What are the differences between Clay Imports Terracotta tiles?

Smooth Saltillo Tile (Natural Terracotta) 

The classic Saltillo tile. Each piece has a subtle pillow-top surface and natural variation in reds, golds, and ambers. Because these tiles are hand-formed in wooden molds, slight differences in size, shape, and color are expected.

Key traits:

• Hand-formed
• Slight pillow-top
• Wide red–gold–amber color variation
• Naturally irregular edges

Antique / Distressed Saltillo (Natural Terracotta)

A more character-rich version of Traditional Saltillo. This tile includes intentional aging effects like mild wrinkles and irregularities. These features create a softly worn look and offer slightly increased slip resistance.

Key traits:

• Hand-formed
• Aged/distressed texture
• Mild wrinkles on the clay body
• Slight slip resistance improvement

Supremo Saltillo

Updated name for what is commonly called “Super Saltillo.”

Supremo tiles are machine-pressed, resulting in a denser, flatter, and more uniform product compared to hand-formed Saltillo. The edges and corners are noticeably rounded. Color variation remains similar to Traditional Saltillo.

Key traits:

• Machine-pressed
• Denser and flatter
• Rounded edges and corners
• Moderate color variation

D’Hanis Red Terracotta

The most refined option in the Saltillo family. D’Hanis tiles feature cleaner edges with minimal rounding and are pre-selected in shades of red only, without gold or amber tones. They receive a durable oil-based seal during production.

Key traits:

• Smoothest, most uniform Saltillo format
• Minimal edge rounding
• Red tones only
• Durable oil-based sealed finish

Paver Terracotta

Terracotta brick pavers made from the same clay body as Saltillo tiles. These pavers have a sandy, coarse texture and come in two thickness options: 2-inch structural pavers or ¾-inch tile-format pavers.

Key traits:

• Same clay body as Saltillo tiles
• Sandy, coarse texture
• Two thickness options
• Suitable for patios, walkways, and durable surfaces

Cotto Terracotta

Cotto Terracotta is a dense, high-fired terracotta tile available only unsealed. It features controlled tonal color variation and comes in four curated colorways: Sienna, Umber, Tierra, and Dune. The surface is smooth and refined compared to hand-formed Saltillo, making it suitable for a wide range of interior applications. Because it is unsealed, sealing on-site is required during installation.

Key traits:

• High-fired and very dense
• Only available unsealed
• Tonal color variation
• Available in Sienna, Umber, Tierra, and Dune
• Smooth, refined surface
• Requires sealing during installation

Reverse Terracotta

Reverse Terracotta tiles are produced with the factory-back side intentionally facing upward, creating a matte, highly tactile surface. This format emphasizes raw clay texture and offers a more contemporary or organic look. Reverse Terracotta is always unsealed, so sealing on-site is required.

Key traits:

• Primarily red, with low color variation
• Installed with the natural clay back surface facing up, or down
• Strong matte appearance
• Always delivered unsealed, requires sealing
• Organic, modern aesthetic 

Organic Terracotta

Organic Terracotta tiles feature a highly natural, unrefined clay presentation with an overall orange base color, expressed through natural variation in shade and tone. These tiles highlight the raw character of the clay, including visible texture, subtle freckles, and organic movement. They are always unsealed and are designed to develop a rich patina as they are sealed, used, and maintained.

Key traits:

• Orange base color with shade and tonal variation
• Most raw and natural terracotta aesthetic
• Visible clay texture, freckles, and organic movement
• Always unsealed
• Develops a patina over time with sealing and use
• Ideal for customers seeking a natural, earthy finish