

inject a little humour into the proceedings, I jokingly 

suggested that had he immortalised his mother-in-law 

in ceramic instead of the family pet, she may well have 

stumped up the money for the whole job herself. 

Needless to say that went down like a lead balloon but 

it underlines one of the main reasons I enjoy working 

in the domestic market: - the fun and the banter you 

have with the public. 

As for the terracotta tiles, I’m having trouble finding 

anyone who stocks them anymore. I’ll make a few 

more calls and if that fails I’ll hit the Internet. In the 

meantime I had better sort out a little portable heater, 

it can get quite chilly in that garage at the end of a 

day.” 

Alan Reynolds is the proprietor of Wilmslow Ceramic 

Tiling. 01625 434093 alan.reynolds23@ntlworld.com. 

12 TSJ JUNE 2010


Lapicida honours Palladio’s design legacy 

An exclusive exhibition opened at Lapicida’s impressive Knaresborough showroom on the 6th 

June 2009. It was commissioned to celebrate 500 years since the birth of Italian Architect 

Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) and is supported by the Italian Government. 

Designed by Raffaello Gailotto and crafted by an Italian consortium of stone cutters, each 

piece showcases Palladio's original design profile. The exhibition includes a number of unique 

pieces such as a limestone bath and matching basins, a terracotta round marble shower and 

various inspired wall claddings and floorings. This collection of limited pieces will be available 

to purchase. The exhibition will run until the end of June 2010. www.lapicida.com. 

Mecalux system doubles Tau’s picking capacity 

Mecalux is designing an expansion of Tau’s logistics system to meet its growing 

needs, thus stepping up the picking of orders for the European area which accounts 

for more than 70% of its total turnover. The robotics system and EasyWMS warehouse 

management software installed by Mecalux will allow Tau to consolidate its 

loads as 92% of lorries will be able to leave from the same centre in Castellon. 

The installation has been designed specially for picking from pallets and, once it is 

complete, Tau’s pallet capacity will rise from 4,200 to around 7,000. The system will 

have four totally automatic picking stations, aided by a pneumatic gripper used to 

support and hold the materials. www.tauceramica.com 


London stone contractor, Putney & Wood has completed the internal stonework contract at the £61m redevelopment of 

Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. The redevelopment, which included elements of both renovation and modernisation, has 

doubled the exhibition space whilst retaining the Victorian external façade. The Museum was built in 1683, making it 

Britain’s oldest, re-opened to the public in November 2009 following a ten month closure. The expanded exhibition space 

boasts 39 new galleries surrounding an imposing Portland stone staircase in the main atrium. 

With the installation of the sixth and seventh digital decoration lines in its factories, the Fincibec Group now ranks 

at the top among the ceramic companies equipped with these latest generation plants. The production capacity of 

the Group, as far as the digital technology is concerned, now exceeds 4,000,000 sq. metres per annum. 

Strand Palace gets the Ultra treatment 

Specialist hotel refurbishment contractor, APL Interiors, is 

well on the way to completing a multi-million pound renovation 

project of a central London hotel, The Strand 

Palace. Customers of Ultra Tile’s ‘official stockist’ Elstow 

Ceramic Tile Warehouse in Bedford, APL Interiors is completing 

the tiling in the ensuite bathrooms using ProGrip 

HG and ProRapid RS. 

Ultra Tile ProGrip HG ready mixed adhesive is specially 

formulated with non-slip, high grab properties and is suitable 

for intermittently wet conditions. In this project it is 

being used to fix the ensuites’ gloss white ceramic wall 

tiles. 

Ultra Tile ProRapid RS is a rapid setting porcelain adhesive 

suitable for wall or floor tiling applications. Here, decorative 

black/blue porcelain floor tiles are being fixed with 

ProRapid RS throughout all bedroom ensuite bathrooms. 

All floor tiling applications are being finished with Ultra 

Tile WideJoint grout in grey that was developed specifically 

for tiles with joint widths of up to 20mm. 

Ross from Elstow Ceramic Tile Warehouse states: “The 

quality of Ultra Tile adhesives and grouts is excellent. Ultra 

Tile’s delivery service is very accommodating, providing 

back-up on various occasions for our customers.” 

Ultra: 01827 871871 www.ultratileadhesives.co.uk 

Elstow Ceramic Tile Warehouse 01234 263080. 

APL Interiors aplinteriors@btinternet.com 

Tile Depot is now an official stockist of the award-winning CornerTape range of products. Now available in all 14 Tile Depot 

stores, CornerTape is a product system designed to guarantee easy and effective preparation as well as a simple, accurate and 

fast method of ‘masking up’ before applying all types of sealant - including painters caulk, silicone and MS Polymer’s - to tiles, 

baths, showers and worktops, for a perfect, clean edge finish and without mess. 

Laticrete has signed an agreement to supply technology, materials and methods for Brazilian based Votorantim 

Cimentos, one of the 10 largest cement, concrete, aggregates and adhesives companies in the world, to manufacture 

high-performance products as well as enter two entirely new market segments. Under the brand name 

Votomassa, at 12 different strategically located facilities in Brazil, Votorantim Cimentos will now produce premium 

adhesives, waterproofing/anti-fracture membranes, and Laticrete-based epoxy grouts for the installation of tile 

and stone. In total, 21 new products will be added to the company’s range of installation materials. 

Wacker Polymers is set to raise its prices in Europe for Vinnapas and Vinnol dispersions. Effective 1st July, prices for these dispersions 

will be increased by up to 80 euro per ton, or as customer contracts allow. This measure has been necessitated by the 

rise in raw material costs. The price adjustments will enable Wacker Polymers to continue providing excellent quality and 

comprehensive technical service and to boost the development of innovative product and process technologies for the benefit 

of customers. 

Tilers wanting to get to grips with the latest products and tiling techniques 

were out in full force at the Natural Stone Emporium’s recent training session. 

During the half-day session specialists using Marmox, Weber, Schloder and 

Lithofin’s latest products gave a series of practical demonstrations. On the 

agenda for discussion were various insulation boards, levelling compounds, 

solutions for drainage and various sealants and cleaners. Tilers were also given 

complimentary samples to take away and try. Anna Smith, Natural Stone 

Emporium’s Manager said: “The feedback we’ve received from the training sessions 

has been great. Tilers get the latest information on new products coming 

into the market and often learn useful new techniques. We will be holding several 

more later on this year.” 0845 491 8791 www.stone-emporium.co.uk 

14 TSJ JUNE 2010


How The Tile Association can help 

its members to save money 

With only a glimmer of improvement in UK plc, 

now more than ever it is vitally important to 

keep your business costs down to a minimum. 

There are many ways in which The Tile 

Association can help. 

PDQ Rates 

With more and more consumers paying for tiles 

and fixing services with their credit card it is 

worthwhile carrying out an exercise on how 

much your PDQ machine is costing you, and 

therefore reducing your profit margin. 

The following case study illustrates just how 

much a TTA member can save. Alltile Ceramics 

signed up to the TTA Barclaycard Preferential 

Scheme. Alltile Ceramics had contacted 

Barclaycard and were quoted 2.07% on consumer 

credit cards and 80.5p per debit card. 

They then called the Association for details of 

the TTA Scheme and were quoted 1.2% on consumer 

cards and 20p per debit card. 

These figures give a clear idea of the savings 

Alltile Ceramics made by signing up: 

Purchase 2.07% 1.2% Saving 

value charge charge achieved 

£500 £10.35 £6.00 £4.35 

£1000 £20.70 £12.00 £8.70 

£15000 £310.50 £180.00 £130.50 

£25000 £517.50 £300.00 £217.50 

£50000 £1035.00 £600.00 £435.00 

Details of all the rates and possible savings: 

Credit Card Turnover per annum Rate 

Less than £300,000 1.20% 

£301,000 to £750,000 1.18% 

Over £751,000 

Priced individually 

The TTA Barclaycard Scheme has no joining fee 

for TTA members. There is a fee of £150 for non 

members 

TTA Preferential Scheme Scale of Charges 

Commercial Credit Cards: 1.80% 

Consumer Debit Cards: 22p per transaction 

Refund Fees: 

Consumer Credit Cards: 

Commercial Credit Cards: 

Debit Cards: 

Terminal Rental: 

22p per transaction 



From £14.95 + VAT per month 

16 TSJ JUNE 2010 

Insurance 

The Tile Association has been working with 

McHale Heaney (City) Ltd from the start providing 

very competitive rates for members from 

public liability insurance to cover for commercial 

vehicles. 

Go to http://www.tiles.org.uk/benefits/ insurance 

to find out more. 

Technical publications 

The fact that TTA Technical Committee produces 

these publications, often with specialists 

from related industries, is a benefit to the industry 

as a whole. Each TTA member receives a free 

copy of all the publications and can purchase 

additional copies at a preferential price. 

Item Members Non Members 

Price 

Price 

Paper PDF Paper PDF 

Adhesives and Grouts in Internal Tiling 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Design & Construction Process for Swimming Pools 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Guidelines for Tile Fixing 

FOC to Fixer Members Only 

Large Format Tiles in Internal Tiling 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Movement Joints in Internal Tiling 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Slip Resistance of Hard Flooring 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

The Cleaning of Ceramic Tiles 

£5 £12.50 £50 £50 

Tiling in Wet Rooms 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Tiling to Acoustic Systems To Meet Building Regulations 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Tiling to Calcium Sulfate-based Screeds 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Tiling to Heated Floors 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Tiling to Timber Sheets and Boards, 

Timber Substrates and Alternative Products 

£30 £50 £125 £125 

Soon to be published "Cleaning & Maintenance of Tiles” 

How to Join 

To find out how to join The Tile Association and 

to check out the many other benefits of membership 

visit: 

http://www.tiles.org.uk/about/howtojoin.shtml 

Fixer training update 

The Tile Association Training Plan was created in 

collaboration with Construction Skills. It was 

launched to implement training in the wall and 

floor tiling industry in Britain in order to provide 

a qualified wall and floor tiling workforce. 

The qualifications are based on the nationally 

recognised NVQs/SVQs and training is based on 

on-site training utilising existing informal training 

provision alongside more formal training 

from colleges and training centres to fill training 

gaps. Training grants will be available to participating 

companies. 

Wall & Floor Tiling NVQ 

Since the CSCS / NVQ ‘Industry Accreditation’ 

(Grandfather Rights) period ended in 

December 2003, the NVQ has proved to be 

popular with the tiling industry. To date 1,233 

wall and floor tilers have achieved NVQ Level 2 

and 126 wall and floor tilers have achieved NVQ 

Level 3. 

The NVQ qualification is the only way to prove 

that you’re a competent Wall & Floor Tiler. The 

NVQ also gains a tiler a fully skilled CSCS Card 

which allows access to commercial building 

sites. 

Wall and floor tilers interested in gaining their 

NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 for Wall & Floor Tiling, 

maybe eligible for funding and Construction 

Skills grants towards the cost of the NVQ assessment. 

For further details contact Construction Skills 

National Specialist Team on 0300 456 5561 or 

Construction Skills Local Area Office on 0844 

844 0046 

Future Developments 

NVQ Level 2 and 3 for wall and floor tiling is currently 

under review by the National 

Occupational Working Group chaired by Bob


Howard (above). The last review was in 

2004.The group includes practitioners, college 

lecturers and manufacturers. 

From a survey there has been a request to 

have a Level 1 in wall and floor tiling like other 

construction wet trades. It was felt that a Level 

1 would be beneficial for labourers who may 

not have the experience to achieve Level 2 or 

want to advance beyond Level 1. Achieving 

Level 1 may help them to secure employment 

at a larger company. It may also stand them in 

good stead to have knowledge of Health and 

Safety and the basic principles of mixing products, 

etc. 

It would also be a progression for learner’s 

who want to advance to Level 2. Inclusion of a 

unit covering Health and Safety would help to 

prepare the unemployed for work on-site, particularly 

when climbing out of the current 

recession. 

It is also envisaged that in the current market, 

the Level 1 would be ideal for mature students 

to the construction industry. The review will 

enable the current units to include new technical 

knowledge. 

Diploma for Wall and Floor Tiling: 

With the school leaving age expected to rise in 

2013 to 17 years and 18 years by 2015 it is 

essential that school leavers who want a career 

in construction have training prior to leaving 

school and a Diploma has been developed for 

that purpose. The Diploma is aimed at 14 to 17 

year olds. Level 1 equals 7 GCSEs at below C, 

Level 2 equals 7GCSs at grades A to C and Level 

3 equals 3 A levels. This is seen to be a fair 

assessment of those who have a practical, 

rather than an academic, gift. 

The Diploma for Wall & Floor Tiling is now available 

at all colleges that offer wall and floor tiling 

courses. For details of colleges and training 

centres offering the Diploma for Wall & Floor 

Tiling, contact the Construction Awards Alliance 

via their website www.caalliance.co.uk or on 

0844 844 0113 

The Diploma Levels 2 and 3 are a classroomand 

workshop-based qualification that trains 

apprentices and newcomers to the industry in 

the skills and knowledge required to work 

towards becoming a competent Wall and Floor 

Tiler (competence can only be proved by being 

assessed on site for the NVQ). 

At the end of the training students have to 

complete a wall and floor tiling project to 

achieve their Diploma qualification. 

Employers taking on an apprentice and 

enrolling them on a Diploma course maybe eligible 

for Construction Skills grants towards the 

cost of employing the apprentice, and the cost 

of the training. 

For further information contact your local 

Construction Skills Office on 0844 844 0046 or 

Oliver Farrell, Construction Skills Training 

Adviser by email oliver.farrell@cskills.org or on 

07771 542 431 

Master Crafts Qualification 

There is a keenness to pursue the Master Crafts 

qualification by the livery companies. Master 

Certificate holders are future champions of skill 

TTA Golf Challenge 2010 

On a beautiful spring day on the Brabazon 

course at the Belfry the winners were as follows: 

Winner Sean Lane: 2nd year in succession 

Nearest the Pin: Steven Allsopp 

Longest Drive:- Steve Wyatt 

Longest Walk: Kevin Field. 

Steve Wyatt and Sean Lane have both won 

twice and will be taking the 2011 competition 

very seriously indeed. 

and leaders in the industry through careers 

founded on a perfected skill. It will be based on 

qualification and experience jointly awarded by 

City and Guilds, a Livery Company and a professional 

body. In the case of wall and floor tiling 

that will be The Tile Association. 

Livery companies already operating such 

schemes are the Worshipful Company of 

Plumbers, the Worshipful Company of 

Carpenters and the Worshipful Company of 

Joiners-Ceilers and Shopfitters. 

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and 

Bricklayers Craft Committee is currently working 

on taking it forward for wall and floor tilers, 

roofers and bricklayers. This qualification must 

be employer lead with support by the respective 

trade associations. This qualification has 

been issued to only 200 individuals to date. 

Heritage Skills 

Heritage Skills are very much in demand and 

yet it is apparent that in the tiling industry there 

has been little take up .The routes for applying 

for such a qualification are: 

1. Through the Managed Industry Accreditation 

2. Through Approved Apprenticeship and 

Conservation Qualification. 

3. Through Heritage Skills NVQ 

The sponsors of the event were Banks and 

Lloyd and Banks & Lloyd employee Vincent 

Verzijl attended the event and took these stunning 

photographs. 

The Tile Association 

T: 020 8663 0946 

F: 020 8663 0949 

E: info@tiles.org.uk 

W: www.tiles.org.uk 


If you are in the tile industry, you need to be in The Tile Association.

SITE REPORT 

St Malachy’s bespoke beautification 

The restoration of St Malachy’s Catholic Church in Belfast has been declared RICS’s Northern Ireland 

Project of the Year following a sensitive and sympathetic renovation project that involved the 

creation of a beautiful, bespoke, decorative geometric ceramic tile floor by Armatile. 


One of Belfast's oldest and most beautiful churches 

has won an important prize following a huge renovation 

project involving tile company Armatile. 

When the results of the Royal Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors competition were announced on 20th May, St 

Malachy's Catholic Church in Alfred Street, near the city 

centre, was declared NI Project of the Year. The 19th century 

church beat several multi-million pound commercial 

and government schemes. 

Following major renovation, many of the church's old 

features were brought back to life. These included the 

altarpieces, the sanctuary, the "inverted wedding cake" 

ceiling and stained glass. 

Designed by Consarc, and manufactured and fitted by 

Armatile, the main church floor has undergone a stunning 

transformation. Incorporating new mosaic and water jet 

cut pieces, it succeeds in complementing and enhancing 

the original sanctuary mosaic sections. A bespoke original 

geometric design was also commissioned for the baptismal 

area which again was manufactured and fitted by 

Armatile. All this was made possible by Armatile’s specialised 

manufacturing facility in Armagh, which allowed 

the floor designs to be realised to the exacting architectural 

design specifications. 

Overall winner 

The church was a favourite of the poet Sir John Betjeman 

and composer Sir Benjamin Britten. 

As well as winning overall Project of the Year Award, St 

Malachy's took first prize in the Building Conservation category. 

The RICS’s judges said the church stood out with "minimal 

intervention and maximum sensitivity combined to 

produce a church worthy of the attention of serious lovers 

of architecture, secular or otherwise". 

The Northern Ireland winners will now compete against 

other projects from around the world, with the overall 

winners to be announced in London later in the year.

ST MALACHY’S 

Key Suppliers 

Armatile 

Mosaics and special pieces 

Armatile 

Tiling Contractor 

Pilkington’s Tiles 

Dorset red 150 by150mm 

Floorgres 

Stontech tile range 

Revigres 

Cromatica tile range 

Evo-Stik 

SHP primer, OPF adhesive 

Dimpomor 

Portuguese limestone tiles 

Schluter Systems 

Dilex AKSN aluminium movement joints 

Lithofin 

Conditioning cleaner, Intensive cleaner, Easycare, Stainstop 

Mapei UK 

Ultracolour grouts, Ultraplan Eco 

JUNE 2010 TSJ 23

A to Z OF SPAIN 

What’s new in 

Spanish tiles: part 2 

In the second part of a new in-depth series on technical 

and aesthetic innovations in the field of ceramic tiles, TSJ 

concludes its pictorial A to Z of Spanish novelties for 2010. 

ROSA GRES www.rosagres.com 

Mango has chosen the large format Imagina range by Rosa 

Gres for its new fashion stores. Rosa Gres created these 

1,200 by 1,200mm tiles with freedom in mind. They offer 

a high resistance, easy to clean, modern look that will not 

go out of fashion. Imagina is ideal for large spaces such as 

shopping malls, restaurants and hotels. As well as the 

1,200 by 1,200mm format, Imagina is also available in 400 

by 1,200, 600 by 1,200, 600 by 600 and 300 by 600mm. 

The range is offered in five colours and two finishes: 

smooth for interior and bush hammered for exterior applications. 

SUPERCERAMICA www.superceramica.com 

Carlstone is the new range of porcelain tiles in a 300 by 600mm format from 

Superceramica. It is designed for modern spaces and avant-garde, cosmopolitan and 

urban environments, both spacious and functional. It comes in four neutral colours: 

beige, gris, marron and negro. There are two matching 50 by 300mm strip listellos in 

beige and gris. 

SALONI www.saloni.com 

Saloni’s Dax range offers a classic look in 300 by 900mm 

rectified with two wallpaper effects, Arena and Marfil are 

complemented by the wood effect Xilo, also available as a 

10 by 900mm strip. Matching 300 by 300mm Xilo floor 

tiles, plus a range of decorative pieces including 100 by 

300 moulded borders and 200 by 300mm Zocalo enhance 

Dax’s versatility. 

Dax is one of several new wall tile ranges that Saloni is 

currently presenting in the 300 by 900mm format. These 

white-body tile series - Lumina, Laca, Avant, Unik, Impuls 

and Infinity – come in a wide choice of patterns to allow 

the creation of personalised interiors that reflect current 

consumer tastes and requirements. Other stand-out 

designs in this format include the leather décors in the 

Laca range and the use of glass in the Lumina range. 

SALONI www.saloni.com 

The Rockwell group’s first ceramic collection for Saloni, 

Connec, was inspired by the woodworking techniques of 

George Nakashima. It uses new technologies that fuse 

metal with ceramics and features wavy edges and surprising 

textures to create an avant garde look that references 

long-established natural materials. 

Connec comes in 600 by 600mm in three neutral colours: 

marfil, moka and bronze. As well as the plain field tiles, 

Connec is also available with a striped surface and 

Contrast with a more variegated look. There are wavyedge 

interlocking cut piece tiles in 40 by 600 and 120 by 

600mm, plus others featuring the wavy edges with stapleeffect 

joints. 333 by 600mm tiles with scored lines complete 

the range. 

24 TSJ JUNE 2010


SANCHIS www.sanchis.com 

As it’s name implies, the Rainbow range from Azulejos 

Sanchis is inspired by the colours of the rainbow. The wall 

tile range is available in 200 by 400mm, with its co-ordinated 

floor tile in 310 by 310mm. It is offered in six fresh, 

young colours, while the contemporary elongated format 

matches the latest trend towards informal, fresh interior 

decoration. 

TODAGRES www.todagres.com 

Cementi by Todagres is a modular range of porcelain tiles. Floor tiles are available in five 

formats: 100 by 600, 200 by 800, 600 by 600, 400 by 800 and 300 by 600mm. There are 

five colour options: blanco, perla, royo, marengo and negro. There is also a range of wall 

tile options, including 300 by 300mm mosaic effect tiles in either single colour or mixed 

colours, including brick effects and 20 by 100mm strip mosaics; plus various special 

pieces. Shown above are Cementi marengo lappato 400 by 800mm and Cementi perla 

200 by 800mm floor tiles, with 300 by 300mm Mosaico mix on the walls. 

SANCHIS www.sanchis.com 

The Urban range from Azulejos Sanchis follows the trend 

towards high end concrete imitations. Urban comes in 300 

by 600 and 600 by 600mm, providing minimalist lines for 

those who prefer purity in design. The range features cosmopolitan 

colours and textures, with contemporary decorations 

such as mosaics and steel, offering simplicity and 

elegance matched to perfection. 

TAU CERAMICA www.tauceramica.com 

Tau has launched a collection of wall tiles that feature the versatile new 200 by 600mm 

format, first seen at Cersaie. Fiber (left) and Point (centre) are two colourful proposals 

with playful geometric designs; while the Arun (right) and Luminia ranges integrate the 

more classical, austere and sophisticated Alenda-Beires and Massa-Samaná series. 

Tau’s new ranges also feature some elegant floor tiles: Dessau, Gravel (microcement), 

Hammam (natural stone from the ancient Turkish baths) and Hebra (pictured 

in the same setting with Arun - right); a textile finish available in three versions, 

Llovizna, Orvallo and Japan, that resembles rain drops on glass. 

Tau has also emphasised its commitment to the environment by launching the Tau 

Eco Tile; a range of ceramic tile designs that have recycled material constituting at least 

45% of their content and, in some cases, up to 90%; all certified by Bureau Veritas. 

26 TSJ JUNE 2010


TECNICERAMICA 

www.tecniceramica.es 

Caribe from Tecniceramica 

(left) is a colourful range of 

170 by 450mm wall tiles 

available in nine colours: 

white, beige, orange, lilac, 

blue, green, brown, red and 

black. It makes a strong 

design statement in either 

the kitchen or bathroom, 

with the added versatility 

of a wide assortment of 

decorative pieces. 

UNDEFASA 

www.undefasa.com 

Named after the capital of 

Syria, Undefasa’s Damasco 

range comprises red body 

wall tiles in four basic 

colours: blanco (white), 

beige, negro (black) and 

burdeos (dark red). The 

333 by 600mm wall tiles are 

complemented by matching 

410 by 410mm floor 

tiles. These plain colour 

matt finish tiles have a linear 

surface and shiny 

grains that reflect the light. 

The range includes an 

extensive choice of decorative 

options such as the 

Cenefa Siria, Carolina and 

Bel cenefas and Damasco 

Gold and Silver, Palmira 

and Carolina decors. 

VIVES 

www.vivesceramica.com 

The Polinesia collection 

from Vives combines the 

quality and warmth of 

wood with a high slip 

resistance finish. It comes 

in a new 140 by 1,200mm 

format offering good aesthetic 

and technical features. 

The collection is presented 

in two different finishes: 

plain for the Samoa range 

and textured for the 

Moorea range (left). Both 

are slip resistant but 

Moorea has been designed 

with a specific relief suitable 

for wet areas, such as 

swimming pool surrounds. 

The collection combines 

the warmth of the natural 

material with the practical 

benefits of porcelain. 

The 140 by 1,200mm format 

helps to make this an 

elegant and easy to lay tile. 

It offers a range of tonalities: 

beige or marron in the 

Samoa range and beige, 

marron, blanco or antracita 

in the Moorea range. 

TAU www.tauceramica.com 

New from Tau, Mythos is a porcelain stoneware tile 

inspired by classic marble and characterised by its graceful 

sophistication and the purity of its forms. It is available in 

the formats: 450 by 450, 450 by 900 and 600 by 600mm, in 

five chromatic shades including grey and black. 

SUPERCERAMICA www.superceramica.com 

Inspired by the warmth and character of wood and 

processed tissues, Superceramica’s Vogue range is said to 

offer harmonious combinations of ancient and contemporary; 

tradition and modernity. Available in a range of 

colours, sizes and textures, Vogue can be combined successfully 

with many materials to create natural looking 

environments that are both elegant and exclusive. The 

250 by 500mm plain tiles come in five colours: marfil, 

wengé, blanco, gris and negro. There are also three more 

decorative field tile options in these colours; one with two 

horizonal stripes, another with a heavy knott effect and 

Gem which has a superimposed raised floral decor. 50 by 

500 and 50 by 250mm listellos are available plus a 75 by 

500mm Gem listello. Matching 333 by 333mm floor tiles 

are available in all five of the plain colours. 

28 TSJ JUNE 2010


Rock legends 

TSJ’s extensive selection of the UK’s network of 

specialist calibrated stone tile distributors. 

Beltrami 

01384 564315 

www.beltrami.co.uk 

info@beltrami.co.uk 

Beltrami UK is a wholesale granite, 

marble, limestone and basalt slab 

and tiles supplier with it’s depot and 

office located in Dudley, West 

Midlands. In May 2009, the company 

moved to a new purpose-built warehouse 

enabling 25,000sq. metres of 

slab materials to be held in stock 

ready for fast delivery to customers 

by it’s own fleet of vehicles and drivers. 

Extensive coverage of the country 

is provided. Beltrami services the 

needs of its customers efficiently, 

with support from sales managers on 

the road and a well trained sales 

office. 

Boniti 

01225 892200 

www.boniti.com 

showroom@boniti.com 

Boniti is a leading supplier of natural 

stone in the UK. From our showroom 

and warehouse near Bath (just 2 minutes 

from J18 of the M4) we supply 

trade and private customers with a 

vast array of stone including limestone, 

travertine, applestone, marble, 

granite, slate and sandstone, together 

with fixants and adhesives. We 

also offer stunning stone basins, bath 

tubs, shower trays and fireplaces and 

customer’s clients can view large 

samples on display in Boniti’s showroom. 

Our prices are extremely competitive 

and we carry stock of many varieties. 

Please call us on 01225 892 200 

to confirm quantities available. 

Camglass 

01279 739256 

info@camglass.co.uk 

www.camglass.co.uk 

Established in 1991, Camglass 

imports glass, tiles and sanitaryware, 

as well as natural stone. The company’s 

warehouse stocks an extensive 


range of natural stone, ceramic and 

porcelain, as well as a substantial 

supply of glass. The convenience of 

the warehouse’s location in Bishop’s 

Stortford enables efficient despatch 

of goods to customers. At Camglass 

the staff are passionate about working 

to the highest of standards, 

including working with only the best, 

most reputable suppliers. With the 

support from exclusive suppliers, 

Camglass is able to offer sole distribution 

rights for a variety of products. 

Classical Flagstones 

01422 307930/0845 308 3030 

www.classical-flagstones.com 

With signs of recovery in the residential 

and commercial property markets, 

retailers are recognising the 

value of the highly desirable Classical 

Flagstones brand, a name synonymous 

with quality stone flooring. 

The company set up 20 years ago, is a 

well established business specialising 

in natural internal stone flooring, 

wall tiles and replica flagstones. 

Whether a customer is looking for a 

traditional or contemporary look, 

Classical Flagstones offer a wide 

range of options both natural and 

replica in a variety of colours and finishes 

plus a full selection of accessories, 

grouts, sealants, adhesives 

and cleaners - there is something to 

suit every budget. 

Cosentino UK Ltd 

01483 757466 

www.silestone.com 

info.uk@cosentinogroup.net 

Cosentino UK supplies Silestone 

Quartz and Granite. Silestone is the 

world leader in quartz surfaces. 

Available in over 100 distinctive 

through-body colours and textures, 

Silestone is ideal for use in a wide 

variety of applications ranging from 

work surfaces to tiles, vanity units, 

bar/reception tops, steptreads, 

splashbacks wall cladding etc. 

Silestone by Cosentino is the first 

and only quartz surfacing material in 

the world, with patented Microban 

antibacterial protection. The Spanish 

manufactured material is held in 

stock in warehouses in Watford, 

Manchester and Gloucester, with 

daily deliveries nationwide. Full 

training is available, plus a range of 

marketing support tools. The company 

also exhibits extensively to promote 

the benefits of its products. 

Distribution Supplies 

01733 333033 

www.distribution-supplies.co.uk 

simon@distribution-supplies.co.uk 

Distribution Supplies imports Turkish 

travertine in the following sizes: 200 

by 200, 200 by 400 and 400 by 

600mm in honed and filled, chiselled 

and brushed, in a range of coloursnoce, 

white, cappuccino, walnut and 

chocolate. Distribution Supplies also 

imports Indian slate in 300 by 600, 

400 by 600, 600 by 600 and 300 by 

300mm in black, green, Madras, ruse, 

autumn, multi and pink. The company 

also offers hand-made and 

extruded terracotta in 300 by 300 

and 200 by 200mm. Distribution 

Supplies stocks around 5,000 pallets 

of assorted products at its 

Peterborough distribution hub and 

sells on the pallet basis at extremely 

low prices 

ESL Ceramics & Stone 

020 8744 1122 

eslceramics@euroserviceslimited.co.uk 

www.eurotilesandstone.com 

ESL has a large range of natural stone 

tiles including marbles, limestones, 

slates and travertines in many different 

sizes and finishes. Our range of 

mosaics is particularly extensive with 

different combinations of natural 

stones and stone with glass and 

metal. We pride ourselves on our 

constant innovation and policy of 

sourcing value added products at 

competitive prices. 

The company has been in business 

for over 30 years and distributes 

through out the UK and Ireland with 

delivery within three working days to 

mainland addresses. We also have 

three showrooms in Twickenham, 

Braintree and Stevenage where you 

can view our complete collection. 

GBI Tile - Quarry Collection 

0 (877) 424 9424 or 00 351 243 700140 

www.gbitile.com 

sales@gbitile.com 

The QuarryCollection Stone System 

from GBI Tile (a company with activities 

in the USA and Europe) is a selection 

of 11 stones in stock and ready 

for immediate delivery. These stones, 

listed below, are available in a selection 

of the same field, pattern and 

profile sizes: calacata, carrara, crema 

marfil, danby, golden beach, napolina, 

nova blue, nova gold, royal 

suede, sea grass and statuary. An 

extensive range of architectural slabs 

are also available in marble, limestone 

and granite There is, in addition, 

a striking and well-realised 

range of mosaics. Marketing tools 

such as concept boards, swatch cards 

and tower display are also available. 

Goss Marble 

01204 364000 

www.gossmarble.co.uk 

serkan@gossmarble.co.uk 

Goss Marble is an innovative award 

winning supplier of marble, natural 

stone, mosaic tiles, slate, granite, and 

stone crafted bowls and basins. We 

work with architects and specifiers to 

deliver outstanding solutions that 

will perfectly complement the simplest 

to the most stunning in design 

requirements. Whether it is an indoor 

or outdoor living space we will create 

a bespoke solution to fulfil your 

needs. We specialise in walls, floors, 

kitchens and bathrooms, along with 

external features such as patios, balconies, 

terraces and swimming pools. 

Whatever your requirements, Goss 

Marble will have a unique and innovative 

solution." 

Hard Rock Flooring 

01296 658755 

showroom@hardrockflooring.co.uk 

www.hardrockflooring.co.uk 

Hard Rock Flooring, apart from specialising 

in English Limestone and 

further afield, has a portfolio which 

includes Terracotta, Slate, Tumbled 

Marble, Travertine, Sandstone and 

Schist, to name but a few. We have 

the capability to source stone for 

specific projects, seeing it through 

from the initial conception to delivery 

anywhere. For further information 

contact Iain Marfleet, Proprietor 

or Sue Walker, Personal Assistant. 

Indigenous 

01993 824200 

enquiries@indigenousltd.com 

www.indigenousltd.com 

Indigenous specialises in natural 

walls, floors and bespoke bathroom 

interiors. A renowned niche supplier 

to both the trade and consumer markets, 

Indigenous is one of the UK’s 

leading suppliers of terracotta, slate 

and stone tiles. Its varied product 

range spans contemporary, honed 

limestones and cladding materials to


reclaimed Jerusalem tiles – all individually 

sourced from around the 

world, by Indigenous owner, Joss 

Thomas. 

Lakeland Stone 

01352 838689 

info@lakelandstone.com 

www.lakelandstone.com 

We are the number one natural stone 

supplier in the UK due to our philosophy 

of quality and service at competitive 

prices. Our people receive the 

best training and are the most 

knowledgable in the business. We 

source and import all our natural 

stone directly from quarries that we 

have visited and inspected. 

Lakeland’s commitment to sell only 

first choice, accurately finished, calibrated 

stone continues to enhance 

our reputation with both customers 

and suppliers. Lakeland’s portfolio 

spans travertine, limestone, marble, 

mosaics, slate, porcelain, ceramic 

tiles, fused glass and sealants. 

Lapicida 

01423 400100 

www.lapicida.com 

sales@lapicida.co.uk 

Lapicida supply premium quality natural 

stone including marble, limestone, 

granite, slate and travertine 

tiles. Lapicida regularly supplies 

products to the whole of the UK as 

well as mainland Europe. A 20 year 

old family run business, Lapicida 

relocated to its spectacular purposebuilt 

showroom on the outskirts of 

Harrogate, North Yorkshire in 

November 2007 with an extensive 

collection of quality stone in stock. 

The largest of its kind in Europe, the 

Lapicida showroom combines timeless 

architecture with contemporary 

design. 

Limestone Gallery 

020 7735 8555 

info@limestonegallery.com 

www.limestonegallery.com 

Limestone Gallery is based in central 

London with an extensive showroom, 

adjacent factory and warehousing 

offering a vast portfolio of 

stone. The company was established 

in 1996 and specialises in the supply 

and installation of limestone, marble, 

onyx, granite and reclaimed stone for 

flooring and bespoke stonework of 

all kinds for projects both in the UK 

and abroad. Services include staircases 

of all kinds, bookmatching, 

waterjet design, lightweight panels 

and all types of finishes. The company’s 

showroom is geared towards 

architects and designers with an 

extensive gallery of stones alongside 

a wide range of stone bathtubs, 

carved basins and statuary. 

Montpellier Marble 

01452 714800 

www.montpelier.co.uk 

info@montpellier.co.uk 

Originally cutting its teeth in the fireplace 

industry with a selection of distinctive 

award-winning fireplace 

designs available from nationwide 

stockists, Montpellier subsequently 

diversified into natural stone flooring 

and most recently added a new 

kitchen worktop division. The company 

is now a one-stop destination 

for natural stone for commercial and 

residential projects. 

As well as offering standard-sized 

stone tiles, Montpellier has developed 

a reputation for creating sensational 

bespoke bathrooms using the 

finest Italian marble. These feature 

vein-matched marble slabs on floors 

and walls and incorporate shower 

trays and basins in matching or complementary 

stone to create truly 

unique, trend-defying interiors. 

Natural Stone Emporium 

0845 491 8791 

www.stone-emporium.co.uk 

anna@naturalstoneemporium.co.uk 

There is nothing quite like the timeless 

quality of natural stone. No one 

appreciates this better than Natural 

Stone Emporium. Whether it’s used 

to create a classic or contemporary 

look, Natural Stone Emporium’s 

products are, quite simply, stunning. 

Working with a fantastic range of 

stone, travertine, marble and limestone 

in a multitude of colours and 

finishes, Natural Stone Emporium 

creates stylish tiles and bathroom 

accessories that give the home a 

unique appeal. The company, a 

established TTA member, offers a full 

range of services including design, 

surveys, preparation, installation, 

stone masonry and restoration work. 

Products can be ordered online at 

www.stone-emporium.co.uk 

Pisani 

020 8917 3350 

www.pisani.co.uk 

sales@pisani.co.uk 

UK stockists of granite, marble, limestone, 

travertine, porcelain and liquid 

glass, Pisani invite you to visit 

their showroom located just off the 

M3 in Feltham. View one of the most 

comprehensive ranges of materials 

ever assembled in the UK where we 

have over 300 types and finishes 

being displayed including Crystal 

Glass, Hyperwave and Liquid Glass 

ranges. 

Our fully covered warehouse 

encompasses over 30,000 sq. feet; it’s 

layout enables customers to see the 

whole surface of every type of slab. 

To complement this we have six 

prestigious showroom areas which 

promote the use of natural stone slab 

and engineered, porcelain and natural 

stone tiles where expert staff 

assist our customers with their 

design concepts. 

Showroom address: Unit 2A , Plane 

Tree Crescent, Feltham TW13 7AL. 

T: 020 8917 3350 

Midlands address: High Peak, 

Cromford, Matlock, Derbs DE4 5HN. 

T: 01629 823481. 

Rock Unique 

01959 565 608 

stone@rock-unique.com 

www.rock-unique.com 

Based near Sevenoaks, Kent, Rock 

Unique is a natural stone paving and 

interior stone tile supplier. We carry 

a large stock and huge range of 

many different types and colours of 

natural stones for indoor and outdoor 

use. Our particular strength is 

natural stone for the indoor and outdoor 

lifestyle, and where bespoke 

design and cutting is required. We 

can and have delivered throughout 

the UK, Continental Europe, and as 

far abroad as Bermuda. 

StoneDirect 

01335 3629001 

www.stonedirectuk.com 

StoneDirect aims to remove from 

retailers the doubts and complexity 

that can surround the procurement 

of natural stone. 

Based in the Midlands, StoneDirect 

specialises in supplying high quality 

natural stone floor and walling solutions 

to retailers nationwide. 

StoneDirect’s portfolio spans most of 

the commercially successful stone 

varieties: slate, limestone, sandstone, 

marble and granite. These are 

offered in a range of colours, finishes, 

formats and thicknesses that meet 

the vast majority of UK’s consumers’ 

requirements. 

StoneDirect offers 24 to 72 hour 

delivery time from receipt of order. 

This is backed up by an extensively 

stocked, strategically-located, warehouse. 

The company’s dedicated team, led 

by Charley, Mark and Paul, has a combined 

natural stone experience of 

over 50 years. This allows them to 

offer retailers informed guidance and 

support, plus a level of customer 

service that the company’s insists is 

second to none. 

Stone Republic 

084477 05578 

www.stonerepublic.co.uk 

me@stonerepublic.co.uk 

Stone Republic manufacture and 

supply the stone of your choice in; 

tiles, slabs, mosaics, bathware, 

paving, stairs, steps, columns and 

offer bespoke items. These items are 

available in more than 60 different 

kinds of stone. With unparalleled 

knowledge and experience, we offer 

‘the right quality at the right price’ 

with impeccable service. The company 

offers direct delivery to your 

customer’s doorstep in the UK, 

Europe and worldwide. 

Stone Republic supplies stone from 

our family-owned quarries and exclusively 

selected stone found around 

the world. The portfolio includes 

Marble, Limestone, Travertine, 

Granite and Onyx, supported by a 

stock level of around 45,000sq. 

metres. Stone Republic is happy to 

supply in quantities from 1sq. metre 

right up to 100,000 sq metres. The 

company has also developed its own 

formulated range of Sealants. 

StoneCircle 

01256 850380 

www.stone-circle.com 

sales@stone-circle.com 

Based near Basingstoke, stoneCIRCLE 

supplies a range of natural stone 

products including tiles and complementary 

kitchen and bathroom items 

to both retail showrooms and contractors. 

The company has been 

established for over 40 years and 

offers a high quality product with a 

huge variety of different stones, 

many with matching tiles and slabs 

available to choose from. The 

Basingstoke based factory is 

equipped with the latest CNC 

machines and the skilled workforce 

are experts in manufacturing 

bespoke natural stone bathrooms 

and kitchen surfaces. 

The company offers a templating 

and installation service and can 

install within five working days of the 

templates being made. 

Stonecrest Marble 

020 8347 5252 

www.stonecrestmarble.com 

murat@stonecrestmarble.com 

Stonecrest is a major distributor of 

natural stone tiling. We specialise 

in tiles and mosaics made from 

Travertine, Limestone, Marble, 

34 TSJ JUNE 2010


Granite and Slate tiles with mosaics. 

We can distribute to any location 

throughout Europe. It has taken us 

years to source quality stone tiles 

from various sources all over the 

world. We’ve taken time rooting out 

the good factories from the bad and 

now we are proud to offer you the 

best quality materials at exceptionally 

competitive prices. We guarantee 

that you will be 100% completely satisfied 

with all our products and services. 

We also offer grouts, adhesives 

and sealants. 

Tile & Marble Collection 

020 8589 3030 

info@jerusalemstones.co.uk 

www.jerusalemstones.co.uk 

We are the Jerusalem Stone specialists 

in the UK, as well as stocking a 

selection of other marbles and limestones. 

Recent additions to the collection 

include various stones in 

600mm by random lengths of up to 

1,200mm and porcelain backed 

Antique Gold Light, exclusively available 

through us in either 600 by 400 

by 12mm or 600 by 600 by 12mm 

from stock. We also stock the full 

stone version in 15mm thickness. 

The company is known for the very 

high quality of its products and its 

good service and delivery and has 

supplied stone to many prestigious 

developments including a recent £15 

million development in Hampstead. 

Travertine Ireland 

00 353 1 810 6806 

padraiq@travertine-ireland.com 

www.travertine-ireland.com 

Said to offer Ireland's largest selection 

of stone tile, Travertine Ireland is 

a wholesaler not a retailer: from full 

containers down to individual boxes 

of mosaics. 

We source only the best quality 

stone from joint-ventures with quarries 

all over the world, warehouse it 

in Dublin and deliver to customers 

anywhere on the island of Ireland 

within 24 hours, or anywhere in the 

UK within 48 hours. 

With over 15,000 sq. metres of 

stone in stock, the company has a 

dedicated sales force in both Ireland 

and the UK armed with great prices 

and a personalised service. 

Travertine Ireland offers very competitive 

rates on all types of natural 

stone tiles and mosaics from factories 

all over the world. Independent 

quality inspectors check the goods 

before containers are dispatched. 

Travertine Ireland can help retailers 

maintain the amount of products on 

offer and stock order lead time by 

supplying crates or individual picked 

orders within Ireland (48 hours) or 

the UK (three days maximum). 

Verona Stone Company 

0113 244 4984 

www.veronastonecompany.com 

sales@veronastonecompany.com 

Verona is an importer, wholesaler 

and distributor of marble, travertine, 

limestone, granite, glass and mosaic. 

Its range is sourced from Turkey, 

China, Spain, Italy and India. The 

company offers large formats, plus 

finish options such as tumbled, polished 

and Opus. Around 75,000 sq. 

metres are held in stock at Leeds 

available for nationwide delivery on 

orders as small as a single sheet of 

mosaic. The company offers free 

delivery on all orders over £75.00. 

Walls and Floors 

01536 410484 

www.wallsandfloors.co.uk 

salesoffice@wallsandfloors.uk.com 

Walls and Floors limited is a leading 

UK independent national tile distributor. 

We import and stock a massive 

range of natural stones suitable for 

all domestic and commercial applications, 

products include Marble, 

Limestone, Basalt, Travertine, 

Sandstone, Slate, Granite, Quarry, 

Terracotta and a wide range of natural 

stone mosaics. 

We source our natural products 

globally and can provide the most 

competitive prices and stock availability 

on all products. Our natural 

products are sourced from countries 

such as Brazil, India, Italy, Spain, 

China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Turkey, 

Iran and Portugal 

We also stock a full range of suitable 

sealers, cleaners, adhesives and 

tools for any natural stone project. 

We supply all over the UK, from our 

main distribution centre in 

Northamptonshire, with our fast and 

efficient delivery service. Our customer 

portfolio extends from national 

DIY stores to independent tile merchants, 

from house builders to architectural 

practices. 

This is all underpinned by our 

excellent management and support 

staff to maintain our service to all our 

customers. 

Photograph: Classical Flagstones 

Technistone appoints new UK distributor 

Haddonstone, the UK’s leading manufacturer of architectural cast stonework 

for interiors and exteriors, has been appointed UK distributor for Technistone 

interior flooring and tiling. 

Principally for use in hotels, offices, airports and prestige private residences, 

Technistone has a unique composition and manufacturing technology that 

is said to give it clear advantages over natural materials. 

The robust Technistone material is ideal for use in top quality residential, 

architectural and interior design projects. Available in a variety of colours, 

applications range from complex mosaic patterns to large scale tiled floors. 

Each combines smooth surfaces, precise joints and consistent colour. 

Haddonstone has recently launched an inspirational new 208 page catalogue 

that features Technistone, as well as flooring and paving ranges. 

Haddonstone will be launching Technistone at Decorex which takes place 

from 27th to 30th September. 

01604 770711 www.haddonstone.com 

Burlington launches off-the-shelf range 

Burlington is looking to increase both the 

availability and accessibility of its natural 

stone products, initially with the introduction 

of a standard, off-the-shelf range of 

floor and wall tiles. The Lakeland natural 

stone producer is also developing distribution 

via the appointment of a network of 

specialist stockists. With various product 

lines set to be introduced as part of a rolling 

launch programme, internal and external 

floor and wall tiles and paving are 

Burlington’s first area of focus. 

Now available from stock is a range of tiles 

aimed at the domestic and contract arena, 

and which come in five natural stone 

colours: Broughton Moor, Kirkby, Brandy 

Crag, and two limestones, Caulfield and Lord. Supplied as 12mm thick tiles (15mm for limestone), 

the new range comes in four standard sizes - 600 by 600, 600 by 300, 600 by 150 and 

300 by 300mm. The standard product is being supplied with a honed finish, with a number of 

textured finishes, available to order with short lead-times. 

Sales and Marketing Director, Nick Williams says: “The decision to develop a series of standard 

product offerings is all about simplification. Whilst Burlington will continue to offer a custommade 

proposition by manufacturing bespoke products to highly individual design styles and 

tastes, these can involve long lead times. Giving customers access to a series of off-the-shelf 

and uniformly-priced product ranges will mean that for the first time in Burlington’s history, 

the company will be in a position to say to customers: ‘if you want it, you can have it.’” 

In addition to supplying a standardised product offering for flooring, Burlington is currently 

working on a number of other products areas that will cover the kitchen, bathroom and wet 

room and landscaping environment. These will be supported by a network of appointed regional 

specialists, with further assistance emanating from Burlington’s striking new Lakeland Stone 

Studio that opened in Cumbria last month. 

01229 889661 www.burlingtonstone.com 

36 TSJ JUNE 2010

STONECREST MARBLE 

Building a brand based 

on quality and service 

Over the past seven years Murat and Bill Yurtseven have 

build Stonecrest Marble into one of the leading importers 

and distributors of calibrated natural stone in the UK. Joe 

Simpson visited the company’s North London HQ to learn 

the brothers’ plans for building the Stonecrest brand. 

Above: Three views of 

Stonecrest Marble’s 

showroom. 

Back in 2003, Murat Yurtseven and his brother, Bill, 

were respectively a disillusioned estate agent who 

had worked for some of London’s highest profile and 

most aggressive realtors, and a recruitment consultancy 

entrepreneur looking for a fresh challenge. Having 

decided to go into business together, the question was: 

what business? Not surprisingly, given that their father 

was an experienced tiler, their first thoughts turned to 

setting up an importer and distributor of top-of-therange 

ceramic tiles. From here it was but a short step to 

natural stone. 

Seven years on and the business the brothers started 

with little capital but boundless enthusiasm – Stonecrest 

Marble – is now a force to be reckoned with in the dynamic 

UK dimensional stone sector. With around 30,000 sq. 

metres of stone tile in stock in their warehouse in north 

London, Stonecrest now services around 150 customers. 

The company directly imports marble, limestone, travertine 

and granite from Spain, Italy and France as well as 

Turkey; the latter being the bedrock of the business. 

Adhesives and grouts from Larsen and MPG cleaners, sealers 

and waxes, complement the stone tiles. 

Today around 90% of Stonecrest’s business is derived 

from Turkish quarried and processed stone, which they 

sell to a cross section of retailers, wholesalers and distributors. 

The company imports around eight containers of 

stone a week. About 60% of this is bound for third party 

distributors, around 30% for independent retailer and the 

remainder for Stonecrest’s own retail customers, local 

builders and developers. 

The Yurtseven’s have built the business on three clear 

business principles. The first is customer service, which 

means holding stock and offering effective on-time delivery. 

The second is quality. In the UK stone industry this is 

probably the key issue, because the image of stones such 

as travertine have been damaged by the widespread 

availability of poor quality lightweight stone with extensive 

honeycombing filled with low quality resins. 

Stonecrest prides itself on the fact that its commercial 

grade travertine is equal to most suppliers’ first grade 

stone; while it believes that its first grade travertine is 

unsurpassed in the market. Stonecrest has been shrewd 

enough to employ a freelance quality assurance manager 

– a former quarry employee - in Turkey who samples the 

stone at the processor prior to despatch. This not only 

means that any problem consignments remain in Turkey, 

but concentrates the minds of Stonecrest’s Turkish suppliers 

who make sure that the company receives excellent 

service. And with two large processors in Turkey now 

reliant on Stonecrest for the majority of their business, real 

pressure can be brought to bear should quality performance 

drop off. “She has our full authority to take action,” 

says Murat. “Her presence shows the companies that we 

are serious and it really does keep them on their toes. The 

key to success in sourcing from Turkey is not owning 

quarries, but having strong business relationships. In this 

business it is all about trust and we have that element in 

our favour.” 

The final pillar of the business is value for money. 

“People have tightened up due to the recession,” explains 

Murat. “They are looking for a good deal and certainly 

won’t pay more for the same product they can buy 

cheaper elsewhere, no matter how good your service levels 

are. However, it’s not all about price; the real secret is 

value.” 

One of the keys to Stonecrest’s ability to offer this value 

is its liquidity. They have a long standing borrowing facil- 

38 TSJ JUNE 2010

STONECREST MARBLE 

Left top: Bianca carrara marble. 

Left bottom: Myra limestone. 

Middle top: Classic Travertine. 

Middle middle: Sahara 

tumbled. 

Middle bottom: Split-faced 

white marble. 

ity with the bank that means that they are able to buy 

large quantities of stone up-front for cash. This obviously 

helps the cashflow of hard-pressed producers, who are 

willing to offer generous discounts in return. 

Stonecrest keeps its price list very clear and simple. They 

don’t use the fancy names that some wholesaler use in an 

attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of customers and 

justify higher prices. 

That is not to say that the company’s extensive portfolio 

does not contain some exceptional and rare stones. A 

good example is Sahara limestone. Stonecrest was 

already dealing with the quarry that has seams of this rare 

stone. Stonecrest sourced the block and then had the 

stone processed. There are only two or three other companies 

in the world that can offer this stone; which is particularly 

striking in the 400 by 600mm format. Other key 

lines include Crema Nova marble, both honed and polished 

and Bergamont limestone, named after the French 

limestone the company supplied to David Beckham’s 

house. Other interesting ranges include large format – 

600 by 900 to 1,200 by 1,200mm, tumbled and split. 

So what does the future hold for Stonecrest Marble? In 

the short term, negotiations are already advanced to take 

on a third warehouse on the current site. This will enable 

them to expand the range, and porcelain tiles will, in all 

probability, be added to the portfolio to complement the 

natural stone. 

However, for both Bill and Murat, the key is to building 

and strengthening the Stonecrest brand. Every case of 

stone already carries a professional, clear informative label 

with the Stonecrest logo. The stone is unusually well 


packed with EPS sheet, reinforcing banding and clean, 

unbroken, pallets designed to ensure that the stone 

arrives at the customer in tiptop condition. A store of 

empty pallets is kept in stock. This allows any stone that 

arrives on damaged packaging to be checked and repacked 

prior to despatch. 

“We have a great portfolio with 15 types of marble, four 

shades of limestone, etc. But we believe what sets us 

apart is that we truly care about our customers. We know 

there will be problems, but we are committed to keeping 

them to an absolute minimum and sorting any out as 

quickly and thoroughly as possible. It is this attitude that 

we want to encapsulate in the Stonecrest brand,” says 

Murat “We have grown by 40% and 50% over the past 

two years, so we must be doing something right. But we 

are not at all complacent. We truly believe in this business 

and are wholly committed to making it the best in the 

country.” 

CONTACT 

Stonecrest Marble 

Unit 6 

Cranford Industrial Estate 

London N8 9DG 

0208 347 5252 

murat@stonecrestmarble.com 

www.stonecrestmarble.com


The first line of defence 

TSJ considers some of the main options when choosing a 

suitable entrance or barrier matting solution for a tiled floor. 

Above Sentinel by Shackerley. 

Gradus has re-launched two of 

its popular secondary barrier 

carpet ranges, upgrading the 

performance and colour 

choices available in the 

Boulevard 5000 range, as well 

as introducing modern colours 

to the Boulevard 6000 range. 

Renamed Boulevard 5000HD, 

the barrier carpet now 

incorporates a light scraper 

yarn that has enhanced its 

performance in removing dirt 

from foot and trolley traffic, 

plus it’s available in a wider 

range of eight colours. The 

Boulevard 6000 range has also 

been re-coloured to provide a 

plainer and more neutral 

palette. Eight colourways are 

now available, including three 

new additions - Sapphire, 

Mocha and Nickel - plus five 

colours from the previous 

collection - Shadow, Rosemary, 

Galaxy, Indigo and Nightfall. 

Both ranges are available in 

2m sheet format. Boulevard 

6000 is also supplied in 500 by 

500mm tiles. 

Today’s tile and stone market is awash with a plethora of 

cleaning solutions and other aftercare ranges. However, 

as any housewife will tell you, the most effective cleaning 

practice is to stop dirt entering in the first place. 

Documented evidence shows that around 80% of the dirt 

entering a building is taken in on the soles of shoes and on the 

tyres of wheeled traffic. When people (or vehicles) pass from 

outside to inside a building they bring a mixture of dirt, grit and 

moisture. So, unless entrances are protected, they can easily 

become slippery and hazardous underfoot. Dirt can also quickly 

work its way into interior floorcoverings with as much as 1kg 

building up in a square metre of carpet within 14 days, even in 

good weather conditions. Considering the high cost of dirt 

removal, this is an unnecessary burden on cleaning requirements 

and maintenance budgets. Moreover, the ingression of 

dirt into textile and resilient floorcoverings can lead to scratching 

or discolouration of the stone or tile surface, and also soiling 

of the grout lines which is where a good proportion of the dirt 

will inevitably be deposited. 

It is thus essential to use an effective entrance flooring system 

for the protection of internal floors, to reduce the requirement 

of floor cleaning and minimize the risk of slipping. 

BS 7953: 1999 Entrance Flooring Systems – selection, installation 

and maintenance, Part 4 states: “The majority of soil entering 

a building originates from the soles of people entering a 

building. Other sources are the wheels of vehicles, for example, 

wheelchairs and wind-borne soil. The amount of soil brought 

into a building varies according to the weather and external 

conditions, such as building work. 

Entrance or barrier matting has several functions. Perhaps the 

most obvious is to reduce the incidence of slipping accidents 

by reducing the amount of soil and moisture tracked onto the 

floor. They also help to prolong the life of interior floors by 

reducing the ingress of soil. This also reduces cleaning requirements. 

In order to fulfil these functions, entrance or barrier 

matting systems need to remove and retain soil, minimise moisture 

ingress and of themselves be simple to clean and maintain. 

Part 5 of BS 7953 states: “The entrance flooring system should 

scrape, wipe and retain, whilst making contact with both feet of 

people entering the building and, in the case of wheeled traffic, 

with the circumference of the wheels. 

The Disability Act 1995 also has a major impact on how 

entrance matting is to be specified. This is set out in BS 8300: 

2001 Building design and approach to meet the needs of disabled 

people – code of practice. 

Clause 9.1.3 states: “Floor surfaces should be slip resistant to 

give a firm foothold and good wheel grip under all wet and dry 

conditions.” 

This slip resistance is a vital factor since slips, trips and falls are 

the most common of all work-related accidents Statistics 

issued by the UK’s Health & Safety Executive show slipping and 

tripping to be the single most common cause of injuries in the 

UK workplace. In 2005/2006, slips and trips represented 36% of 

the total number of reported major injuries in the workplace 

and, of this figure, 19% involved slipping on a wet substance or 

surface. 

As well as days lost through sickness following falls, employers 

also face the growing risk of litigation. 

In the UK slips and trips accounted for 698,336 hospital bed 

days in 2002/03. In contrast, accidents involving car occupants 

accounted for only 82,395. 

These worrying facts, combined with an increased awareness 

about public liability, means that it is vital to get the entrance 

matting specification - a building’s first line of defence - right 

from the outset. 

Selected Suppliers 

Plastic Extruders offers a range of entrance solutions for locations 

where water may be present and where there is a need to 

maintain safe and hygienic conditions, especially in public 

places such as jetties, around swimming pools, in shower rooms 

and in changing areas. For barefoot and wet areas they include 

Heronrib, Herontile and Heronair. 

The company’s high performance entrance flooring systems 

will prevent dirt from entering buildings, keep shoes clean and 

effectively reduce cleaning and maintenance costs. The company 

recommends the Frontrunner range, this includes Brush, 

Matting and Module options, plus Frontrunner Plus and 

Frontrunner XT. 

3m’s Nomad Aqua 6500 Floor Mats remove dirt and absorb 

moisture. They are suitable for medium traffic volumes of 

between 500 and 1,500 crossings per day. They feature dual 

fibre construction for long lasting performance. 

Construction Specialties‘ entrance flooring range, Pedisystems, has 

been used for projects large and small, across a spectrum of 

business sectors including healthcare, education, commercial, 

retail, transport and leisure. The company operates a Quality 

Management System complying with BS EN ISO 9001:2000. 

Jaymart’s Raincheck is a super-heavy contract quality, extra 

absorbent, deep nylon brush-on-vinyl backing, clean zone barrier 

matting/foyer carpeting. 8.5mm thick, it is specially manufactured 

for heavily trafficked areas. It combines maximum 

42 TSJ JUNE 2010


moisture absorbency with superior dirt containment. Raincheck 

can also be incorporated into aluminium channel sections The 

roll size is 25m by 2m in width; while mats are offered in 900 by 

600, 1,500 by 900 and 2,000 by 1,300mm. Raincheck is available 

in .Milk Chocolate Brown, Honey, Terracotta, Burgundy, Hunter 

Green, Navy Blue, Solid Black, Charcoal and Silver Grey colours. 

For indoor heavy traffic, Jaymart’s Superguard combines 

100% polyamide velour brush pile barrier zone carpeting with 

built-in monofil nylon scrapers and flame-retardant latex waffle 

backing. 10mm thick, it comes in rolls measuring 25 by 2m in 

Red Graphite, Blue Graphite, Brown Graphite, Black Graphite 

and Green Graphite colours. 

Jaymart’s Alligator entrance-matting system consists of alternate 

strips of barrier carpeting and aluminium. This effective 

combination of materials simultaneously brushes and scrapes 

the soles of shoes. Alligator is designed for heavy-duty use, 

principally for indoor entrance and foyer areas in shops, public 

buildings, hotels and leisure centres. 

To safeguard floors from external dirt and moisture, Desso offers 

Protect carpet tiles. Protect effectively combines function with 

aesthetics to provide a barrier to prolong the appearance of a 

smart interior. 

Treadsafe offers heavy-duty recessed and surface-mounted 

entrance matting for schools and colleges, shopping centres, 

offices, stations and airports, in addition to bespoke solutions 

for individual applications. 

Coba Europe’s Premier Plus Tiles are designed to scrape dirt and 

absorb moisture. Manufactured from 80% recycled materials, 

they are suitable for both indoor use and external covered 

areas. The tiles simply clip together to cover any desired areas 

and are ideal for insertion into foot wells. They are available to 

colour co-ordinate with an interior, with a bevelled edging system 

available for loose lay applications. 

Plastic Extruders’ Frontrunner Plus matting is designed with integral 

absorbent insets within a heel-proof vinyl grid. This combination 

will scrape, clean and dry shoes, while any dirt remaining 

falls through the grid and is not transferred inside. The matting 

can be trimmed easily on site to fit any shape, such as within 

revolving doors or in irregular shaped matwells. The matting 

complies with the UK Disability Discrimination Act, is heel and 

stick-proof and provides easy access for wheel-chairs. Other 

options include Frontrunner Brush with nylon brush inserts to 

combat severe soiling, Frontrunner 100% grid vinyl and 

Frontrunner XT with extra surface grip for external use. 

Shackerley provides a wide range of high performance heavy 

duty barrier matting systems for all types of commercial and 

public sector buildings. Sentinel is a modular matting system 

with individual drying, scraping and brushing components that 

can be specified to meet the particular demands of any location, 

including very heavy traffic areas. 

From left: Nomad by 3M; 

Protect by Desso; Alligator by 

Jaymart; Senator by Emco UK: 

and Premier Plus tiles by Coba. 

All Sentinel Link and Gap entrance mats are manufactured to 

the customer’s exact specification and feature their required 

combination of insert materials which can include moistureabsorbing 

fibre carpet in a range of colours, ribbed aluminium 

profiles, stiff brush tufts, and rot-proof rubber strips. Firegap, a 

fire retardant system conforming to LUL Section 12 Code of 

Practice for underground railway stations is also offered. 

Entrance Matting Systems’ Colortread not only removes foot-borne 

dirt and moisture efficiently, but also offers an attractive visual 

alternative to other products on the market. The Colortread 

range is constructed using a rigid aluminium base complemented 

by a comprehensive range of coloured entrance mats. 

Any combination of inserts and scraper bars can be mixed and 

matched with EMS offering a bespoke solution for every application. 

Emco UK provides a complete entrance matting solution from 

manufacture to installation. Customers can order entrance 

matting systems that are made-to-measure with a logo inlaid or 

barrier matting systems that remove dirt and dampness at the 

entrance across their three distinct zones. 

The Senator range is designed for heavily trafficked areas. It is 

a roll-up, hard-wearing entrance mat with extra wide mat profiles, 

mounted in a rigid aluminium support chassis with impact 

sound insulation underlay. The tread surface can consist of 

recessed, robust, weather-proof coarse fibre ribbed carpet strips 

or with additional brush strips mounted between the sections. 

Scraper bars mounted can also be used. Standard colours are 

light grey, anthracite, beige and blue. 

SELECTED TILE BARRIER MATTING SUPPLIERS 

3M 0845 604 3697 www.3mselect.co.uk 

Coba Europe 0116 240 1055 www.cobaeurope.com 

Construction Specialties 01296 652800 www.c-sgroup.co.uk 

Emco UK 0870 161 1617 www.emcouk.co.uk 

Entrance Matting Systems 01205 761757 www.entrance-matting.com 

Gradus 01625 428922 www.gradusworld.com 

Jaymart 01373 864926 www.jaymart.net 

Matworks 0845 601 0431 www.mat-works.co.uk 

Plastex Matting 01256 845 7725 www.plastexmatting.com 

Plastic Extruders 01268 571116 www.plastex.co.uk 

Shackerley 0800 783 0391 www.shackerley.com 

Treadsafe 01202 400870 www.treadsafeuk.com 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

Entrance Flooring Systems Association 0113 259 1999 

44 TSJ JUNE 2010

Top: Javier Sastre. 

www.sastre-asociados.com 

Above: Toni Sos. 

www.sosconsulting.es 

Innovation beyond aesthetic design 

In this extract from a fascinating paper given at Qualicer ‘10, Javier Sastre of 

Sastre & Asociados and Toni Sos of Sos Consulting look at the potential of tiles. 

The idea to produce this paper emerged in May 

2009, in the midst of the global economic and 

financial crisis, because we thought - and today steadfastly 

maintain - that it was necessary more than ever to 

reconsider the future of ceramic tile with a creative and 

innovative approach. 

Starting from the premise that not everything in the 

ceramic tile world has been achieved or invented yet, 

there are many potential ways of making ceramic tile 

evolve; positioning it as a product with a great future 

ahead of it. But in order to achieve this, in our view, 

both manufacturers and ceramic designers need to 

focus more on the end-user. 

The current way of developing new products in the 

ceramic tile sector places a heavy burden on aesthetic 

design, leading to a host of new designs with merely 

aesthetic variations. That is why new products seldom 

prove innovative. 

There is very little innovation that is user-focused, or 

focused on user needs. Those needs can be verified in 

terms of the different consumption trends, which are 

clearly identifiable in the global marketplace. 

In this paper, without underestimating the need to 

innovate in aesthetic design in any way, we propose to 

reconsider the creative process and the launch of new 

ceramic products, focusing much more closely on consumer 

needs. 

After revising current consumer tendencies, the 

authors present some innovative proposals for the sector, 

which have arisen from a systematic creative 

process applied by the authors. 

These ideas are not finished proposals, rather they are 

at an embryonic stage and are proposed with the intention 

of breaking new ground in innovation as far as 

ceramic tiles are concerned and also serve as examples 

of what a user-focused systematic creative process 

might bring forth. 

It should be pointed out that when we consider the 

final user, we can detect the emergence of a myriad of 

ideas and concepts relating to new types of ceramic tile 

functionalities, turning the tile into a product with 

active properties instead of it being simply a passive 

product, as has consistently been the case up to now. 

Health benefits 

A fair number of the most interesting ideas that have 

come to the fore are linked to the idea that ceramic tiles 

provide active properties for health. Health would be a 

specific component of the most generic utility lever, 

which is productivity for the user. 

Tiles are products that may be present in multiple 

locations, in public places as much as in private 

dwellings. This ubiquity allows tiles to contribute properties 

linked to health, because tiles are out there 

where the people stay, where they live and where they 

work. 

In other sectors there are many innovations linked to 

active properties for health. In the food sector, there is 

the paradigmatic case of Actimel by Danone, which 

needs no further introduction here and has been one of 

the driving forces behind an avalanche of products 

with properties that are beneficial to health. 

In fact, a whole new industry has been developing, 

nutraceutics engineering, a combination of nutrition 

and pharmaceuticals, which is devoted to creating 

functional foodstuffs by adding supplements that have 

medical benefits for the organism to different foodstuffs. 

For example, Nestlé has launched Glowelle, a daily 

drinking supplement developed by a group of employees, 

which promises to enhance beauty and to delay 

ageing effects. Danone is developing Souvenaid, a 

multi-nutrient drink that combines a series of nutrient 

active agents for Alzheimer sufferers. 

Our most valuable ideas, related to the concept of 

developing active properties for health at the same 

time as benefiting from the product’s ubiquity, would 

be active tiles (like Actimel), which bring health-giving 

bacteria into the environment. Or anti-flu tiles which 

would create areas ‘resistant’ to the flu virus, particularly 

appropriate for use in public places, such as hospitals 

or in private dwellings where there are young children 

or elderly people. 

We also have anti-fly or anti-insect performing tiles, 

which could prevent illnesses transmitted by flies or 

insects or simply avoid the inconvenience of using traditional 

poisons. In this context, there is the example of 

the Apple I-phone application, which promises to get 

rid of mosquitoes by means of ultrasound waves that 

apparently frighten them: the phone as an anti-fly tool! 

Well, why not ceramic tiles? 

Tiles that could stimulate (or supress) the appetite 

would be especially interesting for school dining 

rooms, or for people with problems with anorexia or 

bulimic problems. 

Or tiles capable of treating water, for tanks, wells, etc. 

This is something that could be incredibly useful in 

countries or places with problems of access to drinking 

water. 

In the group of health-related ideas one might find 

ultra-hygienic tiles, for households with small children, 

public places, or hospitals, which operate actively 

against any type of infectious or pollutant element. 

When drafting the final version of this paper in 

September 2009, we learned that this idea is already 

being investigated at the University of Valencia. 

46 TSJ JUNE 2010

If we already have tiles that carry out chemical 

processes in order to eliminate pollutant composites 

from the environment, why not imagine tiles that could 

convert CO 2 into oxygen, or tiles that could eliminate 

radioactivity? We might well be imagining tiles that 

would be trying to tackle two of the most important 

problems that humankind has in the 21st century, 

together with that of the scarcity of water and other 

natural resources. 

Not linked to health, but still with the most generic 

productivity utility lever, would be ventilated façades 

that generate wind power by means of micro pores in 

the tiles, and the air currents that circulate inside the 

structures. Note that ventilated façades can take up 

large surface areas and are exposed to the effects of the 

wind and sun. We must ensure that they are active and 

not only passive. 

There are different examples in other sectors related 

to novel forms of harnessing energy, such as the Light 

Blossom lamp designed by Philips which only lights up 

in the dark, as and when necessary, through a technology 

of proximity sensors and, in daylight, opens out 

into petals like a flower storing up solar energy. 

Another example of unexpected collection of energy 

for later use is that of KERS in Formula 1. This technology 

accumulates the energy expended in the friction of 

brake discs, and allows its subsequent use for a few seconds 

during overtaking manoeuvres. 

Courting convenience 

Making life easier is a characteristic of progress, and 

ceramic tiles can play their part in making life more 

comfortable. Once more, there are many examples of 

this in other sectors. 

Here, only the simple case of Ikea in Denmark will be 

mentioned. After noticing that about 20% of their customers 

came to their stores on bicycles, IKEA decided to 

launch a free bicycle cart service. In this way, they 

offered their customers greater convenience, while at 

the same time allowing them to purchase more items, 

since they could be easily transported in these carts. 

A case of ceramic tiles making life easier could be that 

of self-cleaning tiles, which clean themselves and 

require no maintenance, something especially appropriate 

for people unwilling to waste time on boring or 

merely unpleasant chores. In particular, the growing 

niche market of ‘singles’ (people that live alone), or 

those households where both partners have jobs. 

Anti-odour tiles, particularly suitable for areas where 

ceramic tiles are traditionally fixed: kitchens and bathrooms. 

But they would be incredibly useful in restaurants, 

public eateries and diners, or in the bathrooms of 

public buildings. This is an example of a product with a 

new functionality linked to wherever it happens to be 

used. 

One of the characteristics that cause inconvenience 

with ceramic products is their removal or disassembly, 

not only for the amount of physical work required but 

also for the amount of waste involved, and the need to 

get rid of this and to take it to suitable disposal sites. It 

is also a slow and drawn-out task, totally against the 

fast track approach that both users and installers prefer. 

For that reason, it would be very useful to produce tiles 

that could be easily destroyed, such as tiles that turn 

immediately into sand particles when combined with 

an agent or special product. 

Adding a touch of humour to this idea, imagine tiles 

with a sell-by date, which self-destruct on reaching it. 

We could have up-to-date environments, and the rotation 

so desired by manufacturers. Other interesting 

possibilities that have been identified as linked to convenience 

could be: sound-absorbing tiles that eliminate 

noise and are soundproof as well. Light-absorbing 

tiles could help avoid luminous contamination or moisture-regulating 

tiles could absorb or release moisture 

to create a more pleasant environment or to simply 

make the atmosphere more stable where necessary. 

Reducing the risk factor 

Security, or risk reduction, is also a factor much valued 

by consumers. Once again, since ceramic tiles can be 

installed in any room, they have the capacity to act positively 

in matters of security. 

Some ideas that have emerged linked to this concept 

are anti-WiFi, anti-Bluetooth, or anti-coverage tiles. 

Nowadays, where everyone can have a 100% Internet 

connection and have WiFi connection tools, it could be 

interesting to use tiles as a means of security in certain 

areas such as banks, public agencies, etc. 

That is to say, in all those places with internal networks 

that require maximum security in the traffic flow 

of their data in order to prevent intrusion into their networks 

and data emission. Or simply to wipe out 

Internet use on grounds of security. All this could be 

achieved by the emission of connection-breaking sig- 

Above: Ecocarat by Japan’s 

Inax Corporation is a completely 

natural ceramic material that 

utilises tiny holes to absorb 

excess humidity in the room 

and release it when the air 

becomes dry, maintaining optimum 

comfort levels. Ecocarat 

also absorbs and reduces 

unpleasant smells and harmful 

airborne toxins. 

JUNE 2010 TSJ 47

Above: Ceracasa’s Lifewall is a 

vegetal façade system 

developed by Emilio Llobat of 

Maqla Architects. The 1,000 by 

1,000mm panels are designed 

to hold plants on an upright 

surface, creating a type of 

vertical garden that is watered 

by a drip irrigation system that 

optimises water use. These tiles 

also help to purge harmful 

nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the 

air. Lifewall was developed in 

collaboration with the 

Polytechnic University of 

Valencia. 

nals from the ceramic coverings. The anti-Bluetooth 

option would avoid the insidious reception of messages 

with viruses or spam publicity in public places as 

is already happening. 

Cell phone coverage could be annulled, in order to 

assure free space in hospitals, museums, cinemas, theatres, 

conference halls, etc. We wouldn’t just have signs 

forbidding cell phones, they simply wouldn’t work. 

Tiles can also be used to do things while we are 

absent. In addition, we are interested in creating a safe 

environment: to do so, security systems could be created 

by installing tiles that transmit infrared rays in different 

directions, or by tiles with movement or footstep 

sensors to allow the immediate detection of intruders. 

Another possibility linked to security is tiles that 

detect above-normal temperature increases by sensors 

that would immediately signal security services or even 

emergency services, such as the fire brigade, to avoid 

fire risk. 

On the other hand, tiles could keep lower temperatures 

in areas where low temperatures are required. 

The same also applies to places, like research centres, 

where maximum temperature stability is required. 

Enthuse and entertain 

Entertainment is also something that ceramic tiles can 

offer, particularly for young children, and why not? 

Ceramic tiles that could be painted and wiped clean 

again and again could be developed (like Villeda 

boards), which would spare families with artistic children 

a lot of upsets ... which is every family. And the 

kids would think they were in heaven. Still, on the subject 

of children, but not with a new tile functionality, we 

believe tile producers could form tie ups with big entertainment 

firms, like Disney or Marvel, in order to create 

a series of tiles with their characters and designs. It 

appears an obvious option, even though it hasn’t been 

pursued yet. And this is something that is actually happening 

in other areas, and intensely so. 

Image and imagination 

Ultimately, consumption is a question of personal status, 

of image. Let’s not deceive ourselves. As a result, 

any consumption that helps us enhance or renew our 

image in an attractive way will be of interest to us. 

In fact, the trend related to the drive for an own image 

brand is bringing many new products and businesses 

to the fore, which satisfy these needs: Ziggs is a business 

that helps people manage their social lives on-line, 

creating a virtual brand for them. Users learn to 

improve their visibility on Google, to improve their 

social image and to manage their relationships online. 

Does this seem an exaggeration? As evidence that this 

is growing, we have the yardstick of celebrity, Wired, 

which shows its users their popularity in cyberspace 

based on the number of Web hits related to them, the 

number of friends on their social-networking pages, 

and the number with a link to their photos. 

At the head of this trend, we have the Vanity Ring, 

designed by the German artist Markus Kison, which is a 

piece of jewellery that displays social status instead of 

financial status, indicating the number of Google 

entries the person has or the number with that name 

(the ring is updated by plugging it into the hardware 

with a USB connection). 

In relation to image, and without needing to do anything 

on-line, though there are interesting ideas linked 

to this, we propose that manufacturers should establish 

alliances with brands closely linked to fashion and 

design, such as Zara and Ikea on a broad level of consumption, 

or a jewellery firm like Tous, on a more exclusive 

level, to develop tiles with their brands. And that 

these tiles should be distributed, by means of special 

displays, in their shop chains. 

This would also involve innovation in the distribution 

chain, in the form of getting ceramic proposals across 

to the public (especially to women, who generally 

make most of the purchasing decisions for such items). 

Imagine the case of Tous: ‘tiles only available at the jeweller’s 

shop’. We would also be working with the subtrend 

search for exclusiveness in luxury goods. 

A traditional example of channel switch, such as the 

previous case, is that of drug stores at petrol stations, 

where pretty much everything is sold, especially foodstuffs, 

in places that were originally intended only to 

‘replenish’ vehicles. 

Another highly in-vogue option to be exploited, as 

has already been mentioned, would be eco-tiles: tiles 

made from 100% recycled materials, with a manufacturing 

and distribution process respectful of the environment. 

Here there is clearly room for growth. 

That would allow manufacturers to obtain the mark of 

environmentally clean material, which would soon 

undoubtedly become a differentiating aspect of the 

offer .. .until it became a minimum factor for success, as 

has already occurred with quality control and the corresponding 

certification. 

There are an array of innovations in all sectors linked 

48 TSJ JUNE 2010

Above: Part of the Architectural 

Food exhibit at the Milan 

Furniture Fair in 2008, Maurizio 

Sala created this installation, 

called “Hai mangiato la fogli” 

for leading Italian tile 

manufacturer Emilceramica. 

to ecology, though the example that most strikes one’s 

attention here is the F3000 vehicle presented at the 

Valencia Formula 1 Grand Prix in August 2009. This 

vehicle is constructed with a plant-based chassis, the 

steering wheel is made out of potato starch, and the 

exhaust cleans CO 2 from the air that circulates through 

the car. Finally, the petrol is liquid chocolate. 

Impressive! 

These are the ideas, linked to the end-users, which 

have been most apparent in the need to ‘stimulate’ the 

creativity of ceramic producers. However, creativity 

shouldn’t stop there. It can, and should, work with all 

the actors in the value chain, beginning with suppliers 

and carrying on through manufacturers, advisers and 

traditional wholesalers. 

In this sense, how about designing tiles with a designation 

of origin based on the exclusive raw materials 

that are incorporated into the tiles? For example, 

Sevres clay, or Tahiti beach sand. The idea of treading 

on paradise beach sand doesn’t sound bad. 

Or perhaps manufacturers with a new cold manufacturing 

process, which allows energy saving and could 

be less polluting? 

For specifiers (architects, interior designers), we can 

also focus on the specific needs of a professional group 

with growing weight in the sector: 

What about a permanent internal board for designing 

special products, outside the standard range, for certain 

projects that they may have, for example in contract 

installations? 

Tile fixers must not be forgotten. For them, we could 

design an ultra-rapid dry tile-fixing system that needs 

no structure. 

Distributors must not be forgotten either. For them, 

more resistant packaging can be designed, which 

would allow ceramic products to be warehoused more 

securely, and hence with more guarantees. Or this 

packaging could be made easier to remove and then 

dispose of. 

That is the case with Amazon which, in seeking to 

improve the environment and avoid customer frustrations, 

reached an agreement with manufacturers of the 

19 most sold products on its Web site (including Fisher 

Price, Mattel, Microsoft, etc.), to create lighter packagings 

that are easy to open and to recycle, which protect 

better but not in an exaggerated form. This is a new 

example of functional improvement with the user in 

mind. 

This paper has been mainly focused on the end-user, 

because in our view the end-user is where the most 

radical innovations are to be found, but it should be 

stressed that the creative process can also focus on the 

other stakeholders in the value chain, providing them 

with valuable ideas and therefore being of interest to 

ceramic producers. 

Actimel tile 

Anti-mosquito tile 

Appetite stimulating or supressing tiles 

Tiles that make water drinkable 

Ultra-hygienic tiles 

Wind power-collecting tiles 

Self-cleaning tiles 

Anti-odour tiles 

Easily disposable tiles 

Sound-absorbing tiles 

Light-absorbing tiles 

Humidity-regulating tiles 

Anti-WiFi and anti-cell phone coverage tiles 

Temperature-detecting tiles 

Tiles for painting and erasing 

Licensing agreements with Disney and Marvel 

Tiles with fashion brands 

New distribution channels at fashion outlets 

100% ecological tiles 

Conclusion 

We hope to have shown that not everything has been 

done, that we still have to go beyond innovation in 

design and that, for this, the user-focused creative 

process can be a key approach. 

To do so, it will also be necessary to obtain ideas by 

means of a systematic process that has a consistent 

work base, as in this case, the main consumption 

trends. To get to know these trends, and examples of 

their applications in other fields, and to transfer them 

to the end-user enable a world of possibilities to be 

explored with immediate applications to innovative 

projects in the ceramic field. 

We are convinced that innovation is one of the chief 

approaches that the ceramic sector has at its disposal to 

address not only the current crisis, but also to restructure 

the sector within a context of worldwide competition 

in globalised markets. 

We hope that this presentation has been useful in 

sparking some ideas linked to, or derived from, those 

that we have presented, though they must have a 

markedly innovative character. 

50 TSJ JUNE 2010

PORTFOLIO 

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF 

Since the publication in July 2003 of The Building 

Regulations 2000 Resistance to the Passage of Sound 

Approved Document E, Nicobond has been at the forefront 

in providing a solution to reduce the transmission 

of impact sound on ceramic tiled floors. The crux of this 

regulation is the need to minimise the effects of noise 

pollution in all its forms. In a multi storey building used 

as a dwelling and constructed with concrete floors the 

use of an acoustic attenuation system is now an 

absolute requirement. 

N&C Nicobond manufactures Acoustic Matting to 

provide compliance with these regulations. It minimises 

the effects of noise pollution in all its forms. It is suitable 

for use in apartments, hotels, residential homes, 

student accommodation, etc. 

Acoustic Matting is manufactured from recycled rubber 

and cork and offers a weighted reduction in impact 

sound pressure level of 20dB, far greater than the 

Regulation requirement. 

Only 5mm thick and offering good impact resistance, 

N&C Nicobond Acoustic Matting is a resilient, practical 

solution which can be installed under most floor finishes 

including ceramic tiles, natural stones, sheet vinyl, 

wood, laminate and carpet. 

0208 586 4600 www.ncdirect.co.uk 

Mapei has launched a 

convenient all-in-one 

shower waterproofing 

kit, enabling professional 

tilers and DIY-ers to 

accomplish a secure, 

watertight shower environment 

and peace of 

mind in a few simple 

steps. The kit includes Mapegum WPS, Shower 

Waterproofing Primer and Waterproofing Tape. 

Mapegum WPS is a fast drying liquid membrane used 

for the interior waterproofing of bathroom and shower 

walls prior to installing ceramic tiles. The Shower 

Waterproofing Primer, a ready-to-use water-based synthetic 

resin primer, is used for treating porous substrates 

prior to application of the Mapegum WPS. The 

Waterproofing Tape, used in combination with 

Mapegum WPS, provides a highly flexible waterproofing 

seal to internal corners, board joints and junctions. 

0121 508 6970 www.mapei.co.uk 

New dual-speed multi-tool is ideal for delicate tasks 

Dremel has introduced a new dual-speed multi-tool, compatible with all Dremel accessories 

and attachments, at an attractive price. A versatile tool for detailed applications, 

the Dremel 200 Series is the perfect entry-level multi-tool for the novice and occasional 

user. It is recommended for all light DIY and hobby projects, such as engraving, grinding, 

cutting, sanding, carving and polishing. 

It has a 125 watt motor and two-speed setting (15,000 and 35,000 rpm) for better control 

and accuracy on all projects that require an eye for detail. It also incorporates a hanger 

bail to attach the tool to a tool-holder. It can be used with all the other attachments 

in the Dremel range, such as the Flexshaft which provides greater ease of working. 

The Dremel 200 Series corded multi-tool comes with five high quality Dremel accessories: 

a sanding band with mandrel, another mandrel for mounting different accessories, 

a 1/8" aluminium oxide grinding stone and two 32mm cutting wheels 

The tool is available now on-line from http://www.dremel-direct.com and will be in 

store at B&Q from September. It has a recommended price of just £34.99. 

"By offering an entry-level rotary tool at such a competitive price point, there's now a 

Dremel offering for every budget," says Dremel Brand Manager, Nick Longford. 

www.dremel.co.uk 

Tile Giant takes new ranges from British Ceramic Tile 

Two stylish new wall tile ranges have been produced by British Ceramic Tile exclusively for the UK’s fast growing 

tile retailer; Tile Giant. The first, Floral (above), is a range of mix and match colourways which are equally at home 

in the bathroom or kitchen. The design can be used in both contemporary and traditional schemes, either on its 

own or teamed with its bright white high gloss partner. The textured white detail and subtle hints of lustre give an 

added sparkle and provide an attractive feature in any setting. The tiles are available in three colourways (white, 

black and red) in a 248 by 398mm format. 

Microdot (above) is a new contemporary collection offering the latest in ceramic print technology and materials, 

producing an exciting surface in a range of co-ordinating colours. Homeowners can use the black and white together 

for a classic look, or use the red to provide a vibrant and energising scheme. The tiles can also be combined with 

the feature strip for a striking and luxurious effect. The tiles are available in four colourways (white, black, metallic 

and red) in the same 248 by 398mm format. The complementary cased strip and inset are available in 249 by 

20mm and 248 by 398mm respectively. 

01626 834774 www.britishceramictile.com www.tilegiant.co.uk 

52 TSJ JUNE 2010

PORTFOLIO 

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF 

Marcrist International has launched the CC750 Tile 

Blade, a new high performance diamond blade 

designed for cutting curves in ceramic and porcelain 

tiles. The 115mm dish-shaped blade, which is both 

easy to use and very quick to master, is capable of rapidly 

cutting complex curves in ceramic and porcelain 

tiles with a radius as small as 100mm, with no limit to 

the maximum radius. It can be used on all grades of 

tiles including the hardest porcelain. 

The 115mm blade fits all 4 ½’’ and 5’’ angle grinders, 

and provides customers with a rapid method of cutting 

accurate clean curves in tiles, previously very difficult 

to achieve without the purchase of expensive custom 

equipment. 

Blinding new addition to Ultra Tile’s adhesive range 

Ultra Tile has launched a 

new brilliant white, highly 

flexible wall tile adhesive. 

Called SuperWhite WR 

Flex, it is the latest edition 

to the Ultra Tile range of 

ready mixed wall tile adhesives. 

Suitable for interior 

use, it has been specially 

formulated for areas subjected 

to constant wetting, 

such as changing rooms, 

showers, kitchens and 

bathrooms. 

SuperWhite WR Flex is ready to use, workable and highly flexible and so can be used 

where vibration is likely. Its increased water resistance, combined with anti-fungal 

technology, ensures the adhesive is fully mould resistant. 

SuperWhite WR Flex is non-slip due to excellent bond properties, and conforms to 

BS EN 12004 D2T. The product is perfect for fixing porcelain mosaics, glass and natural 

stone tiles to most common substrates. 

TSJ Reader Offer: To celebrate the launch of SuperWhite WR Flex, Ultra Tile is giving 

readers of Tile & Stone Journal the chance to win a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses! Turn 

to Page 19 to find out if you’re a winner! 

01827 871871 www.ultratileadhesives.co.uk 

The diamond blade is self cooling and self sharpening, 

and has been manufactured utilising Marcrist’s V- 

UHP Fusion technology, which involves forming the 

segments under a vacuum at high pressure to eliminate 

impurities. This results in extremely strong bond 

homogeneity and segment adhesion that provides 

outstanding performance and safety. 

The blade is prices at £45+VAT and is also available in 

a kit that includes a diamond edge grinding tool which 

allows the tile edge to be softened after the blade has 

been used to cut the curve. The edge grinder comprises 

an electroplated diamond band and a mandrel that 

fits into any 3 jaw chuck. The kit is available for 

£55.00+VAT, providing a significant saving over buying 

the items separately. 

The Tile Curve Cutting kit is supplied in a hard plastic 

case with an eye-catching outer sleeve with clear 

application photography to help merchants maximise 

sales. 

“The CC750 Tile Blade complements our existing diamond 

tile blade ranges giving customers a complete 

solution for any kind of tiling project,” says Mario 

Halbeisen, International Sales and Marketing Director. 

“We are encouraging all of our customers to try the 

new blade and are confident that they’ll wonder how 

they managed without it.” 

Marcrist International is a manufacturer of premium 

diamond products, supplying products that carry performance 

and money back guarantees that allow customers 

to experience the difference with no risk. 

01302 890888 www.marcrist.co.uk 

Novoceram’s homage to French high fashion 

In keeping with Novoceram’s modus operandi of interpreting the most authentic values 

of French architecture and combining them with pioneering Italian technology, 

Fil de Coco takes its inspiration from textures and fine fabrics. The result is a faithful 

tribute to French high fashion. 

The range comes in five co-ordinating colours - ivory, beige, dove grey, light grey 

and coffee - for softly elegant combinations and refined surface textures. A sophisticated 

timeless style for any room, the Coco range introduces new decorative possibilities 

for tiling such as Volet, a three-dimensional mosaic also available in a patterned 

version and the Cambon insert inspired by the friezes of Parisian mansions. 

This through-coloured porcelain range is available in 450 by 450, 225 by 450, 300 by 

600 and 600 by 600mm formats. 

+33 (0) 475 235023 www.novoceram.fr 

54 TSJ JUNE 2010

PORTFOLIO 

In-relief decor offers accent to stone effects 

The Domus range from Metropol shows how the stone look can emit warmth with beige 

and brown tones, and confidence with whites and blacks. This simple, modern design 

offers visual impact with an in-relief decoration that offers a new accent for bathrooms. 

The white body wall tiles are available in 250 by 700mm. With a matt finish, they are 

available in white, brown and black. Matt scored mosaic-effect tiles are available in the 

same format in brown and black. The frost-resistant, glazed porcelain floor tiles come in 

410 by 410mm and are suitable for medium traffic. They are complemented by the 250 

by 250mm Decor Supreme and 50 by 700mm Listello Supreme in brown and black Also 

available is the 250 by 700mm Magnetic decor in beige and white. 

+34 964 659500 www.metropol-ceramica.com 

Quartz Klinker is ideal for wet areas 

Eliane draws inspiration from the desert 

New from Eliane is Dune, a range of desert-inspired ceramic wall and 

floor tiles that offers the classic look of natural stone with an elegant satin 

finish. Suitable for domestic or commercial applications, the Dune range 

captures the rich, natural hues of arid regions with three colours reflecting 

the flashes of sun over sand and the gold and grey shadows produced. 

The subtle stone-look of the Dune collection is brought to life with delicate 

veining that creates surface movement variations unique to each 

tile. The satin finish that reinforces the natural look: with the wall tiles having 

a slightly silkier finish for subtle integration with the floor tiles. 

With three desert tone colours, Sand, Gris and Noce, the Dune collection 

is produced in two large-format sizes for flooring applications (450 

by 450 and 325 by 325mm), and one standard 250 by 325mm wall tile 

format. Dune includes a comprehensive range of accessory pieces 

including bullnose, trim, mosaics, inserts and listellos with chamfered 

edges and delicate raised arabesques for a touch of elegance in refined 

spaces. 

Multicolour, multi-sized 50 by 250mm mosaic wall tile sheets with 62.5 

by 62.5mm tesserae in all three colours are offered in a traditional random 

mix as well as in staggered brick patterns. 

In addition, 325 by 325mm mosaic sheets in a random mixture of all 

three floor tile colours are offered. These are also available in brick-stack 

patterns. 

01202 514826 www.eliane.com 

Natucer has launched Quartz Klinker: a new range specifically created 

for high traffic, wet, external and/or internal areas. Easy to clean, 

Quartz Klinker includes special pieces designed to offer an architectural 

finish. The range is Mohs 9 and Class III slip resistance rated. 

The Quartz Klinker range’s five neutral earth tone colours - latteo, 

rutilo, citrino, fume and galena - were inspired by current decorative 

trends. Cold, warm, light and dark tones enhance the product allowing 

it to be used to separate working from public zones. It comes in 

two different thicknesses: Grosso 14.2mm in 300 by 300 and 150 by 

300mm, and Fine 10mm in 300 by 600 and 250 by 250mm. There is 

a vast range of special pieces including internal and external corners, 

step treads and skirtings. 

The photograph shows 250 by 250mm Quartz Klinker rutilo Fine 

and peldano angular rutilo in 300 by 320mm, with 150 by 300mm 

frontal block rutilo on the step fronts. 

+34 964 771610 www.natucer.es 

JUNE 2010 TSJ 

55

Creative Colours - A Spectrum of Inspiration - Tile and Stone Journal

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