Are terracotta tiles luxury?
Terracotta tiles are often considered a premium choice due to their natural, handcrafted appeal and warm, earthy tones but in reality they are affordable option.
Terracotta tiles cost between $4 to $13 per square foot, which is relatively affordable compared to high-end stone tiles like marble, which can cost up to $350 per square foot. For a relatively average-sized patio with terracotta tiles, assuming an average patio size of 200 square feet, the total cost for the tiles would be $2,600.
These estimates do not include installation costs, which can significantly add to the total expense. Installation labor costs can range from $5 to $13 per square foot, potentially doubling the total cost.
While not as expensive as marble or high-end porcelain, terracotta offers a unique rustic charm that appeals to those seeking a Mediterranean or old-world aesthetic. Compared to ceramic or vinyl tiles, terracotta is more luxurious, but it’s less formal and polished than materials like granite or marble.
Terracotta tiles are relatively low maintenance, requiring regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping, which adds to their practicality and cost-effectiveness.
Terracotta tiles are made from natural clay, making them an eco-friendly and sustainable option, which can be a significant advantage for those looking for environmentally responsible materials.
George is a seasoned interior designer and property marketing strategist with over 13 years of experience. He specializes in transforming properties into visually stunning spaces, helping clients recognize the potential and beauty in each property. With an impressive international client base of exciting projects throughout Europe and America.
Picture this: a sun-drenched Mediterranean courtyard, where the warm terracotta tiles underfoot echo the earthy tones of the surrounding landscape. The tiles, laid out in a beautiful hexagonal pattern, create a seamless flow across the expansive outdoor space, perfectly complementing the soft beige walls of the villa. Olive trees in large terracotta pots add to the rustic charm, while the vibrant blue doors and windows pop against the natural tones, inviting you into the cozy yet sophisticated retreat. The terracotta tiles not only enhance the aesthetic but also evoke a timeless, luxurious feel, blending nature and elegance effortlessly.
This can be your back yard if you design it well and use terracotta tiles and decors.
Terracotta tiles provide a lot of durability with little maintenance, so they are a perfect choice to help update and improve your outdoor living areas. They provide unique and natural additions with an earthy feel.
Along with gorgeous colors and an appeal that they can bring to the home, their best feature is the ability to withstand weather. If you’re looking to transform your backyard or outdoor places, a terracotta tile pattern or colored flooring can help blend with traditional styles and provide a modern look, or pretty much any look you might be going for in the space.
Here are some excellent options where you can use terracotta tiles in your outdoor space.
Why Use Terracotta Tiles?
Before exploring how you can use them outside, it’s necessary to know why terracotta tiles are the perfect choice. They offer many benefits to homeowners besides the ability to provide a new look and perhaps build upon their equity.
Durability and Maintenance
As mentioned, terracotta tiles are excellent in terms of how they are durable and solid. They can survive many weather conditions including sunlight, rain, and temperature changes without wear and tear. Terracotta is created from fired clay which can last many years with a little care and maintenance, namely just a quick sweep or a mop, particularly if you get it glazed so it has the lowest moisture absorption.
Variety
Tiles are made with a variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes so there are many options for designs. The different patterns and cuts of the tiles, like those of terracotta tile by clè, can help complement and really make your outdoor space unique.
Sustainability
Biodegradable natural clay is a sustainable material, so it’s an environmentally friendly and organic decorating choice for the outside. Their natural appearance also adds charm and a rustic look.
How to Use Terracotta Tiles Outdoors
(1) Creating Garden or Plant/Pool Borders
Decorative edging around garden areas, plantbeds, pools, or other areas within the landscape of your outdoors can be defined with terracotta tiles.
The tiles not only provide beautiful color and an eye-grabbing appeal, but they can be used as line-definers and practical borders between boundaries within your plants in the garden, create pathways, border the pool, or just simply to keep people from walking across your carefully landscaped areas. They also keep away weed growth that damages your landscape.
(2) Patio Flooring
Flooring to create an outside protective barrier agains the ground surface can be done with terracotta tiles, bringing some nice color to your outdoors and dressing up the space. It makes an attractive surface and the natural variations within the clay provide rich dimensions and an antique or natural effect. You can add colorful accents in between tiles, too, which can bring an extra pop of color or style.
(3) Outdoor Walls
Depending on the ability of your outdoor area, you can utilize terracotta tiles to create an accent or aesthetically pleasing wall in your outdoor area. You could create a small wall spot or line in your outdoor space that works, similar to a backsplash in a kitchen.
(4) Outdoor Countertops
If you have the space and the budget, maybe an outdoor kitchen area is exactly what your backyard needs. You can have outdoor kitchen countertops made with terracotta tiles, along with tile borders, floors, and everything you need to entertain family and friends all year long.
(5) Pool Deck or Fireplace
One last way you can use terracotta tiles much like with flooring is instead of doing just the edge of the pool you can make the entire pool deck tiled. The pool deck could be a separate area outdoors from your patio or other deck areas, and it may be more functional since it will likely get more wet to utilize that space for a terracotta tile design.
Get Creative in Your Outdoors
Revamping the backyard may go further than just patio flooring, decks, or borders. You may want to incorporate new water features or a fire pit as a stunning focal point. You can use terracotta tiles for these things too.
There are numerous possibilities for using durable and sustainable terracotta in your backyard. It can be helpful to meet with a design team or a professional who specializes in terracotta to help you plan and visualize to make the best choices for your outdoor spaces.
