Tile 101: Sealed Vs Unsealed Saltillo Tiles

Understanding the Differences in Saltillo Tiles

By Clay Imports

Calling Texas and Mexico home, we take pride in crafting our own products through sustainable techniques, upholding a centuries-old tradition, and delivering nothing short of excellence to our clients around the world. Despite being one of the most popular tiles in the market, some may not be familiar with the distinctions between our Natural Terracotta tiles. In this article, we will cover the pros and cons of Sealed vs Unsealed Saltillo tile, give sealing guidelines and tips on how to properly maintain your Saltillo tiles.

Design by Emily Seed Interiors

Traditional Saltillo Tiles in Austin

Handmade Saltillo tiles are an excellent choice for those who appreciate natural-looking design using authentic materials. Clay Imports is the number one distributor of genuine Mexican tiles in Austin, Texas and throughout the U.S. All our Saltillo tiles are handmade in Saltillo, Coahuila, using only clay, water, and fire which guarantees their handmade craftsmanship. These traditional Mexican tiles have adorned homes across the United States and Mexico, and we continuously strive to deliver excellence for all your projects.

Handmade tiles, like our Saltillo tiles, exhibit natural variations, which are inherent traits of the natural materials they are made of. These variations in color, texture and sheen are not defects but rather a natural part of the product and one of the most cherished characteristics when you shop Saltillo tiles. We highly recommend ordering samples before making a final purchase to confirm and appreciate these natural variations are a good fit for your project.

Saltillo tiles are hand pressed terracotta pieces that are sun dried and then fired in an outdoor natural kiln, resulting in a durable but porous material. To ensure the natural porosity of the Saltillo tiles is protected from normal wear and tear we apply sealants to seal in the natural beauty for years to come.

Design by Emily Seed Interiors Architecture by Scharbach Workshop

Pros and cons of Unsealed Saltillo Tiles

Unsealed Saltillo tiles offer the advantage of allowing you to personally select and apply your preferred stain or finish sealant. These tiles are a perfect choice if you aim to match them with an existing Saltillo tile floor. You can opt to stain and seal the unsealed tiles on-site to achieve the closest possible match.

If you're considering unsealed Saltillo tiles due to budget concerns, keep in mind that sealing them on-site can add significant costs. Sometimes, sealing unsealed tiles might end up being just as expensive as installing pre-sealed tiles. It's essential to know that you must seal unsealed Saltillo tiles to prevent dust buildup, water absorption and ensure their long-term durability for your project. Also, sealing natural terracotta tiles is a labor-intensive process and, if done without caution, can lead to potentially permanent staining and streaking of your tile. To keep your tiles in the best shape possible, we have an extensive and easy to follow DIY guide on how to seal unsealed Saltillo tiles.

Due to the complications that may arise from installing unsealed Saltillo tiles, Clay Imports only offers one unsealed terracotta tile: Our most natural and raw tile: Organic Terracotta Tiles. Learn more about this natural terracotta tile in this featured article.

Pros and cons of Sealed Saltillo Tiles

Remember, Saltillo tiles are terracotta pieces that are kiln-cooked and then sun dried, resulting in a durable but porous material. Due to this porosity Clay Imports chooses to seal our tiles once they are dry and fired. Pre-sealed tiles protect the terracotta, making them an excellent choice if you seek a tile that requires less maintenance after installation, while beautifully wearing over time.

Pre-sealed tiles generally have lower maintenance costs than unsealed ones, and they can be installed in high-traffic areas. Always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations before installing your tiles to ensure their longevity.

Even if you choose to use sealed Saltillo tiles, we still strongly recommend applying a Top Coat Sealer to your sealed tiles. Customers often ask why they should add a coat of sealer after installation, especially if their tile is already sealed. First, applying a top coat of sealer on your completed installation will provide additional protection to your grout, helping it maintain its integrity and color. Second, top coat sealers differ from the factory seal on your Saltillo tile, offering an extra layer of protection, particularly beneficial if it's installed in high-traffic areas such as flooring.

Pre-sealed Saltillo tiles are commonly available only in a glossy, brilliant finish and as such, it can limit the kind of top coat finish you can use. At Clay Imports, we provide a range of pre-sealed finishes, including matte, satin, and glossy.

The best quality and variety in Saltillo tiles

All Clay Imports Saltillo tiles are pre-sealed. This not only protects your tiles right out of the box, but also gives you more options while using natural Saltillo tiles in your designs. We offer different types of finishes for your sealed Saltillo tiles:

• Our gloss sealed Saltillo tile is sealed with a shiny reflective finish. This is the most traditional, and durable Saltillo sealer option and the perfect balance between looks and durability: the perfect choice for flooring using Saltillo tiles.
• Our satin sealed Saltillo tile is coated creating a semi gloss finish. This is a sleek option that requires little maintenance and looks incredible on indoor patios and doorways.
• Our matte sealed Saltillo tile is coated creating a raw, but protected finish that keeps the original natural look of the clay. Matte finish may need more maintenance, so we recommend it for low traffic areas.

All Saltillo tiles will develop a patina with time, this patina can look different depending on your application area and maintenance practices. All these sealed tiles are available at Clay Imports in a smooth and antique, distressed, texture.

Smooth Satin Saltillo tiles | Design by Clare Anderson

Smooth features a natural, non-distressed, slightly pillowed surface - the texture you imagine while picturing a sealed terracotta tile! In addition to this option, we have developed another texture for your sealed Saltillo tiles by pressing burlap bags onto our wet tiles, creating a more textured, distressed look. This unique texture, known as Antique, introduces a whole new aesthetic and adds an extra dimension to your projects. Explore our diverse range of shapes, finishes, and textures in our online Saltillo tile catalog.

Textured Saltillo tiles are a distinctive product of Clay Imports

Types of Saltillo tiles

We are expert Saltillo tile manufacturers based in Austin and we have different types of Saltillo tiles for all your needs. Our Natural Terracotta tiles stand as our authentic, organic Saltillo tiles options. Sporting a unique, lived-in appearance for those who deeply appreciate the natural patina of handcrafted tiles, these are the perfect choice if you seek a homely, authentic vibe in your interior design. Within our natural Saltillo tiles, you'll find not only traditional Saltillo tile options but also modern choices, such as our new-age Saltillo tiles. These blend traditional Saltillo making techniques with modern design to produce beautiful, one-of-a-kind products.

Finally, we have developed the first water resistant Saltillo tile. Claro glazed terracotta perfectly preserves the terracotta of the tile without the strict maintenance and the glazing is so strong that it can withstand humidity and liquids unlike any other Saltillo tile in the market.

Order your Saltillo tiles online

If you are looking for Saltillo tiles in Texas and beyond, look no further. Here at Clay Imports we offer one of the most complete online Saltillo tile catalog and we also offer shipping across the U.S. and the world! Take a look at our shipping policy and order samples so you can see and feel your product and ignite your creativity. And remember, if you have any questions or require more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com