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Ever since the constructive use of fired clay was introduced
in the Iberian Peninsula by Greece in 8th B. C., there have
been innumerable changes in the forms to produce ceramics
in Spain. New types of products, with wide range of formats,
great technological advances…; nevertheless, some companies
have known to conserve almost intact the essence of manual
terracotta tiles and of rustic stoneware of long ago. Nowadays,
these traditional materials have got an important void in
the market and compete with other greater technologically
advanced products.
Earthenware: warm and traditional
No natural building material is more suitable to show the
Mediterranean flair than Spanish terracotta when used for
floor and wall coverings that have been designed with the
bright colours of the Mediterranean.
Until the XIXth century, terracotta tiles were the most popular
pavements in public and private architecture, existing because
of a great tradition in their manufacture in Spain. In a certain
way, they represent the transition between the brick and the
glazed ceramic pavement.
Terracotta tiles cannot be compared with industrially manufactured
high-tech products. The beautiful glazes of terracotta tiles
are softer and more sensitive to scratches and wear and tear
than tiles made from normal porcelain or ceramic material.
Due to technical characteristics, the dimensions of terracotta
tiles cannot be as exact as industrially manufactured ceramic
tiles and its low mechanical resistance is replaced increasing
the thickness of the pieces.
A follow-up treatment or impregnation after fixing together
with the use of the appropriate waxes for regular care can
help to overcome the unglazed terracotta tile's sensitivity
to stains. Some manufacturers offer pre-treated products.
The terracotta tile is an essential contribution to a pleasant
and healthy room atmosphere. The porous material of terracotta
provides a climatic balance in the room and its heat retaining
ability makes it an ideal surface material for underground
heating systems. Nevertheless its high porosity makes inadvisable
its use in exterior of cold climatology, where the waterproof
property is essential.
Rustic stoneware. An ideal building
material
Rustic stoneware is generally considered to be an ideal building
material mainly for exterior and interior rustic atmospheres
(whenever it is resistant to frost). The rustic stoneware
offers more mechanical benefits than terracotta tiles.
These products are very cost effective. Some Spanish manufacturers
continue to produce rustic stoneware with a thickness of 1.5cm
or greater, and some companies have developed a complete range
of special and decorative pieces for floors and walls. Within
the relatively small production of these types of tiles in
Spain, there are various groups such as the ones described
below (quarry tiles, spaltplatten and salt glazed).
Production in Spain
With a relatively small production in Spain, there are a
wide variety of types:
· Tiles denominated "quarry tiles" due
to their similarity to traditional extruded English tiles.
· Split tiles, also known by the German name "Spaltplatten".
They are moulded by the simultaneous extrusion of two tiles
joined by ridges on the back, and they are separated after
firing.
· "Salt glazed" tiles, onto which common
salt is applied during the firing process, results in a
shiny, uneven bronze film that has a decorative effect.
These tiles are suitable for interior as well as exterior
use. They may even be used for exterior facing, but they
have low abrasion resistance, which means they are easily
worn if used on floors, even if these do not have much transit.
· Note: This denomination is used less frequently
to refer to tiles that are dry pressed with low to medium-low
water absorption, reason why it is convenient to make sure
beforehand.
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