Inspiration
Mighty oak
An oak floor is truly a design classic. Organic and alluring, it’s the perfect complement to so many interior design schemes. But for many of us - those with pets, children, a penchant for red wine, or perhaps all three - natural timber flooring may not be the most practical choice.
Enter, our collections of timber-effect porcelain floor tiles.
"I came one day to see this oak, born so long ago, so far beyond the memory of any living human being. I sat in its presence and knew that here was peace."
– From The Oak Papers by James Canton
There is something inarguably grounding about being in the presence of an old oak tree; something wonderfully reassuring about their permanence. We humans take such comfort in the familiarity of the natural world that perhaps it’s little wonder that we have used oak both to build and to decorate our homes for centuries.
An oak floor is truly a design classic. Organic and alluring, it’s the perfect complement to so many interior design schemes. But for many of us - those with pets, children, a penchant for red wine, or perhaps all three - natural timber flooring may not be the most practical choice.
Our Weathered Oak collection of porcelain floor tiles is virtually indistinguishable from real timber. The collection is available in three tones - Almond is shown above.
As frequent readers of our journal will know, we at Marlborough Tiles pride ourselves on our expertise in porcelain floor tiles. Our MD, Jamie Robb travels far and wide to source the very best and most realistic wood and stone effect tiles that the world has to offer. Durable, easy to clean, stain resistant, and capable of being used with underfloor heating, we believe that high quality porcelain tiles are quite simply the most practical option when it comes to choosing flooring for your home.
They are also among the most beautiful. Creating a high quality porcelain tile requires true artistry, and it’s the finest details that make an unmistakable difference. Just those tiles that are virtually indistinguishable from real stone and timber are chosen for our collections. Our latest collection, Weathered Oak, is an extraordinary example.
To create these planks, ancient oak floorboards are restored by hand by expert craftsmen, before being photographed and masterfully replicated on porcelain using the very latest technology. The planks are rich with the characteristics of hundreds of years of use. Their grained and knotted surfaces bear the scars and irregularities that can only be created by the passing of time - from dents and cracks to traces of woodworm. They have a beautiful, soft finish with extraordinary aesthetic depth and colour variation - evidence of the oiling and waxing that has taken place over generations.
The collection is available in a choice of three natural tones: Almond, for a very light finish; golden toned Honey; and Biscuit - for a darker oak look.
Our new Weathered Oak collection is available in a choice of three natural tones. From top to bottom: Almond, Honey and Biscuit.
If it is a cleaner, more contemporary look you are seeking, consider instead our Marlborough Oak collection.
Named for the wonderful trees in nearby Savernake Forest, this collection of wood-effect porcelain floor tiles features a clean, planed timber finish and rectified edge. The planks beautifully mimic natural oak, right down to subtle colour variation, textured graining and knotting. They are available in a choice of three sizes that can be used individually or mixed.
For a contemporary planed oak finish, consider our Marlborough Oak collection.
Whichever effect you choose, when it comes to laying your tiles, the direction in which your planks are placed will have a big impact on the overall feel of your space. If the room is narrow, running planks across its width will give the illusion of a wider space. If the room is short, running them from one end to the other will enhance its length. Either way, you will find that placing one plank across the threshold of your space creates a sense of flow.
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If you have any questions about choosing from our porcelain floor tiles, or about how to lay them, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our design team will be more than happy to assist.
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