Technology & Sustainability in the Tile Industry

Richard Cotton is a leading industry professional, with Cercan Tile Inc. and has 13+ years of knowledge and experience relating to the tile industry.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Richard and discussing the latest tech evolutions in the design industry and the shift that manufacturers are taking to focus on sustainability.

Technology

Mansi: Can you tell us a little bit about the latest tile technology and what we can

expect to see in 2024?

Richard: Natural stone remains the same, as it is sourced from mountains and is comprised of calcite, minerals, and water. Presently a very big trend we are seeing is towards 4” x 12” and 4” x 4” tumbled stone. Or tumbled stone period. Keep in mind this all depends on the look the designer and client are trying to achieve for the style of the home.

Most of the new materials are now in large format starting at 24” x 48”, with most being 48” x 48” and larger.

The 3D and 4D technology is improving greatly and this has allowed fabricators to experiment with new design styles and textures for tiles. It is also a contributing factor to porcelain tiles looking more and more realistic to natural stone.

Challenges

Mansi: Are there any challenges with the constant changes that are being implemented to tiles and slabs?

Richard: Because tiles are becoming larger in size or scale as well as thinner, some installers have not kept up to date and find it a challenge or even refuse to install large sizes altogether.

This is where the builder/contractor and or even the designer has to be proactive to hire or recommend a quality installer to offset any potential issues down the road like cracking of tile over time. Tiles do not crack on their own however, this would happen only because of poor installation techniques.

Benefits

Mansi: What are some of the benefits of the constant improvement of technology in porcelain?

Richard: I would say that the technology of porcelain tiles, slabs, and even exterior 2cm porcelain pavers has increased a great deal from year to year; to the extent that we are now seeing fewer people requesting natural stone. This is primarily because natural stone is limited to small sizes (which means more grout joints), has more maintenance, is very porous, easier to chip, and is more costly to install.

Quality porcelain from the best suppliers worldwide has minimal repeats and is literally maintenance-free. Plus these are replicating natural stones on a much larger scale size-wise at a fraction of the cost. A win-win for the end user!

Longevity

Mansi: Can you talk a little bit about the longevity of certain materials and what you would recommend to homeowners who are looking for long-term solutions?

Richard: In all areas whether it be residential or commercial, low traffic or high traffic, porcelain products should last a lifetime. Quality porcelain tiles can withstand many hundred pounds per sq inch in weight and are through color body on the bisque.

Polished tiles will stay consistent throughout their lifetime provided that warm water and mild soap or similar cleaning products are used and not any abrasive cleaners.

Trends

Mansi: What are some tile trends we can expect to see in 2024?

Richard: A big thing I have noticed is that customers are gravitating towards matte and honed finishes instead of the polished look.

Warm tones are also slowly making their way into the industry. I am also finding that people are going for natural, earthy, and monochromatic tones. Tumbled stones are also really big right now but come with a hefty price tag.

Large-scale tiles with fewer grout lines and repeats are also in right now and are something a lot of customers value.

Consumers

Mansi: From your experience, what are some of the most important things home renovators are looking for when it comes to sourcing materials for their homes?

Richard: It varies from person to person, but most customers value premium quality products and are willing to pay the premium prices if the products speak for themselves. The visual appearance of tiles is extremely important and oftentimes customers will spend more for certain products to achieve the look they are going for.

Featured

Richard Cotton – Professional Product Consultant

Mobile: 647-325-5727

Email: richard@cercantile.com

IG: cottonrichard_cercantile 

Cercan Tile

115 Carnarvon St. Toronto, Ont.

www.cercantile.com

Featured Products

All images are owned by Cercan Tile Inc.