BOLOGNA, ITALY –– Tiles that capture characteristics of wood and metal have been two of the most successful products from Spain this year, and manufacturers continue to evolve these looks with innovations in colors, textures and graphics in design for 2006.

Nearly 100 ceramic tile manufacturers from Spain debuted product trends, cutting- edge design and innovation in technology at Cersaie 2005, Italy’s International Exhibition of Ceramics for the Building Industry and Bathroom Furnishings this Fall. So, what’s new?

the essence of wood tile

Tile of Spain brand manufacturers are expanding the choice of species, shade and size of wood essence ceramics. Sucesores de Manuel Gomez-Gomez y CIA introduced its Madera Series in 12.5 x 22-inch wall tiles with accent borders. Roca’s Norway series is another new wood look –– a rectified (precision measurement) through-bodied porcelain in sizes 4 x 26, 6.5 x 26 and 13 x 26 inches, complemented by 13 x 26-inch decor inserts with two or three simple inlaid squares and 13 x 13-inch backed pieces comprised of individual narrow tiles. “Tacos” in a 4 x 4-inch format as well as 13 x 1.25-inch borders are offered in six color and pattern choices. Shades available are Abeto, Roble, Sapeli, Wenge and Zebrano.

Porcelanosa’s newest product, WOODTEC™ Porcelain Hardwood™ in a wide range of colors with elongated planks, stretches to 44 inches. El Barco debuted the Fusta Series, with an exotic Fusta Wenge in 10 x 13-inch wall and 12.5 x 12.5-inch floor tiles. The series comes complete with complementary border pieces and accent shades for wall and floor designs. New from Ceracasa is the Roble series, a porcelain wood in two shades, Dorado and Miel. For floor or wall applications, planks in 1.5 x 25, 3 x 25 and 6 x 25 inches are available.

precious metals

Ceramic tiles can achieve the look of weathering steel without the harmful ecological effects of rusting metal. Tau Ceramica offers rectified porcelain weathering steel finishes for interiors and exteriors. Tau’s Corten is available in 12 x 12, 12 x 14, 24 x 24 24 x 48-inch and various accents. Tau added Corten Beige to its other two available metallic finishes. Azulejera La Plana introduced the Debo Series, glazed porcelain with a metallic slate appearance. The Debo Series comes in Negro or Ocre in a 15 x 23.75-inch format. Porcelanosa’s Ruggine Aluminum, a weathered aluminum, 13 x 39.25-inch format, can be combined with the Mosaico Acero, an 11.75 x 11.75-inch mesh-backed mosaic made of varying metallic shades of 1 x 1-inch pieces. Also available is an 11.75 x 11.75-inch brick-style mosaic called Mosaico Brick Acero comprising .75 x 1.5-inch rectangular pieces in the same metallic shades.

color, texture & graphics

Colors abounded at Cersaie, balanced, however, by a new appreciation for white. Coupled with its elegant opposing hue, the timeless style of black and white takes on a modern role in new collections such as the Barhein series by Ceramicalcora. This 8 x 8-inch tile can be used for floors or walls and paired with any of the Egeo series, an 8 x 8-inch wall tile in a range of 14 shades. El Barco introduced the Beni series, 4 x 4-inch floor and wall tiles in black and white. A low water absorption rate makes these tiles ideal for baths or kitchens. Complementary inserts and listellos are available.

Textures of all types are adding new dimension and excitement to field tiles with wavy reliefs, undulations, radiating circles, points and even simple linear graphics. Gaya’s Fusion Series of more than 100 different pieces includes designs that capture the elements of leather, metal, stone and wood in wide variety of sizes, colors and textures. Animals and fabrics were some of the most popular graphics at the show. The Iris collection from Hispano Azul Ceramica took its inspiration from the current hot western trend. The cowhide pattern is available in Marron or Negro 10 x 16-inch tiles with two sizes of listellos. Tiles inspired by fabrics were also introduced. Hispano Azul launched a damask-inspired line called Textile; a 13 x 18-inch tile is available in Marino, Negor, Gris, Verde, Celeste, Buredos and Marron with a complete set of complementary accents –– some simple and some highly decorative.

For more information, contact the Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info.