Caring For Terracotta.

Terra cotta or Terracotta is an Italian term that means, "baked earth". Terra cotta is one of the oldest tile materials around, dating back before the birth of Christ, when it was sun-dried rather than oven-fired. People often use it, glazed or unglazed, when they want a rustic, weathered look.

"Quality terra cotta will last forever," says Dave Gobis, executive director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, "but unfortunately it's very difficult to assess the quality, even for tile professionals." Buy only from a seller whose reputation you trust; even then, you may encounter problems.

For practical uses, "terra cotta can be enhanced by the seal you put on it," says Daniel Dixon, a California-based tile construction expert. "It is highly recommended that it be sealed, and if it's for kitchen use, you must seal it particularly well."

The earth tone colors of Terracotta can make homes seem "warm" and cozy". Today these tiles are manufactured or handmade in Italy, Spain, France and Mexico. They can be found glazed or unglazed and considered a hallmark of beauty in many homes and businesses throughout the Southwest region.

Aside from the aesthetically pleasing appearance of Terracotta, there are benefits that lead homeowners and businesses to choose Terracotta flooring. Blue Moon specializes in the cleaning, sealing and maintenance of handcrafted Terracotta.

Imagine the craftsmanship and expertise required to make Terracotta stone. We appreciate the workmanship of artisans who painstakingly craft every tile. Our methods are never aggressive and at Blue Moon, we take the time to give Terracotta floors the special attention each tile requires.

We can not emphasize enough how important it is to seal Terracotta tiles. Not only is sealing required to minimize staining, the quality of the sealant must be sufficient to work effectively. At Blue Moon, we use sealants that will penetrate and protect Terracotta tiles.

A topcoat is normally applied to Terracotta tiles for a high gloss or shine. These topcoats give Terracotta a luxurious luster that can make tile sparkle with a warmth that is unique to Terracotta clay tiles. Blue Moon's Stone Care team can apply a topcoat for a beautiful shine.

Although Terracotta tiles can be stripped of their topcoat, these tiles should never be honed. Blue Moon is a leading expert in the industry. You can trust us to understand the nature of natural stones. We know which natural materials should be honed or stripped.

The porosity of natural stone means that any topcoat will routinely require expert stripping to remove soiled coatings or topcoats that have become dull. Blue Moon's Stone Care Technicians carefully remove topcoats by stripping coatings with eco-friendly products and the expertise required for optimum results.

Blue Moon's Stone Care team can easily repair minor chips in Terracotta tiles. When you have a concern about your Terracotta stone, feel free to call us and give us an opportunity to restore your natural stone. We are always here when you need us, so give us a call.