3 Recommended Terracotta-Look Tiles to Pair with Brick Tile

Terracotta-look tile and brick tile are a popular pairing that adds warmth and texture to any interior. In this article, we introduce recommended tiles along with case studies showing the range of spaces you can create by combining them with accent tiles or colored tiles.

01. What Is Terracotta?

1-1. Definition and Origin of Terracotta

Terracotta comes from the Italian words for “baked earth” (terra cotta). As the name suggests, it is unglazed pottery made by firing clay in a kiln, and its history dates back to ancient civilizations.

1-2. Characteristics of Terracotta

Terracotta has the following characteristics.

• Natural coloring: Depending on the type of clay and firing temperature, it takes on a range of warm hues, from orange to reddish brown and red.

• Distinctive texture: Its unglazed surface has a characteristic slightly rough texture with a warm feel.

• High durability: When properly treated, terracotta offers excellent weather and fire resistance and can be used outdoors for many years.

1-3. History and Uses of Terracotta

Terracotta has been widely used since ancient Roman times for building materials, decorative items, and everyday goods.

• Ancient Rome: Terracotta roof tiles, bricks, and water pipes were used.

• Renaissance period: Terracotta sculptures and vases were produced, mainly in Italy.

• Today: Terracotta is used for a wide range of applications, including building exteriors, flooring, plant pots, and terracotta tile.

In Japan, the haniwa figures of the Kofun period can also be considered a type of terracotta.

In this way, terracotta has been loved around the world since ancient times, and its appeal continues today.

02. Why Choose Terracotta-Look Tile

2-1. The Difference Between Terracotta and Terracotta-Look Tile

Terracotta-look tile reproduces the texture and appearance of genuine terracotta. Made mainly of porcelain or stoneware, it is lighter than real terracotta and offers superior ease of installation and maintenance.

2-2. Benefits of Terracotta-Look Tile

• Durability: Porcelain and stoneware terracotta-look tiles offer excellent abrasion resistance, water resistance, and frost resistance, making them safe to use outdoors.

• Easy maintenance: The smooth surface resists dirt and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth.

• Cost advantage: It costs less than genuine terracotta and offers excellent value for money.

• Wide range of colors and designs: Terracotta-look tile is available in many colors and designs, letting you choose one to suit your preferred style.

2-3. Cost Advantage

Since terracotta-look tile is more affordable than genuine terracotta, it is ideal when you want to enjoy the look of terracotta while keeping costs down.

2-4. Wide Range of Colors and Designs

Terracotta-look tile comes in a wide range of options, from traditional terracotta colors and textures to modern designs and vivid colors. This makes it easy to choose tile that fits the design of any space, from homes to shops.

03. Types of Terracotta-Look Tile

Terracotta-look tile is broadly divided into the following two types.

3-1. Fired Tile

Characteristics

• Because it is fired at high temperatures, it is highly durable and resistant to scratches and stains.

• The unique texture and color variation created by firing reproduce a look close to genuine terracotta.

• Available types include porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware.

Advantages

• Enjoy rich depth of color and texture.

• Highly durable and safe to use outdoors.

• Creates a space with an upscale feel.

3-2. Precast Concrete Product

Characteristics

• Made primarily of cement, it is sturdy and highly durable.

• Because it is cast in molds, it offers great design freedom, allowing tile in a variety of shapes and patterns.

• Mixing in color pigments allows tile to be made in a variety of colors.

Advantages

• More affordable than fired tile, with excellent value for money.

• Design and color can be freely customized.

Each type of terracotta-look tile has different characteristics and advantages, so it is important to choose based on your intended use and preference.

04. The Appeal of Terracotta-Look Tile and Brick Tile

Terracotta-look tile and brick tile are both materials with a warm, rustic texture that give a space a cozy atmosphere. Each has its own distinct appeal, and combining them can create an even more attractive space.

4-1. The Appeal of Terracotta-Look Tile

• Warmth and rustic charm: Terracotta’s characteristic soft coloring and rustic texture give a space warmth and a sense of calm.

• Wide variety: With a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from, it can be matched to spaces of many different styles.

4-2. The Appeal of Brick Tile

• Weight and presence: The uneven, brick-look surface gives a space a sense of weight and presence.

• Antique feel: Its weathered, well-worn texture adds an antique, retro atmosphere to a space.

• Accent: Applying it to part of a wall or combining it with other materials makes it a striking accent in a space.

4-3. The Appeal of Combining the Two in Interior Design

Combining terracotta-look tile and brick tile lets you draw on the strengths of each to create an even more appealing space.

• Floor and wall combination: Pairing a terracotta-look tile floor with a brick tile wall creates a space with both warmth and weight.

• Accent wall: Incorporating brick tile partially into a terracotta-look tile wall adds an accent to the space.

• Kitchens and washrooms: Combining terracotta-look tile and brick tile can create a stylish, café-like space.

As you can see, terracotta-look tile and brick tile are appealing materials that can take on many different expressions depending on how they are combined. Be sure to consider incorporating them into your ideal space.

05. 3 Recommended Terracotta-Look Tiles!

5-1. Handmade Terracotta-Look Tile Perrancho (PER)

A floor tile that captures the rustic coloring and texture of handmade terracotta tile.

A dedicated wax treatment is also available that helps prevent dirt buildup and surface powdering while preserving the material’s natural texture, giving this product a wide range of uses to suit different settings.

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5-2. Terracotta-Look Tile Argile

Made in Spain, this is one of the signature items from NATUCER, a pioneer in extruded tile. Its endlessly natural “Cotto Look” is achievable precisely because of the extrusion process, offering a texture and warmth that stand in contrast to the precision beauty of mechanically produced tile.

Terracotta is a timeless design color loved across generations, and coordinating it with unique accent tiles brings out its appeal in fresh new ways.

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5-3. Terracotta-Look Tile Galestro (GLS)

Galestro (GLS), a terracotta-look floor tile. Its 150mm module and five varied shapes make countless design layouts possible. It offers the durability to withstand public spaces with extremely heavy foot traffic. Enjoy this premium Italian floor tile anywhere from indoor and outdoor floor spaces to the garden.

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