Galeria Platino Glossy Subway Terracotta Tiles 2 9/16×8 7/16

Galeria Platino is a terracotta tile shaped as a subway at 2 9/16 by 8 7/16, glazed to a grey gloss. Terracotta gives it a 5/8 inch body, considerably heavier than the ceramic version of the same format, and pieces are uniform in tone.

Clay under a grey glaze

The body underneath is fired clay, and the glaze on top carries the colour. Uniform variation means the grey holds steady across a run, which keeps the focus on the proportion of the piece rather than on tonal movement. Style is recorded as rustic. Terracotta tiles at 5/8 inch read with more depth at an exposed edge than thinner wall tiles do. Glazed clay also takes light differently from a machine made body: the surface sits very slightly unevenly, so reflections break up instead of running flat along a wall.

• Substantial body 5/8 inch of clay behind the glaze, thicker than standard wall tile.
• Even colour Pieces are recorded as uniform, so the grey stays consistent.

Approved broadly

Ratings include commercial and residential interior floors and walls, shower walls, residential light floors and backsplash, with living room, bathroom and kitchen as rooms. A box of 19 covers 2.86 square feet, which puts 60 square feet at 25 boxes with waste counted. A softer clay body means cuts should be taken slowly to avoid chipping the glaze at the edge.

• Twenty five boxes 2.86 square feet a box, waste included, for 60 square feet.
• Ease the cuts Clay chips more readily than porcelain, so slow the blade down.

Why we chose it

• Weight in the hand A thicker body gives the tile presence that thin wall tile lacks.
• Wide rating Floors, walls, showers and commercial use all appear.
• Steady colour Uniform variation keeps a long run consistent.

Care

The glaze cleans with a household tile cleaner. Abrasive pads dull glazed surfaces over time, so keep to a soft cloth, and no sealer is needed on the glaze itself.