The Process
Machinery for mass tile production has been around for many years. It simplified the process for most manufacturers but at the same time made most tiles look like a "cookie cutter" product. Different manufacturers have tried desperately to use machines that would reproduce the same old world look and feel of a hand made tiles. They've come close but have not achieved that same quality.
Although we have implemented a stream line process, we still produce each tile manually so that we maintain the highest look, feel and quality of the tiles. Obviously we are a business and are always trying to find ways to reduce costs and pass the savings to the customer. But we have a firm philosophy of never compromising quality.
The process we implement in creating the tiles is somewhat similar to baking cookies.
All of our tiles start from blocks of moist clay that are free of toxic materials. The clay is rolled with rolling pins to form a clay slab. The slab is then cut to shape using precision knives and utensils and the initial tile design is carved. The clay is fired in specialty kilns to extreme temperature in order to achieve the high strength typical to ceramic tiles. If multiple tiles of similar designs are needed, a form is being created from the initial design that allows the creation of multiple tiles of the same design.
The tiles are placed in a drying rack and dried slowly to prevent warping. Once the tiles are dry, eco-friendly glazes are hand painted on. The tiles are dried again and fired once or twice more depending on the formula. Different color formulas and clays are combined to create the desired look and feel of the tile. As the drying time varies upon the clay, glaze, moisture (the weather) and a variety of other factors, this process can take up to 4 weeks.
That is why Eli's Tiles makes Extraordinary Tiles for Extraordinary Lives.
6011 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(Located at the back of Bradco Kitchens & Baths)
323.936-3457
866.427.2326