How to Lay Terra Cotta Tile

When it comes to natural and rustic looking surface covers, few products can match the style and texture of terra cotta tiles. With color variations ranging from red to orange to brown, often in a single tile, these clay tiles offer a multitude of styling options. Because terra cotta tiles are often produced in larger, thicker and heavier blocks than ceramic and other tiles, you must carefully prepare your subfloor and adhesive to safely install the tiles.

• 1

  Clean your subfloor to remove all dirt, dust and other contaminants. If necessary, use a solvent cleaner such as mineral spirits or a surface-specific floor cleaner to remove grease, wax or paint.

• 2

  Measure and mark the center point of each wall. Snap a chalk line between the center points of opposite walls to create a cross section of guidelines on the floor. The point at which these lines intersect is the center of your room.

• 3

  Mix thickset adhesive and additives per specific product instructions. Thickset is tile mortar designed specifically for larger tiles, and is available at hardware and home improvement retailers.

• 4

  Use a mason's trowel to spread a ½ to 1 inch layer of thickset adhesive onto the floor at one corner of the center point mark. Work outwards from this center point, filling the middle of the room first before working your way to the outside. This layer is thicker than most used for ceramic tiles, because the tiles are thicker.

• 5

  Spread a ¼ to ½ inch layer of adhesive onto the back of each tile as you lay it. Press the tiles firmly into the floor adhesive, twisting slightly as you press to ensure proper coverage. Lay each tile in progression, adding spacers if necessary to maintain a ½ inch gap between each tile.

• 6

  Cut tiles as necessary to fit the layout. Lay each tile into its place and mark with a pencil or marker the location on the tile at which it intersects the nearest full tile. Use an angle grinder machine with a stone-cutting wheel to dig two-thirds of the way through the tile along that cutting line. Snap the tile the rest of the way.

• 7

  Check the level of your floor after every three or four tiles to ensure that the floor will be flat. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to pound stones into place.

• 8

  Wipe all tile adhesive from the surface of terra cotta tiles with a barely damp rag or sponge. Do not let adhesive or water sit on the surface, since the porous terra cotta tile may absorb the material. Continue until all tiles are in place, and allow the adhesive to dry for 24 hours before continuing.

• 9

  Sweep the floor to remove all dirt and dust; the tiles must be completely clean before sealing. Apply boiled linseed oil or official terra cotta sealer to the tiles with a paintbrush, using smooth even strokes to ensure full coverage. The oil should remain shiny for five to 10 minutes after application while it soaks into the tile surface.

• 10

  Grout the tiles once the oil has completely soaked in. Mix sanded grout and additives per product instructions. Fill a pointing trowel with the grout and carefully apply grout into the joints. Do not allow grout to sit on the surface of the tiles. If you see any, clean it up immediately with a slightly damp sponge.

• 11

  Apply a second coat of linseed oil or sealant after the grout has dried completely. Allow the oil to dry for at least an hour before allowing foot traffic into the area.