Cotto

Our Cotto tiles are made near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, one of the most historically significant art centers in the Americas. This UNESCO World Heritage city has a long tradition of art and ceramic production, with centuries-old floors, walls, and rooftops that continue to inspire and inform how terra cotta tile is made and installed. 

Cotto Allende begins with the same clay terra cotta base and is finished with pigmented glazes for a more colorful take on the classic material. The glazes range from near-matte to glossy, maintaining the tonal variation coveted in handmade tile.

Cotto comes in six core colorways: three traditional terra cotta hues and three unexpected tones. The classic range carries the warm palette that has defined terra cotta for centuries:

• Adobe, the lightest, a soft, sun-bleached tone
• Fired Earth, the mid-range classic. Wood ash applied to the surface during firing produces the distinctive coloration and textural variation that sets it apart from the other traditional hues
• Red Clay, the deepest red, closest to the raw material itself

The contemporary range extends the collection beyond what most terra cotta producers offer:

• Blanco, a whitewashed finish that brightens and softens the body's natural tone
• Madera, a deep cocoa, one of the few dark brown terra cotta tiles produced anywhere
• Oscura, a matte black terra cotta, rare in unglazed clay

Standard squares (4×4, 8×8, 13×13) and rectangles (2×6, 6.5×13) anchor the line, alongside an 8×9 hexagon and a set of signature shapes drawn from Spanish-colonial and Mesoamerican design traditions:

• Stars & Cross, an eight-pointed star paired with a cross, the two shapes interlocking into a Moorish pattern
• Alcazar (6×6) and Big Alcazar (13×13), geometric interlocking shapes named for the alcázar, the Spanish-Moorish fortress
• Oaxaca, an hourglass form paired with rounded octagons
• Durango, a four-tile set that builds an abstract geometric pattern
• Tornillo, long, narrow parallelograms set in a staggered, overlapping layout
• Toltec, named for the pre-Aztec Mesoamerican civilization centered at Tula
• Zocalo, two asymmetrical pieces that come together to create a bold rectangular design

Our Cotto begins with natural Mexican clay from San Miguel de Allende, hand-pressed into molds, then sun-dried in open courtyards for one to two weeks and high-fired in traditional kilns. This process produces a dense clay body with visible variation in tone and texture. Cotto is left unglazed, resulting in a matte, earthy surface with softer edges and natural tonal variation that deepens over time.

Yes, Cotto tile requires sealing to protect against moisture and staining. This applies to all installations, including dry interiors, high-traffic areas, and wet environments.

For proper care:

• Seal Cotto before grouting with 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer, applied in thin layers until the tile reaches full saturation
• Once the grout has cured, finish interior installations with Fila Matte Wax; for exterior installations, apply a second coat of 511 Porous Plus instead, as Fila Matte Wax discolors under UV exposure
• Reseal regularly, more frequently in high-traffic or moisture-exposed areas
• Use only pH-neutral cleaning products
• Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface

Over time, the unglazed surface develops a natural patina that reflects use and age.

Cleaning Cotto tile correctly starts with regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove debris that can wear down the surface.

For deeper cleaning:

• Use warm water with a pH-neutral cleaner, such as Miracle Sealants Tile and Stone Cleaner. Apply with a soft cloth or mop and rinse thoroughly
• Avoid abrasive tools or pads, which can wear the sealed surface and reduce its protective layer
• For stubborn marks, use a gentle cleaner such as Miracle Heavy Duty Cleaner (Acid Substitute)

Installing Cotto tile requires a professional installer experienced with terra cotta, specifically. The process requires an eye for balancing tile variation and protecting the porous surface. Each of our tiles has its own installation guide, and for project-specific installation questions, the Zia team is available at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170.

Cotto tile is a dense, high-fired clay material that performs well under regular residential and commercial traffic. Cotto's DCOF rating of 0.98 sits well above the 0.42 threshold typically required for level interior floors. Careful installation, including consistent grout joints and a fully cured substrate, prevents movement that can lead to edge chipping. Sealing before and after grouting protects the porous surface from moisture absorption and staining. Over time, the surface develops a natural patina, a defining characteristic of the material.

Calculating how much Cotto tile is needed for an installation starts with the total square footage of the surface. Measure the length and width of each surface area in feet, then multiply them together for the surface area. For walls or multi-surface floors, add all sections together to reach the total square footage. From that total, add a minimum of 15 to 20% overage to account for curation and cuts. For a more uniform look or for specialty shape formats like the Durango, plan for 20 to 25% across the full order, given the nuance of the multi-tile pattern. For project-specific quantity questions, contact the Zia team at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170.

Cotto and zellige are both handmade clay-based tiles, though the two lines differ in origin, production method, and finish. Cotto is produced in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, from local clay hand-pressed into molds, sun-dried, and high-fired in kilns. Cotto is left unglazed, producing a matte, porous surface with earthy tones and visible texture that develops a natural patina with use. Zellige is produced in Morocco, where clay is hand-pressed into molds, sun-dried, shaped, and hand-dipped in glaze before being fired in an earthen kiln. Zellige is defined by its chips, pits, and crazing, all inherent characteristics resulting from the handmade process and the dynamic conditions of the earthen kiln.

Sealing Cotto tile correctly requires two separate applications. Before grouting, apply 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer in thin layers until the tiles are fully saturated, wiping off any excess before it dries. Allow the sealer to fully cure before proceeding to grouting. The pre-grout application also acts as a grout release.

For interior installations, finish with Fila Matte Wax applied in thin layers as a final protective coat. For exterior installations, apply an additional coat of 511 Porous Plus instead of wax, since Fila Matte Wax discolors under UV exposure.