Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta is a ceramic material that has been used for building construction and decorative arts since ancient times in cultures around the world. Terracotta, which literally means "baked earth," is made from natural clay, which gives it a characteristic reddish-brown color. The color varies slightly depending on the clay used. Terracotta is hard-baked, brownish red earthen ware, often glazed and colored may be glazed for extra durability or to provide color. Usually hand-made and varies in color, texture and appearance. The colors range from natural earthtones such as gray and brownish yellow to various shades of red. It is a waterproof and very sturdy material.

When used indoors, terra cotta tile floors can be left raw, but more often, terra cotta is finished with a top coat sealer. Some terra-cotta tiles are purported to be waterproof. To the contrary, all raw clay tiles are like sponges when it comes to soaking up water.

Terracotta may come prefinished or require application of various types of sealers or coatings on site to provide a wearing surface. May crumble or show wear quickly unless sealed and laid on water proof layer. Terra Cotta should never be installed in a high-traffic area, and should never be cleaned at pressures above 1100 PSI and then only if the grout is in good condition.

If you are looking for a time tested and versatile material, Terracotta tiles are an excellent choice. They are made from clay, and they have been in use for many years.

One of the more popular uses for Terracotta is for flooring tiles and paving stones. These can be hand made, and they come in a lovely soft reddish brown color that reminds you of the Southwest. They create an antiquated and warm look to every area where they are installed. These are also quite cost effective tiles, and if you seal them, they make great outdoor tiles. Terracotta is often the first choice of municipalities, businesses and homeowners to made lovely walkways, patios, living areas, bathrooms and kitchens.

Terra Cotta can be a little bit tricky to install properly, since it is rather fragile and has a rough texture. If it isn't installed correctly, the tiles will not even last for long after the installation, let alone last a lifetime, as it can if it is properly installed. If you want your tiles to look good for the longest time, you must get it done by a professional.

There are many different types of ceramic tiles that you can use for garden and home, but Terracotta may be the most widely used outdoors. The word Terracotta means "baked earth" in the Italian language, and it usually refers to rustic tiles that are colored in natural, earthy, warm tones. There are many types of Terracotta, including unglazed and glazed tiles, and they all have characteristics that are slightly different from each other.

Terracotta made in machines is also known as quarry tile, and these tend to be more durable and harder. They can be found in unglazed or glazed forms and in many sizes and shapes. Most glazed Terracotta tiles will show off a smooth surface, and they will resist stains beautifully, although a surface that is overly-smooth may be too slippery to walk on when they are wet.

We provide specialised cleaning, stripping & sealing solutions for terracotta tiles.

We have years of experience in restoring and refurbishing terracotta tiles. Even the most neglected terracotta tile can very often be restored with remarkable results

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form

Our equipment can handle both domestic and commercial cleaning jobs, leaving your floors spotless and protected

Our services are available in all Suburbs within 100km from the CBD

Ther are terracotta tiles produced and available in the market in Australia today that is designed specifically for use in outdoor entertaining areas, swimming pool copings and surrounds, driveways and public areas.

We know the importance of taking care of your terracotta tile floor. Terracotta tile restoration and cleaning is an important aspect of maintaining the natural shine of your floors. If treated properly, terracotta tile will provide for a beautiful floor which will be hard wearing, warm, stain resistant and extremely easy to maintain. Terracotta tile restoration and cleaning provides a holistic solution for floor maintenance. For more information about cleaning your terracotta tiles please visit our Terracotta Cleaning page.

Terra cotta tiles are beautiful, and they lend an informal and somewhat rustic or even southwestern air to residential floors. As a raw product, it is always recommended that terracotta floors be sealed at all times to prevent from permanent staining. For more information about sealing your terracotta tiles please visit our Terracotta Sealing page.

If treated properly terracotta will provide for a beautiful floor which will be hard wearing, warm, stain resistant and extremely easy to maintain. Even the most neglected terracotta can very often be restored with remarkable results. There is only one real way to restore terracotta that is by returning the terracotta to its natural state, let it dry, then seal it with between 2-4 coats of impregnating penetrating sealer and then apply the surface coating finish. Only this process is able to create a long lasting finish and stain proof of your terracotta.

You can count on our expertise, professionalism and experience to give you the highest level of satisfaction.

We provide specialised cleaning & sealing solutions for terracotta tiles.

We have many years of experience in restoring and refurbishing terracotta flooring. Even the most neglected terracotta can very often be restored with remarkable results

Terracotta Tiles
The installation of a Terracotta floor is carried out in five stages:
1. Laying the tiles
2. Sealing the joints
3. Washing
4. Finishing
5. Protection

Terracotta tiles can be laid using either adhesives or mortar.

With Mortar

With Adhesive

This operation is carried out to seal the joints left between tiles. Caution: Take care not to fill the expansion joints, if not with a suitable profile. Either a mix of sand and cement or a ready-made Grouting Material can be used for joint sealing.

Filling joints with a mixture of sand and cement (Traditional Grouting):
For joint widths between 10 and 12 mm:
• Mix 100 l of clean silica sand with 60 kg of grey cement;
• Using a suitable rubber trowel, spread this mix taking care to push down well between joints;
• When the joints are still soft, remove the excess mortar by spreading an identical but dry mix over the whole surface;
• Using a broomcorn brush, sweep the surface of the tiles vigorously;
• Once residues have been removed, eliminate the excess mortar and using a damp sponge, shape the joints one by one.
• Repeat the process until the tiles and properly cleaned.

Filling joints with a ready-made Grouting Material:
Ready-to-use caulking for terracotta tiles is easily found on sale. Whichever product is chosen which do not con, we recommend that the following precautions be taken:
• It is advisable to use products tain either synthetic resins or polymers. These substances in fact, can penetrate the pores of the tiles, especially around the edges, where they cause staining which tends to remain even after the finishing process has been completed.
• It is better to avoid markedly coloured products. In actual fact, such products have a tendency to be very difficult to remove once in contact with the tile surface and, should they penetrate the pores of the terracotta even slightly, a specialist intervention will be necessary to remove them.

We provide specialised cleaning, stripping & sealing solutions for terracotta tiles.

We have years of experience in restoring and refurbishing terracotta tiles. Even the most neglected terracotta tile can very often be restored with remarkable results

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form

Our equipment can handle both domestic and commercial cleaning jobs, leaving your floors spotless and protected

Our services are available in all Suburbs within 100km from the CBD

Washing serves three different purposes:

Washing must be carried out when the floor is perfectly dry and in accordance with the following instructions:
• Wash the floor using diluted acid solution (one of the recommended solution is Kemclean from Dribond);
• Leave the solution upon the floor only for the time necessary to remove mortar residue from the tiles. In all cases, it is preferable not to leave the solution on the floor for any longer then 3 minutes. We would like to point out that a period of time is likely to cause the grouting mortar to weaken;
• Once the acid solution has taken effect or the time limit is over, rinse the floor with plenty of water and quickly remove the residues.

The use of professional machines, such as the single-brush floor polisher or liquid vacuum cleaner which exert a more energetic action upon the floor, ensures that cleaning is more homogeneous and that washing liquids are more rapidly removed.
Should residues of mortar be found upon the floor after rinsing, the washing operation can be repeated in the same manner, increasing slightly the acid concentration of the cleaning solution if necessary.

Important: Avoid using non diluted acid solution to clean the floor.

Different finishing techniques are required for interior and exterior flooring and paving. We would like to remind you that in order to carry out a successful finishing process, it is necessary to wait until the floor is perfectly dry, both after washing and after each individual product application.

Sealing

Exterior Paving (porches, swimming pools, terraces, gardens, etc.)
Terracotta products are frost-proof and resistant to thermal movement. Nevertheless, it is better to follow several basic rules in order to prevent, in extreme conditions, those incidents which can affect the aesthetic quality of the paving.
It is best to lay the tiles in mild weather conditions. During the laying stage, ensure that the tiles adhere perfectly to the foundation and that there are no cavities layer. Indeed, possible air pockets could cause an accumulation of humidity and if the temperature is very low, this will cause the tiles to come unstuck from their foundation.
Avoid laying the tiles upon structures (screed) which have not been settled definitively. Mechanical stress brought about by settling can cause serious cracking in the tiles. We recommend that expansion joints, filled with a good quality rubber profile, be inserted every 4/5 meters, especially in the case of larger areas or areas subject to thermal movement.
Prevent the arrival of humidity and salts from underlying or adjacent ground:
By avoiding direct contact between the terracotta and soil or grassy surfaces, laying the tiles a few centimeters higher than an adjacent lawn.
• By ensuring that the screed floor has the proper drainage.
• By using waterproof sheeting to protect paving from areas of water collection such as a swimming pool, guttering, etc.
• By using a waterproof mortar to fill the joints, taking care to seal them uniformly and without cracks.

Prevent the collection of humidity upon the tiled surface:
• By giving the paving the necessary incline for the perfect run-off of rainwater (at least 1%).
• By ensuring that the paving is perfectly aired throughout the year (be careful of the nylon sheeting used to cover swimming pools during the winter; we recommend that strips of wood or of a thick fibre material such as sacking, be placed between the sheeting and the paving in such a way as to ensure air circulation).

It is advisable to wet the paving before laying with either mortar or adhesive. Paving which has been laid close to a swimming pool should be washed with an alkaline solution before the winter period, in order to remove any greasy residues.

Once the flour has been cleaned, it is very important to caver the flow with a plastic sheet and or plywood to protect it from any other possible sfaning by other trade works.

Important : All instruction above are mainly our recommendation . While every reasonable effort has been made to provide accurate information, Tile Cleaners ® shall not be liable for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions howsoever caused.

We provide specialised cleaning, stripping & sealing solutions for terracotta tiles.

We have years of experience in restoring and refurbishing terracotta tiles. Even the most neglected terracotta tile can very often be restored with remarkable results

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form

Our equipment can handle both domestic and commercial cleaning jobs, leaving your floors spotless and protected

Our services are available in all Suburbs within 100km from the CBD