
Titanio is the latest series in Tau’s Metallica Collection. This series is so close to real metal that it looks like metal, feels like metal, and it even has magnetic properties. Titanio’s polished glazed surface reflects light like no other glazed ceramic tile has done before. Titanio is available in 60-by-120-, 60-by-60-, 30-by-60-, and 30-by-30-cm formats.

Red remains a very popular color for ceramic tile, and is often combined with other colors to achieve a variety of different looks.

Tau Ceramica added a new color, beige, to its popular Corten line, offering a softer alternative to more intense metallic looks.
One of the main stylistic trends evident at Cevisama 2005 is the continued proliferation of metallic finishes and accent pieces, suggesting a strong resurgence of the modernist aesthetic in contemporary design. Metallic finishes such as stainless steel, iron, and weathered iron, and all other types of metal continue to gain popularity, in particularly the weathered steel look commonly known as corten. Some outstanding examples of the Corten look include Apavisa's new line, Metal Tech, Diago's Metal, and Tau's popular Corten, which added a new color, beige, to the series. Tau also debuted a stunning new metallic series, Titanio, which remarkably simulates a highly polished chrome finish through a unique new metallic glaze.

Metallic designs were very popular at Cevisama 2005.
Another noticeable trend this year is the increasing number of ceramic lines designed to imitate the look of hardwood flooring. Because of advances in technology which allow for greater depth of color and texture, these tiles are no longer merely pale imitations of their natural counterparts, but a viable alternative in many applications where wood is to be avoided, such as wet areas, fireplaces and stovetops. Throughout the show, a variety of manufacturers showed ceramic tile with finishes imitating every imaginable variety of hardwood, from common species like oak, birch, and cherry to exotic woods such as wenge, teak, and koa. Rustic finishes, designed to simulate the look of distressed wood, were especially poular this year. Some manufacturers eschewed the realistic approach in favor of postmodern designs such as highly colored woods and exaggerated textures. Some of the outstanding wood looks this year were Wood Tech from Apavisa, Forest by Azuvi, Alpina by Colorker, and Diago's Natura and Vita collections.

A variety of novel approaches to mosaics have updated this ancient technology for the 21st century.
Ceramic tiles designed to imitate the look and feel of natural stone have been a dominant force in recent years, a trend that continues this year, as evidenced by the nearly endless array of stone look designs on display at Cevisama 2005. In addition to the ubiquitous marble and limestone designs that most companies offer, many manufacturers are attempting to copy more complex varieties of stone, such as granite, travertine and rapolano.

Traditional mosaics offer consumers and designers an endless palette of colors to choose from.

Tau Ceramica introduced its new Dry System for tile installation, which allows tiles to be installed without adhesives. Tau was given an Alfa de Oro award for the new system. Oscar Guerrero, east coast area manager for Tau Ceramica, demonstrates how the new system works.
Another noticeable trend at Cevisama 2005 is the continued growth in the number of glass tile and mosaic lines. These ancient tile materials have been reinvented for the 21st century with bold, modern colors and unusual shapes and design elements, resulting in product lines that range from classical designs to the most outrageous postmodern fasion statements.

Wood textures have also grown incredibly realistic, rivaling the best laminate designs.
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