If you are remodeling your home or involved in the design of your dream home, then you would probably have come across the phrase, “tumbled tiles.” Wondering what it is and why is your architect or interior designer keeps on recommending it?
Here, in this article, we help you understand all that you need to know about tumbled tiles and why it’s a bestseller at all leading marble mosaic stone suppliers in India .
First things first,
Tumbled refers to the finish of the stone or tile. However, remember that there are several types of tumbled finishes. For instance, a particular tile that is tumbled may have a different finish and appearance compared to another tile that is also tumbled.
Depending on the type of tumbled finish used, stone tiles have varying characteristics. All tumbled tiles have a smooth, soft, worn out appearance that is rustic and earthy.
Of all these tumbled finishes, natural and antiqued are the most common.
Technically speaking, tiles can attain a tumbled finish in two different ways. Let’s take a closer look at the process.
The most common method of tumbling is to place the tile in a rubber drum along with sand, water, and rocks. The drum is sealed, and the tiles are rolled in with the drum (tumbled). The rock, water, and sand inside the drum wear down the edges of the tile and soften the finish, thereby giving a rustic tumbled appearance to the natural stone tile.
This process works only for small tiles, as larger tiles are likely to break in the tumbling process. This method is used only for a natural tumbled finish. Honed and polished tumbled tiles don’t use this method.
Instead, the other types of tumbled tiles are made using hand-chiseling and chipping. Alternatively, a few tile manufacturers today use cutting machines to give tiles a tumbled appearance.
All natural stone tiles can be tumbled. Yes, this includes granite, marble, travertine, limestone, slate, onyx and quartzite. Any natural stone tile that you use for your home can be tumbled to get a rustic finish.
No. Tumbling doesn’t affect the quality of the natural stone tile. Irrespective of whether you opt for tumbled natural stone tiles or glossy stone tiles, they have a similar life and durability. Tumbling doesn’t affect the protective finish of your natural stones, so your natural stone tiles will continue to be spill-resistant and heat-resistant.
What differs is appearance. Tumbled tiles have a largely different appearance compared to tiles that have been polished or honed. Tumbled tiles look dusty or slightly chalky, and the colours of the natural stone are a bit muted.
Unlike tumbling, other tile treatment processes like honing and polishing deepen the colour of the natural stone. On the other hand, tumbling makes your tiles appear a bit dull. This can be corrected by applying colour enhancing sealers to the tiles, after installation and grouting. The sealer will brighten the colours of the tumbled tiles and remove the chalky finish.
If you love the earthy rustic interior style, then using tumbled tiles for your floors is a great choice. Get in touch with our sales team at Décor Luxury stones, leading tumbled mosaic suppliers in India to find the right style of tumbled finish for your floors and walls.
