How is Saltillo like?

Need Source for Mexican Saltillo Tiles, approx 18" x 12"

• I need to buy a few thousand square feet of rectangular hand made sealed saltillo tiles, approximately 18" x 12". (We were in a relatively new home last week that used them. The tiles were definitely authentic, because several had animal footprints in them. Unfortunately, the builder has moved away and I can't ask him.) I know that the rectangular saltillos of the size we're looking for are somewhat unuusual. We're in San Diego and can easily travel into Mexico to buy them if necessary (and cheaper).

• Answer:

  GoogleSaltilloTile Hello sdchap, After calling numerous local tile dealers, I was able to locate a company that will special order your tile. The company, Tanner Materials, is located at 10201 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85021-1909 Phone 602-943-9868 No other dealer with whom I spoke knew of where to obtain 12”x18” Saltillo tile. I just spoke to Mr. Jim Tanner, who told me this would be a special order, and it will take 12 weeks once the order is placed. The cost will be roughly $2.69 per tile. If you were to pick them up in Phoenix, I believe it would be roughly a 6 hour drive. (You pass a wonderful In and Out Hamburgers in Indio, off of I-10, making it worth your while!) I also sent 3 e-mails to companies in Saltillo, Mexico to see if they could supply you with tile. I have not had good luck getting responses from this type of request, but if I do, I will post them. About the pre-sealed issue: Mr. Tanner is not the only tile dealer that told me buying pre-sealed is a bad idea. I called 8 tile dealers in the Phoenix area, all of them told me, unanimously “Do NOT buy pre-sealed tile” . Saltillo tile is very porous, and will absorb water, both from the grout, and the thinset mortar applied to the floor, under the tiles. If the tiles are pre-sealed when installed, the water will not be able to evaporate, and the earth salts will rise, possibly leaving white salt stains, or efflorescence on the tile. (More on this below) Some tile makers do “seal” the tiles with a silicon impregnator, but this is not considered a true sealer, and they will need to be sealed, the same as tiles without the silicon. Never the less, some dealers do sell pre-sealed tile. The site below states that pre-sealed tile is a time saver, and a convenience. My sources recommend against it. http://www.ictmexico.com/saltfaqs.html#What%20are%20the%20advantages%20buying%20Saltillo%20tile%20pre “Saltillo is often custom colored with a stain that can wear off or be harmed. Saltillo is very porous and is sun dried instead of fire-hardened like ceramic tiles. Efflorescence is common with saltillo tile. Efflorescence is the wicking up of salts within the tiles when unfinished tile gets wet” http://www.baneclene.com/stonetech.html Super vs. regular saltillo Regular Saltillo has square edges and corners and is the best selection for the person who likes the more rustic lookof handmade clay tiles. It has lots of character or as we say, it is "perfectly imperfect". Super Saltillo on the other hand has a smoother surface rounded corners and edges, yet retains all the beauty and soft shading of the natural clay colors. They are molded differently but fired in the same kiln and are made of the same clay. http://www.ictmexico.com/saltfaqs.html#What%20are%20the%20advantages%20buying%20Saltillo%20tile%20pre The entire sealing process is covered, with pictures here: http://ronhazelton.com/html/421a.html Sealing saltillo tile: http://www.steamwaynf.com/saltillo.htm More on Saltillo tiles: http://www.johnbridge.com/Saltillo%20Tiles.htm Read about the paw prints here: http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/saltillo_soul.html I hope this works out for you. I, like tlspiegel-ga, love the look of Saltillo tile. I have another type of rustic tile, and never want to go back to carpet again, as my allergies greatly improved when we tiled the house. One aside, I saw paw prints for the first time in a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. I was told by our waitress that they were highly prized, and purported to be lucky. A few years later, on a trip to Sonorita, Mexico, I saw a family urging their dog to run over their freshly poured tile “beds”. I then realized, that “Lucky” may have been the name of the family dog! If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an answer clarification, and I will respond. Regards, crabcakes-ga