Terracotta flooring: the origins
Handmade terracotta flooring, crafted using traditional techniques, is a high-quality product capable of bringing elegance and refinement to any environment. Historical evidence shows that terracotta flooring was already used in the 4th millennium BC. It was later frequently chosen during Roman times for their extraordinary architectural works, as well as by other civilizations and in different eras. The process for its creation, from a conceptual standpoint, has remained the same, involving the use of clay deposits to which rainwater (desalinated) is added, and then fired in wood-fired ovens (like those at Fornace Bernasconi) or methane-powered ones. Some artisanal companies have maintained the same production process for making terracotta bricks while also introducing innovations to facilitate handling, packaging, and so on (learn more about how terracotta is made).
Let’s take a look at some advantages of handmade terracotta flooring, both for indoor environments (such as the living room of an apartment or a villa) and for outdoor areas (such as paving around a pool, a pedestrian path in the garden, or other spaces).
Advantages of a Terracotta Floor
1. Versatility and beauty
It is often mistakenly labeled as an overly classic solution, suitable mainly for rustic contexts: in reality, the characteristics of this product allow its beauty to be highlighted, especially in other styles, to the point where we even talk about “modern terracotta.” In fact, being a 100% natural product, terracotta is highly versatile: its warm and welcoming appearance perfectly complements simple and minimalist styles like Shabby Chic, which features white walls or neutral colors (have you ever thought about combining terracotta flooring with dove gray walls?).
Moreover, terracotta itself comes in a range of colors and shapes that can give a unique look to every home: from light terracotta to Tuscan terracotta, from square terracotta tiles to rectangular ones, there is no limit to creativity, especially in artisanal production.
2. Resistance to impact and weather
Originally, handmade terracotta flooring was produced to be used for decorating the interior spaces of a home or even for public places, as was common in ancient times. Many Roman villas feature the use of terracotta tiles made from natural clay. However, over the centuries, terracotta flooring has also been considered for creating outdoor surfaces, exposed to the elements. The reason these solutions were adopted is due to the great resistance of terracotta to impact and weather conditions: this material is indeed resistant to sunlight and even to extreme temperature fluctuations, which could cause serious issues for other types of flooring.
3. Custom production
When it comes to handcrafted products, you have the opportunity to order exactly what you want. You can have the floor you’ve always desired in your home, choosing from a wide range of shapes, colors, and finishes.
Disadvantages of a Terracotta Floor
1. A non-linear flooring
Handcrafted bricks are not perfectly flat like industrially produced ones, so extra attention will be needed when placing (or moving) furniture inside the home.
2. Non-competitive costs
A handmade terracotta floor, as we know, is not the most economical solution. The high quality of the product and its artisanal production require an investment that is somewhat above average compared to industrial solutions, as is to be expected (also read the section dedicated to the prices of terracotta flooring). However, considering the long lifespan of the product and its high resistance, it is an initial investment that will pay off over time (not only in strictly financial terms but also in terms of comfort and quality).
