XXL tiles: but a unique view, not necessarily an additional cost

Just like the tiles themselves, for that matter. Because today there is not only a lot more choice in terms of execution and design, but also in terms of sizes there seems to be no stopping them. This is a good thing, because consumers can appreciate these XXL tiles and special formats. Joren Verbruggen of Artstone reviews the possibilities.

"It is a clear trend," says Verbruggen. "Both architects and consumers themselves are more likely to look for exceptional formats in order to give the terrace a distinctive look. Parquet tiles, for example, provide a more natural look, while the XXL formats fit in perfectly with the austere character of many modern homes. Their enormous dimensions, as well as the limited number of joints, also make the room or terrace appear optically larger. Almost anything is possible these days. There is only one misconception: that exceptional formats by definition also carry an exceptional price."

100% Belgian Blue Stone

In Heusden-Zolder, Artstone has its own plant for processing Belgian Blue Stone. The natural stone, quarried in Hainaut, is processed there both by machine and by hand into tiles, clinkers, thresholds, and so on. "This in-house production not only guarantees a one hundred percent Belgian product, but above all allows us to offer just about any size and finish required at a competitive price."

"The sky is the limit," sums up Verbruggen. "Large formats such as 180×120 centimeters, 160×80 centimeters and 120×60 centimeters are now part of our standard range, and we even offer tumbled tiles in rather exceptional formats such as 100×100 centimeters. For those leaning more toward a parquet bond, we also have courses of 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 centimeters wide."

Ceramic tiles

In its range of ceramic terrace tiles, of which the company organizes its own imports, Artstone is breaking out with a most exceptional size. "The Concrete Stoop Grey, a ceramic patio tile with a concrete look, is available in tiles of no less than 240×120 centimeters. Square tiles of 120 centimeters can be offered with a concrete, metal or natural stone look, and the 120×40 centimeter and 120×60 centimeter range now also includes about 20 tiles. And then, of course, there are the ceramic parquet tiles with a wood look. There we go beyond the classic tiles with a length of 120 centimeters in various widths, and you can also go with tiles of 180×30 centimeters, for example."

Also for driveways

The trend of large format tiles is not limited to interiors and patios. Demand is also rising for driveways. "For a long time, concrete tiles were the only solution for this, with dimensions of 100×100 centimeters or 120×120 centimeters and a thickness of 6 or 8 centimeters. In addition to these products, however, we have recently started offering a ceramic solution, specifically a range of tiles with a thickness of 3 centimeters and dimensions of 60×60 centimeters or 90×90 centimeters. So in this way, a driveway can also be perfectly finished in ceramic stone."