Terracotta is one of the oldest tile materials around, the word “terracotta” actually means baked earth in Italian, which it literally is. Considered one of the oldest ceramic tiles, terracotta is an element of the ancient world, with its beginning dating back to 3000 B.C.E. And while terracotta may be a thing of the past created from the perfected millennia-old technique, its popularity today is rising again, especially with the rising trend of overhauled homes with earthy and rusty tiles.
Terracotta tiles can be used for your home’s walls, flooring, and countertops but they’re not something you can blindly work on. You need the help of experts to install them appropriately for your home. To understand terracotta tiles better, here are some components of terracotta that you have to know about.
Terracotta Tile Durability
The durability of terracotta types of floor tiles is widely varied. Terracotta tiles can get incredibly durable as their glazed and treated versions but also be very fragile and easily crack in cold environments because of being unglazed and untreated.
a balcony done with green walls, a terracotta tile floor, a folding chair, a stool, a grill and lots of plants and blooms in pots around
a beautiful and welcoming kitchen with stained cabinets, a terracotta tile floor, a kitchen island with a seating zone and brass pendant lamps
a beautiful entryway clad with hexagon terracotta tiles and a glazed wall, with a rough wood bench and beams, lots of potted plants
a bright modern kitchen with white fluted glass and green shaker style cabinets, black countertops, white square tile walls and a terracotta tile floor
a contemporary bathroom in neutrals, with a terracotta tile floor, an oval tub, a glass-enclosed shower space, a wall-mounted sink
High Water Resistance
Similar to natural travertine, terracotta tiles are porous and so require getting sealed and glazed. And since this makes the tiles a bit slippery, make sure the floor has an anti-slip surface. If you choose to do otherwise, make sure you don’t expose your untreated and unglazed terracotta tiles to moisture.
a cool bathroom clad with skinny terracotta tiles, with a shower space, a large vanity and a large mirror is very warm and welcoming
a cool kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, dove grey cabinets, a blue and white tile backsplash and a catchy pendant lamp
a cozy rustic bathroom with plaster walls and terracotta tiles, a large double vanity, a woven stool and wooden beams on the ceiling
a creamy kitchen with curved cabinets, a large kitchen island with a seating zone and a terracotta tile floor that adds interest and texture
a farmhouse bathroom with neutral tiles, a terracotta tile floor, an oval tub, a glass door to the garden and neutral textiles
a farmhouse kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, blue cabinets, a navy kitchen island, a black cooker, wooden beams and pendant lamps
a farmhouse kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, grey cabinetry, a graphite grey kitchen island, wooden beams and pendant lamps
a farmhouse kitchen with green shaker cabinets with white stone countertops, a terracotta tile floor, a stained vintage table and chairs
a farmhouse laundry with a terracotta tile floor, navy cabinets, white countertops, open shelves and a basket is very cozy
Cost
Terracotta tiles cost a lot and having them installed by experts will make it even more so make sure you have enough in your budget for these amounts.
a light-colored kitchen with shaker and glass front cabinets, black countertops, a terracotta tile floor and a large kitchen island
a light-filled kitchen with stained cabinets, a terracotta tile floor, butcherblock countertops and a large window
a Mediterranean bathroom with blue printed tiles, a terracotta tile floor, stained cabinets and arched mirrors
a mid-century modern living room with white walls and a ceiling, a terracotta tile floor, a leather sofa, a stained cabinet and a fireplace
a modern bathroom clad with white skinny tiles and square terracotta ones, a large neutral vanity and potted plants
a modern bathroom with an accent wall clad with terracotta tiles, an oval tub, a shower space, a statement plant and a wooden stool
Maintenance
With porous flooring materials like terracotta, sealing is the first step to accomplish. You can use a commercial sealer or linseed oil and turpentine solution, depending on your preference. Use beeswax for a shiny protective finish.
a modern bathroom with terracotta tiles on the floor, a wallpaper accent wall, a dark vanity, a large shower space
a modern farmhouse bathroom with white tile walls and a terracotta hex tile floor, a whitewashed vanity, an oval tub and greenery
a modern farmhouse kitchen with lower grey cabinets and a large kitchen island, a terracotta tile floor and pendant lamps
a modern rustic bathroom with white plaster walls and a terracotta tile floor, a stained vanity, an oval tub and greenery
a modern rustic living room with a stained ceiling and wooden beams, a terracotta tile floor, white seating furniture, a black hearth
Installation
You can install your terracotta tiles if you’re dealing with machine-cut glazed ones but unglazed and handmade ones need the delicate touch of experts.
a modern rustic living room with terracotta tiles on the floor, open shelves, a green accent wall, wooden beams and a woven chair
a mudroom clad with terracotta tiles, grey shaker cabinetry, a rug, a brass sconce and white appliances for a laundry part of the room
a neutral bathroom clad with white Zellige tiles, with a shower space and an oval tub, a terracotta tile floor, a stained vanity
a neutral kitchen with light green beadboard walls, a kitchen island, dark stools and stainless steel appliances
a neutral kitchen with shaker cabinets, large kitchen island, white stone countertops, a pass through window and a terracotta tile floor
a neutral Provence kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, tan cabinets, a large hood and a white Zellige tile backsplash
Cons Of Terracotta Tiles
Terracotta is porous and so can easily absorb water if left unsealed and unglazed. Regular sealing is necessary. Terracotta is difficult to repair once the tiles are chipped or cracked. Cold climate can lead the tiles to freeze and crack. Discoloration of the terracotta tiles is possible.
a refined vintage breakfast nook with a terracotta tile floor, a blue banquette seating and a chair, a stained table and a chic chandelier
a rustic bathroom with hexagon terracotta tiles, a tub on a wooden stand, a wooden vanity, a wooden table and a large shelving unit
a rustic space clad with brick and terracotta tiles, a woven chair, potted plants and wooden beams on the ceiling
a rustic Spanish style liivng room with terracotta tiles and plaster walls and a ceiling, a refined daybed, baskets and potted plants
a Spanish style kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, navy cabinets, a large cooker and a built-in hood, dark-stained wooden beams
a vintage space with a terracotta tile floor, a dark-stained console table, decorative plates and a vintage lamp
a vintage-inspired white kitchen with only lower cabients, a large cooker and a hood, stained beams, a large table that is a kitchen island
a welcoming kitchen with a large window, a terracotta tile floor, light-stained cabinets, open shelves and a large kitchen island
a white galley kitchen with sleek cabinets made more eye-catchy with a terracotta tile floor, butcherblock countertops and artwork
an entryway with terracotta tiles on the floor, a stained table, potted plants is a welcoming and warm space
an outdoor living room with a terracotta tile floor, white seating furniture, a low coffee table, potted plants and a wooden ceiling with beams