CLEANING, RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE
SEAL OF APPROVAL
Mark Atkins, Director of LTP, explains how to protect a newly installed terracotta floor.
Terracotta tiles have never been so popular. Earthy and grounding, these baked clay tiles have firmly established themselves as a real staple, bringing a warm, rustic hue to all types of interiors. No longer just a go-to for country kitchens, terracotta is now sought-after for all types of property and, it’s easy to see why; in addition to its aesthetic charm, terracotta is natural, durable and, in terms of footprints, it’s very forgiving. However, terracotta is a porous material and should always be sealed before and after grouting to protect it from staining.
WE’RE A BIT OF AN EXPERT
In response to its growing popularity, we’re getting lots of enquiries from installers who may not have worked with terracotta before and, as ‘a bit of an expert’, we’re more than happy to help. Our own history dates back to the creation of Wellington Tile; a company founded in 1981 to import terracotta from Portugal. Recognising the need for an ageing liquid to give terracotta an antique finish, a secret brew was mixed up and branded as LTP Oldtone Oil. The terracotta was sold as Lionheart Terracotta, so the sealer – and subsequent treatments – became known as Lionheart Terracotta Products, or LTP for short.
Today, LTP Oldtone Oil is not part of our core range and is specifically manufactured for use on man-made cement- based flagstones to give them an antiqued appearance. The aged appearance for hand-made terracotta is a popular choice, but instead of using LTP Oldtone Oil we use LTP Boiled Linseed Oil and LTP Antique or Clear Wax to finish. This centuries-old method of protecting terracotta is very traditional. A completely different, lighter finish can be achieved via the synthetic treatment route. Both use different LTP products and methods of application.
Terracotta should aways be sealed and protected before and after grouting. When sealing after grouting, always wait until the grout has firmed off and remove any residues before applying more sealer or wax.
TRADITIONAL TREATMENT
An aged, antique appearance is created by using natural oils and waxes. We recommend application of LTP Boiled Linseed Oil, a traditional pre-polish sealer, which seals the tile and enhances durability. The oil fills the pores of the terracotta and, once cured, this offers mechanical strength making the tile harder and easier to wax.
LTP Boiled Linseed Oil is applied to clean tiles with a brush until the terracotta is saturated. You should allow at least 12 hours between each coat to ensure that the oil thoroughly cures. Most terracotta will take one to two coats to reach saturation but some tiles, especially low fired handmade terracotta, may take more coats. The tiles should then be left to dry for at least 24 hours before finishing the surface.
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www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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