Cotto (derived from the Italian 'terra cotta', or ‘baked earth’) is part of a long lineage of fired clays that date back to the dawn of civilization itself. From Egyptian water jugs to Chinese roof tiles or Roman bricks, terra cotta has been part of the human story for as long as we’ve had an alphabet. The materials in Cotto tile haven’t changed much over the millennia, while the firing process has evolved; from kiln furniture to mold designs to firing method, our handmade and high-fired Cotto is our modern take on an ancient tradition.

Installers should always wear protective face and eye coverings when working with Cotto, mortar, sealants, grout and other materials associated with the tile installation process in accordance with the California Prop 65. ⚠ CALIFORNIA WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. Learn more here.

Made from locally-sourced, organic clays, our hand crafted Cotto tiles are made just outside of historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Elevating the storied tradition of terra cotta, modern day artisans hand form and fire each individual tile. The tiles’ clay formulation is mixed with water and blended to the ideal consistency, then pressed in a mold to dry for 1-2 weeks until the proper moisture level is achieved for firing. At this point, wood ash is added to the surface of our ‘Fired Earth’ tiles to give them their distinctive surface coloration.

We ship our tiles anywhere that USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and any LTL carrier can reach! If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, or a country outside of the United States, please email or call us for a custom freight quote. Our in stock samples of Cotto tiles typically ship out within 2 business days of order receipt from our Los Angeles warehouse.

All standard shipping orders will deliver using LTL carrier service and are curbside delivery. The LTL trucking company that is contracted to deliver your order will contact you to arrange a specific date and timeframe for curbside delivery. Your full order will ship once all tiles are in stock in our warehouse.

We are excited to offer free Pick up/Will Call from our Los Angeles Warehouse to help our local customers save on shipping costs! Because our stock tiles are ready to ship from multiple warehouses around the country, we are not able to guarantee that all stock tiles will be ready for pick up in Los Angeles at the time of order placement. Your tile may take an additional 1-3 weeks to be transferred free of charge from one of our auxiliary warehouses to our Los Angeles warehouse prior to your will call appointment. If you have any questions regarding your tile pick up availability, please reach out to our team at (310) 844-1170 or at info@ziatile.com. We are happy to discuss shipping rates or alternate options to ensure you meet your project deadline.

We offer all customers the option to order samples through our website by clicking on the Request a Sample button each tile page. All sample orders are limited to up to 4 per tile design, and customers may order up to 10 samples total. We make every effort to ship all samples within the same shipment, but some samples may ship separately if specific samples are out of stock at the time the order is placed.

Some samples of special order tiles may be available and are limited to 1 sample per customer due to the limited amount of special order tile samples we have on-hand. Frequently, special order sample tiles will have a lead time that matches the order lead time listed on each individual tile page.

The first 5 samples in our online cart are complimentary and additional samples are $3 each. The credit for the first 5 samples is is reflected on the final check out page. Shipping is $8 for every 3 tiles shipped. Our samples ship via FedEx, UPS, or USPS ground within 2-3 business days of order receipt. For questions regarding samples, please email info@ziatile.com.

----- Read this guide, IN FULL, prior to beginning any installation of Cotto Allende -----

To ensure proper installation based on unique project and/or site conditions, clients are responsible for hiring a skilled installer that has experience in installing and sealing glazed terra cotta tiles. Zia Tile is not responsible for installation, ongoing care, or issues arising after receipt and installation of product. If client’s installer deviates from the instructions or recommendations below, this may result in costly and undesirable outcomes.

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To ensure proper installation based on unique project and/or site conditions, clients are responsible for hiring a skilled installer that has experience in installing and sealing terra cotta tiles. Zia Tile is not responsible for installation, ongoing care, or issues arising after receipt and installation of product. If client’s installer deviates from the instructions or recommendations below, this may result in costly and undesirable outcomes.

Hairline cracks, also known as crazing, are common with ceramic tiles and can be expected on the surface of Cotto Allende tiles. We recommend matching the grout color to the tile color as closely as possible to minimize the appearance of crazing on the surface. Contrasting grout colors will accentuate crazing on the surface and should be avoided.

REVIEWING YOUR ORDER

• Please inspect your order thoroughly, upon receipt. Zia Tile cannot be held responsible for tiles that have already been installed.

• Each piece of Cotto Allende is made by hand, and extreme variations in color, shape and thickness are to be expected. Irregular edges, crazing and small hairline cracks may be present.

• To account for cuts, texture, inherent variation, and potential breakage in transit, it is strongly recommended that all orders include a minimum of 15% overage to avoid costly add-on shipping and schedule delays.

BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR INSTALLATION

• Residue and dust from shipping are typical. Tiles should be cleaned with a pH neutral cleaner and a soft cloth prior to beginning your installation.

• Due to the inherent size and color variations of Cotto Allende, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes in your order and verify layout before beginning your installation. You should be an active participant in your Cotto Allende layout to select color tones and optimal variation prior to installation.

INSTALLATION

REQUIRED MATERIAL

For placing the tiles:

• Sponge

• Bucket

• 1/8" tile spacers

• High quality medium-bed thin set mortar

• Trowel

• Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout

• Grout float

• Water-cooled tile saw with diamond edge blade

For cleaning and sealing Cotto tiles:

• pH neutral cleaner such as Miracle Sealants Heavy Duty Cleaner (Acid Substitute)

• Paint roller, paint tray, sponge and water bucket

• Lint-free cotton cloth

• Penetrating Sealer - 511 Porous Plus Sealer from Miracle Sealants

LAYING TILES

• If cuts are required for your installation, all saw cuts must be made with a water-cooled tile saw.

 FOR FLOOR INSTALLATIONS

• If the subfloor is even and in good condition, a high quality medium-bed thin set is sufficient to set the tiles. Please make sure the subfloor has completely cured (usually a minimum of 30 days) to prevent efflorescence spots from depositing on the surface of the tiles as moisture evaporates through them. Uncured or unsettled sub-surfaces can cause cracks to form in the tile as the sub-surface deforms, so always ensure the sub-surface has cured properly before installing Cotto Allende tile. Use of an uncoupling membrane (such as DITRA) may also be advised.

FOR WALL INSTALLATIONS

• Only install Cotto Allende tile on stable, even surfaces. In dry areas (i.e. kitchen backsplash), Cotto Allende tile may be installed directly to drywall. Never apply tile directly to a painted surface. 

FOR COMMERCIAL AND/OR WET AREAS

• If installing on a flooring surface in a wet or commercial area, slip resistance can be increased by increasing grout joint size and/or applying an anti-slip product after installation is complete. Always consult with your licensed installer on slip specific questions prior to installation and note that Cotto Allende has a DCOF rating of 0.48. See product spec sheet for additional information.

• Evenly apply the thin set mixture to the install surface using a trowel. Wet the back of each tile with a sponge before applying the adhesive to the back of each tile, making sure to apply the mixture in the same direction in order to prevent air pockets from forming.

• Lay Cotto Allende tile in accordance with the drying time required for the thin set used. Using a rubber mallet, compact the Cotto Allende tiles evenly on the adhesive to ensure consistent contact.

• Press the tiles into place. Ensure the tiles are perfectly flat during installation.

• Place in small sections, no larger than 2’x2’ at a time, using tile spacers to achieve the desired spacing for your design. Consistent open joints should be allowed for desired spacing – 1/8” is recommended for Cotto Allende.

• Immediately wipe off any residual thin set from the surface of the tiles. Thin set can be incredibly difficult to remove without damaging the tiles if left too long.

• After the tiles have been laid, allow the thin set at least 48 hours to cure before sealing and grouting.

PRE-GROUT SEALING

• Cotto Allende tiles must be sealed on-site. Use a pH neutral cleaner before sealing; use of acidic cleaners will damage the tiles and should be avoided.

• After laying the tile and prior to grouting, apply 511 Porous Plus in thin layers wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 1-2 days; always follow the sealant manufacturer’s application instructions.

• The sealer will also act as a grout release. Do not proceed to grouting unless your sealer is fully cured!

GROUTING

• Grout color is an important design decision – we recommend matching your grout color as closely to the color of your tile as possible. 

• Using MAPEI FLEXCOLOR CQ GROUT, fill in the gaps between the tiles with a rubber grout float. Grout in small areas, no larger than 2’x2’, at a time. DO NOT grout the entire surface at once, as the tiles can stain from excess grout that is extremely difficult to remove later. Instead, grout small areas and immediately wipe away the excess grout as you go.

• Clean the tiles with pH neutral detergent, removing any residual mortar or debris using a wet-vac or squeegee. Never leave spills, drips, footprints, or any other marks on the tiles prior to sealing.

• Allow the grout to cure, usually 48 hours.

TOP-COAT SEALER

• Wet applications need to be re-sealed with the 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer as the final step of installation. This step will protect grout from continuous moisture exposure.

OPTIONAL GROUT SEALING

• If you wish to seal your grout, do so in accordance with the grout and sealant manufacturer instructions.

• ALWAYS cover the tiles with durable paperboard during and after installation to prevent damage and/or staining of the tiles until construction is complete.

TRIM

• We recommend installing Cotto Allende from floor to ceiling or bringing drywall flush with the finished surface of your tile to eliminate the need for trim.

• If you have an exposed edge that needs to be finished in your design, we recommend having your experienced installer miter the tile or add a thin layer of grout to any exposed edge.

• If you do require trim, we recommend Schluter strips, which can be found at www.schluter.com.

ONGOING MAINTENANCE

CLEANING

• Vacuum or sweep tile regularly to remove abrasive material that can scratch the surface.

• Floors and walls can be wiped or mopped with warm, clean water and a pH neutral cleaner.

• Cotto Allende tiles may be cleaned like most types of glazed ceramic tiles. Neutral pH products are recommended for cleaning. For regular cleaning, we recommend Miracle Sealants pH Neutral Tile and Stone Cleaner.

RE-SEALING

• Cotto Allende tile in wet areas should be re-sealed at least every year, or as often as needed depending on traffic and wear, in accordance with sealant manufacturer’s instructions.

INSTALLATION SAFETY

• Installers should always wear a protective face covering (e.g., dust mask) and eye protection when unpacking, cutting and installing Zia Tile products as well as working with the mortar, sealants, grout and other materials associated with the tile installation process in accordance with California Prop 65. WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. If extensive cutting is required during installation, Zia Tile recommends this work be done outside or in a well-ventilated area. Finally, always be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water after working with tiles and before eating.