The word Terracotta means burned or fired earth. Created from clay, pressed into moulds and fired, Terracotta floor tiles have been used for thousands of years and remain popular due to their beauty, strength and durability. They exude a certain charm that you just can’t get from some more modern materials. We often associate terracotta tiles with ancient Rome where they were widely used in their villas and palaces.
Terracotta tiles are a great choice for flooring. They’re really great at maintaining heat and a brilliant insulator, so they’re the perfect choice of tile to use in conjunction with an under floor heating system.
Traditionally we associate terracotta with Mediterranean countries and a lot are manufactured there, but they are made in many other places too, including in the UK.
You might think terracotta floor tiles are all very similar but there are actually lots of different types. The colour and texture of the tiles can vary greatly. From browns to reds and delicate honey yellows and everything in between, the colour of terracotta tiles can really make a room feel warm and welcoming. You’ll also be able to find border tiles and mosaic tiles to add into your terracotta flooring to make your floor truly unique and fitting perfectly with your décor.
You’ll find some really great handmade tiles where each tile is unique giving a really beautiful rustic look. Some handmade tiles are left to dry in the sun and then wood fired, this results in a gorgeous burnt red finish with streaks of yellow to give a little extra interest to each tile. A tile may have chips or salt pops to give it that aged, antique look, so your new floor will look like it’s been there forever. Perfect for a period property. Another technique used to give an older look to modern tiles is to burn wood shavings on the tiles during the kiln firing process. With various different techniques like this being used there is a huge array of finishes to terracotta floor tiles. Unrefined clay can be used to create an even greater irregularity in shape and tone of tile. They look really fabulous as flooring alongside exposed stone walls or a rough plaster finish.
You’ll find terracotta floor tiles available in many different sizes too, so whether you like large tiles, perhaps in a huge kitchen, or smaller ones for your shower room, you’re bound to find some just the right size. You’ll also find an array of shapes, square, rectangular or you can even get a selection geometric shapes supplied together that are made to fit together to create a unique mosaic style flooring pattern.
Due to the nature of the production of handmade terracotta floor tiles, each edge is not perfectly straight, there will be slight differences between each one which helps give a fabulous rustic look to your floor. They do make a nice contrast to the precision sharpness of many contemporary types of tile.
Working with terracotta is no more complicated than other tiles, in fact due to their rustic appearance; they’re a lot more forgiving if you’re not able to align them perfectly. Imperfections in a terracotta floor are what gives it its charm, whether that is in the construction of the floor as a whole, or the little differences from one tile to another.
When you buy terracotta floor tiles you’ll be able to choose either glazed or unglazed. Don’t just go on the look, think about the practicality too and weigh up which is best for you. Glazed tiles have a smooth finish and are very stain resistant, as moisture doesn’t soak in like it can with unglazed terracotta, but if they are highly glazed they may be slippery when wet.
Unglazed terracotta is porous and can sometime absorb moisture and stain a little, but these are good robust tiles so don’t be afraid to give them a good scrub! If you find after several years that your tiles have become more porous, you can waterproof them with a layer of boiled linseed oil. Make sure your tiles are spotlessly clean and dust free first, then apply the linseed oil with a paintbrush. When it is dry, wipe away any excess with an old rag, leave for at least eight hours then apply another coat. Leave this coat for at least 24 hours and apply a layer of stone floor sealant or beeswax. A colour enhancer seal will help bring out the rich clay tones of your tiles. Boiled linseed oil is a traditional finish for unglazed tiles and gives them a gorgeous soft sheen. Your tiles will now be water resistant and grease resistant and shouldn’t take too much maintenance. You can use a regular tile cleaner to keep them in good condition. The good thing about terracotta is that often a little wear and tear just makes them look better.
If you find once you’ve laid your floor that you’re not as keen on the shade as you were when you were ordered them, you can often alter the shade and texture slightly by using different waxes. For example a gloss wax will give a shiny sheen and an antique wax will darken the colour a little.
Terracotta floor tiles are a great choice for outdoors too. They look fabulous on a patio or terrace. You can also make lovely paths with them; this looks great in a traditional Victorian garden. Glazed tiles are often best suited for outdoor use as unglazed can deteriorate in cold weather over time, although some deterioration can add to the rustic effect, it depends on the look you’re going for. A couple of good layers of sealer should help protect the tiles against stains and frost.
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