forage terrazzo | metal | square

do i need to seal forage terrazzo tiles?
 
forage terrazzo has an initial water resistant protectant, therefore applying additional sealant or a grout release prior to grouting isn’t required when using flexcolor cq grout.
grout lines and the tile surface must always be sealed as the final step of installation. 
for installations in wet areas we recommend application of a waterproof, penetrating sealer. 
 
for more information about sealing please see our forage terrazzo installation & maintenance guides.

do you offer trim for your forage terrazzo tiles?
 
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
 
- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
- a visible stone tile edge can be honed to make the side match the main surface of the tile.
- if you have a painted surface next to your tile, you can choose to paint the outer edge of the tile to match the painted surface.
- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.

for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.

how do i take care of my forage terrazzo tiles?
 
the cement based terrazzo tiles are chemically sensitive so only mild pH neutral cleaners should be used. soapless cleaners are preferred because they minimize streaks and film. clean up spills immediately and use a damp mop to mop lightly soiled floors with
a neutral cleaner. sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage to stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. interior wall installations can be cleaned with warm water and damp microfiber cloth. grout lines can be cleaned with warm water and a nonmetal bristled cleaning brush.
 
over time, a natural patina will occur on floors as they are maintained and naturally wear. 
 
see our forage terrazzo installation & maintenance guide for suggested burnishing schedule, recoating requirements and more detailed cleaning advice.

what type of finish should i expect with this collection?
 
our forage terrazzo tiles come with a honed smooth surface with slightly beveled edge. the tiles are also applied with an initial protectant, 3m scotchgard stone floor protector, for high traction as well as for stain and scratch protection.

what types and levels of variation and imperfections should i expect?
 
with the forage terrazzo collection you will find a honed surface with extreme color variation derived from natural aggregate set in a cement base. you can also expect to find some texture and size variation in the tiles of your order. due to the heavy color and shade variations, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing.

tiles may be exposed to moisture and/or condensation during production or shipping which may affect the color of the tiles once received.  setting tiles out to dry prior to installation will return return the color to normal. 
 
variation and imperfection ratings:
 
forage terrazzo tiles are rated 'level 4 heavy' for color variation, 'level 1 smooth' for texture variation, and 'level 1 slight for size variation.
 
see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation & imperfections guide.

how will my forage terrazzo samples compare to my actual order?
 
as noted in the variation and add on orders sections of our faq, color and size variation between production batches of forage terrazzo, in addition to variation from tile to tile, is to be expected given the handcrafted nature of the product. this makes it unlikely that your sample will be a perfect match with your actual order.

what should i expect with my order of forage terrazzo?
 
forage terrazzo pieces come packed face to face and back to back with an application of wax strips applied to one face of each of the face to face tiles. the wax strips can easily be removed with a plastic putty knife or similar. dust and residue from shipping should be cleaned prior to installing.

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?
 
industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs.

Forage Terrazzo tiles feature extreme color variation derived from natural aggregate set in a cement base.  If these features do not fit your project's needs, we recommend ordering 20-30% overage.  This will allow your installer to cherry-pick the tiles more desirable for your project.

for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.

clé recommends a ¹/₈" grout joint with this collection.

clé recommends using mortar and sanded cementitious grout that comply with the ANSI A118 or ISO 13007 classifications suitable for your project. Please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations.

grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. however, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. and due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles:

first, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.

next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.

lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). during that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.

for more information about grouting please see our forage terrazzo material guidelines.

square - 24" x 24" x ⅝"
square - 12" x 12" x ½"
rectangle - 12" x 24" x ⅝"
sample size - 3" x 6" x ½"

disclaimer: please note all dimensions are nominal. additionally, dimensions between tiles can vary +/- ⅛".