Opus Romano Tile Pattern

The Opus Romano tile pattern is a classic tile pattern used through the ages to achieve the desired layout shown in the photos and illustrations on this page. The actual tile sizes can vary, but are always relative to each other in the size percentages as illustrated. The illustrations here start with the smaller 8"x8" tiles.

We have come across three different patterns that seem to be considered Opus Romano Patterns. Two are square, recurring patterns that are made up with either three or four different tile sizes.  The three sizes we have made are 8"x8", 8"x16", and 16"x16". The four-tile pattern includes a 16"x24" tile. 

There is also what we consider a "true" Opus Romano tile pattern that includes four different tile sizes, and while recurring, the design also fits inside itself--- like a puzzle.  This makes the pattern transitions indistinguishable as to where the pattern starts and where it finishes. The pattern flows as random tiles inter-woven within itself.  Some people refer to this pattern as a French Versailles floor pattern, Roman Romano, Rome Opus, and other similar names. The pattern sizes are normally made by starting with 6"x6" or 8"x8" tiles. Then it proceeds to 6"x12" or 8"x16". Then 12"x12" or 16"x16". Then 12"x18" or 16"x24".

This tile and stone pattern has always been popular in Europe and throughout the Mediterranean where Travertine, marble, or granite have been mostly used for flooring and walls.  Recently though, there have been other materials used to make these shapes and sizes for the Opus Romano pattern. Most notably are concrete tiles and cement pavers that are becoming very popular both for their unlimited color possibilities, as well as their cost savings, range of applications and availability. 

Thus, we at Olde World Concrete Molds have created two new tile designs in the Opus Romano tile sizes, as well as in other popular tile and paver sizes. One is a flat smooth tile with straight vertical edges, and the other offers tiles with the face texture of a rough sea or field of wheat... we named the latter "Wind Swept".

Both of these styles of tile have vertical sides and fairly sharp corners and edges, unlike most concrete tiles that have pillow or rounded edges.  This allows installation with very minimal grout lines, and they may even be installed without grout between the tiles on walls or floors to allow a more uniform appearance.

WS-0808 Wind Swept Tile 8"x8"

"Wind Swept" - Our New Slip-Resistant Texture Tile

Wind Swept is our newest tile design and is reminiscent of a wind-blown rough sea or field of wheat. These particular sizes on this page were created to be used when designing and installing a wall or floor in the Opus Romano tile pattern. This tile pattern is also referred to by some as "French Versailles" or just "Versailles", and consists of three or four different sizes of tile or stone blended together in a pattern as illustrated above and below.  The "Wind Swept" design was created to be a slip-resistant tile due to the heavy texture on the face of each tile. It is still comfortable to walk on though when used on floors, and is ideal for exterior installations.

The new "Placid" tile face texture is as the name implies... smooth and flat. It too offers tile sizes to make the Opus Romano pattern for a floor or wall, but is very smooth, with no texture at all. Either style can be used to make up a 12" or 16" module for the pattern. The size is usually determined by the size of the floor or wall being covered.

WS-0816 Wind Swept Tile in 8"x16"

WS-1616 Wind Swept Tile in 16"x16"

WS-1624 Wind Swept Tile in 16"x24" - (Not in the WS-3000-OR Opus Romano Set)
This color started with a yellow base, and was stained with Bark Brown Stain.

WS-4000-OR Wind Swept Opus Romano Four Tile Set

WS-1003-OR Three Mold Set includes: One each of the 8"x8", 8"x16", and 16"x16" molds. This set of molds is designed to make the Opus Romano Square Pattern using 13 tiles of mixed sizes. The pattern measures a nominal 40"x40" square, or just over 11 square feet of area, and consists of five 8"x8", six 8"x16", and two 16"x16" tiles. These tiles can be made one size at a time per pour. Or you can get our #WS-3000 Mold Set which allows you to make all the tiles for this pattern in only two pours as it includes multiple molds of each size.
 
WS-1004-OR Four Mold Set includes: One each of the 8"x8", 8"x16", 16"x16" and 16"x24" molds. This set of molds makes the four tiles needed for the Opus Romano Pattern using 12 tiles of mixed sizes. They are as above, with the addition of the 16"x24" Mold. It measures a nominal 48"x48" square, or 16 square feet of area. These can be made one size at a time per pour. Or you can get our #WS-4000 Mold Set which includes multiples of the molds so you can make this pattern with only two pours, saving time and effort.

WS-3000-OR Square Pattern Mold Set includes: Two 8"x8" molds, Three 8"x16" molds, and One 16"x16" mold. This set is designed so you can make enough tile with only two pours to complete the nominal 40"x40" Opus Romano square tile pattern, saving you much time and effort. The pattern consists of 13 tiles as follows, five 8"x8", six 8"x16", and two 16"x16" tiles, and covers just over 11 square feet of area. 

WS-4000-OR Square Pattern Mold Set includes: One 8"x8" molds, three 8"x16" molds, two 16"x16" molds, and one 16"x24" mold. This set allows you to pour all of the tiles to complete the 48"x48" Opus Romano square pattern with only two pours. The pattern consists of 12 tiles as follows, two 8"x8", five 8"x16", three 16"x16", and two 16"x24" tiles, and covers 16 square feet. 

WS-5000-OR Mold Set includes: Two 8"x8" molds, one 8"x16" mold, two 16"x16" molds, and one 16"x24" mold. This pattern is designed to interlock into each other so straight lines that would make detecting a pattern of the same tiles is virtually impossible to detect. It covers an area that is about 48'x48", or 16 square feet. This alternating Opus Romano pattern is made up of a total of 12 tiles that consist of four 8"x8", two 8"x16", four 16"x16", and two 16"x24" tiles. 

Opus Romano Mold Sets Available in the
"Wind Swept" and "Placid" Designs 

Opus Romano - 3 Tile Square Pattern

Opus Romano - 4 Tile Interlocking Pattern

Opus Romano - 4 Tile Square Pattern

THE MOLD SETS BELOW ARE MADE UP USING A 16" BASE TILE MODULE, A 12" MODULE IS AVAILABLE AS WELL.

Opus Romano 3 Tile Square Pattern

Opus Romano 4 Tile Square Pattern

Both the "Wind Swept" and the "Placid" style of tile are available in the following individual sizes, as well as in the sets above.  For the Placid style, the prefix is PL instead of WS.  All molds are 3/4" thick and can make 1/2" to 3/4" thick tiles. The smaller tile sizes may also be made as thin as 1/4" thick if a very thin tile is needed.  You can use plaster or Sand Mix to make them, depending on the application... floor, wall, interior, exterior. Plaster is mainly used for interior walls. 

NOMINAL SIZES AVAILABLE INDIVIDUALLY: 6"x6", 6"x12", 12"x12", 12"x18" , 8"x8", 8"x16", 16"x16", and 16"x24".

  Plain White Plaster           Stained Patina            Stained Ocean Blue

     Painted Yellow          1 Coat Bark Brown Stain    2 Coats Bark Brown

Use the links below to learn more about our concrete stone, tile, brick, paver, cobblestone, and other molds, as well as our concrete colors and colorants, concrete stains, mold release, sealers, and more on this website.

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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NOTE: The RED sizes above are used for the 12" Opus Romano pattern module, and the BLACK are for the 16" module.