Inspiration

PORCELAIN HYDRAULIC TILES: STYLE WITH THE BEST PERFORMANCE

Geometrical bathroom tiles or inspired by nature with a strong vintage character.

Elegant, charismatic and extraordinarily delicate. With their intriguing weaves and colors, the unique style of hydraulic tiles has withstood the passage of time giving shape to an endless array of proposals both classic and contemporary. Geometrical shapes or plant combinations are the distinguishing feature of this pigmented cement so popular in European homes since the mid-19th century. With the same charm and versatility, Roca recovers their unmistakable profile using new production technologies that provide these hydraulic tiles with a resistance as revolutionary as their performance. No less than five collections pay tribute to these characteristic tiles without straying a bit from the tradition that inspired them.

We had already revealed part of their secret when we talked about rustic tiles but hydraulic mosaics have, without any doubt, much more to tell. It seems like only yesterday that they started being used as floor tiles in the south of France after being manufactured piece by piece, from a paste of water, cement and pigments. Using bronze or brass molds, the craftsmen distributed the colors according to their preferences and, in order to make them compact, they placed the hydraulic tiles in a humid chamber for 28 days. Hence, the importance of water in their manufacturing, the name that has made them famous throughout the planet.

In addition to their exceptional nature, as they did not require firing, another highlight were their unique weaves in the shape of geometrical tiles, floral or plant motifs, whose delicateness required maintenance to keep their drawings and colors intact. Although nowadays hydraulic tiles replicate the same shapes as those made in the past by designers as renowned as Antonio Gaudí, their different lines and silhouettes can now be installed as floor or wall tiles with all the guarantees, thanks to the incredible performance provided by materials such as porcelain.

A good example of this outstanding performance is the new Havana collection, which moves in the range of grey colors evoking hydraulic mosaics in four 20×20 cm pieces: Soul, Jazz, Retro and Blues. Choose the tiles that fragment an original rosette or those that multiply them to create disordered or fully symmetrical weaves, depending on what you wish to convey in your home.

Remembering a time gone by defined by its unrivalled compositional richness, Gracia includes 45×45 cm tiles for hydraulic floors, and 31×61 cm pieces for walls. These universal creations are available in two finishes —Blanco and Multicolor— with floral or geometrical patterns in soft hues or a wide range from reddish to blue.

The Boulevard collection plays with equally intriguing designs in its hydraulic tiles from smaller to larger sizes, depending on whether they represent one or several different motifs. Two colors —Beige and Multicolor— to replicate period atmospheres with its versatile 44.5×44.5 cm pieces or in a rectified 22×22 cm format.

Based on the same inspiration but changing the range of color for hydraulic mosaics in one single hue, Claqué opts for the look of cement in Blanco, Arena, Gris and Negro. Worn industrial style finish in 61.5×61.5 cm kitchen and bathroom tiles where chromatic sobriety will not prevent you from displaying the most suggestive compositions.

Finally, the Plaster collection uses octagonal paving stones to pay its particular tribute to hydraulic tiles. Choose a tile, Gris or Arena, and discover how to give a dramatic effect with its impressive worn format with rectified edges in 80×80 cm.