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Originally Posted On: https://rusticotile.com/saltillo-tile/
Our process is simple.
Let’s build something (stunning) together.
01.
Pick A Pattern
Get creative. We have dozens of shapes and sizes available. And we make custom tiles, too!
Explore Shapes & Sizes 02.
Pick a Color
Choose from our 4 iconic Mexican Saltillo Colors – Traditional, Manganese, Spanish Mission Red, or Antique.
Explore Colors 03.
Fill out the form
No pressure, no prying. Just tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll email you an estimate – usually within the same day!
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We are the Mexican Saltillo Tile Experts
We’ve been in the biz for over 16 years and our craftsmen in Mexico have been creating handmade Saltillo tiles for generations.
We’ve seen a lot of floors – good ones, and not-so-good ones. We’ve made mistakes, learned valuable lessons, rinsed, and repeated, repeated, repeated. Simply put, we know Saltillo tile. And we help people just like you enjoy affordable, low-maintenance Saltillo tile flooring every day.
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Saltillo Tile Patterns
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What is Mexican Saltillo tile?
(Important) things to know about terracotta floor tile
Saltillo Tile is the “perfectly imperfect tile,” handcrafted from clay that only exists in the Mexican city of Saltillo, Coahuila. This Mexican tile flooring owes its beauty to characteristics like the occasional dog print, chips, bumps, lime pops, and variations in color and thickness. No two tiles are identical.
How is Saltillo Tile made? Saltillo clay is dug from the earth in its raw form. In man-made pits in the ground, water is added to humidify the clay for the curing process. Once the clay has been cured, it is then shaped by hand into molds. As these Mexican tiles dry in the sun, an occasional coyote, chicken, or dog may pass by and leave their footprints on a few. This is a sign that you are getting authentic Saltillo tile. We’re not shy – you can watch the entire process from start to finish in our video below, featuring our partners in Mexico.
Watch this video to see how Saltillo Tile is Made
Our Traditional Saltillo tile is a go-to choice for the most authentic-looking Mexican tile floors. With colors ranging from terracotta and cream to an array of golden tones, this iconic tile is perfect for Spanish-style and Southwestern-style homes, haciendas, beach houses, and more.
Manganese Saltillo tile is made from the same clay and manufactured in the same way as traditional Saltillo tile. When the clay is in its wet form, Manganese is added, transforming the tile into a beautiful brown color that manifests in varying shades. You’ll also see swirling dark marks of manganese powder, and some warm tones of terra cotta showing through. Because the process is more involved, it is slightly more expensive than normal Saltillo Mexican tile. Color and texture vary in Manganese tile, just as they do in traditional Saltillo tile. Naturally-occurring chips, cracks, and bumps are sought-after characteristics of this rustic Mexican paver that people have enjoyed for centuries. No two Manganese tiles are ever the same. And that’s what makes them unique.
Antique Saltillo is a hybrid of Traditional and Manganese finishes. It has a textured surface, and is rubbed/sealed with manganese dioxide to give it an old-world look. Terra cotta shades are also prominent, and every tile is different. Antique Saltillo tile can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. We love the added benefit of texture creating a natural non-slip surface for outdoor pool decks and patios. (Note: Your installer can leave grout on the surface of the tile to produce darker colors reminiscent of reclaimed terra cotta tiles.)
Spanish Mission Red Saltillo tile is a popular choice for floors dominant in the terracotta shades with only traces of golden and yellow tones. Color variation still exists within the terracotta shades but the overall look is a more consistently colored floor. To produce our Spanish Mission Red tiles, we implement a custom burning process during kiln firing, because it’s the heat that impacts the finished color.
Pro Tip: Saltillo tile colors will vary (sometimes drastically, sometimes minimally) from one manufacturing lot to the next. We do not guarantee color matching because there are kiln-firing elements and weather elements that dramatically affect the finished color of the tile. We always suggest ordering enough tiles for your project at one time, to ensure a consistent color theme.
Need more info? Check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SALTILLO TILE FLOORING!
