Manufacturing

• Saltillo tiles are manufactured using clay mixed with water. The mixture is formed into a tile shape and dried in the sun. The dried tile is then fired in caves, and each Saltillo tile is then made by hand, giving each piece its own character. Saltillo tiles range in size from 4 to 20 inches and may be in a variety of shapes. The quality of Saltillo tile made depends on the use of clean and unclean clay. Clean clay is sifted thoroughly before making the tiles. Independent tile makers might dig the clay from riverbeds and use it unsifted, so many other materials might be mixed in, making for a lower quality tile.
  
  

Characteristics

• Saltillo tiles have chipped edges and small craters on the surface. They're not all the same size, color or thickness and are not typically flat or perfectly square. They may have cracks on the surface or, in rare cases, have animal prints on them. Saltillo tiles are not uniform in color, with varying shades on a single tile, and tend to have alkali in the clay, which requires proper sealing.
  
  

Regular Vs. Super

• Every tile begins as a regular tile, but some are stamped with a mold during the drying phase of manufacturing. This rounds off the edges and removes many surface imperfections to make Super tiles. The term Super does not mean that the tiles are of better quality, just that an additional step has been added to processing to give a more uniform appearance to the tile. If you prefer a handcrafted, natural look, you might want the Regular tiles instead. Super tiles are an option for those who want a uniform, flat look that is similar to ceramic tiles but with Saltillo tile's durability.
  
  

Raw or Pre-sealed

• You can install raw Saltillo tiles and seal them yourself, but tiles that may have gotten wet during installation need to dry completely before sealing, which can take several days. The tile may be susceptible to efflorescence before sealing, which can lead to the tile not absorbing the sealer properly, resulting in peeling and flaking later. Pre-sealed tiles are sealed with industrial sprayers so that the sealer is applied in uniform coats, and it is done outdoors because the sealer is highly flammable when wet. Rolling sealer onto the tiles is the only option when sealing indoors and does not give the same quality of sealing as spraying.
  
  

Maintenance

• The sealer on your Saltillo floor will wear off over time. Wax will not prevent this and actually makes more problems. If a wax has been used, the entire floor must be stripped bare and then completely resealed, which is costly. When no wax is used, you can seal only the area that is showing wear at a fraction of the expense of sealing the entire floor. A Saltillo floor polish is available to give your floors a nice sheen, and it extends the life of the sealer.