Saltillo Tiles are terra-cotta tiles from Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. This is one of the two most famous products in the city, the other is the colorful wicker of sarapes that is very distinctive in this region. Saltillo type tiles are now produced in many places in Mexico, and the fiery "Saltillo look" tiles, many from Italy, compete with the original terra-cotta
Saltillo tiles vary in color and shape, but the majority range from a variety of reds, oranges and yellows. The tiles are formed either by pressing the clay dug by the wooden frame (super), or carving the desired shape (ordinary). Depending on the placement of raw tiles between other tiles at the time of shooting, the color ranges from yellow to rich orange.
Saltillo tiles are very porous, and soak in the liquid easily. Unlike most ceramic tiles, there is no glaze on the top surface of the tile. This is difficult to install because it absorbs water from a thin pencil, grout, fat pencil, etc. Once placed, the stains and blisters are easy if not sealed and maintained with a quality sealant. Saltillo may be a poor choice for outdoor installations in frozen-freezing climates, although it is a popular choice in warm climates. During the installation of the tiles should be handled with care to avoid any stains that can even occur from the body oil on the hands of the installer.
The preferred method for installation is always related to its tendency to soak in the liquid. One method involves immersing tiles in water, setting tiles with thin mortar, grouting, then sealing both saltillo and grout with a quality surface sealant. However, using this method can cause grout to stick to the saltillo tile surface, making it impossible to remove. This method is NOT recommended to do alone.
Other methods involve soaking the tiles, setting the tiles then letting them dry, sealing the tiles, then grouting. This method prevents grout from sticking to the tile.
You may ask if it is possible to seal only the top of the tiles before setting... the problem is that the tile immersion allows to tie more firmly with a mortar, and you may not want to seal the tiles, then soak them in water.
The translucent sealant will retain the natural look of the tiles. You should periodically test the seal by placing a few drops of water over the tiles in various places. If water is absorbed, then another sealant layer should be applied.
Other surface sealants can give a glossy look to the tiles. When the tile loses its luster, another layer is applied over the old sealant. If the end result becomes too shabby or uneven, then it can be stripped and use a new layer. But this option is very labor intensive.
In addition, other sealant layers can be used on saltillo and grout tiles. Although the price is cheap, saltillo is very expensive to install. A professional with experience in Saltillo will charge $ 4.50 to $ 6.00 per square foot for installation, depending on your location.
Treatments for saltillo include: coating them with a surface sealant before installing (as mentioned before), applying a mixture of flaxseed oil and paint thinners, applying natural stone color enhancers, applying a floor hardener, applying luster, painting it with a water base. paint, coat with wood dye, etc. Because this tile is very porous it will easily absorb almost any liquid. Please note that each of these treatments can be used on tiles, but some of them such as sealeant penetration, enhancers or linseed oil treatments penetrate into the tiles and may affect the ability of subsequent coatings to adhere to the tiles. Ultra-durable, water-based polyurethane makes an excellent coating to add to the slip resistance, beautiful appearance and protection from penetrating stains. Look for a polyurethane coating that does not have a VOC for maximum environmental friendliness.
Saltillo tiles can be sealed with translucent sealants or films that form sealants (coatings). The film-forming sealant will leave the film on the tile surface. With multiple layers of film will build protective film and gloss that can even repel water, oil, fat and crystallization. A quality acrylic sealant should be used as it will be easy to apply, non-yellowing and durable. High quality acrylic floor polish can be applied on sealed surface to add abrasion and wear protection.
Sealed sealed finish should be maintained for best results. For routine cleaning use a neutral cleanser to mop the wet floor (never flood the floor sealed with water). Turn the polish back on if the area starts showing wear and tear from time to time. Maintaining the sealant/polish will greatly extend the life of the sealant and minimize the repair requirement.
Video Saltillo tile
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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