In Style with Tile Peoria IL

Source: CONCRETE PRODUCER MAGAZINE
Publication date: July 1, 2007

By Budd Newcomb

Next to water, concrete is used more than any material in the world. It is poured, formed, molded, colored, and textured into every conceivable use. Thought to be a product of the modern world, the ancient Egyptians used a primitive concrete in their pyramids and the Romans built the Coliseum with it. Today, it is taken for granted; however, without concrete, our world would be considerably different.

Precast concrete tile is just one of its many forms. Tiles are manufactured by three different processes: wetcast, ram pressed, and extruded. They can be produced in many varieties of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. There is no limit to the textures, whether man-made or duplicating a creation of nature.

Still, concrete tile has its proponents and its detractors. Some overlook the simple fact that hundreds of thousands of square feet have been installed properly around the world for centuries without any unusual problems. The key words are “properly installed.”

In Southern California during the 1920s and 30s, precast concrete tiles were used extensively. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, marble chips were added to make popular precast terrazzo tiles. After the 1970s, the many small manufacturers throughout Southern California did not communicate for the betterment of the industry.

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