Saltillo Tile Floors: Sealed or Unsealed? Mapei 2-1/2 to 1 Professional Saltillo Tile Grout is designed to fill large grout joints that are usually associated with absorbent terracotta tile, such as Mexican, Brazilian and Spanish tiles. This type of “de agua” tile is usually called “paper back” Saltillo tile. While drying on the ground, before firing, the tiles are constantly watched and edges that might warp upward are tamped down with a heavy rubber instrument. To ensure you have enough material for your project we recommend adding an extra 10% to cover necessary cuts and accidental breaks or spills during installation. The excessive clay in the mold is scraped off with a board. A clear shine on your saltillo tiles will allow the true beauty of the saltillo to show. When this method is used, part of the ground sticks to the cracks of the tiles and the tiles should be thoroughly brushed before installation to prevent bond failure. You will find small chips, cracks, and bumps. Use … The alkali in clay when fired becomes, “quicklime.” Quicklime (remember your high school chemistry?) is an unstable molecule. Following is information about Saltillo tile, which we feel should be provided to you so that you will know exactly what you are buying and/or selling. Your saltillo tile sealer will most likely turn white and hazy, dull, and begin to peel. Tolerance guidelines also vary by state. When the Saltillo clay is mixed with water, less water is used than in the “de agua” method. “Pueblo” Saltillo tile is made by filling the mold with wet clay and pressing it with a hand press. Saltillo sizes range from 4" to 20" in shapes and sizes. To make Saltillo tile more of a taupe or brown color, a powder is added to the clay when it is mixed with water before the tile is made. This paper burns off when the tiles are fired. If they grouted with a standard cementitous grout you might be able to use an acidic cleaner made my a company specifically for cleaning grout haze off of tiles. …What is it? Because of some contractor’s continuous quest to avoid a drying time between grouting the tile and sealing and finishing the tile,Mexican Tile & Stone sells Saltillo tile that has been pre-sealed. Hexagon Porcelain Tile, High Variation Vinyl & Resilient Flooring. Remove excess. Select 1/8" 3/16" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 7/16" 9/16" 5/8" 3/4" 1" 1 1/4" 2 3/8" 3 1/8" Grout Joint Width. Its character will also change over time. It is fired to a very high temperature, which results in a very hard, durable tile. We strive for QUALITY material at all times and have always manufactured from only two families who have always produced beautiful tile and are prompt with deliveries. Allow drying until it begins to set and wipe away the excess grout… What to keep in mind when considering Saltillo tile. Many other suppliers buy their tile from little independent tile makers who dig their clay out of riverbeds and do not sift it…so you can imagine what else might be mixed in with the clay! The most common molecule with which this quicklime reacts is found in atmospheric moisture (humidity, not water.) 2-1/2 to 1 can be used in joint widths from 3/8" to 3/4" (10 to 19 mm) in both interior and exterior conditions. Saltillo tile is usually slightly higher in the center than around the edges. Mexican Tile and Stone Company imports the best hand-made Saltillo tile on today’s market (as described on page 1.) The quicklime particles grow when exposed to humidity. There is a lot of moisture involved in installing and grouting a Saltillo tile floor: Thinset mortar used to install the tile is mixed with water. Heat is heat, much like a gas or electric stove. The theory behind this is that grouting will be easier and drying time reduced. Unsealed Saltillo tile is porous and will absorb water. The wooden frame has a wooden bottom in it, so it is more of a mold than a frame. Saltillo Tile never goes out of style! Little tiny pinhead sized lime pops are not a problem because they mostly will disappear when the floor is sealed, but large particles in unsifted, unclean clay can really be ugly. However when we are cleaning Saltillo tile… Apply 1-2 coats of Glaze`N Seal Ole® Sealer (a water-based acrylic sealer) as a pre-seal/grout-release. Saltillo Tile floor restoration in action by the pros at Arizona Tile and Grout Care. It is not made anywhere in Europe either. Ask about our sealer- it works and there are many that don’t. Quality Saltillo tile when properly sealed is the most “kick-around” floor in the world…it acts just like a floor should. 18-Month Special Financing Available 2/22/21 – 3/30/21. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. This scraped side becomes the bottom of the tile. Unfortunately, because of the great demand in today’s market for Saltillo tile, there is a large amount of Saltillo tile out there, which is made with “unclean” clay. To ask a question, see the Header for "Ask Saltillo Joe", Available in Terracotta, Manganese, and Old Colonial, Copyright 2021, Mexican Tile and Stone. Wooden frames are placed on the ground and the very wet clay is patted into them by hand.   |  BackOffice | Photo Admin | Site Map. It is not made in Nogales, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Tecate, Mexicali, Mexico City, or in any other city in Mexico. Saltillo tile was developed in Mexico and is commonly used in Southwest architecture and design. Use a grout float and apply the grout to the space between the tiles. Before you begin cleaning your Saltillo Tile floors, it’s important to know whether they are sealed or unsealed. Sealing will prolong character change, but is not full proof. A lesser quality Saltillo floor can be very unsightly from excessive lime pops. Mexican Tile and Stone Company’s suppliers excavate their clay from an area, which is free of river bottom junk, however, a natural occurrence in clay is alkali. 50lb. If you are lucky, you might even find a few animal footprints in your tile! Note: The use of any Acid on a Saltillo floor causes lime pops to be much worse…never use Muriatic Acid or vinegar on a tile floor of any kind! Grout should be applied to the tile within 1 hour … Width. Jun 28, 2020 - different Terracotta Tile projects done in different cities as well as DIY tips and hacks, terracotta diy ideas, terracotta tile patios, decks, and spanish style decor. Aggressive scrub pads and aggressive scrub brushes can be used on Saltillo without scratching the tiles. …What about pre-sealed vs pre-finished Saltillo tile? Sometimes you may see some black swirls from the added powder. Hand-made, “Regular” Saltillo Tile: This is the original Saltillo tile. Grout according to grout manufacturer directions. The “De Agua” Method: This is the original method of making hand-made Saltillo tile. Mexican Tile and Stone Company uses Arizona guidelines. /tile-grout-installation-materials/mapei-2-1-2-to-1-professional-saltillo-tile-grout-100236165.html, Keystone Random Width Water-Resistant Laminate, Park City Random Width Water-Resistant Laminate, Honey Hickory II Hand Scraped Engineered Hardwood, Creme Blend Matte 2 in. Yes, and only indoors should get a shine, and as mentioned above, periodically maintained. “Old Colonial” Saltillo Tile: This tile comes in Standard Terracotta and in Moreno colors. Although the tile requires sealing as part of the installation, if the sealing is done properly the first time and with the correct products, the process should only require routine maintenance. Dilute the stain 3 cups of water to 1 cup of stain to keep it from streaking and going on to heavy where it looks painted (NOTE: add more water if the stain’s still heavier then you would prefer) … …Does it have to be sealed? Normally if you pre-seal the Saltillo Tiles it will act as a bond breaker to make it easier to clean the tiles after grouting. Due to the quantity of your order, please contact Customer Care at 877-675-0002 to complete your purchase. Veer off the beaten path and we might call you a fellow hippy. The original source of heat used for firing Saltillo tile was burning rubber tires. The type of fuel used for firing does not directly affect the color of the tile. Saltillo Grout Mix A pre-blended mixture of Portland cement, silica sand and pigments which eliminates the measuring and guesswork of site mixing or combining additional sand to conventional Portland cement … After the tiles are clean and dry, apply 1 to 2 coats of grout release to the tile surface. Rinsing also removes residual dust that otherwise weakens the mortar bond. Allow to dry 24 hours or more before grouting. While the tile is still in the mold, a little loose clay is sprinkled on the scraped side to prevent the tile from sticking to the ground while it dries. When staining Saltillo tile or terracotta tile … Wipe in a circular motion or at a diagonal to the grout … The topcoat should only wear off the floor, and as sealer goes into the tile and as the floor ages, the less top coating it will require. When we are faced with cleaning a Saltillo tile floor, we use a tool called a tile spinner for our rinsing. Paper back saltillo has a smooth, non-dusty, back surface. Step 2 If the stain is resistant, you can make a … The fire is started at the bottom of the cave and fuel is added to increase the heat until the proper temperature is reached. The difference is the pre-sealed tile does not have the finish product applied to it. The tiles are stacked in the caves (kilns) on end, slightly overlapping so that they will not fall over. Once again, remember that Saltillo tile of any shape, size, or edge detail is only as good as the clay that it was made from; and, although it may be true that some distributors’ tile varies in quality between the hand-made tiles and the pressed rounded edge tiles, that is not the case at Mexican Tile and Stone Company. Old colonial Saltillo is a perfect compromise between smooth Saltillo and the upside-down rough Saltillo. The tiles should be thoroughly cleaned prior to grouting. The quality of hand-made Saltillo tile is only as good as the clay it’s made with, and Mexican Tile and Stone Company’s tile is ALL made with clean clay! As you know, fire will not burn without oxygen, and at sometime during the firing process all of the available oxygen in the atmosphere in the cave is used up. This tool is utilized while the new tiles are wet and because of the shape of the cutting edge, the edges are forced to slightly turn down. Also, when this method is used, the outside edges of the tiles tend to turn up (because of the action of lifting up the frame,) making them easier to tip over. Over the years, we have stressed the importance of quality material to our customers. Be sure tile is clean and dry … Use only cleaners recommended by your tile supplier. The range of color is light to dark brown. The tiles are dried in the sun (if it rains, the process is delayed). Dropping a heavy object on the floor might chip Saltillo tile (or any other tile.) Contrasting color. Fill two buckets with the water. “Moreno” Saltillo Tile: The word “Moreno”, means "Tanned or Dark". You … After the edges are trimmed, the tops of the tiles are smoothed with wet hands to leave them nicely finished. Select 1/16" 1/8" 3/16" 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" Thickness. Like most tile flooring, saltillo tile … “De Agua” in English means “by water.” In this method of making the tile, the natural clay is mixed with water to a very wet, almost pourable consistency. Powered By: iDEAL Focus To preserve the life of the Saltillo tile … Each piece of standard Saltillo tile is made individually by hand with no modern machinery involved. You will find fewer chips on the edges of the “Pueblo” Saltillo tile, so if you are looking for a Saltillo tile which appears less rustic, consider the Pueblo tile. Saltillo tiles are porous and must be rinsed to keep them from absorbing moisture from the mortar too quickly. Total Bags Needed. Before firing, the opening to the kiln is sealed with clay to prevent heat from escaping. Cleaning up an occasional spill is easy, and exterior sealers do help ease maintenance, even if the exterior installation is under a cover. Don't lay saltillo directly on layout lines as you would ceramic tile … …What are lime pops? Step 2: Apply thin set mortar. Glide the float over the tiles pushing the grout into the spaces. Saltillo tiles are handmade clay floor tiles made in saltillo… Remember, you don’t maintain your tile; you maintain your sealer and topcoat. Step 5: Grout Tiles. Also learn the best way to clean tile. The light buff color in the tile is the area that was flashed; the peach color in the tile is the area, which is shielded from the flame by other tiles. Whether or not a color additive is added to the clay during the manufacturing process (see the section on Moreno Saltillo tile.). …Does it require a lot of maintenance? When moisture is trapped in the tile, it creates problems such as surface discoloration. The quality of the tile is partly determined by how “clean” the clay was before the tile was made. Sprinkle the surface with the powder cleanser, then rub the stain gently with a damp cloth or sponge. This is a natural element; manganese dioxide, not an artificial colorant, which permanently alters the color of the tiles. When no space remains, the tile will not break. We hope you enjoy your Saltillo tile floor! What is the size of your project in square feet? After the tile dries in the sun, it is picked up and placed in the cave/kiln for firing. Wood is now used to start the process. Pre-finished Saltillo tile is a gamble at best and Mexican Tile and Stone Company recommends installing pre-sealed tile. Mexican Tile and Stone Company’s Answers To Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Saltillo Tile…A Low Maintenance Floor! Sometimes a green hue is apparent from the firing process. Some even consider it lucky to find foot or paw prints in a tile, which probably happened while the tiles … Next, determine your cleaning agent. There is a lot of inferior quality hand-made Saltillo tile out there, so be very careful. What in the world, you might ask, is “clean clay?” Our suppliers who make good Saltillo tile excavate clay from pure clay deposits in the high banks of the river and then sift it thoroughly in a huge machine before making the tile. In the past few years, a variety of fuels have also been used, such as propane, diesel, crude petroleum, etc. It’s easier to clean Saltillo tile with a string mop because these floors traditionally have wide grout joints. Sweep the Saltillo tiles thoroughly with a broom to remove any loose dirt or dust. In order to eliminate the loose clay on the ground from clinging to the back of the tiles, newspaper sometimes is placed on the ground under the wet tiles. After sealing the stained tiles and grout with a gloss sealer finish, the results … well that’s why we use pictures and videos. However, preservation should be considered. After you have scrubbed away all of the dirt and grime then you should thoroughly … What Causes Color Variations in Saltillo Tile? …Is it Soft? Clay Imports is here to help your make your beautiful terra-cotta tile shine for years to come. The tile pre-sealed does allow a homeowner or contractor to install and grout with ease and still allows the tile to cure more openly than a pre-finished tile. You will be notified via email when the item arrives. Properly Sealed exterior Saltillo tile is not slippery. Clean as you grout to minimize water contact on tile. No. Rinse clean with water and hand dry. This is not true at Mexican Tile and Stone Company, where all of the Saltillo tile is good. (The same mixture is used in the manufacturing of the “de golpe” hand-made tile) The molds used in the manufacturing of this type of Saltillo tiles cause the tiles to have rounded edges, rather than the square edges of the hand-made Saltillo tile. Look closely at the tiles and the grout … Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. There is a section in the Ceramic Tile and Stone Association’s “Specification Guide,” (used by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors’ for ceramic tile) which outlines Saltillo tile and the allowable tolerances for lime pops. Our expert design professionals are here to help, for free. The color of sealed Saltillo tile blends wonderfully with the color of earthtones and landscape. This method also makes the tile slightly denser. With the rounded edge, a tile installed a ½ inch apart at the bottom of the joint may end up with ¾ to 1-inch grout at the surface of the tile. This still allows your floor to cure and the final finish will complete your installation and seal your grout at the same time. You have to see those to understand! Even though Saltillo tile is one of the most serviceable and widely accepted floor coverings in the southwest, it can be problematic if it was made with unclean clay! The tile is primitive. During installation, care should be taken to make sure that no space is left between the tile and the sub-floor. Much of this water is absorbed into the porous sides and bottoms of the tile and must be allowed to dry through the surface of the tile. Presealed tile is not 100% finished. It has a gently brushed finish, giving it an antique, classic European appearance. Reapplications will dry in 60 minutes. Step 3: Place the first tile. When a concrete slab cracks, cracks will extend up through any tile, including granite! The mold is turned upside down and the tile drops to the ground where it dries in the sun before firing. Please call us, or stop by, if you have any questions! There is a lot of moisture involved in installing and grouting a Saltillo tile floor: Cutting the tile requires a wet-saw. You may hear from other tile companies that, “Saltillo tile is no good.” This is because so many companies have recently imported bad tile without knowing the good from the bad due to the great demand in this market. It has been in great demand for over 50 years in the Arizona market and the demand grows! In comparison to other natural hand-made clay tiles from Mexico, it is much harder. Because of the rustic nature of Saltillo tile, a little sealer over the chip will blend that area successfully with the rest of the floor. The term “de golpe” in English means “by pounding.” The clay and water mixture is moldable rather than pourable. (This type of tile does not need to be brushed before installation, as very little loose clay will cling to the bottom.) Mexican Tile and Stone Company’s supplier uses a tool which we call a “cookie cutter” to trim the edges of the “de agua” tile, to reduce the chances of the edges turning up. Consider a contrasting color if you’re installing a fun saltillo tile … See what others are doing in spanish design and get inspired as I update this with new projects to let you see whats trending and in style. The tile is made from natural clay deposits from that region which is one of the finest natural clay deposits in the world. If the square tile is installed with a ½ inch joint between each tile on the bottom of the tile, the width of the grout joint at the top of the tile will also be a ½ inch, because the edges are straight up and down. Saltillo tile is a hand-made, rustic, unglazed floor tile that is made in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Pre-sealed tiles are less likely to trap moisture as sealers breathe better than finishes. http://www.AsktheBuilder.com founder, Tim Carter, demonstrates using a common plastic bag to grout Mexican Tile. THANK YOU! Hand-made Saltillo tile is made in two different ways as described below: The rustic elegance is versatile for all interiors and also provides a nice slip resistant surface for exterior applications. Saltillo Tile Installation Process. Absolutely not! Thinset mortar used to install the tile is mixed with water. Because of the rounded edges, the grout joints will always be wider at the surface of the tile than the grout joints of the square edged tile. Saltillo tile is an unglazed clay floor tile made in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.

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