Cement tiles - high maintenance?

[minipie]

Has anyone got modern cement tiles on their floor? I'm thinking of them for our hallway but worried about maintenance.

I've read mixed views from saying they just need sealing then are fine, to saying they stain really easily.

Old Victorian hall floors were cement weren't they - and they are pretty bombproof? But maybe they were different somehow.

Any views welcome!

[QuantumGirl]

I have porcelain tiles that look like cement. Love them to bits and worth every penny.

[heartshapedpositnotes]

I'm an ex floor and wall tiler and think that sealants are excellent and do the job they say on the tin very well. I never laid a cement tile floor but did lots of sandstone/limestone, which are very porous, and used sealant for those and never had complaints.

With some sealants you need to redo it every year or so (FYi I'm rusty on these things as it's been a decade since downing the tools). However, was discussing with a friend last week and they enlightened me about this amazing product that puts other sealants to shame and apparently with two coats at the start you're set for life! www.conservationchemicals.com/product-category/stonetect/

[minipie]

Thanks! Sounds like it's all about sealing it right. I know I wouldn't manage resealing every year but once and for all sounds great - thanks for the tip.

quantum interesting, do you have a picture or link?

[QuantumGirl]

Here are the ones I have. The smaller tiles were a shade darker than the cement one with a touch of rust. I bought them from a shop in Watford that brings them directly from Italy for a very competitive price.