While many advancements have been made in ceramics and in floor tiles in general, there is always a strong interest in the grandaddy of all floor tiles: terracotta. From its earliest origins thousands of years ago, terracotta has always proven to be a most satisfying and reasonable durable flooring tile. For those desiring a Mediterranean look, there is simply no replacement for this venerable and still-produced brick tile. Methods in manufacturing solid terracotta floor tiles have little changed over the millenia proving that some things just don’t get better. They were already very, very good.

These can be a maddening installation for those familiar with them. Owing to the clay-fired nature of the product, expansions and contractions during the firing process leave these tiles not exactly perfect. The variations often drive installers nuts, the truth is. Variations of every type - in terms of thickness and width require patience in handling. It can be an exercise in selective listening when they are being installed, lol. For those with virgin ears or a intolerant view of swearing, I advise keeping a distance!

But then, this is also the charm of the product. Inasmuch as it will never he perfect, there lies in solid terracotta floor tiles a certain definite humanness which translates well onto a kitchen - or any other room’s - floor

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