My Next Project - Saltillo Tile Floor

[Tidybuoy]

As part of my kitchen remodel - I Installed the Saltillo floor this weekend. My hands are sore and I can barely stand up but it's getting there.

Tonight I will wash all the tiles and seal the tops which will assist with the grout not sticking to the tops. I will be grouting in a day or so. I also have to install the tile coving so not done just yet.

MATERIALS:


SOAKED TILES OVERNIGHT:


SCHLUTER DECOUPLING UNDERLAYMENT: Mortared to Subfloor




SETTING TILES:

[Tidybuoy]

A few more photos:

SETTING TILES:


FINISHED SETTING - NEXT IS GROUTING & SEALING:




ANOTHER SET OF CLOTHES FOR THE TRASH:

[Baz]

Looks fantastic, Vern! Holy cow.....you are an Energizer Bunny - super impressive!

My place has Saltillo Tile - in a diagonal pattern. I knew this was my new home the minute I walked in back in '96!

[jyl]

Beautiful. I tiled my kitchen with Satillo back when I was but thirty, and recall being pretty dang sore then. I’d be laid up for days now. You’re keeping yourself in shape, clearly.

What grout are you using? Epoxy or traditional?

I found that, because Saltillo gets periodically re-sealed anyway, keeping standard grout sealed wasn’t the PITA it is with ceramic tile.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by jyl

You’re keeping yourself in shape, clearly.
Wrong! This is purely about economics, Calgon Take Me Away


What grout are you using? Epoxy or traditional?
I'm using standard medium/dark gray sanded grout

I found that, because Saltillo gets periodically re-sealed anyway, keeping standard grout sealed wasn’t the PITA it is with ceramic tile.

I started with pre-sealed tiles and then I will apply approxmately 5 coats of surface sealer. My YouTube University says to apply thin coats until it stops absorbing, letting it dry completely between coats. This should seal up the tile and the grout.

I will post a pic after I'm done.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Baz

My place has Saltillo Tile - in a diagonal pattern. I knew this was my new home the minute I walked in back in '96!

Very nice! I like the bamboo furniture - looks very Florida

[WPOZZZ]

My back hurts thinking about carrying all those boxes! Looks great!

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

My back hurts thinking about carrying all those boxes! Looks great!

Each box is 63lbs. Over the past 3 months, I loaded 35 boxes into my truck from Floor & Decor. Then I loaded from my truck to my garage. Then I needed space in the garage, so I moved them to the dining room. Now that the project started, I moved to the backyard. I knew there had to be a reason I'm sore today.

[LWJ]

Side note. Because I sort always make sidenotes.

My in-laws have a home they built a few decades back. They put similar tile in the entryway. On the back of one tile, a worker had scratched a heart before the tile was fired. They installed the heart side up. Which is lovely.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by LWJ

On the back of one tile, a worker had scratched a heart before the tile was fired. They installed the heart side up. Which is lovely.

The manufacturer stated that occasionally a customer noted that there was a dog print in a tile. I was hoping I would find this but there were none. It's probably in the unopened box - I have 6 left over which I will save for another project on another day.

[Alan A]

Those are some huge grout lines. What are you filling them with?

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Those are some huge grout lines. What are you filling them with?

From what I researched, Saltillo tiles are typically grouted at 3/4" to 1.5". My grout lines are 3/4" but I think it won't be as dramatic looking once filled with grout. The white mortar doesn't look great.

the look I'm trying to copy:

[KFC911]

That is awesome .... and my back is hurting too btw!

I DO HATE grouting btw .... doesn't everyone ?

[john70t]

Looks great. And you did all the extra steps now instead of later. Wow.

Those rounded edges will make a big difference. Mom's Florida apartment got white marble installed with sharp edges. Some were 1/4" high and a tripping hazard. Hack job.

[Zeke]

Marble can be ground to level and polished. Fired tiles cannot.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

From what I researched, Saltillo tiles are typically grouted at 3/4" to 1.5". My grout lines are 3/4" but I think it won't be as dramatic looking once filled with grout. The white mortar doesn't look great.

the look I'm trying to copy:

They are. But the grout really matters when trying to fill something that wide. Hence my question.

[JavaBrewer]

Nice job!

We have lots of similar tile in our place. I did 1/2 of the install myself but hired out the family room. The worst part of the job was mixing the thinset and grout. We ordered the saltillo from an online source in Texas…and some had to dog prints!




Warning on the high gloss finish coat for home use. It gets worn pretty quickly and is sort of a PITA to keep looking fresh. We went with a satin finish.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Nice job!

We have lots of similar tile in our place.

Warning on the high gloss finish coat for home use. It gets worn pretty quickly and is sort of a PITA to keep looking fresh. We went with a satin finish.

Very nice. My house had a similar tile shape before I started the remodel. However, at 95 yrs old, it was very worn. I chose the plain square style since I knew I would be doing it myself.

Hmmm on the high gloss, that is what I chose so well see about the longevity. If it wears too quickly, I'll try the satin next time.

[JavaBrewer]

Here is the family room and kitchen with pentagon shaped saltillio. The installer stained the tile before sealing to give it a older look. Think about this sort tile is that it dents easily if you drop a pan or large knife. I bought a roll on satin finish that we apply every couple months to hide scratches (our dog) and other wear and tear. Good luck with your fabulous kitchen renovation!

[Tidybuoy]

Grouted but not yet sealed - I will seal after a few days curing