FAQQQ

We offer high-quality handmade tile and architectural products, as well as home goods. Tile includes, authentic Saltillo tile, high fired Cotto, hand-painted tile, screen printed clay tile (cement tile alternatives), pool waterline tiles, and solid color squares and shapes. Our home good line includes handcrafted ceramics, equipal furniture and handmade coasters.

There is a perfect tile for everyone! Are you looking to give your space personality through pattern and color? Take a look at our patterned tiles. Are you going for a clean look playing with different layouts and shapes? You might find a color combination in our solid color tile collection. Do you love the look of terra-cotta tiles? Check out our Saltillo tile.

Need more assistance? Email us at contact@clayimports.com or schedule a Studio or Virtual Design Appointment.

Porcelain and clay tiles are often hard to distinguish by their appearance.

Generally, porcelain tiles are composed of finer particles than clay tile. Porcelain tile composition includes minerals and additives, not found in clay tile, that contribute to making the tile denser and less prone to warping. Porcelain tiles are also fired at a higher temperature than clay tiles, making them harder.

Though porcelain tiles are more durable than clay tiles, customization is not common and there are far fewer options available. Clay tile production allows for customization as well as the use of colors far more vibrant than those used in porcelain tile production.

Natural variation is a characteristic of handmade tile. As a result, expect variations in size, shade, thickness. Irregular edges and the appearance of fine cracks are also inherent in this product and can vary from piece to piece.

We use the following shade and texture variation categories. For more information read our blog on Handmade Tile Variation.

V1 = Uniform Appearance: Differences among pieces from the same production run are minimal.

V2 = Slight Variation: You’ll notice clearly distinguishable differences in texture and/or pattern within similar colors.

V3 = Moderate Variation: While the colors and/or texture present on a single piece of tile will be indicative of the colors and/or texture to be expected on the other tiles, the amount of colors and/or texture on each piece may vary significantly.

V4 = Substantial Variation: Random color and/or texture differ from tile to tile, so that one tile may have totally different colors and/or texture from that on other tiles.

Yes, we do! We offer discounted trade pricing and personalized pro service. Whatever you need, custom patterns or assistance with measuring your project, we’re here to help! As a member of our Trade Program, you will receive the most competitive pricing and lead times we have to offer. Please sign up for our trade program here.

They are yours to keep! If you wish to return them, please package carefully to avoid breakage during transit.

Ship to:
Clay Imports Warehouse
10508 Boyer Blvd
Austin, TX 78758

If returned samples arrive to us undamaged, we will issue a full refund for the material cost. Shipping costs are the shippers responsibility and can not be covered by Clay Imports.

Yes, you should order extra tiles to account for cuts and waste. The online tile calculator on every product page will help you convert your square footage (SQ.FT.) to the number of boxes needed. It will also prompt you to select overage. We recommend a minimum overage of 15%.

Why? If you do not order enough tiles to complete your project, add-on orders can be time-consuming, and can have the potential to not match your original order due to batch variation. Not to forget that you may run into additional issues if your project is on hold!

We are closely following the information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization. Please know that though our production processes are currently not affected, under the circumstances, we must be aware of all World Health Organization and government guidelines. We will continue to share information about your order as we receive it, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us anytime.

Licensed general or tile contractors, builders, architects, and designers qualify for the Clay Imports trade Program. We accept individuals and firms.

To apply to Clay Imports trade program, you must provide:

- Registered Business Name and Address

- Email Address

- Phone Number

- Please also attach at least one of the following:

- Business License/Form with EIN #/Tax ID/Resale Certificate

Yes, we offer free local curbside pick ups at our fulfillment center on 10508 Boyer Blvd, Austin, TX 78758. You will receive pick up instructions per email once your order is ready for pick up.

Yes, we can deliver in person as long as the drop-off site is in the Greater Austin area. Delivery charges range between $80-$120 per pallet. All deliveries are curbside.

All sales are final. Please review your order carefully as we do not accept any returns or exchanges on any of our products.

- Online orders can be cancelled 3 hours after receiving your confirmation email. To cancel your online order please reply to your order confirmation emailed to you.

- Custom & non-stock orders, final sale/clearance items cannot be cancelled.

- Expedite fee, shipping and delivery costs cannot be refunded.

- Deposits for custom and non-stock orders are nonrefundable.

- Clay Imports is not responsible for dissatisfaction of material following installation.

For more details, please refer to our Return Policy.

Cement tiles are made of cement as one would assume. These tiles are not fired. Cement is compressed, water-cured and left to dry much like a sidewalk would be. So, adding a sealer before, during and after installation is key to minimize staining. Made by hand since the 19th century, cement tiles manufacturing includes the use mineral pigments, cement, a metal mold, and an hydraulic press. The pigment composition is a mixture of high quality white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand, and natural mineral color pigments. Cement tiles are about 5/8" thick which can complicate flooring transitions.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryways, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Outdoor applications, such as, patio floors, outdoor kitchens, showers and walkways.

Though Cement tiles are commonly used in showers and other wet areas, it is a porous, non-fired material and requires sealing. Even with adequate sealing, Cement tiles will evolve in color, texture and sheen. When used in a wet area, expect this material to change in appearance.

Avoid use in: Areas exposed to harsh freezing conditions.

Maintenance & Care: Medium

Patterned clay and cement tile look similar right out of the box there are many differences to consider before making your purchase.

Unlike cement tiles, which are made of cement, pressed then water cured, clay tiles are composed of a clay body and a decorative glaze layer that is fired on. Because of this, clay tiles are non-porous and don’t require sealing during installation. They are much more resistant to moisture and staining over time. Clay tiles are also much thinner than a cement tile. This makes them compatible with many other flooring options, like wood flooring. For more details read our blog on Cement Tile vs. Clay Tile: What You Need to Know.

Yes, cement tile can be used in outdoor settings such as patios, fountain accent and veranda with the correct sealant. It is strongly recommended to seal the tiles properly during and after installation. Please read our cement tile sealing guide carefully and provide to your contractor/installer. For more information consult our resources and read our blog on Let’s Talk Outdoor Cement Tile.

Lead-time for our stock cement tiles is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

Lead-times for custom cement tile vary depending on project complexity and can range from 4-12 weeks.

General thumb rule: select a shade that best matches the lightest shade in your pattern. We typically recommend Mapei Flexcolor CQ in the shade Frost or Avalanche. Of course, you may use any other Mapei Flexcolor CQ color to fit your project’s needs - just stay away from dark grays or blacks as they can seriously stain your tile (here is more on how to choose a grout color.) In fact, you may want to use a grout release to avoid any staining issues during installation. Consult our cement tile sealing guide for more details.

Regarding grout joint sizes, we recommend to use fairly tight grout joints not larger than 1/16″ to allow your pattern to repeat properly.

Cement tiles require some basic cleaning and maintenance to keep their beauty.

- Wash your cement tile with lukewarm water on a regular basis; a soft cleaning detergent may also be used when necessary.

- Make sure not to let any type of liquid sit on the tile surface. Clean up any spills immediately and dry the cement tiles completely with a clean cloth to prevent any permanent damage.

- Please read our Cement Aftercare Tips for more details.

If you are in need of a professional cleaning service, please contact a professional tile installation/restoration company in your area. In Austin, we recommend reaching out to the pro installers at The Tile Press at contact@thetilepress.com.

The surface of cement tile is porous, meaning that the face of the tile has many pores that are large enough to absorb and trap elements. If your cement tile is not adequately sealed and the surface is exposed to a pigment that heavily contrasts the tile surface, the tile will retain the pigment permanently. It will stain. Our guide on how to remove grout stains can help but generally, removing grout stains is not easy.

Cement tiles are porous and thus require significant sealing to prevent absorption. The more sealant that is applied to cement tiles, the less likely they are to absorb moisture. We advise using grouts that contain little or no pigment coloring and applying grout in small sections, less than 4 square feet at a time. We also recommend using a grout release during installation.

If your cement tile has been stained during the grout application, follow our guide on how to remove grout stains.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions

Avoid use in: Areas exposed to freezing conditions, sloped floors in wet areas, stair treads and commercial kitchens.

Maintenance & Care: Low

Though clay tile and cement tile look similar right out of the box there are many differences to consider before making your purchase.

Unlike cement tiles, which are made of cement, pressed then water cured, clay tiles are composed of a clay body and a decorative glaze layer that is fired on. Because of this, clay tiles are non-porous and don’t require sealing during installation. They are much more resistant to moisture and staining over time. Clay tiles are also much thinner than a cement tile. This makes them compatible with many other flooring options, like wood flooring. For more details read our blog on Cement Tile vs. Clay Tile: What You Need to Know.

- Lead-time for our stock Printed Pattern tiles is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

- Lead-time for our Budget Friendly Printed Pattern tile is 6 weeks. You can view these tiles in our Budget Friendly category.

- Lead-times for custom tile Printed Pattern tiles vary depending on project complexity and can range from 4-10 weeks.

Generally, we suggest selecting a shade that best matches either the prominent color or the lightest shade in your pattern. We typically recommend using Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA. Some of our favorite grout colors are Avalanche, Biscuit, Warm Gray, or Charcoal. Of course, you may use any other Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA color to fit your project’s needs. However, we recommend staying away from dark grays, blacks and heavily pigmented reds as they can be very difficult to clean during installation and can potentially stain your tile. Here is more information on how to choose the right grout color. Consult our Printed Pattern tile installation guide for more details.

Regarding grout joint sizes, we recommend using a fairly tight spacing with clay tile, between 1/16″ and ⅛”. This will allow patterned tiles to flow with minimal interruption.

Hand-Painted Pattern tiles are just as easy to install, care for and live with as our Printed Pattern tiles but include more of the handmade characteristics found in cement tiles. They also share the same matte finish as cement tiles. Clay Imports’ hand-painted patterned tiles intentionally include pattern irregularities and color variations that contribute to this product's overall, handmade charm. Our Hand-Painted Pattern tile is a type of clay tile. Printed, glazed and fired, you will love these clay tiles for their durability and low maintenance. This is a more “liveable” version of the high maintenance cement tile. The most desirable benefit? No sealing required! Read more on the blog.

Hand-Painted Pattern tile can perform almost everywhere such as kitchen floors, kitchen backsplashes, kitchen countertop, bathroom floors, bathroom backsplashes, bathtub surrounds, laundry room, fireplaces, outdoor BBQ’S, stair risers. These tiles are not frost-proof.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions

Avoid use in: Areas exposed to freezing conditions, sloped floors in wet areas, stair treads and commercial kitchens.

Maintenance & Care: Low

Though clay tile and cement tile look similar right out of the box there are many differences to consider before making your purchase.

Unlike cement tiles, which are made of cement, pressed then water cured, clay tiles are composed of a clay body and a decorative glaze layer that is fired on. Because of this, clay tiles are non-porous and don’t require sealing during installation. They are much more resistant to moisture and staining over time. Clay tiles are also much thinner than a cement tile. This makes them compatible with many other flooring options, like wood flooring. For more details read our blog on Cement Tile vs. Clay Tile: What You Need to Know.

- Lead-time for our stock Hand-Painted Pattern tiles is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

- Lead-time for our Budget Friendly Hand-Painted Pattern tile is 6 weeks. You can view these tiles in our Budget Friendly category.

- Lead-times for custom tile Hand-Painted Pattern tiles vary depending on project complexity and can range from 8-16 weeks.

Generally, we suggest selecting a shade that best matches either the prominent color or the lightest shade in your pattern. We typically recommend using Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA. Some of our favorite grout colors are Avalanche, Biscuit, Warm Gray, or Charcoal. Of course, you may use any other Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA color to fit your project’s needs. However, we recommend staying away from dark grays, blacks and heavily pigmented reds as they can be very difficult to clean during installation and can potentially stain your tile. Here is more information on how to choose the right grout color. Consult our Hand-Painted Pattern tile installation guide for more details.

Regarding grout joint sizes, we recommend using a fairly tight spacing with clay tile, between 1/16″ and ⅛”. This will allow patterned tiles to flow with minimal interruption.

At Clay Imports, we truly believe that when artists are supported, creative communities thrive. We embarked on a journey to expand the Clay Imports family by giving the designers and makers we love a platform to flex their talents while trying out a new medium: tile. This led to the creation of the Artist Series. More on the blog

You can find all current artist series products here.

Saltillo tile is a natural terra-cotta tile that is made in Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila, in northwestern Mexico. Saltillo tile can only be called Saltillo when it comes from that specific region of Mexico. All Saltillo tile is made of terracotta, a naturally occurring local red clay, but not all terracotta tile is classified as Saltillo. Make sense?

Saltillo tile is available in numerous shapes, sizes and finishes. All Clay Import’s Saltillo tile is pre-sealed for your convenience.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryways, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, bathroom floors and decorative walls.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers and stair treads.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions.

- Though Saltillo is commonly used in showers, it is a porous, non-fired material and requires sealing. Even with adequate sealing, Saltillo will evolve in color, texture and sheen. When used in a wet area, expect this material to change in appearance.

Avoid use in: Areas exposed to harsh freezing conditions, sloped floors in wet areas and shower floors.

Maintenance & Care: Medium

We offer the following Saltillo tile sealed finishes:

- Gloss Sealed - a glossy sheen. The sealer darkens the raw Saltillo clay color.

- Satin Sealed - a semi-gloss sheen: The sealer slightly darkens the raw Saltillo clay color.

- Matte Sealed - matte sheen: The sealer virtually does not change the raw Saltillo clay color.

- Patina Sealed - matte sheen/aged look: The sealer is applied to create a “worn” and “rustic” look.

At Clay Imports you can get “traditional” Saltillo tiles and “antique” Saltillo tiles.

- Traditional Saltillo tile has a smooth texture and is the most common used Saltillo tile in the U.S. and Mexico.

- Antique Saltillo tile has a rustic texture. The rugged or distressed surface allows for a century-old look right out of the box. Antique Saltillo has a higher slip resistance than traditional Saltillo tile.

Lead-time for our stock Saltillo tiles is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

Lead-time for out of stock Saltillo tiles is typically 2-8 weeks + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. Please refer to the product pages for details.

For a Saltillo tile installation, we recommend Mapei Saltillo Natural Gray Grout. Due to the variation in size, we recommend using a grout joint approximately ⅛” to ½” to allow your pattern to repeat properly. Though pre-sealed tiles do not require further sealing, using a conventional “grout release” will increase the efficiency of grout application.

For more details, refer to our Saltillo tile installation guidelines and read our blog on How to Install Saltillo Terra-Cotta tile.

Please refer to our blog on How to Clean and Maintain Saltillo Tile. Saltillo tiles are quite easy to clean with conventional floor cleaners. Just stay away from using acidic cleaners. We recommend Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner.

If you are in need of a professional cleaning service, please contact a professional tile installation/restoration company in your area. In Austin, we recommend reaching out to the pro installers at The Tile Press at contact@thetilepress.com.

Dhanis Red Terra-cotta tiles are inspired by one of our favorite tiles that used to be produced in D’hanis, TX, long ago. Like the original D’hanis tile, Clay Imports’ Dhanis Red Terra-cotta tiles are made of natural red clay and measure 11-⅜ inches by 11-⅜ inches. Considering that original D’hanis tiles were commonly used throughout the 1960s and that they are no longer in production, Clay Imports’ Dhanis Red Terra-cotta tiles are often used as replacements or replicas in place of original D’hanis tiles. Clay Imports’ Dhanis Red Terra-cotta tiles are commonly used to achieve a Mid-century modern aesthetic. They are also ideal for those wanting a Saltillo tile look with minimal color variation. Read more on the blog.

Because Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles are handmade, expect some variations and irregularities but generally, they are more refined than Saltillo tiles. They are flatter, smoother and less varied in color and sheen. Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles have ridged edges and corners that are minimally tumbled to reduce chipping. Saltillo tiles are going to be more varied in color and size. Saltillo tiles will have a prominent texture and more surface irregularities. If you want a more organic, natural looking terra-cotta, go with Saltillo. For those wanting a more predictable tile with less character, go with our Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles.

Yes, Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles are very easy to care for. Just keep in mind that Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta are sealed for durability and protection from moisture but they are NOT glazed. This means that, much like a natural wood floor, they will change in color and sheen over the years and will eventually need to be re-sealed.

The production process for Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles is more complicated than the production process for Saltillo tiles. Though Red Select Saltillo will be very similar in color to Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tile, the sheen, texture and size are all going to be different. Saltillo tiles will have a more distressed texture, will vary more in size and thickness and will be significantly glossier than Dhanis Red Terra-Cotta tiles.

Similarly to some of our other terra-cotta products, Spanish Cotto tiles are produced of natural clay. However, Spanish Cotto tiles are fired at a higher temperature than any of our other products. Firing at high temperatures results in a tile that is resilient to moisture absorption without having to be glazed or sealer. Spanish Cotto is fired at such a high temperature that the pores of the tile are shrunk to a minimal size. This means that the tile can maintain its natural, unsealed, look and still be resilient to wear and tear. Read more on the blog.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers and stair treads.

- Outdoor applications, such as, patio floors, outdoor kitchens, showers and walkways.

Avoid use in: Areas exposed to harsh freezing conditions.

Maintenance & Care: Low

In collaboration with our partners in Mexico, we’ve created a “perfectly imperfect”, textured subway solid color trend. For the first time, terra-cotta Saltillo tile is glazed.

Glazed Thin Brick, can perform almost everywhere such as kitchen floors, kitchen backsplashes, kitchen countertop, bathroom floors, bathroom backsplashes, bathtub surrounds, laundry room, fireplaces, outdoor BBQ’S, stair risers. These tiles are not frost proof. Read more on the blog.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions

Avoid use in:

- Areas exposed to freezing conditions.

- Sloped floors in wet areas.

- Stair treads.

- Commercial kitchens.

Maintenance & Care: Low

Yes, Glazed Saltillo tile can be used in outdoor settings such as patios, fountain accent and veranda with the correct sealant, in mild climates, and as long as they are not exposed to freezing. While heavy sealing is not required for this type of tile, we recommend to seal the tiles properly for best protection. Read more on the blog.

- Lead-time for our stock Glazed Thin Brick is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

- Lead-time for our Budget Friendly Glazed Thin Brick is 6 weeks. You can view these tiles in our Budget Friendly category.

- Lead-times for custom tile Glazed Thin Brick vary depending on project complexity and can range from 8-12 weeks.

General thumb rule: select a shade that best matches the lightest shade in your pattern. We typically recommend Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA in the shades Avalanche, Biscuit, Warm Gray, or Charcoal. Of course, you may use any other Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA color to fit your project’s needs - just stay away from dark grays or blacks as they can seriously stain your tile (here is more on how to choose a grout color.) In fact, use a grout release to avoid any staining issues during installation. You should use fairly tight grout joints at approximately 1/16″ to allow your pattern to repeat properly. Consult our Glazed Saltillo tile installation guidelines for more details.

Glazed Thin Brick tiles are quite easy to clean with conventional floor cleaners. Just stay away from using acidic cleaners.

If you are in need of a professional cleaning service, please contact a professional tile installation/restoration company in your area. In Austin, we recommend reaching out to the pro installers at The Tile Press at contact@thetilepress.com.

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions

Avoid use in

- Areas exposed to freezing conditions.

- Sloped floors in wet areas.

- Stair treads.

- Commercial kitchens.

Maintenance & Care: Low

Recommended for

- Interior floors, walls, mudrooms, kitchen islands, entryway, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, steam rooms, decorative walls and bathroom floors.

- Commercial and high traffic areas such as restaurants, bars and offices.

- Stair risers.

- Some outdoor applications, such as, patio floors under a covered area. Outdoor kitchens and showers in warmer climates and most areas not directly exposed to freezing conditions

Avoid use in:

- Areas exposed to freezing conditions.

- Sloped floors in wet areas.

- Stair treads.

- Commercial kitchens.

Maintenance & Care: Low

Lead-time for our stock Glazed Saltillo tile is typically 3-5 days + transit time. Transit times in the continental U.S. are typically 5-7 business days. You may also select a free local pick up at our ATX fulfillment center. You can find all in stock tile in Quick Ship.

Lead-time for our Budget Friendly Glazed Saltillo tile is 6 weeks. You can view these tiles in our Budget Friendly category.

Lead-times for custom tile Glazed Saltillo tile vary depending on project complexity and can range from 8-12 weeks.

Please refer to the product pages for more information.

General thumb rule: select a shade that best matches the lightest shade in your pattern. We typically recommend Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA in the shades Avalanche, Biscuit, Warm Gray, or Charcoal. Of course, you may use any other Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA color to fit your project’s needs - just stay away from dark grays or blacks as they can seriously stain your tile (here is more on how to choose a grout color.) In fact, use a grout release to avoid any staining issues during installation. You should use fairly tight grout joints at approximately 1/16″ to allow your pattern to repeat properly. Consult our Glazed Saltillo tile installation guidelines for more details.

We in the U.S. associate Talavera tile with Mexico, but did you know that Talavera originated in medieval Iberia and was inspired by an Islamic aesthetic?

From Muslim Iberia to the "New World", skilled artisans today handcraft each of our Talavera tiles in Dolores Hidalgo. We use a mix of regional red clay. The most traditional form of a Talavera tile is a square. Artisans, either hand cut or extrude clay to size and fire the the bodies. Following the production of the bodies, artisan glaze the tile by adding decorative patterns through stenciling or screen printing. Afterwards, they fire the now colored pieces in a kiln. Read more on the blog.

Over the years, many of you in the design community have expressed frustration about “what is out there” in the pool tile world. You’ve reached out to us, the go-to source for all things bold tile - and we listened! We have created numerous one-of-a-kind options customized to the designer’s needs to elevate swimming pools and fountains alike.

With so much inspiration and knowledge in the tile industry, we are taking it up a notch. Meet the Clay Imports Pool Waterline tile collection!

Clay Imports’ Pool Waterline Tiles are fired at a much higher temperature than our standard Handmade Clay Tiles, which makes them more dense and less susceptible to moisture absorption. Clay Imports Pool Waterline Tiles are handmade, expect patina and slight crazing. These characteristics are aesthetic and will not interfere with the integrity of the tiles.

Breeze blocks are the patterned blocks you may have seen covering the sides of buildings across the world. They can serve as a design accent in hip restaurants, or more recently in your neighbor’s backyard! Besides from being pretty to look at, these architectural pieces can actively raise your comfort level. Their main purpose is to balance the impact of sunlight and provide welcoming ventilation. Read more on the blog.

Austin Smart Studio

All about Samples

Ordering

Trade Program

Shipping & Local Pick Ups

Returns & Cancellations

Cement Pattern

Printed Pattern

Hand-Painted Pattern

Artist Tile

Saltillo Tile

Dhanis Tile

Cotto Tile

Glazed Thin Brick

Zellige Tile

Glazed Saltillo Tile

Handcrafted Classics

Pool Waterline Tile

Breeze Blocks

From Inspiration to Installation.

Deal of the day