How to lighten terracotta floor tiles?

[gem717]

I was thinking I could limewash the floor tiles to lighten appearance. Will this work and how do I go about it please? 

 

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @gem717 

I think the only way you can change the appearance of your tiles is to tile paint them. Which isn't  cheap for quality products. Approx $200 per 5m square

I think cheaper paints will rub a way eventually. But if you have more paint just re  paint every so often. Also limited color choices.

I like  Rust-oleum Tile Transformations 

Or Retile  gives you unlimited tile  choices.

But cost of tile rip up and  floor smoothing and cost of new tiles and cost of a tiler.

Radical idea.

I wonder in a  hidden area if you sand the glaze off one of the tiles in  a cupboard etc (or a spare tile) What colour is the under layer maybe that is  a good color and you can sand the floor and use a sealer over the top?

[JacobZ]

Hi @gem717,

Thank you for your question about lightening your terracotta floor tiles.

Unfortunately, I am not confident that limewashing terracotta floor tiles would work as it is inherently chalky and being on a walked-on surface, will wear off very quickly.

Similar to what @Jewelleryrescue has said, the only way I know that you can lighten your tiles is to paint them.

Alongside the Rustoleum paints that he has mentioned, the Dulux Renovations range of tile paints is an excellent option.

Check out How To Paint Floor Tiles for some guidance on the process.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[projectmumdanni]

I love the terracotta floor tiles and feel the lighting maybe making them and the room look dark (first photo) but as mentioned above you’d have to paint to lighten them.