Traditional 120

Traditional Cement Tiles Series

Traditional cement tiles have created a unique atmosphere in spaces throughout history by offering the perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality. These handcrafted tiles attract attention with their rich pattern and color options. Traditional cement tiles, known for their durability and longevity, especially suit retro and vintage decoration styles. These tiles, which can be used both indoors and outdoors, create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Traditional 120

Handmade tiles

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Handmade encaustic tile by Karo Istanbul are made in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System and TS EN 13748-1 Production Standard.
With its past goes back to 18th century, the body of the tiles is made up of multiple types of cement. As such, the patterns never wither even if tile wears off in time. Encaustic tiles, made by Tago Tiles, are suitable for all flooring applications, business or houses, from floors, walls to terraces and many indoor and outdoor areas.
Handmade Tago Tiles - Karo Istanbul collection tiles use in their productions high-quality cement (PC 52,5 R), marble dust, natural stone granules, natural color pigments and micron size granular sand, pressed under the high pressures (120 Bar) (1700 PSI). As a result, less water absorption and higher pressure resistance are achieved.
Thus, they are packed with resistances that are suitable for heavy traffic areas such as hotel, restaurant, cafe and shopping centers. They can also be used in outdoor and indoor areas not exposed to frost.

Tiles are individually hand-made in colors and properties tailored to the customer request. Customized new designs and textures are possible upon request.

a) Materials
Color Layer: Portland cement, micron size marble dust, marble chips (optional), additive, special chemicals, iron oxide color pigments
Back Layer: Gray Portland cement, granular sand, chemicals

b) Product Components
Color Layer: This layer bonded to the tile body with 1,700 PSI (120 bar) mechanical pressure is 3-4 mm +/- thick. Consists of PC 52,5 white Portland cement, marble dust, and mineral color pigments (iron oxides and organic).
Tile Body: 14 mm thick and consists of following: PC 42,5 R gray Portland cement and granulometric sand
Sizes: 20 cm x 20 cm x 1.80 cm +/- (8 "x 8" x 5,6/8 ")
· 1.5 kg / tile (3.37 lbs) +/-
· 37,5 kg / m2 (7,35 lbs / sqf) +/-

c) Friction Coefficient
Dry / Polished: 0.83 Dry / Non-polished: 0.88
Wet / Polished: 0.68 Wet/ Non-polished: 0.92

d) Scratch Resistance
Scratch Resistance of encaustic tiles of Karo Istanbul collection is approx. 3 - 4 according to MOHS scale. Similar to scratch resistance of black marble.

e) Freeze / Thaw resistance
Just as concrete, unprotected encaustic tiles are not resistance to freeze/thaw cycles. It must be protected with sealants penetrable into tile body or with an acrylic-based second layer. This will be needed more in the outdoors and locations liable to frost risk.

f) Acid Resistance
Encaustic tiles are not acid-resistant. Therefore they must be cleaned with neutral cleaners with a pH of around 7.

g) Use in the wet areas
For showers, spa and pools, an effective and high-quality sealant must be used. The water absorption of encaustic tiles is at the level of 9.5% - 10.5%. Therefore, signs of algae growth may be seen on the color layer in time.

With its past goes back to 13th century, encaustic tiles are perfect for innumerable applications. Their bodies are made up of colorized cement. Therefore, their patterns never wither even if they wear off in time. Thus, Karo Istanbul collection of encaustic tiles can be applied in many places such as indoors and outdoors, walls and floors, interior floors and walls of housing and business projects (common areas, receptions, bathrooms, kitchens, corridors), Chimney shafts, interior walls, niches, bar coating, kitchen backboards, table tops etc. virtually everywhere for decorative purposes.

a) Surfaces
All surfaces must be prepared carefully in order to ensure a proper adherence. Surface must be level, dry and cleaned off dust, oil, paint and the contaminants that will prevent bonding. Painted surfaces must be sanded in order to ensure proper bonding of tile and adhesive. Wet areas require special care. The substrates suitable for encaustic tiling are, for instance, cement, cemented boards and/or processed plywood.

b) Water-Proof Membrane
If there is a water ingress from the ground, it is recommended to support the ground with water-proof membranes. In any case, the ground must be sloped to discharge the water ingress. Water-proof membranes prevent water ingressing into the substrate and/or living spaces. It is recommended to use protective floor systems for all wet areas. Some systems require primes.

c) Adhesive
The instructions of the adhesive manufacturer must be read carefully by the customer. Karo Istanbul does not recommend any specific adhesive brand since the conditions of each country will vary. For alternative and similar products, consult store of your local building chemicals supplier. Technical document to be provided by the manufacturer will explain that the adhesive is, or not, suitable for internal and/or external façades as well as walls and floors.
A cement-based adhesive is suitable for surfaces where mortar movement is not expected. At least a reinforced cement adhesive must be used in the places where a slight movement may occur due to heat or passenger loads. For most applications, a 4-6 mm (1/4” - 1/8”) toothed trowel is recommended. It is important to embed each tile into the adhesive. To guarantee full adhesion, we suggest applying the adhesive on the surface applied with tile as well as the back face of the tile.
Either many hand-made tiles or the ground applied with tiling is not completely straight. Therefore, it is also important to apply adhesive on the back face of the tiles, individually.
Following the adhesion, at least 24-48 hours shall pass for the complete fitting of the tiling until the items are placed on them.

d) Cutting
Encaustic tile can be cut by a diamond or stone cutter or wet saw or hand-mill.

e) Grouting
The joints of encaustic tiles must be designed for indoor or outdoor conditions regardless of their widths. For any kind of joint larger than 1.5 mm (3/16”), sand-filling is recommended particularly for outdoors not exposed to rain. In order to minimize the dirt ingress between encaustic tiles, it is important to determine the width recommended by the adhesive manufacturer and prevent tiles from playing freely before the adhesive application.

f) Sealant
In order to ensure full efficiency of the application, we strongly recommend filling the joints of tiles, after adhesion, thereby, fixing them in their places.
There is a great variety of products available in the market for this purpose, but we recommend you to contact with the nearest building chemicals suppliers for the most suitable filling material. When sealants are used, you must be sure that the application method recommended by the manufacturer is followed.

g) Cleaning
Encaustic tile must be cleaned and protected regularly in order to elongate its useful life and beauty. Tiles can be wipe-cleaned with a neutral mild detergent. Surfaces of the tiles in the places under heavy traffic must be protected against abrasive contaminants. Do not use abrasive cleaners, powders, rubbing cloths or sandpaper. Do not allow soap, bleach or other cleaning solutions accumulate and remain longer periods of time on the surface.

Encaustic cement-based handmade tile is an environment-friendly green product. They generally elongate the life of the building and have lower maintenance costs. They are made up of natural raw materials (marble dust, white cement, and natural color oxides) and do not cause contamination during production and uses minimal energies. Because they are not kiln-dried like ceramic tiles. No aggressive chemicals are used, which may adversely affect your environment. They contain Zero Volatile Organic Compound (ZVOC) materials and emit lesser amounts of gases during the extended life of the floor. Materials are locally supplied, minimizing the transportation costs.

Every encaustic cement-based tile is hand-made by using a process passed down generations for centuries. All components are precision-scaled and weighted. Color cement blend patterns are poured by hand in tile molds followed up by cement mix application for the middle layer. Then the top layer is added and tile is pressed hydraulically under high pressure. A good tile must be very compact and water-proof. After the encaustic tile is completed, it is subjected to a comprehensive enhancement process in order to increase its strength. Quality control is not done on the production lot but individually piece by piece.
First, colors are prepared according to customer request. Each tile is individually made by hand. Production personnel makes each tile by pouring color into each section of the mold. New shapes and textures can be created as per customer request.
The patterned mold, which separates color sections, is placed in the main mold. All color sections are poured carefully into the inner mold without mixing them each other to create the pattern. Pattern mold is removed slowly. The mixture of fine sand and Portland cement is added to the surface. This is the second layer which acts as a drier by absorbing the excess water from the color layer. It ensures color layer to have more strength. Lastly, back mortar mixture of sand and Portland cement is applied. This third layer has a thickness necessary for impact strength and load capacity of the tile. Then tile is pressed under a pressure of 120 bar (1700 psi) in order to give the final shape to the encaustic tile. It is carefully removed from the mold and stacked. They are cured in the water for 24 hours for ensuring higher levels of strength. Finally, tiles are individually subjected to a meticulous quality control.

Handmade encaustic tiles are installed in accordance with industry-standard methods by following below points:
Store tiles in a dry place before installation. Do not allow boxes and tiles get wet. Excessive moist may cause spots, cracks, cambers or efflorescence. This is a natural reaction of cement-based products. Exercise care not to damage tile surface, edges, and corners. Handle the tiles face-to-face.
Installation must be carried on a straight, sound and fully improved ground.
Recommended using a water-proof membrane in all wet areas to prevent water ingress into substrate or gaps. The waterproof membrane is recommended in order to prevent tiles from cracking and breaking due to movement of the ground.
Encaustic tiles can be used in grounds with floor heating systems. However, a separating membrane must be used and tiles must be fully dried out.
Recommended using cement-based, high-quality fine adhesive in conformity with the conditions of each country. Here, it is essential to follow the instructions of the adhesive manufacturer. An adhesive thickness of 1 cm (3/8”) is recommended.
In addition to the adhesive applied on the ground, apply the adhesive on the back of each tile by covering it fully. This will ensure better bonding of the tiles.
While adjusting the level of tile surfaces, do not use wooden or rubber mallet. This may cause breaks or fine cracks. While grouting, these fine cracks are seen. Therefore, arrange the tiles perfectly just by using hand pressure.
Before starting to apply grouting, await adhesive layer dried out completely. Do not cover tiles not to allow breathing and evaporation. Do not step on tiles until adhesive layer completely dries out.
A joint width of 1.5-3 mm (1/16 “- 1/8”) is recommended. Immediately after filling material is applied and starts drying out, remove the access materials from the surface. Do not apply any tapes on the tile surfaces during grouting application. This may cause decolorization and colorization.
For care, regularly clean the tile surfaces with a neutral detergent and soft cloth. For extra protection, recommended adding liquid wax to the cleaning water.
In case of heavy passenger traffic, additional maintenance is needed. While protecting the ground, a natural layer of protection is automatically provided.

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE TILING
• The installer must be professional and qualified.
• The product and pattern code on the packing must be controlled and tiling must be done in accordance with the product purchased.
• You must pay attention that the ground must be smooth, dry, clean and free of oil and dust.
• Before tiling, strictly make sure that your installer read the “Technical Information about Tiling, Grinding, Protective Application and Care of Tiles” document prepared by our company.
• Warn your installer for paying attention to the size, pattern and product codes.
• It is normal that the tiles completely hand-made and made up of natural materials have acceptable variations in thickness and color shade due to the nature of the production method. Ask your installer to lay out the tiles before tiling and distribute the potential color variations across all area.
• Ask your installer to lay out the tiles by leaving joint gaps suitable to the product (at least 2 mm) (Technical document delivered to you has detailed information about this subject).
• Recommended using flex-based mortars as an adhesive material in the places with instant temperature variations and mortars which will respond to the water insulation in vet volumes which require water insulation.
• For outdoors, flex-based joint gaps are recommended in grouting applications.
• The ground where tiling will be applied must be controlled and necessary changes must be made to make the surface suitable for tiling.
• Before fixing the tiles to the ground, materials must first be controlled.
• For applications on the ground heating system, sub-floor heater must be turned off at least 12 hours before tiling.
• No plastic mallet must ever be used during the tiling. The use of a plastic mallet and similar tools may later cause the appearance of capillary cracks during use.
• For fixing the tiles to the ground, the instructions provided in the “Technical Information about Tiling, Grinding, Protective Application and Care of Tiles” must be followed. The tiles which have gaps below or not installed to the adhesive mortar in due time may subject to free-plays and capillary cracks (especially due to weight and vibrations of the grinder).
• Following the completion of the adhesion of the tiles, a certain period of time must be waited depending on the type of the surface, ambient conditions and type of the adhesive (1 day on average) and then grouting must be applied.
• In order to have a sound adhesion and grouting, the tiling must not be used immediately. The tiles where passenger traffic is allowed after adhesion or immediately after the grouting may subject to free-play, joint cracks, and discharges.
• Following installation, tiling must be cleaned off residuals once the sealant and grouting begin to dry out in a short period of time, do not allow them to dry out on the surface. Only water and sponge will be satisfactory to clean the joint.
• If grouting residuals harden on the tile surface, then dirt that will stick on such areas will make tile surfaces hard to clean. In this case, surfaces must be cleaned with a special chemical. Such special cleaners must be used according to instructions of the manufacturer of the chemical. In cleanings after tiling, tile surfaces must be rinsed with sufficient amount of water. On the other hand, tiles with acid-sensitive surfaces must only be cleaned with water and neutral cleaning material.
• Due to the paint layer’s thickness, colors become blurred on the surface during the pressing under high pressure. Such blurring can be removed to reveal its pattern, texture, color, and luster by grinding with marble grinder either before or after tiling.
• Such grinding must be done with marble grinder. In a grinder, stones suitable for tiles must be used and the rules in the “Technical Information about Tiling, Grinding, Protective Application and Care of Tiles” document must be followed. If grinding is not done “knowingly and in due form” there will be many abrasive scratches, circular scratches on the ground. Such scratches go unnoticeable during grinding will become noticeable once get dirtied.
• Following the grinding and polishing, impregnated sealer which provides water and stain repellency must strictly be applied. There are recommendations provided in the “Technical Information about Tiling, Grinding, Protective Application and Care of Tiles”.
• Contamination and staining on the surfaces of the tiles which are not completely ground or applied with sealer.
• Before installing the tiles, they must thoroughly be inspected. The complaints will not be accepted after installations or cut the tiles.

REGULAR CLEANING
• The regular cleaning frequency may vary as weekly, daily or multiple times a day depending on the contamination potential of the tiling.
• Tiles must regularly be cleaned by washing with water. In addition, mild cleaning detergents can be used, depending on the contamination load of the surface. When cleaning with water, the dirty water on the surface must be rinsed with an adequate amount of clean water.
Such rinsing will prevent potential fouling remaining on the surface once tiles are dried off. Also, you may wipe-clean tile surfaces with a clean dried cloth.
• Larges areas can be cleaned with light equipment with a cylindrical brush. Such equipment must be set to proper speed to impregnate the water-detergent blend into the water. Then rinsing must be completed by using cleaning water.
• From time to time, the foreign substance may cause spots on the title. In such cases, it must be cleaned by using a cleaner suitable to the nature of the spot. Only water and neutral detergents must be used and before cleaning, make a test on a small surface to see the effect of the chemical on the surface.
• It is strictly prohibited to use cleaners containing hydrofluoric acid because of their adverse impacts on the tile surface.
• In addition, strictly avoid the improper cleaning with abrasive equipment because of their adverse impacts on the tile surface.
• Do not strictly use the cleaners which may create a film layer on the tile surface.
CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TILES
• Tiles: Must be cleaned with warm water, soft soap or neutral low sulfate containing detergents.
• After cleaning they must be rinsed with clean water for a couple of times.
• Tiles must never be cleaned with cleaning materials containing abrasive powder.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR KARO ISTANBUL TILES
• Karo İstanbul is a company of personnel from designers with a major in fine arts, industrial engineers, technical personnel to masters. Continuous R&D and laboratory works do not leave any stage of the process to chance with steam curing systems and mold production department etc. Size and thicknesses of the products, color layer thicknesses, etc. become standardized comparing to firms in the same business across the world.
• Tile production is a profession which requires aesthetic, qualification, mastery, engineer and also cares. It is a process which must be managed very carefully and knowingly from color preparation, mixture adjustment, casting to curing, drying to packaging and even to tiling, grinding-polish, and impregnation. Without having the knowledge and skill to manage this process very good, it should not be surprising to have a ground, soft like a Cookie, absorbing high levels of dirt, low level of pressure resistance, quickly wearing off, stained in a few months making it difficult to clean, dislocated patterns, a slim paint layer, withered colors and full of capillary cracks.
• Every mark on the tile can be seen as a problem, however, it should be noted that every process from cement mixture preparation to casting, from pressing, steam room to quality control is individually handled by hand, which reflects as a “handprint” on the tiles. Tiles may have slight edge cracks, color shades, pattern offsets and thickness variation. However, for such print to become a matter of complaint, said print must damage the appearance of the tiling or result in a lower performance of tiling in the normal use conditions than those of anticipated ones.
• Failure to make tiling or grinding workmanship correctly will also reflect in the tile; tiles will be broken, dislocated or show similar reactions. The quality of a tiling depends on the quality of the material applied, installation, maintenance and repair of the tiles. Therefore, said the problem may be caused by any of such factors.
• Failure to follow the instructions and rules provided in the “Technical Information about Tiling, Grinding, Protective Application and Care of Tiles” document, using abrasive cleaning materials in cleaning works after tiling, cleaning the tiles with abrasive chemicals or abrasive materials are the main reasons behind surface of the tiles exposing stains for longer periods of time.