All about Terra Green

Terra Green Ceramics currently offers two series of recycled glass tile: Terra Traffic and Terra Classic with a wide range of trim to choose from. Both are manufactured with 55% recycled glass content, which is resourced from many areas of the country. Bulk glass is retrieved and shipped into Tennessee and then processed in a ball mill to our specification. The glass generally comes from many sources, and requirements are that it be as heavy and clear as possible. Usually the type of glass would be retrieved from windshields, plate windows and even NASA in some cases. The majority of the glass is post-industrial with some coming from post-consumer waste. The appearance and characteristics of each series is quite unique.

Terra Traffic is a beautiful and enduring tile crafted to retain its finish for years of use. Terra Traffic’s through-body color is designed to provide exceptional durability in high-traffic areas. It is recommended for all residential and commercial applications and is available in 21 designer colors. A selection of three finishes is available: Smooth (standard), Textured and Abrasive. Terra Traffic is fire-sealed with DuraFloor II a proprietary formulation of Terra Green Ceramics. DuraFloor II’s clear firing ingredients fuse into the tile body creating a dirt-resistant, maintenance-efficient barrier while enriching the tile’s appearance with a semi-gloss, fire-sealed finish. Keep in mind also that all Traffic Tile meet minimum coefficient of friction of .83 wet and .87 dry.

Terra Classic was developed to fill a unique niche in the Residential and light Commercial market, i.e; that of a unique, one of a kind beautifully shaded material combined with coordinating decorative and trim pieces available for the discriminating consumers who desire incomparable elegance with hand made craftsmanship. Sealants are not required with this product due to its glazed non-porous surface. Terra Classic is available in 22 earthy natural and jewel tone colors.

The manufacturer process of Terra Green Ceramics begins with blended raw materials consisting mostly of recycled glass, clays, sand and feldspar, which is extruded to thickness and cut to size. The tile is then sent through an accumulator where it is time- loaded into the kiln for firing. Terra Green Ceramics uses a single, fast fire process using natural gas in both the dryers and the kiln. The fired product is then boxed and ready for customer orders. This entire process from beginning to end takes less than 4 hours. Terra Traffic meets or exceeds ANSI 137.1 specifications for paver tiles.

There are two major areas of in- house recycling as well. At the press line, there are two catch conveyors and one throwback conveyor, which accumulate material and send it back to the pugs for re-processing. There is also a glaze re-claimer at the spray line which, when running glazed tiles, separates the glaze from the water and allows the clean water to run back through the system and creates a powder-like form of glaze that can be disposed of without sending it through the sewer system. Terra Green Ceramics does not use any type of glaze or materials that may have hazardous or toxic content.

Our goal at Terra Green Ceramics is to provide a unique, quality product to the consumer who is interested in maintaining a healthy, green environment and at the same time, provide that same unique, quality product to the conscientious buyer who is looking for style, design flexibility, depth of color and ease of maintenance and durability. Because no two production runs are the same, care should be taken to order enough extra materials to cover any future alterations or repairs that may be necessary in the years to come. Shade variation between trim, field and decorative pieces vary widely at times to contribute to the overall installation.