Cement tiles Questions and answers

Yes – especially for those who value authentic materials, individual design, and timeless aesthetics. Cement tiles bring craftsmanship, rich color, and architectural value to a space. They are not just decorative but a long-term design element – many customers see them as a conscious choice for durability over short-lived trends. A floor that becomes more beautiful the longer you live with it.

Compared to mass-produced industrial tiles, the price may seem higher at first – but cement tiles are a long-lasting, repairable, and reproducible product. Their quality remains intact for decades. This makes them a worthwhile investment in any property – both functionally and aesthetically. In many historic buildings, original cement tiles still contribute to the property’s value today.

A cement tile floor requires a bit more care during installation and initial treatment – but it’s well worth the effort. The open-pored surface is permanently protected through proper impregnation and maintenance. Harsh cleaning agents should be avoided. For those who value quality, aesthetics, and repairability, it’s a floor that lasts for decades and gains character over time.

Cement tiles consist of a pigmented wear layer and are compressed under hydraulic pressure without being fired. They are finer, more detailed, and more color-intense than concrete tiles, which are typically made from a coarser, uniformly colored mix. Concrete tiles are suited for large-scale applications or outdoor areas – whereas cement tiles are the original choice for intricate, colorful indoor flooring.

Cement tiles are suitable for all interior spaces – from hallways and kitchens to bathrooms and living areas. They can also be used on walls. In shower areas, a separate shower tray is recommended.

Cement tiles are not intended for outdoor use. VIA offers VIA Trottoir Tiles for the design of open spaces.

Cement tiles are an excellent choice for bathrooms – both on walls and floors. Their pleasant texture, rich color, and matte finish create a warm, natural atmosphere that pairs beautifully with materials like wood or plaster. With proper impregnation, they are resistant to moisture and easy to maintain. Many historic buildings still feature original cement tile bathroom floors – a testament to their everyday practicality.

Absolutely – cement tiles are ideal for wall coverings, backsplashes in bathrooms or kitchens, and even ceiling surfaces. When professionally installed, they contribute to a harmonious aesthetic and spatial feel, both visually and in terms of surface temperature.

Cement tiles work very well with underfloor heating systems. They conduct and retain heat efficiently, creating a comfortable indoor climate. The screed must be fully cured before the heating system is activated.

Cement tiles are classified as building material class A1 – they are non-combustible.

Cement tiles are robust and long-lasting – proven by countless historic floors in old buildings, stairwells, and public spaces that have been walked on daily for over 100 years. Their open-pored surface is protected by impregnation and gradually develops a unique patina. Scratches or signs of wear can be sanded down and repaired if needed – unlike printed tiles. With proper care, they can last for generations.

The tiler calculates the geometric area (length times width) of the room. An additional 5% is added as cutting waste. You can also generate a detailed list of required tiles using the VIA installation planner.

For most rooms, a 5–10% reserve is sufficient. If you’re installing tiles diagonally, mixing patterns, or making many cuts, we recommend 10–15%. This ensures you have enough material for potential breakage or future repairs.

On average, one sack of VIA tile adhesive covers approximately 4 m².

We keep a stock of several tens of thousands of square meters. Our product range includes over 1,000 different patterns and items. For some models, availability may be limited, and tiles are made to order. To be sure, we recommend checking current stock directly – by phone or email.

VIA tiles are primarily installed on cement screeds. The screed must have a residual moisture content below 2%. Calcium sulphate or anhydrite screeds are also possible, but must be sanded with grain 16 and primed accordingly. For anhydrite screeds, the residual moisture must be below 0.5% at the time of installation. In general, cement screed is preferred.
For special construction solutions or substructures, we recommend consulting the VIA technical team in advance.

The tiles themselves are 16–18 mm thick. With approx. 5 mm of adhesive, the total build-up height from the top of the screed is around 23 mm. It is essential to use the VIA tile adhesive, as it was developed specifically for these tiles and is the only adhesive covered by VIA’s warranty.

Installing cement tiles is not more difficult – just slightly different. The installation process is demonstrated in VIA’s installation video. Key differences include the use of the buttering-floating method, avoiding moisture during cleanup, minimal joint widths, grouting with trass cement and quartz sand, and finally, impregnation. Done!

Yes, installation on dry screed is possible – but only if the screed panels are installed without any movement or vibration. If not, this can negatively impact the joints (e.g. cracking or sinking grout). This is not a defect of the tile but a consequence of the chosen substructure.

Technically, tiles can be produced with a thickness of 12 mm. However, this is not recommended. Cement tiles consist of two layers: the decorative top layer and the structural backing. The top layer requires extra water to be poured, which is not ideal for concrete due to water-to-cement ratio limitations. To balance the moisture and ensure structural integrity, the second layer acts like blotting paper and is compressed with high pressure. This ensures a consistent moisture level and a water–cement ratio below 0.4. These conditions define the optimal thickness for a durable tile.

Installing VIA tiles is not particularly difficult – just different from standard tile installation. There are a few key aspects to consider, which are explained in detail in our online installation video. We also offer installer workshops, allowing professionals to become certified specialists in laying cement tiles.

These tiles are a traditional building material and were historically laid as tightly as possible. The same applies today: the joint width should not exceed 2 mm. Ready-made grout products must not be used. VIA tiles are grouted with a mix of trass cement and quartz sand in a ratio of 2:1. For example, 5 kg of quartz sand is enough for approx. 50 m² when using 1 mm joints and 20×20 cm tiles. Trass cement is available at most well-stocked building suppliers and is not sold through the VIA shop.

The grout is mixed manually using two parts trass cement and one part quartz sand. The quartz sand (available from VIA) has a grain size of 0.065 mm to 0.2 mm. When mixed with water, this creates a fine slurry that allows for very narrow joints.

Using ready-mixed flexible grout can lead to pigments or plastic particles embedding into the tile surface, which are difficult to remove.

For detailed instructions, we recommend watching our grouting video.

After treatment with VIA Mineral Impregnation or VIA Tile Oil, silicone joints must be filled using natural stone silicone. This should only be applied after a minimum drying time of 4 days following the impregnation.

VIA tiles are similar to natural stone materials such as marble, Solnhofen stone, or travertine. Cleaning and care are straightforward – ideally using VIA floor soap or soft soap. These nourishing, fat-restoring soaps not only clean but also help build a beautiful, protective patina over time.

For tougher stains, you can use a mild abrasive like a sponge (e.g. “Glitzi”) with scouring powder or a cleaning stone. Avoid using acidic cleaners such as vinegar or lemon-based products, as these can damage the surface.

You can use either mineral impregnation or tile oil to seal the surface. It’s important that the floor is completely dry so the product can penetrate deeply.

Tile oil is applied with a foam roller and the excess is then removed. It enhances the colors, making them appear richer.

Mineral impregnation is thinner, like water, and can be applied using a mop in a crosswise motion. It’s walkable after about one hour. The silicate in it reacts with the surface and hardens it through crystallization.

Because both products contain very little solvent, a careful application is essential (see our installation guide for more details).

One liter of mineral impregnation covers approximately 10 m².

One liter of tile oil covers approximately 30 m².

Like other limestone-based materials (e.g., marble, travertine, Solnhofen stone), cement tiles are sensitive to acid. Acid roughens the surface and alters how light is reflected, which can make light tiles appear darker and dark tiles lighter.

Impregnation helps protect the surface from moisture and stains but generally does not protect against acid.
If you require acid resistance, the surface must be sealed with a special coating that separates acid and lime. These coatings are usually applied with a roller.

If you’re interested in such a coating, please contact us – we’ll help you explore suitable options.

The best protection is a professional impregnation immediately after installation.
Regular cleaning with suitable soap helps maintain a protective layer over time.
Avoid harsh cleaning agents and wipe up standing liquids like wine or lemon juice immediately to prevent staining.