Nature is here to stay. Designers appreciate and are eager to emphasise the beauty of wood. This noble material, however, cannot be used in every room. This is where wood-look tiles step in.

Being in touch with nature allows us to regenerate and maintain our balance in our everyday lives, which are full of challenges. This is why we feel great in interiors containing plants, organically-shaped items and nature-inspired patterns and colours. Wood is one of the most beautiful and universal materials used in interior design. It does have its limitations, however – it is vulnerable to moisture and mechanical damage and requires a lot of care. These drawbacks are not present in wood-look tiles, which, at the same time, perfectly mimic the beauty of the original material. They remain unchanged and beautiful for years in addition to being easy to clean – water does not damage them, and they require no special cleaning agents. Another advantage is that not only are they more durable than wood, but they are less expensive as well. Compared to wood, they conduct heat well, which is why they are much better for underfloor heating systems.

Wood-look tiles, Scandinavian style

Wood patterns give you stylistic freedom and allow you to create arrangements which match the newest trends in addition to being timeless – nature-inspired patterns never go out of style. Wood is an indispensable element of Scandinavian-style interiors. Bleached wood can be replaced with Oak White tiles, which mimic wood planks. Scandinavian-style bathrooms look great with the cold Perfect Form Cream and Perfect Form Beige tiles laid in parallel rows. Wood-look porcelain tiles in are perfect in vintage and industrial arrangements.

Porcelain as wood in vintage and industrial arrangements

Wood-look tiles, especially if laid in the herringbone pattern, can resemble a old-style wood floors, serving as a perfect base for classic and vintage spaces. The same floor, if laid with golden Softwood Beige tiles, depending on the furniture, details and fabrics, can serve as the base of chic, Parisian-style apartments in old townhouses, as well as of interesting, 70’s-style, vintage interiors. Wood patterns are also typical of very feminine, romantic spaces – such interiors look great with wood-look porcelain tiles from the Oak Classic White collection.

This material also has many great but less obvious uses – take the industrial style for example: dark and cold Nordic Oak Brown tiles, laid in parallel rows, look great combined with concrete and raw, metal elements. Dark but warm tiles are the base of interiors designed to reference classic Irish houses.

OPEN AIR WOOD

Thanks to their practicality, including their resistance to the elements, porcelain tiles can be used almost anywhere – both inside and outside the building. They are perfect for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as terraces and balconies. Water and frost are powerless against them, and their colour never fades in the sun. Porcelain tiles need no special care, and there is no need to worry that, despite all your efforts, they will eventually still change and look aged – wood-look porcelain tiles remain beautiful year after year.

We understand that the space in which you live is an expression of your individual style, with the fireplace forming the very heart of your home. It is a focal point that not only extends the warmest of welcomes to your family and friends, around which they will gather naturally, but it also offers you the opportunity to make a design statement that defines the room even when the fire is not lit. Many of today’s contemporary fires, whether gas-fired or woodburning, are designed to fit into an existing chimney breast or a specially built studwork structure. The wall you have chosen for your new fire can also become a design feature to complement and enhance your fireplace. Browse our unique collection of porcelain and natural stone tiles to complement your fireplace and help you create your ultimate look for your interior space.

Important Additional Information

Check your walls are suitable.
Drywall is combustible and not a suitable material either for use behind the wood stove or for use underneath tile. Removing it from the wall behind the wood stove allows you to install cement backerboard instead. Cut right through the drywall using a drywall saw. Remove all the drywall from any wall that comes within the eight- to 36-inches recommended by your stove’s manufacturer. For the most seamless appearance, remove the drywall straight to the ceiling, even if you do not plan on tiling that high. There are some cement backerboards that are paintable, allowing you to install tile as high as you like, and still have a non-combustible surface to the ceiling behind the stove.  We recommend you use a base board before tiling.

Porcelain tiles
Shade variation is an inherent feature of the manufacturing process.

Shading
We recommend that natural stone and porcelain tiles are loosely laid out and ‘blended’ prior to fixing to achieve the most pleasing distribution of shades. Differences between batches can be more marked, for this reason we recommend that you buy all the tiles at one time. No liability for shading issues can be accepted after installation.

Sealing
It is strongly advisable to seal natural stone and unglazed porcelain tiles before commencing installation. This protects the tiles from excessive adhesive or grout staining during the installation process, and also protects the tiles from staining in the future. Always apply the sealer / impregnator in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Adhesives and grouts
Always use high quality adhesives and grouts following manufacturers’ recommendations for their use and suitability for the type of tile, the application and the substrate being tiled.

Cleaning
Please note, the use of certain acid-based cleaning products may cause natural stone and porcelains to react and change character.

Complete Renewable Heating Solutions

A new build project is the ideal scenario for embracing renewable heating. From this ultimate blank slate, Joule can help you tailor your property’s heating system to meet low-carbon regulations and reduce ongoing utility bills.

Joule have developed a wide ranging portfolio of solutions for heating, hot water and ventilation systems. So whether it’s a heat pump, underfloor heating, our InvaVent ventilation range or our industry leading extensive range of hot water cylinders, Joule have the solution for you.

For new build projects, Joule can provide a heating, hot water and ventilation system backed up with design and service.

Joule Heat Pump systems in conjunction with Samsung are one of the world’s leading heat pump air to water suppliers. Using the heat energy from ambient air, which is a free and renewable energy source, results in low cost heating and hot water production.

The Joule heat pump range suit most applications, the EHS Mono heat pump system includes flexible control options and hybrid capability, whereby the system can be used in conjunction with solar and/or boiler installations. All heat pumps supplied by Joule have high performance at low temperatures, lightweight and are compact for quick and easy installation. 

Planning & Design

To avail of our free Design and Pricing service just send your Plans to mick@heatwise.ie

Joule will correctly design & indemnify your proposed heating and ventilation installation, from a standard small domestic heating installation to a commercial solar thermal system and will offer a one stop solution to your requirements.

Systems will be designed to ensure a high level of comfort and energy efficiency for the homeowner and with our comprehensive product range Joule can offer solutions for any project or budget.

Joule will work with your design team to assess your requirements and suggest solutions and deliver a comprehensive bespoke technical design to include product specification, full schematics and drawings which will be in accordance with current building regulations and best practices. also offering commissioning, ancillary certification and technical support plus installer training across their product range.