Taylor Tile are hand made individually from a mixture of portland cements, mineral pigments, sand aggregates, and locally quarried "blue bitch" rock. They are molded in hand made forms, not pressed in a machine. These laminated concrete products have a backing of cement, sand, and blue bitch rock with a strength of 3500 psi. The topping mix, usually of white cement colored to match your choice, is from 3/8" to 1/2" thick, nicely resistant to dropped tools and gouges.
The texture of the tile surface can be as smooth and shiny as polished marble, as rough as cut coral, or slightly textured like travertine marble. You can choose the degree of texture best suited for the different areas of your project: perhaps smooth or lightly textured tile indoors, and twenty-five, fifty, or even seventy-five percent of the surface textured for walkways, patios, or pool areas.
Our concrete pigments are made of crushed minerals and become an integral part of the surface layer of the tile, which varies from 3/16" to 3/4" thick, depending on the size and usage of the tile. It is unlikely you will wear through the surface of these tiles in a lifetime, while the thin glazes of some other tiles are much less durable; as long as you do not pressure wash the tile or brick.
Our tiles, installed in high traffic areas over twenty years ago, are available for inspection. Some have had little or no care during their lifetime, and are faring well. Quality workmanship and materials enable smooth tiles installed in private homes to have achieved a rich translucency much liked aged marble, with only casual care over the years.
We have many color variations available, and if necessary, colors can be specially created to complement the interior and exterior of your home.
Brick and Soaps
Replica Danish pattern brick are cement reproductions of the low fired clay slump brick brought from Europe or produced locally for use in our historic buildings and public works. There was much variation in the size of the originals, and after random sampling we determined an average size to be 9" long by 4 1/4" wide by 1 5/8" thick. The 'soaps' are brick 8 1/2" long by 4 1/4" wide by 7/8" thick, to be used on floors or walks where the full thickness brick are unnecessary, or too thick to match the adjacent tile. Both thicknesses of brick are available in many colors including the traditional earth tones; and we have made more contemporary molds for many bull nose, coping, and architectural details as needed.
Replica Brownstone Pavers
Some of Christiansted's main sidewalks are laid with brownstone pavers quarried on the island of Lolland, off the coast of Denmark, in the 1700's. Over the last two hundred years, these stones have worn down to a smooth but uneven texture, reflecting the original chisel marks. They are found in variations of gray, brown, and purple. Our reproductions mirror these present textures and colors, and are often taken for antique stones.
Hand made to order art projects of:
Balusters, Countertops, Tables, Benches
Hardscape, Sculpture, Walkways
Projects are made to your specifications of size, color, and texture. We like making what you want, in beautiful and durable concrete.