What is Saltillo Tile & What Colors Are Available?
Saltillo tile is a type of terracotta tile that are handcrafted from durable clay that only exists in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. The quarried clay is scooped from the earth and mixed with water. The tiles are shaped by pressing the clay into a wooden frame or carving the desired shape. They are then dried in the sun and fired in a kiln. These tiles can have all sorts of unique details because they are dried in the sun. You may just have prints from animals! Saltillo tile can vary in color and shape, but most range from varying hues of reds, oranges and yellows. Brown colored tiles are also an option. Shapes include: octagon, hexagon, rectangular, square and other decorative shapes.
Pros of Saltillo Tile
Saltillo tiles are environmentally friendly because they are an all-natural product; clay. This makes them feel soft on your feet. They will feel much warmer on bare feet in the winter versus ceramic tiles, but cool and comfortable in the summer. Because they are made of clay and are softer than ceramic tile they will need to be sealed. If you want them to look shiny, they will need to be re-sealed, but they will also look great if you allow them to wear naturally. Re-seal every year or two and you may only need to re-seal in high traffic areas.
Caring for Saltillo Tile
Saltillo tiles are highly porous and can soak liquids in easily. They don’t have a glaze on them like most other ceramic tiles. Once installed, they can stain and scuff easily if they are not sealed and cared for properly. The good news is that saltillo tiles are easy to care for and they hide dirt well. The coloring of these tiles means that your floor may be dirty, and no one would know it! Most of the time just a quick vacuuming or sweeping is all it takes to have them looking great. When they get dirty or sticky, all that’s needed is a mop with water and vinegar. Sweep or vacuum before you mop. This will pick up loose dirt and debris and prevent it from scratching the tiles as you mop. Use 1-part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. This is a gentle way to clean Saltillo tiles without removing the sealant. Mix the solution and have another bucket with plain warm water. You will need both buckets to mop correctly. Wring the mop slightly before you start. These tiles are porous and too much water can damage them. After each pass you should rinse the mop with the plain water to make sure you’re not putting too much vinegar on the tiles. Once you’re done, rinse the mop out and mop again with plain water to clear away any remaining dirt and residue.
Man Made Tile & Grout Cleaning, Polishing Sealing & More in Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
The colors of Saltillo tiles can brighten any room and can give your home a uniquely attractive look. Keep them looking fabulous and contact Silver State Floor Restoration to clean and seal them today.
