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Santa Cruz doesn't usually reach freezing temperatures, except in the mountains. So, how could the tiles freeze?

Even if Santa Cruz did reach freezing temperatures, it's unlikely that the inside of your kitchen would. Sounds kind of suspect...

Not to mention that the tiles will be in your kitchen, where I highly doubt it would ever get cold enough for the tiles to freeze!

Yes they are very porous. Someone had them in a kids bathroom and unfortunately they now reek of pee if you get what i mean. You will be happier in the end with porcelin tiles that look terra cotta because they are more durable and easy to clean. Terra Cotta is best outside where they will get dirt anyway.

We design with them a lot and it is not as cheesy as you might think.

most terra cotta tiles are porus but that argument would prevent them from being used anywhere really. Any problem about them cracking would only likely come about due to rapid and excessive temperature change. Nonetheless all the problems, including the one above can be eliminated by applying a sealant. They are usually those available for clay but a concrete sealant will work as well - make sure to go for a matte finish, and you may have to apply more than one quote.

go to the www.johnbridge.com tile forum, there are many professional and DIYourselfers posting comments, feedback, and experience. try your question there.

Your salesperson is correct on all aspects, if you were to use the tile outside. For indoor use, it should be fine, but you would really need a good sealer, to keep it from staining and discoloring. I am not sure I would put it in a kitchen, unless you were using reclaimed terra cotta. The new manufactured materials are not as nice...and she is correct, there are a few porcelains out there that look like terra cotta, and are much easier to take care of.

My understanding is that if you are going to use terra cotta tile that it should be well sealed because it is porous and will absorb stans that you will not be able to get out. If it is allowed to absorb too much moisture it will also flake when it dries out. Probably not ideal for a kitchen. Also hard on the legs and feet if you are standing for long periods.

I enjoyed living with terracotta tile in a rental. Because it is porous, it has a bit more give than porcelain, i.e. it is not as hard on feet and legs.

Seal it regularly to keep it unstained. We inherited some non-removable stains in our rental. As for expansion and contraction in a California interior? Bah to that. That sounds like a salesperson's pitch to convince you to buy up.

I lived on the West Side and it sounds like BS for most people. I mean, is it generally 32 or colder in your kitchen? No? If you were saying you wanted it on your patio, sure... but I think she's trying to upsell you. I'd have it sealed, though, since it may get stained with spills or grease...

When was the last time it snowed in Santa Cruz?

Daisy,

I live in Santa Cruz and my old house off Westcliff Dr. had terra cotta tiles in the kitchen. We lived there for three years and the tiles were in long before we arrived. They never had any problems with freezing or cracking. They do need to be well sealed though because they do absorb stains very fast. If you like them I say go get them and seal them up well; I think you'll be very happy.

Good luck.

It snowed in SC at least as recently as 2006. It was actually pretty cool. All of the college kids got stranded on campus though. And pretty scary to drive in for those Californians not familiar with snow as a weather type.

As far as the tiles though, It really does depend on the insulation on your kitchen. Even if it didn't snow I had items freeze in my car semi-regularly during the winter months. Even cracked a "indestructible" nalgene bottle that had some water left in it. But Cars generally multiply the effects of the weather outside (if its hot they bake, if its cold they freeze). Unless your kitchen is insulated like a car, you'll probably be fine. It will be cold on the feet though! :)

Lame. I grew up in Monterey and my best friends' family had a kitchen with terra cotta tiles and it was fine. Monterey is colder and more foggy than Santa Cruzy. It doesn't freeze that much in that area. I've seen countless houses with terra cotta roof shingles; how is that any different?

I grew up in Santa Barbara across from the beach where most every house including mine had those beautiful 24"sq. terra cotta tiles. Talk about sustainable they last forever!

My last house in the west side had horrible insulation if any, and nothing ever froze inside my house. That doesn't make sense...I'm not sure about the tiles staining though. Is this at Tile & Marble Outlet? I just bought all my tiles there, and the salespeople were really helpful.

I'm in Aptos and even the people I know up in Bonny Doon have no issue. The person is just being a sales person; get the tiles and seal them.

Thank you!

The popular concensus here is that terracotta will do just fine. I'm so glad. That was my first impression: to make sure there's a good seal on the tiles.


THESMARTESTFISH --- No, it wasn't the Tile & Marble Outlet, it was a store on the eastside. I may just take a trip to the Outlet and inquire.


Thank you, again all AT readers!