AT EMC TILES - YOU JUST WOODEN BELIEVE IT!

THESE TILES LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE REAL THING

They say that seeing is believing - but to convince yourself these wonderful ceramic wood look alike tiles are not the real thing – you actually have to touch them.

Ceramic tile technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years so that now the latest generation of wood look-alikes are devastatingly realistic... you may even find yourself taking care not to get a splinter.

These fabulous products are taking over from the real thing – both inside and out.

Designers are discovering their hard-wearing resilience and attractive looks make them ideal for interior flooring and the new range of look-alike wooden decking is a hit with garden enthusiasts.

One of the biggest advantages of wood look-alikes is their outstanding ability to resist wear. They are made from porcelain, one of the hardest materials known to designers.

If they are correctly fitted, they will look as good in the years ahead as they did the day were new.

Whereas real wood needs constant attention and extra care to avoid disfiguring scratches and scrapes, ceramic tile will stand up to anything normal use can throw at it.

A water spillage which could ruin a wood floor can simply be wiped away.

Superior products like Wood-ker are astonishing. The colour, the texture and the feel of wood are uncannily reproduced in full bodied porcelain, with an amazing amount of attention to detail – including saw marks on the surface.

Barry Slawson, the managing director of the region’s leading ceramic tile supplier, East Midlands Ceramic says: “The range and choice of wood look alike styles is expanding all the time – as leading manufacturers develop new lines in response to the ever-growing popularity of these products.

“I would say that the development of look-alikes is one of the most dramatic and successful innovations in the industry in the past decade.

“I think it is safe to say that many people are now making look-alikes their first choice ahead of the real thing.

Picture: The realistic look of a natural wooden floor... full of character... but having
the hard wearing and minimal maintenance benefits of a ceramic tile.

“Some customers say they are concerned about the perception that tiled floors are cold to the touch. This is easily overcome by fitting luxurious and energy efficient undertile heating. It gives the tiles a fabulous warm glow – which contributes to the overall background heat of the room, for a very economical cost. There are instances where it has even allowed customers to cut back dramatically on their central heating.”

Garden decking made from tough porcelain has taken the look-alikes into new realms and proved that its qualities are ideal for outdoor applications too.

Wood decking demands almost constant upkeep to maintain it in peak conditions and nothing looks sadder than a neglected deck.

The porcelain version is indistinguishable from real wood. It is easy to lay and will stand up to everything the weather and heavy garden use can throw at it – without losing any of its attractive finish.

Picture: Ceramic Tiles - displaying all the rich, warm textures of natural wood

Barry Slawson says: “The advantages are numerous. They will never rot, unlike timber they don’t need regular weatherproofing treatment to keep them in peak condition, they will resist heavy usage, they won’t be damaged by staining or sparks or embers from a barbeque and they will look great all year round.

“We are all very excited about these innovations – which are giving designers brilliant new opportunities to replace traditional wood products with something more hardwearing – but without any loss of attractiveness.

 “The introduction of ceramic tile decking is also a highly significant breakthrough that will be welcomed by gardeners and home owners who may have been reluctant to invest in a fashionable deck – simply because of the hassles involved in their upkeep.

“Now buyers can have the best of both worlds – great looking “wood” designs they don’t have to worry about.”    

Classic Retro-Decor Style Retain Their Timeless Appeal

Highly decorated tiles – evoking delightful memories and feelings from a time gone by.

Complex, individual patterns will provide a fascinating, eye catching backdrop or they can be used in a mix to give a myriad of tile displays.

Image: Eye Catching Display Using A Mix Of Individual Designs

These tile designs have a retro feel about them that reaches back through time, evoking memories of the hippie inspired days of the 1960s and 70s. Then, viewed from a different angle, they also tend to hint of Northern Africa… with places like Morocco coming to mind.

At this year’s International Ceramic Tile Fair in Bologna, where traditionally the industry shows off its latest innovations, these fabulous tiles were one of the buzz products that generated a lot of interest. There is a wide range of selection in these types of tiles, some of which are quite colourful.

East Midlands Ceramics managing director, Barry Slawson is an annual visitor to the fair and is always on the lookout for new ideas to inspire local interior designers.

He says: “In recent years, tile trends have leaned towards a minimalist approach where neat clean lines are the order of the day. These tiles represent a departure from that, to provide a totally different feel and experience.

“Beautifully designed, they seem quite revolutionary with a lively individual character. They are definitely not tiles that can be ignored and they almost cry out for attention.

Image: Always Interesting - Whatever The Design!

“These tiles certainly provide the impact factor – and could become a very popular choice for those looking to make an impression by creating something different. The fact that they are so eye catching, means they could very well appeal to a whole new generation of tile buyers.”

Visit EMC Tiles to explore the full range of these fantastic new tiles which are available to order – with rapid delivery.