How to care for your terracotta/quarry tiles

By Published On: September 22nd, 2014
quarry tile terracotta care P Mac Dublin

How to care for Terracotta tiles

Terracotta floor tiles and their smaller, thinner cousins, quarry tiles, became popular in Victorian times for use in kitchens and servants’ quarters. In an age when hygiene was becoming more important, they were easy to keep clean but not as expensive as the decorative encaustic tiles laid in hallways. Terracota tiles are made from a mixture of clays, fired at a low temperature whereas quarry tiles are fired at an extremely high temperature. As a result terracotta is a softer type of tile than quarry. Usually terracotta and quarry floor tiles are applied in kitchens, hallways, bathrooms. Quarry tiles are robust and resistant which make than ideal for outdoor use. When laying them outdoors, make sure that they are frost-proof.

Unglazed terracotta tile care

In the 19th century, unglazed terracotta floor tiles were laid directly on sand. With no damp-proof membrane beneath, moisture would percolate through the tiles to evaporate harmlessly in the air. To make them more resilient they would have been impregnated with boiled linseed oil so that dirt and spills were not absorbed into the tile.

Naturally, terracotta tiles become more porous over the years, allowing watermarks and stains to set in. You can test your tiles for porosity by placing water in the middle of a tile. If, after five minutes, the water has soaked into the floor the tiles will need to be impregnated with a suitable sealer. This will darken the tiles a little so, to get an idea of the finished colour, wet the tiles to assess the effect.

As long as your tiles have been laid on top of a damp-proof membrane, it’s safe to apply a floor sealer that will merely require sweeping or vacuuming to prevent dirt and grit becoming ingrained. An occasional wipe with a damp mop will freshen up the finish. Check every year whether your tiles are becoming porous again.

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