Installation Guide

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INFORMATION & GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF HANDMADE TERRA COTTA

RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION

SOLISTONE Handmade Terra Cotta tiles are designed for almost any indoor/outdoor commercial

and residential application, including floors, walls, patios and more.

NOTE: this document contains only guidelines for the installation process. A professional installer

should always be consulted to discuss the specific parameters surrounding your project.

SUBSTRATES

All substrates should be firmly fixed, flat, clean, dry and free of contaminants such as dust, oil,

paint, sealers etc. to ensure proper adhesion. Painted surfaces must be scuffed or sanded for the

product and adhesive to bond correctly. Wet areas need special attention and require

appropriate substrates, e.g. concrete, cement boards (compressed sheet), and/or treated

plywood.

WATERPROOF MEMBRANES

The use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested and in the case of floors, a fall to the

drainage point of no less than 2 inches. Waterproof membranes prevent leakage of water

through to the sub-floor framing and/or habitable spaces below. Particular attention must be

paid to carrying the membrane up the wall, outside shower boxes, installation of bond breakers

and sealing around penetrations. It is strongly recommended that membrane systems be used in

all wet areas. Some systems involve the use of a primer.

CUTTING

Terra cotta tile can be easily cut with a wet saw.

ADHESIVE

Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions carefully. We do not recommend one brand of

adhesive over another. Please check with your local tile supply store for alternative and

comparable products. The manufacturer's literature will explain if the adhesive product is suitable

for interiors and/or exteriors, as well as walls and floors. Most thinset mortars (multi purpose and

polymer modified thinsets) are adequate for terra cotta tile. A cement-based adhesive is

generally suitable on masonry substrates where no movement is anticipated.

Where slight movement could occur through thermal or pedestrian loads, a modified cement

adhesive should be used as a minimum. A 1/4” – 1/8” notch trowel is recommended for most

applications. It is important that each tile is embedded in the adhesive. To guarantee full

adhesion, we recommend applying adhesive to the back of the tile (back-buttering) in addition to

the surface the tile is being applied to.

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INFORMATION & GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF HANDMADE TERRA COTTA RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION SOLISTONE Handmade Terra Cotta tiles are designed for almost any indoor/outdoor commercial and residential application, including floors, walls, patios and more. NOTE: this document contains only guidelines for the installation process. A professional installer should always be consulted to discuss the specific parameters surrounding your project.
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Many handmade tiles are not completely flat. That's when you need to "back butter" the tiles individually. Spread the adhesive on the back of the tile with a notched trowel. If the tile is too small you can also use a margin trowel to spread the adhesive and scratch in notches with the edge of the trowel. Set the tile, giving it a little twist to insure good contact with the underlayment. Allow tiles to sit for at least 24 to 48 hours if possible before grouting the surface.