Things You'll Need:
- Concrete mix Mixing container Water Tile mold Mold release / vegetable oil Coloring Plastic wrap or tarp Sealant
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Step 1
Purchase or make a mold. There are several online sources that offer a large variety of decorative and plain molds (see Resources below). These molds are usually made from plastic. You can also make your own molds from wood, plaster of Paris (overlayed with shellac) or even pizza boxes.
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Step 2
Prepare your concrete mixture. You can use a ready-made mix of sand and Portland cement, or mix your own. Various coloring agents can be added at this stage of the process. Dry-powdered colors should be mixed with the sand and cement before adding water, while liquid dyes are added to the water before mixing. Add water slowly to your sand and cement mixture. The mixture should be thick, about the consistency of peanut butter.
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Step 3
If you are using plastic molds, they should be coated with a releasing agent. Vegetable oil or cooking spray works well for this purpose. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess. You can also add dry coloring agents to the mold at this point to achieve a textured effect.
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Step 4
Fill your molds. For flooring, tiles should be approximately ½-inch thick. It's important to make sure each tile is the same height. For 12-by-12 inch tiles, a 46-oz. can of frozen juice can makes a perfect measuring scoop for ½-inch tiles.
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Step 5
Shake or tap each mold to bring bubbles to the surface in order to settle the concrete evenly. If you are making a large number of tiles, you may want to invest in a vibrating table.
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Step 6
Dry the molds for at least 24 hours. If you want to etch designs, make imprints or apply mosaics to the tiles, do this after the concrete has hardened slightly but is still soft. While drying, the tiles should be covered in plastic wrap or a tarp to prevent them from drying too fast, which can produce brittle tiles.
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Step 7
De-mold the tiles. The tiles should release easily from plastic molds that have been coated with a releasing agent. If you are using plaster of Paris or cardboard molds, you may have to break the molds away from the tiles.
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Step 8
Cure the tiles for up to 3 weeks. During this time, they should remain covered in plastic. Curing outdoors is fine as long as temperatures are above freezing.
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Step 9
Apply any other coloring agents to your tiles and finishing with two to three coats of sealant.
