[Vito Marsiliano]

Hello,

We're looking for someone who has expertise in saltillo tile sales and installation to help us install new saltillo tile floors in about 1/2 of our main level in our Bermuda/Warm Springs area home. The look we are going for (in terms of the size and color of the tile, placement (not on the square but overlapping, if that makes sense), and grout color) is shown perfectly in the attached two photos.

We're looking for someone who truly specializes and has expertise in saltillo tile so this'll be done right the first time.

[mod cut-- not a good idea to post your email address on the internet. People who have recommendations will post them here].

Thanks in advance,
~VM

[MountainBiking]

Wow. I absolutely love Saltillo tile. I buy mine at Bourget Brothers in Santa Monica (click on Saltillo tile flooring). You can seal them with linseed oil for a darker, richer, rustic color or you can use Tile Lab sealer (the best hardware store/commercial sealer I've used and I've used them all).

Before I install mine I dust them off and seal them 3 or 4 times. Don't overlap. After I grout I seal the grout and tiles AGAIN with the same sealer 3 or 4 times and then after a day or two I add my gloss sealer for indoors. I like a 3/4" grout width on my Saltillo flooring and I've seen 2 inch grout widths on 6" X 6" Saltillo and this looks fabulous. I visited a hacienda in Mexico a few years back that had this design all around the exterior covered walk way all around the perimeter of the house. The house was AMAZING! The whole perimeter was arched and the house featured exposed wood... sort of Monterrey style with genuine clay Mexican roof tiles. The rows were crooked because the clay roof tiles were different sizes. Incredible look! The house was totally amazing. I was in Saltillo and Talavera heaven.

Anyways, I also use Saltillo for my baseboard: 6 inches tall with the edge bull-nosed. In my parents house I designed a sun using 6" X 6" tiles in their den. The sun rays were made with broken Saltillo pieces. This part was fun to gently break them with a hammer and select the pieces carefully. I made a template for the rays using cardboard and this was traced on the concrete right in front of their fireplace. The entrance to this area is an arch entry way. Very focal! The whole house has a rustic hacienda look to it including arches and 4 " X 4" Talavara tiles. All transitions to rooms have a Talavera border using the same Blue Seville tile pattern... lovely!! Their flooring features 12" X 12" square tiles, 6" X 6" square tiles, 8" hexagonal and the small San Felipe style Saltillo. I also strategically placed a few Saltillo tiles with dog prints on them (these are cute and bring good luck according to legend) in the house. I also mix my Saltllo using the terracotta color and the yellowish color so it looks random on the floor for a more rustic/homey look.

Regarding the grout color, IMO, the Sahara Tan (Saltillo specific) goes the best with Saltillo for indoors. The gray is second. My parents wanted gray so gray it was. The rule of thumb is to make the Saltillo stand out and NOT the grout- so color selection is vital. Next up is to install Talavera in their kitchen and Talavera on an arched ceiling over a shower/tub that I built!!

-Cheers.

[Charles Wallace]

These guys are awesome. They know and love their stuff:

MEXICAN TILE SPECIALISTS INC, 3308 S HIGHLAND DR, LAS VEGAS, Nevada (NV) - Company Profile