Terracotta tiles: application features

Terracotta used to be used by craftsmen to create interior items, bas-reliefs, sculptures. At the present time, this material is used in different fields. With it, carry out the lining of stoves, fireplaces.

After reading this article, you will learn about the advantages, features of the use of terracotta tiles, the nuances of choosing such a finishing material.

Such tile coatings are created using white chamotte clay. This material is very resistant to high temperatures. With the help of roasting clay, manufacturers create strong products that have a coarse-grained structure. Such tile materials look like Prague bricks, stones.

There are terracotta coatings of black, reddish, brownish hues. Such materials are well combined with a variety of styles. Their texture looks very beautiful, it becomes a unique highlight of the interior.

Usually such materials are chosen in order to veneer fireplaces and stoves. However, there are other possible uses of such tile coatings. Such materials can, for example, veneer facades of houses: these coatings are resistant to low temperatures, long service life. They are also used for wall cladding, creating floor coverings (such products do not cease to be aesthetic, even in cases where they constantly interact with shoes, so they are well suited for hallways).

These tile materials have many advantages.

The most significant advantages:

• ease of care;
• resistance to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation;
• fire resistance, frost resistance;
• environmental friendliness, safety for human health;
• fluid resistance.

Terracotta tile coatings vary not only in color but also in shape. The most popular are square and rectangular products, but there are also hexagonal variants for sale.

Such materials are created on the machine or manually. Handmade products are usually more expensive, because minor flaws on the tile only make it more subtle.

When purchasing tile materials from terracotta, you need to take into account certain nuances. If you want to cover a small area, make sure that all products belong to the same batch and do not differ from each other in color.

If the area is significant, and the tiles are many, but the products belong to different batches - just mix all the materials you have. Even if they differ in shades, the overall composition will look very interesting.

When choosing a suitable option for a fireplace or stove, make sure that the thickness of the products is not less than 8 mm. Stop picking with notched cover.Such a tile will adhere well to the mortar. Some products are installed using special locking systems.

For installation work will have to spend a lot of time.

Facing should be carried out in several stages:

• preparation of the framework;
• glue preparation;
• laying tiles;
• work with stitches.

If the foundation is an old brickwork, you need to remove from it various raids, dust, dirt, grease. It will depend on the cleanliness of the surface, how well the tile will fall.

If the fireplace, you have recently installed a stove, wait for about a month before facing. Shrinkage should occur. Otherwise it is quite possible that cracks will appear on the tile materials after some time. The tile can even begin to fall off.

In some cases, heat-resistant terracotta coatings are used for cladding saunas, baths. Check before laying tile if there is a fungus on the surface. Make sure the base is dry. If you find a mold or fungus, treat the surface with a special primer. It not only helps to cope with the problem, but also prevents the occurrence of mold in the future.

Cracks and chips on the surface can be removed with a cement mortar that is fire resistant. After use, it must be allowed to dry completely.

You can choose from the following options:

• A mixture of sand and cement. Such a solution can be made by hand.
• Mastic that is resistant to high temperatures. It can be purchased in finished form. It dries quickly, provides good adhesion, such material is plastic. Tile coating will fix well after a few hours. The consumption of material in this case will be small.

• Special adhesives for tiles. They are based on cement. Such materials are very resistant to high temperatures. These compounds also differ in elasticity, plasticity. With the help of such glue, laying of tiled materials can be carried out as efficiently as possible, but the cost of such compositions is quite high.

If you are going to breed adhesive composition, read the instructions for it and take into account all the recommendations that are listed there.You should not immediately prepare a lot of glue if you have not worked with tiles before. Due to lack of experience, you can simply waste a lot of the material.

Some people prefer not to spend money on special glue, but to create a material suitable for installation work on their own.

This option is suitable if:

• you have everything you need at hand to prepare the solution;
• little work (in this case, spending money on a special adhesive composition is impractical).

The preparation of the solution is as follows:

• mix sand and cement dry;
• add liquid;
• add salt, asbestos;
• using a construction mixer, mix the solution thoroughly.

Start laying tile materials from the corners. So the look of the coating will be complete, and you can make it look like a brickwork.Adhesive must be spread on the other side of the tile, which is grooved. With the help of a notched trowel you can control the thickness of the layer.

Apply the adhesive composition not only on tile materials, but also on the base itself. The coating will last for a long time only if you fill all the slots and ensure reliable fixation of the tiles. To adjust the position of the product, press it to the surface and lay it as needed.

To cut terracotta tiled materials with the help of a grinder, it is not recommended to use any other tools.

Pre-mark the part you want to remove. It should be remembered that terracotta tiles are not resistant to mechanical stress. Cutting must be done very carefully, otherwise the product may be damaged.

The next day will need to carry out grouting. This can be done with the help of special mixtures that differ in thermal stability.Remember that the mixture must be prepared, based on the recommendations that are listed in the instructions.

Using a grouting gun, you can achieve better results. Need to move on each seam, the mixture should be equal to the tile materials. You can get rid of the excess mixture using a screwdriver or a knife blade. Make the seams as smooth as possible with your fingers (to protect the skin of your hands, it is recommended to work with gloves).

When grouting, ensure that the mixture does not end up on the tile surface. If this happens, do not wash it immediately. So the mixture will only be distributed on the relief tile, and it will be very difficult to get rid of it. You need to wait: the grout will be hard, and you can clean it off with a knife blade.

White grout is usually used, but you can get different shades using different colors. The role of colors will play metal oxides.

If the contamination on tile materials is strong enough, you need to use tools with which you can remove stains. An ordinary floor cleaner may be suitable for this.

You can remove slight dirt and dust with cleaning wipes. To preserve the aesthetics of the appearance of the tile coating, polish the surface using a wax composition.

Terracotta tiled flooring is ideal when not only aesthetics is needed, but also heat resistance. However, in carrying out installation work, certain recommendations should be taken into account. If you use quality material and do everything correctly, the tile will look very nice and will last as long as possible.

To learn how to properly veneer a terracotta tile, see the following video.