Ode to Saltillo

Saltillo tile, traditionally created from the clay of the clay pits around the area of Saltillo, Mexico, is the flooring I have throughout my house (with the exception of the bedrooms).

I love it, I have always loved it, and I will always love it.

I love the way it looks under rugs, especially rugs that have red in the pattern.

Here are the reasons the experts say you should not love it:

It is extremely porous and must be sealed thoroughly.

I don’t care.

If you ever make a mistake with the sealer, you will need to have the floor stripped and re-done. Good luck with that.

I don’t care.

When installed, it must cure and be washed with muriatic acid. The term ‘proper ventilation’ doesn’t even begin to address the issue of muriatic acid.

I don’t care.

If saltillo doesn’t dry fully after installation and sealer is applied, salt may rise to its surface, becoming trapped under the sealer. Charming.

I don’t care.

Saltillo is either called super saltillo or regular saltillo. I like regular. It has character. Because it is dried outside, rather than fired in a kiln ,you may even find paw prints in its surface (from the neighborhood dog who ran through the drying racks).

I don’t care.

Saltillo is fairly hard on your feet, if you go barefoot in your house as much as I do.

Guess what? I don’t care.

I love saltillo.

Note: The most recent load of saltillo that I purchased cost about 90 cents a tile. I have never paid more than $1.00 a tile. Installation is usually $1.00 a tile. Because it is a 12 inch square, that is a cost of $2.00 a square foot for the tile plus installation. Other materials needed are thin set and grout. I have always used the regular concrete color for my grout. My mother stained her saltillo. I do not recommend that. It was beautiful, but it increases the need for maintenance.