Villa Lagoon Tile | Mosaic Cement Tile

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Frequently Asked Questions About Villa Lagoon Tiles

Are cement tiles expensive ?
Our tiles are individual works of art and as such, they are a true bargain. When you see an ad for a home for sale in Florida, if they have them, the first attribute listed will be "Cuban tile floors". Our tile floors or backsplashes are an investment with a very high "W-O-W" factor. You will live with something you love and everyone who walks into your space for the first time will say "wow" ...we guarantee it ! :o)

Are your tiles like the ones we have seen in Europe and Latin American countries ? Yes, they are the same, made the same way, since the 1800's. Cement tiles are often used in elegant public buildings as well as homes and restaurants. See our photos of antique cement tile floors.

What size are Villa Lagoon Tiles ?
Some patterns are 10 inches by 10 inches (25 cm) and about 5/8 inches thick...and other patterns are 8" x 8"(20 cm) and about 1/2" thick. Solids come in both sizes as well as sizes from 4" to 14" . We can get bull nose trim and step treads too. Our tile is easily cut on a standard wet-saw.

How long will it take for me to get my tiles if I order ? Aprox 6 to 8 weeks. Probably 8. In the USA, your tile will be made to order for you, shipped to Port of Miami and then trucked to you from there.

May I order a sample tile to see how it really looks in person?
Yes. We have many of our tiles on hand and can ship you a sample, see here for ordering samples.

How are Villa Lagoon Tiles shipped ?
Our tiles are priced with delivery to and clearing customs in Miami for USA orders. You will be responsible for the freight from the Miami area to your job. The tiles will be packaged and loaded onto wood pallets and delivered to you that way. We will assist you with freight delivery. We get several quotes at the time of shipment and go w/ the best one. You will need to pay us back for your freight charges. We can do COD shipping chg's but it is more expensive.

A maximum of 770 8" tiles can be loaded on one pallet. Residential delivery is always higher than a commercial address. A lift-gate is always higher than delivery to a loading dock.

If you have a really big job going to, say, the West Coast, we can ship directly to a nearby port in a container. Figure about 6500 sq ft of tile per 40" container.

How much do they weigh ?
About seven pounds per sq. ft of tile. That is about twice what an ordinary porcelain tile weighs.

How will my tiles be packed? They will be in small boxes loaded onto a pallet and wrapped with stretch film. If delivered to a residence, we will arrange for a lift gate truck. If delivered to a warehouse, a forklift can handle the pallets.

Do you ship to my country ?
Probably...if we can arrange it and we will try.  If you order a large quantity, to fill a 20 ft. container, it may be easier to arrange than a small order. You may need to know your nearest commercial marine port.

Can these tiles be used around pools and on patios ? Yes , we can recommend proper sealants to allow the use in pools and outdoor areas.

Are Villa Lagoon Tiles frost proof ? Yes, as far as we can determine. Read about our testing here. Just make sure that they are set into a bed of solid mortar mix (Thinset) and no pockets of air are underneath into which water could run and freeze and expand. Read more.

Can I use your tiles for a kitchen backsplash ? Certainly. Just seal them well so grease splatters won't make darker spots. We recommend a coat of paste wax after sealing.

What rooms are cement tile used in ? Because of the elegant design options, cement tiles are one of the few tiled surfaces that looks good in formal settings like many people's living rooms and dining rooms. The ease of care makes them a great choice for dining rooms as well. In tropical countries, cement tiles are often used in every room in the house. Cement tiles are a great choice for radiant heating systems in colder regions. They are also perfectly suited for foyers in period homes.

Are cement tiles a good choice for radiant heating flooring systems ? Yes indeed.

Are the colors accurate on my monitor's screen ?
Maybe. Every monitor is different and it is impossible to have everyone seeing the same colors at the same time. Even our 3 different computer screens look a tad different here in the office. Order some samples so you can see the rich colors up close and personal.

May I order a custom design or custom colors ? Yes, but minimum order is 100 sq ft or there is a 15% upcharge. Email us and we can send you a black and white line drawing for you to color. Additionally custom molds can be made from your designs so your tile can look like anything you can dream up.

How do I install Villa Lagoon Tiles? See our page on this subject.

 Can I install cement tile on a wood floor ? Assuming that your floor joists are sufficient and not flexing, you can install tile on a wood floor if you first put down a cement backer board like you would do in a shower behind the tile. Your installer can use Wonderboard, HardiBoard, or other dimensionally stable fiber/cement wall boards. Magnesium Oxide sheets are also recommended.

Can you show me how Villa Lagoon cement tiles are made ? Yes, see the short video on our How Cement Tiles are Made page.

Will you help me design a tile rug design for my floor ? Absolutely. Email us.

 Are Villa Lagoon Tiles the same as Cuban Tiles ?
Yes they are. Cement tile was imported from Cuba, mainly for use in Florida, many years ago and this type of tile came to be known as "Cuban Tile" in that region.

 Are Villa Lagoon Tiles hydraulic cement tiles ?
Yes they are. They are pressed at 1700 PSI before they are water cured and aged.

Why don't more people use this kind of flooring in the USA? Encaustic tiles were made in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. You will find them in stately homes and government buildings, especially in California and Florida. When new-fangled linoleum was introduced, people got all excited and wanted to go modern. The cement tile factories in the USA closed. In the Florida area, this kind of tile continued to be imported from Cuba. People still call it "Cuban Tile" in Florida. The trade embargo with Cuba put an end to Cuban imports. Now certain artisans are working hard to re-introduce this marvelous 'green flooring' to the USA.

Can old cement tile floors be polished or restored?
Please see our page on this subject. Read More...

What does tessellation mean ?
See our special page about tessellation.