Mexico is world reknown for its skillful artisans in a wide variety of fields. Mexican writer Alberto Ruy Sanchez Lacy called Mexican tile a "chosen skin". Tiles have embellished numerous public and private spaces thoughout Mexico. A glimpse anywhere in Mexico, particularly in the central states, shows the widespread use of talavera tiles decorating a broad range of spaces from kitchens, fountains, facades, interiors of luxurious hacienda homes to churches. It is through traditional artifacts, such as handcrafted tiles, that one can perceive an artisan’s sensibility, and creativity. Handcrafted ceramic tile is a rooted cultural heritage in Mexico, since its practice of making it began in the late sixteen century, around 1570 and 1573. Mexican ceramic tiles have actively played a distinguished role as an important utilitarian and decorative element in Mexican architecture.
Mexican tile is functional, beautiful, and practical, it provides a long lasting wall or surface that is easy to care and maintain. You can install Mexican tiles in virtually any area you want to enjoy their warm and beauty.
The tiles are made from clay dug out of the ground and fired to a temperature at which the clay undergoes chemical changes and becomes permanently hard. Then the tile is glazed and decorated by hand, and fired once again to give it its final and lively finish. Its physical characteristics make Mexican tiles particularly attractive and distinctive. Mexican tiles are concave (not perfectly flat). They are characterized as unique, irregular, functional, and expressive.
4¼ x 4¼ Double Surface Bullnose: Cobalt Blue Talavera Mexican Tile
Specifications | Description |
Size | Due to handmade nature, tiles may vary by up to ¼ in. Sizes are nominal; meaning that sizes vary from the actual. |
Body | Red body bisque, irregular and concave (not perfectly flat). |
Crazed Effect | Crazing effect refers to small cracks on the surface of a tile, characteristic which is inherent and may be visible before and/or after installation. However, over time this attribute may become more prominent or can be enhanced by using a contrasting colored grout. |
Tile Thickness | All our standard 4x4 in. Talavera tiles have a 1/4 in. thickness. Larger and smaller tiles may vary in thickness accordingly. |
Applications | Suitable for all interiors of residential and commercial wall applications. Light-use flooring as accents or as a border to define an area. If used in moist areas, apply a penetrating sealer which forms an invisible barrier that is resistant to moisture and stains while allowing vapor to escape. Outdoor use is subject to climate. Talavera tiles are NOT frost proof. |
Recommended Grout Type and Width | 1/4 in. grout line suggested. Use sanded grout when doing grout lines of 1/4 in. or more; and non-sanded grout when less than 1/4 in. We recommend to seal tile before grouting and to seal grout after installation. For further advice, contact your professional tile installer. |
Color, Size and Design Variation | Slight variations are expected for all Talavera Tiles. For instance, size, color and design are all likely to vary due to the hand made process. Please note shades of color are seen differently on computer monitors and therefore customers should request a sample before making a final selection or purchase. Lot variation in size and color may be present from shipment to shipment. There is no guarantee that tiles ordered as add-ons will match those from the original orders. |
Installation Recommendations | Lay out material prior to installation to properly blend and balance color. Due to size variation, we recommend to shuffle thru tile or several boxes before installation. The application of a penetrating sealer is recommended in accordance with the sealer manufacturer’s instructions to further enhance the durability of the tile. Note: Always perform a sample test on an inconspicuous area, before applying the sealer on an entire tiled surface. |
Care Recommendations | Clean with mild cleanser and damp cloth, do not use abrasive cleaners. |
How Much Extra Tile to Order | Industry standard recommends adding on 5-10% additional tile to the tile needed to account for waste, special cuts, or other unforeseen problems. This is particularly important in complex installations. Specially with diagonal patterns. |
How to Order Tile Samples | You may order samples online or by phone. Sample must be purchased and shipping charges apply. When ordering samples please keep in mind there is no guarantee tile samples will match future orders do to the handmade process. |