Which is right for you... Cement or Wood?

We love cement tiles (which are also often referred to as encaustic tiles). The beautiful colors, patterns and patina in combination with many a hand painted floor have served as inspiration for many of our patterns as well as for the creation of Mirth Studio! 

In fact, when Sally Bennett, the creator and founder of Mirth Studio, was renovating her own home 6 years ago she originally thought about using cement tiles for her foyer.  "I adore the colors, patterns and patina of encaustic tiles but I decide against them for several reasons, mainly because I didn't want a cold hard surface in my home. In order to get the color and pattern I was after I thought about painting my existing wood floor but that was not ideal either as it's very labor intensive and would require finishing on site" She said. "So....as the story goes, I accidentally invented a colorful patterned wood tile that could be easily installed and give the look of a painted floor or a cement tiles floor."

These 12" x 12" real engineered wood tiles are originally hand painted with captivating designs, printed on to the individual tiles then sealed with a commercial grade finish. We think they are great alternative to cement and here is why:

As you can see above, our 12"x12" hardwood tiles are 1/2" thick which means that you don't have to have a complete renovation or new construction to install. In fact, our tiles can be laid as a floating floor and taken up at a later date in case you move or have a change of taste. The installation process is also a lot simpler than cement tiles. Simply glue them down! Mirth Studio wood tiles come pre finished with a uv cured resin urethane so you are able to walk on the tiles as soon as the glue is dry. No grout, mortar, or sealer necessary!  They come with a 15 year residential and 5 year commercial warranty. Our tiles are also environmentally responsible. They use a small layer of hardwood, omit no VOCs and are forested responsibly. Cement tiles are also a ecofriendly choice as they are not fired in a kiln so they do not burn fossil in production. 

However, Encaustic tiles are VERY heavy which drives up shipping costs. They weight almost 3x the amount of our tiles. It is not uncommon for the cement tiles to arrive broken or damaged which can be very upsetting as you unbox your brand new tile. 

At Mirth Studio, we don't have minimums so you can order any amount that is right for your project. Customization is also available! It's an easy process that only takes 2-3 weeks.  When it comes to allergens, wood is a healthy choice for interior environments. It has no fibers, grout lines, or embossing that can trap dust, pollen, particles, animal dander, and allergens that can build up. Lastly, when it comes to caring for your floor, a simple vacuum, sweep, and a damp mop with a mild detergent will do the job. No need to worry about how to get that annoying grit off that can develop on encaustic tiles. Our 12x12 wooden tiles also will not stain, which is a common worry with cement tiles. 

So if you LOVE cement tiles like us, but are looking for a better solution, order a sample of Mirth Studio hardwood tile today. They are even more beautiful in person, all with the warmth of wood!