General Guidelines: Terracotta
Terracotta is a unique and nuanced material. Time must be given for proper install, cleaning and sealing methods to take place. Installation contractors must plan on multiple trips to ensure a proper installation.
We recommend requiring your contractor to make a “mockup” board to test grout, sealers, and maintenance products prior to the commencement of project installation.
Installation Notes:
- The appropriate substrate must be determined by your contractor.
- Your contractor will test and guide you to the appropriate installation materials.
- Hiring a knowledgeable tile contractor with previous experience with handmade and porous products is essential.
- Protection of the floor during and after installation, including sealing is essential.
- DO NOT USE MASKING TAPE ON THE SURFACE OF TERRACOTTA. This will leave a glue residue that will absorb dirt over the coming months and years. Use tape that is meant for glue free release.
Product Notes:
- Make sure to blend the materials to account for color variations prior to installing.
- Color variation is THE inherent beauty of natural terracotta.
- Size variation is to be expected.
Sealer & Maintenance Notes:
Prior to installation you must understand how the floor will be used which drives the needed maintenance parameters. How often it is to be maintained or re-sealed and what are the materials used to maintain and reseal.
- After the initial install, make sure the floor is washed, clean, and dried.
- Pre-sealing the floor prior to grouting is recommended. Some tiles are pre-sealed at the factory.
- Grout the floor after pre-sealing.
- After the grouting process is complete, make sure there is no grout (cement) remaining on the surface AND THAT THE SURFACE IS CLEAN AND DRY.
- Final seal, this can be from 1 coat and up to 3 coats, depending on the sealer and the absorption of the product.
BE SURE THAT THE FLOOR IS PROTECTED FROM CONSTRUCTION DIRT, DUST AND FOOT TRAFIC UNTIL THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS COMPLETE.
