Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

visualjohn

Jan 31, 2008, 7:57 PM

Post #1 of 7 (3103 views)

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saltillo tiles question

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This is more of a design/recommendation question for you all. In two of our bedrooms we will have a partially visible entrance into the bathroom. It seemed to make sense to keep the flooring consistent....and we are using saltillo tiles in those bedrooms.

Yay or nay.....is saltillo practical for a bathroom floor....or would I be better off with ceramic tile in the bath?

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(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Feb 1, 2008, 9:06 AM)

toddmc

Feb 1, 2008, 7:23 AM

Post #2 of 7 (3079 views)

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Re: [visualjohn] saltillo tiles question

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I have always thought that saltillo tiles would be to porous for the bathroom.
We went with ceramic.

Todd

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Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Feb 1, 2008, 9:06 AM)

Rolly / Moderator

Feb 1, 2008, 7:56 AM

Post #3 of 7 (3074 views)

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Re: [toddmc] saltillo tiles question

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If properly sealed, the tiles would not be too porous. These tiles have the advantage of not being as slick as ceramic tiles when wet. I think they would work just fine in the bathroom.

Rolly Pirate

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(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Feb 1, 2008, 9:06 AM)

robrt8

Feb 1, 2008, 9:26 AM

Post #4 of 7 (3065 views)

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Re: [Rolly] saltillo tiles question

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I've seen a lot of bathroom floors with saltillo. I have it in my kitchen. "Properly sealed" is the tricky part. It has to be varnished several times after the grout has cured (two weeks?). You'll have to maintain the seal by varnishing again as it wears (two years?). It doesn't feel as cold as glazed tile, and you can get a nice rich color if you use an oil-based varnish. I used three coats of diluted satin spar varnish - looks great.

bournemouth

Feb 1, 2008, 6:09 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3042 views)

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Re: [visualjohn] saltillo tiles question

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We've had both saltillo and regular clay tiles from Mexico in our bathrooms for years with no problems. A good seal job stops the porosity problem. They are so much softer to the feet than vitropiso or ceramic tiles.

visualjohn

Feb 3, 2008, 5:23 AM

Post #6 of 7 (3011 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] saltillo tiles question

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Thanks for all the input folks.... since we are going to be sealing the saltillo tiles anyway....we may as well carry them thru to the baths....

Now we just need to nail down what to seal them with....I've seen alot of options on this thread....hmmmmm LOL

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robrt8

Feb 3, 2008, 8:32 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2998 views)

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Re: [visualjohn] saltillo tiles question

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Test whatever you choose on scrap tiles first, experimenting with multiple coats/dilutions. Don't seal before the grout is cured! The floor may appear dry, but Saltillo tiles are sponges.