antique terracotta | provincial red | hex

do i need to seal antique terracotta tiles?

antique terracotta tiles are porous and should be sealed before grouting to maintain their appearance and avoid staining.

if you are installing antique terracotta on a busy kitchen backsplash where heavy staining is a concern, we recommend applying the clé top coat kit to the tile surface and grouted areas instead of using laticrete sealing products. the clé top coat kit can provide even more protection against stains on backsplashes. please note that this product is only a top coat and should only be applied as the final step of installation. please do not use this as a pre-grout treatment and be careful during the grouting process, using a grout bag and cleaning up as you go.

for all other sealing and protecting, clé recommends stonetech bulletproof sealer from laticrete.

for more information about sealing please see our antique terracotta material guidelines.

do you offer trim for your antique terracotta tile?

at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.

- for exposed joint edges, running a bead of caulk or grout on the joint edge is an easy and simple way of finishing the installation.

- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.

for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.

how do i take care of my antique terracotta tiles?

over time, a natural patina will occur on floors as they are maintained and naturally wear. 

mild, pH neutral soaps should be sufficient for most cleaning—test before general use. for all other maintenance, clé recommends laticrete cleaning products.

see our antique terracotta material guidelines for more information.

what type of finish should i expect with this collection?

antique terracotta tiles have an unglazed clay surface affected by patina, pits, chips and cracks due to their age. there is heavy variation in texture which will help provide slip resistance.

what types and levels of variation and imperfections should i expect?

antique terracotta tiles are reclaimed and therefore variations in depth, color, shade, size and texture, as well as pits, chips, and cracks can be expected. please note there can be substantial variations in size +/- 1/2" given the reclaimed nature of these tiles.

due to the variations in color and shade of antique terracotta tiles, it is important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing.

for orders with substantial thickness variation, you will need to separate tiles into two installation groups: a thicker group and a thinner group. install the thicker tile first. this will then allow you to select a backer board with the appropriate thickness to raise the thin tile up to the same height as the thick tile.

variation and imperfection ratings:

antique terracotta tiles are rated level ‘level 4 heavy’ for color and texture variation, and ‘level 4 extreme’ for size variation.

true to the nature of a reclaimed antique, our antique terracotta will show a high level of imperfections and are rated 'level 3 heavy' for both pits and chips, as well as cracks.

see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation and imperfections guide.

how will my antique terracotta samples compare to my actual order?

as noted in the variation and add on orders sections of our faq, antique terracotta tiles are reclaimed antiques, not newly manufactured. variations in depth, color, shade, size and texture from tile to tile are to be expected as well as pits, chips and cracks given the reclaimed nature of these tiles.

because antique terracotta tiles are reclaimed from existing structures, and not produced in a factory, there will be degrees of variation in color, shade, size and texture across batches. this means that your sample will not be a perfect match with your actual order, and that any add-on order will not be a perfect match either.

what should I expect with my order of antique terracotta?

antique terracotta tiles will have a pre-existing patina due to age of the tile, and dust and dirt can be expected due to the recovery process of the tiles. 

antique terracotta tiles come custom crated based upon their order quantity. 

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?

industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential shipping breakage, or future repairs.

is it possible to purchase more of the same material after my initial order (i.e. place an add on order)?

keep in mind there can be more extreme variation in size and color between batches or "lots" of antique terracotta that can make add on orders difficult. remember to take this into account when calculating your order, and be sure to purchase enough material.

for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.

clé recommends a ½" grout joint with this collection. should you find extreme variations in length between the pieces of your order, we recommend increasing or decreasing the grout joint size as needed to compensate and create a cohesive look.

clé recommends using mortar and sanded cementitious grout that comply with the ANSI A118 and/or ISO 13007 classifications suitable for your project. Please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations.

Grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. However, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. And due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.

• First, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.
• Next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.
• Lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). During that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.

you must apply sealant or a grout release prior to grouting to minimize risk of grout haze and to allow for easy clean up.

when grouting antique terracotta installations, using a grout bag and working carefully is recommended as it is difficult to remove excess grout, even when a sealant or grout release is applied.

for more information about grouting please see our antique terracotta material guidelines.

square - 6"x6"x3/4"

hex - 6"x7"x7/8"

disclaimer: please note all dimensions are nominal, additionally, there can be substantial variations in size +/- 1/2" given the reclaimed nature of these tiles.