in this article, we are going to learn about Saltillo tiles, the modern Saltillo and if it’s used outdoors, the most common size of which is 12x12. we will supply tiles at wholesale for you, done with that, let’s learn about saltillo tiles. Originally from Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Saltillo tile is a variety of terracotta tile. It is one of the city's two most well-known exports, along with the multicolored woven sarapes that are so typical of the area. 
The production of Saltillo-style tiles has spread throughout Mexico, and high-fire "Saltillo look" tiles, many of which are imported from Italy, are now a serious competitor to the terracotta originals. Terracotta is one of the earliest subcategories under the larger category of clay ceramic tiles, which includes numerous others. The word "terracotta," which means "baked earth" in Italian, refers to a type of ceramic tile made from a highly porous and easily-shaped clay with a high iron content, which gives the tiles their distinctive reddish/brown hue. Without glazing, the surface of terracotta, which is baked at a relatively moderate temperature (about 530 degrees celsius), remains fairly porous. terracotta tile is More affordable and widely accessible than many other types of ceramic tile. 
Saltillo tile 12x12
For Spanish-style flooring, 12x12 Mexican Saltillo square tiles provide the best value and most recognizable appearance. Consider putting square tiles on angles or in running brick patterns for added decorative appeal. Square tile is renowned for its adaptability to different decor styles. Each handcrafted Mexican Saltillo tile is distinct and has a variety of rustic characteristics, such as (but not limited to) bumps, chips, hairline fractures, smudge markings, variations in color, and occasionally even an animal paw print. None of them are flaws. They serve as authenticating symbols. The widest selection of 12x12 tiles is offered by MSI. Can you use 12x12 tiles on the wall and the floor? The weight, thickness, and friction level determine whether a tile is suitable for floor use even though there is no obvious distinction between a floor tile and a wall tile in terms of look. Although they can be used on walls as well, heavy, thick tiles with a COF (Friction Rating) of 0.5 are advised for floor tiles. 
Modern Saltillo tile
Although saltillo tile is typically used in Spanish-style homes, it is also a great option for many other architectural designs, including the Mediterranean, Tuscan, Ranch, Rustic, and Southwestern. Ask yourself which components of your home's current architecture and design you would like to change or improve. Your kitchen's final touch, your dining room's main point, or the bathroom's theme may all be achieved with saltillo tile. Keep in mind that you can use Saltillo tile to complement the design you have in mind by incorporating the surrounding décor and accents into your home. Saltillo tile is commonly manufactured in three styles: traditional, manganese, and antique. Consider the personality of the place where you wish to install Saltillo tile to select the appropriate style for your project. An inside view of a typical hacienda-style home would most likely reveal Traditional tile. Warm reds, oranges, and golden yellow hues are just a few of the several colors that this lovely terra-cotta tile is available in. 
It is the perfect method to give your home's bland spaces a pop of color. Manganese saltillo contains terra cotta and light to dark brown tones, and it frequently has minute black swirls that give it a distinctive marbling appearance. This tile will bring together a room's existing color scheme without being too garish. With its neutral, earthy tones and luscious texture, antique (sometimes referred to as recycled terra cotta) saltillo evokes traditional Spanish-style homes. It will add a bit of Old World elegance to your modern room. Consider using it in your bathroom or outside, where its non-slip surface is especially useful. Transitional areas have a lot of promise as well. For a traditional Spanish-style design, use bullnose tile or make a mosaic out of shattered tiles. Don't be afraid to think outside the box; a skilled installation may do wonders by cutting, grinding, or beveling tiles to fit your space. 
Outdoor Saltillo tile
So are Saltillo tiles suitable to be used outdoors? Eventually, the answer would be yes but still it depends on three things :
- The saltillos installers' experience is important because these tiles are irregular in form and size, necessitating an exaggerated pitch to ensure there are no flat areas where water might pool. He should also be aware of where to strategically place drains.
- Saltillo needs to be sealed if it’s to be used outdoors.
- Sealing the Saltillo before installation has three steps :
Step 1: Laying them out on the ground, you first softly scrub the surface with a green scrubby to remove any factory dust that has adhered to it. Step 2: Use a yellow grout sponge and fresh water to lightly clean them down twice, and then allow them to air dry. 
Step 3: the best sealing option for Saltillo tile is Applying two coats of a penetrating sealer or a penetrating enhancing sealer and making sure to seal the sides is essential to prevent the grout from staining the margins and giving the terracotta a window-pane appearance. After the tile is laid and grouted, you must clean the saltillos to get rid of the grout dust before adding two more coats. The Saltillo tiles are slippery Because the coating is what makes anything slippery rather than the penetrating sealer, which seals from the inside out, we advise using penetrating sealers, which are more natural-appearing and less shiny, while The externally applied coatings (shiny sealers) seal from the outside in. some Saltillo tiles cannot tolerate power-washing .this is because maybe they’re not heated enough. The tiles in some cases shouldn’t be exposed to excessive moisture. if you get too aggressive while cleaning the tile they may take irreversible damage. 
Coloring Saltillo tile
Every place is given a special sense of life by Saltillo colors. An antique Saltillo finish can give a living space an "Old-World" appearance. Alternately, for a dramatic flair, combine Manganese Saltillo's sharp color contrasts with your current neutral kitchen design concept. Use Traditional Saltillo to design a new pool deck in the style of a hacienda. There are countless ways to design your home's aesthetic using any one of the Saltillo colors. Unable to choose just one color? We comprehend. For a floor with multiple hues, experiment with mixing various finishes. This design blends contemporary and rustic elements. But what if you don’t want any of these colors? what if you want to paint your desired color over the Saltillo? well you can do it yourself in five easy steps:
- To get rid of any old sealant or wax that is on the tiles, use a terracotta stripper. Instead of adhering to the sealer or wax, which may eventually flake off the tiles, the paint and primer must adhere directly to them. Using a paintbrush, apply the stripper, let it sit as directed by the manufacturer, and then rub it off with a soft cloth.
- Thoroughly clean the saltillo tiles. To make sure the tiles are totally clean and clear of any leftover stripper, grime, or debris, use a gentle detergent and scrub brush. Allow them to totally dry.
- Use an epoxy-based primer to coat the tiles. Each tile should have this primer applied in gently overlapping strokes. Paint carefully to the edges, being careful not to get a primer on the grout seams. In accordance with the manufacturer's directions, let the primer dry.
- Paint the tiles with an oil-based paint in the shade and finish of your choice. Carefully apply paint, first cutting in the edges by angling the brush from the outside edge. With slightly overlapping strokes, finish filling in the center of the tiles. Allow the paint to fully dry. Apply a second coat if you're using a dark color.
- To give the painted tiles a tough, long-lasting surface, apply a coat of urethane sealer. To completely coat the tile, paint the sealant on using slightly overlapping strokes. Allow it to dry completely.
Saltillo tile vs terracotta
In this last section, you will learn the difference between Saltillo tile and terracotta Similar to how sparkling wines can only be named Champagne if they come from the Champagne area of France, sun-dried terracotta tiles can only really be called Saltillo if they were manufactured in Saltillo. Saltillo tiles are produced exclusively in the municipality of Saltillo, Mexico. These tiles are made by hand from locally-found clay, which is then allowed to dry in the sun. They undergo kiln firing afterward. Any type of natural clay that has been shaped into tiles, dried, and then fired in a kiln is referred to as terracotta, which means "burnt earth" in Italian. Lime Pops are a common component of Saltillo tiles that eventually become visible over time and are typically missing from Italian clays. in fact, terra cotta refers to the tile being made of clay, in conclusion, Saltillo tile is necessarily terracotta but there may be many other varieties of terracotta that are not Saltillo. 
Nonetheless, some people get confused when talking about Saltillo tile, as mentioned above Saltillo tile should be from the city of Saltillo, then again, is all the champagne in the world made in the French city ? obviously not . Saltillo tile or Mexican tile is just a title that the whole world uses as a category of tiles. therefore Saltillo tile can be and is being manufactured all around the world. Our team will help you find your desired type of saltillo tile in your desired size and color at the wholesale level . our supplying team will provide saltillo tile for you with the quality that you need ,ranging from low quality and inexpensive tiles to top quality products .