Ceramic Tile Installation Guide (Handmade Talavera Tile)

A successful ceramic tile installation is highly affected by the installation process. Tierra y Fuego strongly recommends hiring or consulting a skilled professional tile installer, even for small projects.

Installation Recommendations

Handmade ceramic tile may vary in size, color, texture, and finish. Proper preparation helps create a balanced installation and reduces common installation issues such as grout staining, uneven color distribution, or finish damage.

Recommended Installation Steps

Choose a skilled tile installer.
Carefully choose a skilled tile installer with experience installing handmade, decorative, or porous ceramic tile.

Lay out and mix all tile before installation.
Properly lay out the material and strategically mix tiles from all boxes prior to installation. This helps distribute natural variation in color, shade, texture, and size.

Follow manufacturer instructions for all installation products.
Make sure the installer is informed of all procedures and products being used, including sealers, grout releases, grouts, and cleaners that may come into contact with the tile during installation.

Seal tile before grouting.
Seal tiles with a penetrating sealer of your choice prior to grouting. We recommend 511 Impregnator Sealer from Miracle Sealants Company, which is good for low to medium porous surfaces.

Apply grout release before grouting.
Apply a grout release before grouting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This helps protect the tile’s textured surface and reduces grout staining.

Choose grout color carefully.
The color of the grout affects the final appearance of the tile installation. Matching, contrasting, or neutral grout colors each create a different look.

Use the correct grout type.
Use sanded grout for joints greater than 1/4 inch, and non-sanded grout for joints smaller than 3/16 inch. Premixed epoxy grout is not recommended due to its viscosity.

Clean after grout has dried.
After the grout has dried completely, clean tiles with Grout Haze Clean-Up from Aqua Mix if needed.

Allow the tiled area to dry completely.
Allow the entire tiled area to dry completely. Depending on environmental climate, this may take up to 24 hours.

Seal grout lines after installation.
After the installation has been completed, seal grout lines once again with a penetrating sealer.

Important Considerations for Handmade Tile

Handmade Mexican ceramic tile is often more porous and variable than machine-made tile. Its handcrafted character is part of its appeal, but it also requires more thoughtful installation and sealing.

Installation FAQ

Do handmade ceramic tiles need to be sealed?
Yes. Since many handmade ceramic tiles are porous, we recommend sealing them with a penetrating sealer before and after grouting.

Should tiles be mixed before installation?
Yes. Tiles should be blended from multiple boxes before installation to create a balanced distribution of color, shade, texture, and pattern.

Can grout color change the final look?
Yes. Grout color can significantly affect the final appearance of the installation. Matching, neutral, and contrasting grout colors each create a different visual effect.

Is epoxy grout recommended?
Premixed epoxy grout is not recommended due to its viscosity.

When is the tile considered accepted?
Tile should be inspected before installation. Once installed, the product is considered accepted.

Download Installation Guide

For a printable version of these recommendations, download our ceramic tile installation recommendations PDF.

Contact us for help choosing the right handmade Mexican tile for your project.