Cement tiles - high maintenance?

[minipie]

(also posted in Home decoration)

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!

Most Victorian tiles were not cement but you are right that some where. What I think you are talking about is encaustic cement tiles. This sort of thing best-tile.co.uk/image/cache/data/Products/semi-sealed/1st-Dec-2015/03f-100x100.jpg They were developed in England apparently and spread throughout the world. They were not traditionally sealed but being honest I would seal them well unless you want to scrub them with a brush like they did in the Victorian times. :) Old tiles still look good but if get down on your hands and knees you can see small fissures with dirt in them, sealing should help prevent dirt accumulation. It wouldn't put me off using them but it depends on the type of person you are.

Yep that's the kind of thing I mean - the kind they used for hallway floors rather than glazed tiles. Hmm yes maybe the old ones have ingrained dirt but it doesn't look bad because it's been like that for so long!