Installation recommendations for antique terracotta flooring

  1. Ensure the sub-floor is sound and free from dust & grease etc.
  2. Fix the terracotta tiles with an approved Rapid Set or Ordinary Set Adhesive.Use the thick bed method so that the tile is totally supported by the adhesive.If the terracotta is to be fixed to a wooden floor, or a floor with under-floor heating the appropriate adhesive must be used. Our recommendations would be Thick Bed, which is a one part flexible adhesive. For more unstable wooden floors we would recommend PCI Timberflex.
  3. Keep the job clean at all times and immediately remove any excess adhesive from the tiles.
  4. After the adhesive has set, clean the tiles with fresh water and brick acid if required.
  5. Once they are dry, apply a coat of 50/50 Linseed Oil and White Spirit, followed by a coat of Fila Fob.
  6. After sealing, grout using a wide joint grout either Grey, Sandstone or Limestone. If a flexible adhesive has been used the appropriate additive should be used in the grout, our recommendation is Dunlop Flexible Additive (2 – 3 capfuls per bucket).
  7. After grouting, ensure the terracotta is thoroughly clean and any excess grout has been completely removed with water (more stubborn grout can be removed with Fila Deterdek or any other proprietary cement remover), then apply a layer of Fila Fob followed by two coats of Fila Wax Paste buffed with a heavy polisher