After sourcing new quarry tile ranges, we completed our first large scale order this month with excellent results. The Oakham School in Leicestershire is a successful independent school which is expanding and refurbishing its facilities. Working with the main contractor and the architect, 2,500 m2 were supplied of the black tile.

The annual Bologna-based tile exhibition took place this month. A number of developments were seen. Firstly, numerous manufacturers were exhibiting designs based on ink-jet technology. The effect of this is to produce stunning designs of high quality, but at prices well below those for equivalent product made with older technology. In particular, natural stone look-alikes were particularly in evidence with fantastic effects now possible which do not require the sealing or maintenance regime of the real thing.

Secondly, an abundance of deeply structured wall tiles of sandstone effect were seen on a lot of exhibitors' stands. These again mimic the beauty of natural tiles and look particularly stunning on feature walls in the home or in commercial settings.

Thirdly, new formats continue to flourish. Following on from the many 200 mm x 600 mm tiles seen at Cevisama, new variants of this were evident in 250 x 750 and other similar formats. Floor tiles continue to exp

BRE have now completed the generic evaluation of ceramic tiles for commercial floor applications.  These can be found on the BRE’s www.thegreenguide.org.uk. 

Generically, the assessment is:

A+ for ceramic mosaic floor applications (ref: 81258011), and 
B   for ceramic floor tiles (ref: 812580001).