11½ x 11½ Unsealed Regular Saltillo Square Edges - Terra Cotta Floor Tile
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- Description
- Specs
- Product Reviews
You may order samples online. Sample must be purchased and shipping charges apply. Please keep in mind sample tiles may vary in color from future orders due to the handmade process.
Saltillo tiles are NOT frost resistant, they should not be used on outdoor installations with potential freezing temperatures.
The Making of Saltillo Floor Tile - Mexican Floor Pavers
The Making of Saltillo Floor Tile - Mexican Floor Pavers
The name of Saltillo in Saltillo tiles is derived from the city of Saltillo, Coahuila in Mexico. Saltillo is renown for its abundant natural resource of clay. This clay is particularly suitable to make Saltillo tile and is only found only in this region of Mexico.
The Saltillo clay has been used for centuries to make Saltillo tiles, it is greatly appreciated by those who like the ambience of warm of Mexican hacienda style, Mediterranean style, or California style homes.
The process of creating Saltillo tiles is similar to the old-world tradition of making tiles by hand; which is preserved and continues to this day in Saltillo.
The unique clay and the process gives Saltillo tile a unique, random, natural look which is what makes Saltillo tiles so popular.
Raw Saltillo tiles can appear rather plain, but after installation, grouting, and sealing they are very attractive, easy to maintain and will virtually last forever.
All Saltillo tiles must be sealed in order to preserve their beauty. We recommend to use a high quality penetrating sealer such as 511 Impregnator or 511 Porous Plus from Miracle Sealants Company.
511 Porous Plus is a penetrating sealer designed for the protection of the most porous surfaces. 511 Porous Plus forms an invisible barrier that is resistant to moisture and stains while allowing vapor to escape. 511 Porous Plus is not a surface coating and will not alter the natural look. All surfaces are harder and less slippery. Therefo511 Porous Plus is highly recommended for all our Mexican terra-cotta floor tiles.
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The clay is extracted from mines that are nearby the hills of Saltillo, Coahuila. Once the clay has been extracted and consolidated in wells it is soaked in water. |
The clay is left soaking in water overnight before it is ready to be transformed into beautiful rustic handcrafted Saltillo floor tiles. |
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A cart wheel is used to bring the Saltillo clay to a working area where it will be transformed into a Saltillo tile bisque. |
Artisans bring some of the clay from clay pool. And make each tile by hand. The artisan makes tiles in sucession and fills rows and rows of handcrafted Saltillo floor tiles. |
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To make Saltillo floor tiles the clay is placed in individual wooden molds. |
And an artisan spreads the Saltillo clay with his hands. |
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The creation of each Mexican handcrafted floor paver involves a laborious process.The artisan makes sure the mold is well covered with an even thickness of clay. |
The artisan smooths the surface of the handcrafted Saltillo floor terra cotta tile with a piece of wood. |
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Artisans smooth the surface of each handcrafted Saltillo floor tile some more. |
Rows of Saltillo tile pavers dry up under the sun before they are fired in a kiln. |
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Mexican handcrafted floor pavers are piled after they are fired, before they are packed to be shipped. Look for the ocassional bird or coyote footprints marks on handcrafted floor tiles. The variations in shades and colors are unique charateristics of handmade tiles. Handcrafted floor tiles bring warmth and interest to any environment. |
