So, what's made cement tiles more expensive? And can new trends sustain this traditional craft? More from So Expensive Cement-tile artisans use colorful pigments to form hundreds of designs.

Then he sends it through the hydraulic press to solidify the cement. These ceramic tiles are painted by hand. Artisans at Kibak Tile make them using the cuerda seca, or dry line, technique.

Microcement is an inexpensive coating that can be applied over walls or floors if you want to hide old tiles to upgrade your ...