Eco friendly tiles

Eco friendly options

If you are thinking of renovating your bathroom in an eco-friendly way, here we explore tile options that will leave the smallest environmental impact and contribute to a greener planet.

Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta is a natural material made from clay, which is a renewable resource that can be sourced locally. This means that the production of terracotta tiles has a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic materials like vinyl or carpet. The making of terracotta tiles involves firing them in a kiln at high temperatures, however the temperature isn’t as high as porcelain or ceramic tiles.

Another consideration is the longevity and durability of terracotta tiles. They are known to be quite durable and can last for decades with proper maintenance. That means they won’t need to be replaced as often as other types of flooring. As a result, this reduces the environmental impact associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of the tiles.

Most people when think of terracotta picture the orangy-brown tile that we associate with spanish cottage houses, shown on the image on the left. Terracotta tiles come in different shapes, sizes and colours. From clay to terracotta, these mosaic tiles on the right are entirely handmade.

Terrazzo

The sustainability of terrazzo dates back to 15th century Italy, where Venetian marble workers utilized recycled and repurposed materials to create beautiful terrazzo floors, making it one of the world’s first “green” flooring systems. Now terrazzo is made from waste cut out materials like marble and other stones repurposed into a new produce.

Terrazzo tiles add to minimisation of post-commercial waste and transportation costs make terrazzo an environmentally friendly product line. Terrazzo lifecycle is long that can outlast any building as it is very durable. There are almost no concerns for grout discolouration, maintenance or cracking.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles possess sustainability as they consist of natural components that do not cause harm to the environment. They can be easily manufactured, recycled, and maintained without the use of harmful chemicals. The ingredients used in their production include clay, talc, sand, feldspar, dolomite, calcite, and water, all of which are derived from the Earth. These ingredients are combined, dried, and heated to create tiles that offer a long-lasting and low-maintenance surface suitable for various environments, without emitting any harmful substances.

Ceramic tiles exhibit excellent hygiene and are effortless to clean due to their minimal absorption capacity. They are highly durable in comparison to other materials and do not release any toxic substances.