Why Are My Terracotta Tiles Slightly Different Sizes?
Terracotta is made from natural clay, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
When each tile is first pressed into its mould, the size is accurate. But from that point onwards, the tiles go through a completely natural process.
They are:
- Sun-dried in open air, where natural shrinkage can occur
- Then wood-fired at high temperatures for several weeks
Because clay is a natural material, it moves slightly during drying and firing. This means the finished tiles won’t all be perfectly identical — and that’s actually the charm of genuine handmade terracotta.
What Size Variation Is Normal?
With handmade terracotta, a size tolerance of around 5mm is normal, and in some cases it can be up to 10–15mm.
This is not a defect. It’s a natural characteristic of traditional clay tiles.
Will This Cause a Problem When Laying?
No — experienced installers are used to working with handmade terracotta.
They will:
- Slightly adjust grout joints where needed
- Use tiles with more variation for edge cuts
- Blend tiles from different boxes to create a balanced, natural finish
Terracotta isn’t meant to look machine-made or perfectly uniform. Its slight irregularities are what give it warmth, texture and that beautiful rustic feel.
If anything, the more natural variation you see, the more authentic the floor will look once installed.
