Terracotta may be one of the most aesthetically pleasing types of tiled floor, but as many of our customers will tell you can be particularly difficult to keep clean. This is due to the naturally high porosity of clay, which allows dirt to become very easily trapped. Quite commonly this situation is made worse by a lack of an adequate sealer to block the intrusion of muck. Of course, poor quality cleaning products also make it difficult for property owners to keep their Terracotta tiles clean, and a combination of the two problems can leave these floors looking a lot like this one, located in the kitchen of a house in the beautiful Forest of Dean. The property owner was keen to have me restore some character to her dull Terracotta tiles. It was proving increasingly difficult for her to keep them clean due to the reasons described before, and the grout had also become very dirty. So, the customer turned to me for some professional assistance. While these Terracotta tiles had been sealed previously it had, over time, lost its ability to protect the stone against ingrained dirt. To remove the old excess sealer my product of choice was the heavy duty soil remover and stripper, Tile Doctor Remove & Go, which I applied liberally across the surface and scrubbed in to the tile used a rotary machine fitted with a scrubbing pad. This also helped to remove the trapped dirt and left the stone looking fresher. Once the old sealer was removed – to be replaced with a fresh sealer once cleaning was complete – I was free to focus on the troublesome grout lines with Tile Doctor Pro Clean, an alkaline cleaner that reliably breaks down dirt. When cleaning the grout, I opted to use a handheld grout brush that allowed for more precise, careful application of the product. As per usual, the floor was given a good rinse and left to dry for 24 hours. Upon returning to the property I checked the floor was completely dry, ready for sealing. My process for sealing actually involved the application of two different kinds of sealer; initially I applied a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which has soaks into the pores of the tile and has the added bonus of enhancing its natural colours. Once this had dried I then applied ix coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go, a product which forms a durable layer of protection of the surface of the tiles and at the same time provides a lovely sheen finish. The combination of the two sealers will certainly offer a long-term solution to the ingrained dirt problem, and the appearance-enhancing properties in the products really helped to transform the tiles from dull and dirty to lively and eye-catching. Nonetheless, before departing the property, I also left my very pleased customer with some cleaning advice for the future. Paul Wales Monmouthshire Tile Doctor

Kitchen - kitchen idea in New York

Transitional kitchen photo in New York

clé has named our classic white zellige tile- weathered white. that is because even though it is a white terracotta tile of a singular color, that color is made up of, literally, dozens of shades of white. the morrocan handmade tile complements the elegant kitchen design and greatly contrasts between the navy blue, perfect combination of modern and rustic. shop zellige "weathered white" here: https://www.cletile.com/collections/zellige-2x6-subway/products/zellige-terracotta-weathered-white-2x6?variant= designed by Ashli Mizell photography by Jason Varney

12x12 Traditional Saltillo tile. Tile was ordered presealed, installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Dark grout was left behind in texture to create a reclaimed terracotta tile look. Topcoat sealed with Terranano Sealer in Low Gloss finish. Talavera tile inserts in floor and in shower. Shower wall tile is Travertine stone. Fixtures are copper. Materials Supplied and Installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Wholesale prices and Worldwide Shipping. (512) 260-9111 / info@rusticotile.com / RusticoTile.com Rustico Tile and Stone Photos by Jeff Harris, Austin Imaging

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless multicolored two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in Dallas with a tile roof

The before picture below was actually taken after another cleaning company had come in to clean these Terracotta floor tiles for a client in the city of Oxford; well what can I say except they then called Tile Doctor. I started by doing a test on a small area and realised that I could strip the remaining sealer from the floor with a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro Clean which is also an effective cleaner and safe to use on stone and tiled floors. So I diluted Pro Clean with warm water and spread this on the floor leaving it to dwell for twenty minutes before scrubbing it in with a black pad fitted to my Rocky floor machine. This worked very well on the floor and the cleaning solution was soon dirty with the released soil which was removed using a wet vacuum and more water to rinse it away and dry the floor as much as possible. Satisfied that the floor was now as clean as it could be I left for the day and returned the next day to seal the floor, first checking that the tiles were dry and ready to be sealed. Sealing was done in two stages starting with an initial coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating sealer that adds life to the natural colours in the tiles and gives the floor a good base for the next sealer. The second stage was to apply a few coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go which builds up a surface seal that leaves a nice sheen to the floor as requested by the customer.

Connie Anderson Photography
Example of a tuscan stone exterior home design in Houston with a tile roof

clé has named our classic white zellige tile- weathered white. that is because even though it is a white terracotta tile of a singular color, that color is made up of, literally, dozens of shades of white. the morrocan handmade tile complements the elegant kitchen design and greatly contrasts between the navy blue, perfect combination of modern and rustic. shop zellige "weathered white" here: https://www.cletile.com/collections/zellige-2x6-subway/products/zellige-terracotta-weathered-white-2x6?variant= designed by Ashli Mizell photography by Jason Varney

Entryway - eclectic entryway idea in Oklahoma City

Sultana Stella Terracotta Porcelain Tile 18x18 will take your breath away! These stylish new Moroccan tiles have the look of traditional sun-baked terra cotta clay floors, but the strength, durability, and versatility of porcelain. Each tile measures 18" x 18", with 7 pieces per box. Lay them out to reveal the beautiful star pattern that covers your floors and walls with a lovely design. The soft curves and elegant details of these patterned tiles are the perfect addition to any style of decor! They're perfect for an inviting entryway floor with warm neutral tones, or a fresh new take on a Tuscan kitchen. These indoor tiles can be used throughout your home as well as on floors and walls in commercial design.

Inspiration for a mediterranean backyard tile and custom-shaped lap pool remodel in Los Angeles

Sultana Stella Terracotta Porcelain Tile 18x18 will take your breath away! These stylish new Moroccan tiles have the look of traditional sun-baked terra cotta clay floors, but the strength, durability, and versatility of porcelain. Each tile measures 18" x 18", with 7 pieces per box. Lay them out to reveal the beautiful star pattern that covers your floors and walls with a lovely design. The soft curves and elegant details of these patterned tiles are the perfect addition to any style of decor! They're perfect for an inviting entryway floor with warm neutral tones, or a fresh new take on a Tuscan kitchen. These indoor tiles can be used throughout your home as well as on floors and walls in commercial design.

As part of our service we advise customers on best practice for maintaining the appearance of the floor and I’m happy to report this client in Ampthill who has a Terracotta tiled floor that we had fully restored a few years ago had followed to the letter. Having two dogs and two children, the floor gets a lot of traffic and as expected over a period of time the sealer does wear thin in the busier areas. Should the sealer become too damaged dirt can get underneath and gradually the seal will deteriorate to the point where restoration will be needed again. By keeping on top of the maintenance our client has kept a beautiful terracotta floor in great condition however as the sealer was wearing he called us back to do a maintenance clean and top up the sealer an activity which we are able to complete in one day rather than the several days needed to do a full restoration. To maintain the floor, I applied a Tile Doctor fine diamond burnishing pad fitted to a rotary machine and with a little water sprayed onto the tiles to lubricate the process the top was burnished, this took the dirt off the top of the tiles and left a clean surface to top up the seal. The floor was then rinsed to remove the soil generated by the process. Having removed any damaged sealer an industrial air mover was switched on to get the floor as dry as possible, we then tested the damp levels at various intervals until the floor was dry for re-sealing. To re-seal two coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go we applied to the floor allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second. Once the second coat had dried a white polishing pad was used to buff the tiles. Andrew Evans Bedfordshire Tile Doctor

Kitchen and family dining
Elegant u-shaped terra-cotta tile eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, paneled appliances, an undermount sink, granite countertops and ceramic backsplash

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Surrey

Home design - traditional home design idea in Surrey

Step into a modern kitchen with soul, where the warmth of the Mediterranean meets contemporary sophistication. This design redefines the heart of the home by blending a modern vintage kitchen aesthetic with deeply personal, decorative kitchen details. The standout feature is the stunning ceramic tile backsplash, featuring blue and white patterns inspired by traditional Portuguese craftsmanship. These handcrafted ceramic tiles provide a cool, rhythmic contrast to the rich, colorful kitchen cabinets finished in a soulful terracotta clay. Designed for those who appreciate a narrative-driven space, this modern kitchen design balances high-functionality with nostalgic charm. Glass-front cabinetry showcases curated, styled objects, adding layers of texture and history to the room. The color palette of earthy tones and crisp blue accents creates an inviting, sun-drenched atmosphere that feels both fresh and timeless. Whether you are drawn to the artisanal quality of the finishes or the seamless mix of old and new, this kitchen is a masterclass in heritage-inspired design. Save this project to your ideabook for a perfect example of how to infuse character into a premium renovation.