Quarry Tile

Quarry Tile

Terracotta Quarry Tiles | Brick Tile Shop

Terracotta quarry tiles bring the rich, warm character of natural fired clay to residential, commercial and architectural spaces. Available in standard 150 x 150 mm and 175 x 175 mm sizes, these clay quarry tiles can be used to create practical floors with an authentic red, orange and earthy appearance.

Additional quarry tile sizes may be manufactured on request, subject to production feasibility, minimum quantities and manufacturing lead times. Browse the available products or contact Brick Tile Shop for assistance with quantities, custom sizes and delivery.

What Are Terracotta Quarry Tiles?

Terracotta quarry tiles are manufactured from clay and fired to produce hard-wearing tiles with the natural beauty and variation associated with genuine clay products. Their warm, earthy character makes them particularly suitable for designs inspired by traditional South African, Mediterranean, rustic, farmhouse and contemporary-industrial architecture.

Unlike printed tiles that imitate clay, genuine terracotta quarry tiles obtain their character from the clay body and firing process. Individual tiles may display subtle differences in colour, texture and tone. This variation is part of the natural appearance of the material and can create a floor with greater depth and visual interest.

The exact technical classification, finish, thickness, water absorption and performance characteristics should be confirmed for the selected product before ordering.

Available Terracotta Quarry Tile Sizes

Our commonly requested square quarry tile sizes include:

  • 150 x 150 mm terracotta quarry tiles
  • 175 x 175 mm terracotta quarry tiles
  • Additional sizes manufactured on request

Custom-made sizes are subject to manufacturing capability, minimum production quantities, production schedules and written quotation.

When requesting a custom quarry tile size, please provide:

  • The required length and width
  • The approximate number of tiles or total floor area
  • The intended indoor or outdoor application
  • The preferred finish or appearance
  • The required delivery date
  • The project and delivery location

Providing these details allows Brick Tile Shop to obtain more accurate information regarding manufacturing feasibility, pricing and lead time.

Where Can Terracotta Quarry Tiles Be Used?

Depending on the technical specifications of the selected tile, terracotta quarry tiles may be considered for applications such as:

  • Kitchens and dining areas
  • Entrances, passages and reception areas
  • Farmhouses and country-style homes
  • Courtyards, patios and covered verandas
  • Restaurants, cafés and hospitality projects
  • Retail and commercial interiors
  • Entertainment areas
  • Rustic feature floors
  • Architectural restoration projects
  • Interior decorative features

The tile’s suitability must be checked against the conditions of the project. Outdoor exposure, standing water, moisture, heavy traffic, cleaning requirements and required slip resistance can all influence product selection.

Terracotta quarry floor tiles should not automatically be treated as clay paving bricks. A quarry tile and a clay paver can have different dimensions, thicknesses, installation requirements and load-bearing capabilities. Use a product specifically approved for the intended floor, paving or traffic application.

Designing with Terracotta Quarry Tiles

The natural burnt-red, orange and earthy tones of terracotta quarry tiles work well with a wide variety of building materials and colours. They can be combined with:

  • Natural timber
  • Black steel or aluminium
  • Cream and off-white plaster
  • Natural stone
  • Face brick walls
  • Dark charcoal accents
  • Green landscaping and indoor plants
  • Traditional timber furniture
  • Modern neutral interiors

Square quarry tiles can be installed in a straight grid for an orderly traditional appearance or laid diagonally to introduce movement and make a space feel visually wider.

The chosen grout colour will also affect the completed appearance. A grout colour close to the tile creates a more uniform surface, while a contrasting grout emphasises the shape and layout of each tile. Ask the installer to prepare a small sample before completing the entire installation.

Natural Clay Colour and Size Variation

Terracotta is a natural clay product, and some variation between individual quarry tiles may occur. Differences in shade, surface character and dimensions can result from the clay composition and firing process.

For a well-balanced installation:

  • Request or inspect samples before placing a large order
  • Confirm whether the supplied tiles are from the same production batch
  • Blend tiles from several boxes or pallets during installation
  • Create a sample area before fixing the entire floor
  • Allow the installer to plan joints around the actual tile dimensions

Product photographs and screen colours should be treated as a guide. Lighting conditions, photography and different screens can alter the way terracotta colours appear.

Installation, Grouting and Sealing

Quarry tile installation should be completed over a clean, stable and properly prepared surface. The appropriate substrate, adhesive or mortar, grout, movement joints and installation system will depend on the project conditions and the specifications of the selected tile.

A qualified installer should assess:

  • The condition and level of the substrate
  • Interior or exterior exposure
  • Moisture and drainage conditions
  • Expected pedestrian or commercial traffic
  • Required grout-joint width
  • Movement and expansion-joint requirements
  • Cleaning and maintenance expectations
  • Whether sealing is recommended

Some terracotta or clay tiles may benefit from sealing, but sealing requirements vary according to porosity, surface finish and intended application. Always confirm the manufacturer’s recommendations and test the proposed sealer on a sample tile before treating the completed floor.

Terracotta Quarry Tile Calculator

The following calculations use the face dimensions of the tiles. They do not include grout-joint adjustments or an allowance for cutting, breakages, pattern matching and future repairs.

175 x 175 mm Quarry Tiles

Convert the tile dimensions to metres:

0.175 m x 0.175 m = 0.030625 m² per tile

Calculation:

1 m² ÷ 0.030625 m² = 32.65 tiles

Use approximately 33 tiles per square metre before adding an installation allowance.

150 x 150 mm Quarry Tiles

Convert the tile dimensions to metres:

0.150 m x 0.150 m = 0.0225 m² per tile

Calculation:

1 m² ÷ 0.0225 m² = 44.44 tiles

Use approximately 45 tiles per square metre before adding an installation allowance.

General Quarry Tile Formula

Number of tiles required = total floor area ÷ face area of one tile

Always round the result up to the next complete tile. After calculating the base quantity, add the allowance recommended by your installer for cutting, breakages, installation pattern and replacement stock.

Worked Example for a 20 m² Floor

For 175 x 175 mm tiles:

20 m² ÷ 0.030625 m² = 653.06

Round up to at least 654 tiles before the installation allowance.

For 150 x 150 mm tiles:

20 m² ÷ 0.0225 m² = 888.89

Round up to at least 889 tiles before the installation allowance.

Calculating a Custom Quarry Tile Size

To calculate the quantity for a custom-made size:

  1. Convert the tile length and width from millimetres to metres.
  2. Multiply the length by the width to calculate the face area.
  3. Divide the total floor area by the face area of one tile.
  4. Round the answer up.
  5. Add the installation allowance recommended by the installer.

Actual installed coverage can be affected by grout-joint width, tile tolerances, room shape and installation pattern. Final quantities should therefore be confirmed before ordering.

Terracotta Quarry Tiles in Gauteng and South Africa

Brick Tile Shop assists homeowners, architects, developers, contractors, interior designers and hospitality projects looking for terracotta quarry tiles in Gauteng and other parts of South Africa.

Quotations can be requested for projects in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Centurion, Midrand and surrounding Gauteng areas. Delivery to other South African locations may also be quoted, subject to product availability, order quantity, transport requirements and site access.

Because clay tiles are heavy building materials, the delivery address and required quantity can materially affect transport costs. Supplying the complete delivery address when requesting a quotation helps us provide more accurate logistics information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes are available?

Commonly requested sizes include 150 x 150 mm and 175 x 175 mm. Additional sizes may be manufactured on request, depending on production capability, minimum quantities and lead time.

How many 175 x 175 mm quarry tiles are needed per square metre?

Based on tile face dimensions, approximately 33 tiles per square metre are required before making allowances for cutting, breakages, grout joints and the installation pattern.

How many 150 x 150 mm quarry tiles are needed per square metre?

Based on tile face dimensions, approximately 45 tiles per square metre are required before the installation allowance is added.

Can custom quarry tile sizes be manufactured?

Additional dimensions may be manufactured on request. Custom production normally depends on technical feasibility, minimum order quantities and the manufacturer’s production schedule. Provide the required dimensions, quantity, application and delivery location when requesting a quotation.

Can terracotta quarry tiles be installed outdoors?

Some quarry tiles may be suitable for particular outdoor applications, but suitability must be confirmed from the selected product’s technical specifications. Exposure to water, weather, temperature changes, traffic and required slip resistance must be considered.

Do terracotta quarry tiles need to be sealed?

The need for sealing depends on the tile’s porosity, surface finish and intended use. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and conduct a test on a sample tile before applying any sealer to the completed installation.

Is colour variation normal in terracotta tiles?

Yes. Natural clay products may show variations in colour, shade, texture and surface appearance. Mixing tiles from different boxes or pallets during installation helps distribute this variation evenly.

Is a quarry tile the same as a clay paver?

Not necessarily. Quarry tiles and clay pavers may have different thicknesses, dimensions and performance characteristics. Confirm that the selected product is designed for the intended floor, outdoor area, vehicle load or pedestrian application.

Request a Quote for Terracotta Quarry Tiles

Contact Brick Tile Shop for assistance with standard or custom-made terracotta quarry tiles. To obtain an accurate quotation, please provide:

  • Your preferred tile size
  • The total floor area or estimated quantity
  • The intended application
  • Whether the project is indoors or outdoors
  • The project and delivery location
  • Your required completion or delivery date

For custom sizes, include the exact proposed dimensions and projected order quantity. All quotations remain subject to availability, manufacturing feasibility, minimum production quantities, lead times and delivery requirements.

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