Are Africotta tiles terracotta?
No, Africotta tiles are essentially concrete tiles. They are made from a specially formulated recipe of sand, stone, pigments & additives to enhance & strengthen the tiles.

Does the colour go all the way through the tiles?
Yes, we mix the pigment into our 'recipe' & therefore the colour goes all the way through our tiles.

If I want to extend my job later, will I be able to match my existing tiles?
That is one of the beauties of using Africotta tiles – you will always be able to match existing tiles as we weigh the pigments according to specific recipes. As the tiles are hand made, please note that there may be slight colour variances between the old & new tiles, which should settle with time & exposure to the environment, washing etc.

Does the colour fade?
At Africotta Muldersdrift we only use ISO-rated pigments that can withstand the harsh climate we experience in South Africa. We NEVER use cheaper versions of pigment that will fade once exposed to the sun for long periods of time. The pigments we use have been tested, and will not fade if sealed & maintained properly.

Can I use Africotta products outdoors in wet areas?
Yes, all our products are suitable for indoor & outdoor applications. We recommend using the sealers we have available to protect & enhance your Africotta tiles.

Do you suggest using tile adhesive to fix tiles?
Yes, the same tile adhesive is used as if you were laying ceramic tiles.

Can Africotta deliver my tiles?
Yes, we use an external delivery company, familiar with transporting & handling our tiles. They charge at a rate per ton. If your order is small you are welcome to collect your tiles from the factory, but we strongly recommend using the delivery service for any order over 1 ton.

Can Africotta manufacture a 'custom-made' tile which not one of the standard range?
Yes, if the quantity permits. We have previously made tiles of a very specific size for customers seeking something different, or with a very particular size in mind. We can also hand carve a mould, creating a one-off of something specific, ie a logo or special pattern or picture for a feature tile, or listello. Come in and chat to our resident interior designer who will be happy to assist with any design or idea you have.

Are Africotta tiles slippery?
Any tile, when wet, will have a certain degree of slipperiness. We recommend using a 'textured' or 'slate' finish on outdoor tiles in conjunction with a non-slip sealer available from Africotta.

Are Africotta tiles porous?
Yes, the tiles are essentially concrete, and any concrete product is porous. We strongly recommend using the sealers available from Africotta to seal your tiles to prevent any unnecessary stains or fat marks on your tiles.

Will there be any discrepancy in thickness in my tiles?
As the tiles are hand made, and hand cast there will be a SLIGHT variance - a few mm's at most from tile to tile. Our staff are carefully trained, and are very skilled at their respective jobs, so variances are always minimal.

How long will my Africotta tiles last?
You can expect your Africotta tiles to last a lifetime! Concrete is a highly durable product .We regularly have our products strength tested, and a fully cured Africotta tile reaches a strength of around 38-42mpa. To give an idea of just how strong this is, the strength required by engineers for a first floor slab is 25mpa.

Do Africotta tiles come with a guarantee?
We hand check each & every tile when they come out of the moulds, and reject tiles are immediately taken out of the batch. We pride ourselves on the standard & quality tiles we produce. We will gladly replace any tiles that have a manufacturing defect.

How is Africotta able to offer such a quality product at such a reasonable price?
At Africotta we believe that you need not 'pay the earth' for a high end quality product. We offer a great service & product, without being overly priced. An Africotta product will give you years of pleasure, and will last a lifetime if looked after properly.