Terracotta Tiles: Choosing Warm, Honest Clay
Terracotta is fired clay with a warm, earthy colour, and it suits rooms that should feel lived in from the first day.
Arta's terracotta collection
Each tile below is a real Arta product. Open a page for sizes, colours and sample options.
What terracotta tile is
The word means baked earth. Terracotta tile is made from natural clay, shaped and fired in a kiln. The iron in the clay gives the classic range from soft orange to deep red-brown.
Because it is a natural clay body, no two tiles are exactly alike. Small shifts in tone and edge are part of the material, not a flaw.
Terracotta also has a long record in homes. It suits both classic and contemporary rooms, because the colour is simple and the surface is honest.
Glazed or unglazed: the look and the feel
Unglazed terracotta shows the raw clay. The surface is matte and slightly porous, and it deepens with use. This is the rustic look, soft underfoot in colour and rich with patina.
Glazed terracotta carries a layer of glaze over the clay. The surface is smoother and easier to wipe clean, and it can be glossy and colourful. Glaze also opens the palette far beyond orange, from deep greens to soft pinks.
- Unglazed: matte, earthy, ages with character, needs sealing.
- Glazed: smooth, brighter, simpler to keep clean.
Small tiles, around 2 in or 4 in, give a hand-laid, textured look. A 6 in square is calmer and reads as a clean field of colour. Both work when the grout colour sits close to the tile.
Where terracotta works
Small formats suit walls, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds and bathroom feature walls. Glazed squares make a quiet kitchen backsplash with real depth of colour.
Unglazed terracotta is the classic choice for floors in rooms that want warmth, like entries and kitchens. For any outdoor or wet area, check that the exact tile is rated for it before you plan the layout.
Think about the full room, not only the tile. Terracotta pairs well with oak, plaster walls, linen and brass. Cool, glossy surfaces beside it can feel at odds with its warmth.
Caring for terracotta
Seal unglazed terracotta once it is installed, and reseal when water stops beading on the surface. Use a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft mop. Strong acids and harsh strippers can mark the clay.
Glazed tiles need less. Wipe with a mild cleaner and water. Choose grout that suits the tile and seal it where the installer advises.
A good installer will look at the clay body and the finish before choosing a setting method. Ask about it early, because it affects both the look and the care.
How to choose
Start with the room's light. Warm light turns terracotta golden, while cool light makes it look more brick red. A sample in your own room tells you more than any photograph.
Decide on the finish before the colour. Matte and unglazed for patina, glazed for a cleaner line. Then choose a size: small formats add texture, larger formats calm a wall.
Order a little extra to allow for cuts and for blending tone across boxes. Handmade and natural clay tiles reward a patient layout.
Common questions
Is terracotta tile durable?
Terracotta is a fired clay tile and holds up well in the right place. Glazed tiles resist stains better. Unglazed tiles need sealing and a little care.
Do terracotta tiles need sealing?
Unglazed terracotta does, because the clay is porous. Glazed tiles usually do not need it, though the grout may.
Can I use terracotta in a kitchen?
Yes. Glazed terracotta works well on a backsplash. Sealed, unglazed terracotta suits kitchen floors that want a rustic look.
Will the colour vary from tile to tile?
Yes. Clay is a natural material, so tone and edge vary. Mix tiles from several boxes as you lay them for a balanced look.