terracota and mexican saltillo tile

Terracotta tile is a traditional, environmentally-friendly flooring product, with a rustic charm. Compared with other ceramic, terracotta tiles have a very natural appearance, and are more comfortable and less cold underfoot. But it is also less durable and much more prone to stains, due to its porosity.

Terracota (including Saltillo or Mexican Terracota) tile is a clay product - basically made from the same material of clay garden pots.

Some terracotta tile is hand-made and dried outdoors in the sun (that’s the case of Saltillo) but most is now fired in kilns.

Mexican Terracotta (Saltillo)

Mexican Terracotta (often known as Saltillo Terracotta) is sun-dried, which makes it softer and less durable than other ceramic tiles, including other terracotta.

Extruded and Punched terracotta tiles

Before being baked, some terracotta tiles are compressed and cut by hydraulic presses while others are shaped by extrusion. These last tiles (the extruded tiles) have a more rustic appearance and are more porous than the first ones (the punched terracotta tiles).

Absortion and Uses

Terracota tiles tend to be very absorbent (even the punched ones) and soft. When used indoors a sealer is required. Due to their properties, Mexican-Saltillo tiles and other Terracotta are mostly used outdoors (patio and pool areas…), though they might also be used indoors.

Durability

Terracotta tiles - including Saltillo - are full bodied, that is, they aren’t glazed, and their surface do not differ through the whole body of the tile. But as Terracotta is soft and absorbent, the durability associated with its full-bodied nature is less than expected.

Prices

Terracotta prices range between low and medium, relatively to other ceramic tiles.

Sealers

Sealers are particularly important to protect terracotta tile. Take into account the preparing and sealing instructions provided by the manufacturer. Since porosity varies a lot, the right sealer also varies.

Some terracotta tiles come with their own proprietary sealers, but current linseed oil is a good general sealer. Maintenance is based on common liquid waxes.