Friday, June 30, 2006

Saltillo Tile Pricing

Saltillo tile comes in a variety of prices. Some companies charge more than others, as it depends on whether you want a more extreme Mexican look with an authentic hand-made saltillo tile or a manufactured saltillo tile. Typically you will find the basic saltillo tile for around $1.49-1.99 per square foot. More expensive super or premium saltillo tile can be price anywhere from $2.00-2.50 per square foot. On extreme cases you can find saltillo tile on sale for as low as $.89 a sq. foot. Here is a saltillo tile company that offers fair prices. Surprisingly saltillo tiles are usually found to be cheaper than most porcelain tiles. Some of them are hand-crafted by skilled artisians, with some them manufactured in Mexico. Prices have gone down since wide-scale demand for saltillo tiles became apparent. Most saltillo tiles sold to the public are not dried in the not sun as they used to be, and most are not hand painted and crafted my authentic Mexican craftsman, but instead manufactured on widescale production.

Treatments and Installation of Saltillo Tile

Saltillo tile us actually very delicate, and must be treated properly and promptly if you want your tile to last. First of all, if you want to enhance your saltillo tile in any way, then there are some treatments you can give it before you grout it or install it. You may put some sort of surface cleaner such as any of the excellent line of products from Granite Gold, or paint thinner may work as well. This will clear away any dirt and grime and prepare the surface for further sealants or enhancements. If you wish, you can enhance the stones color by coating the saltillo tile with natural stone color enhancers, apply surface hardeners, or apply stone shine to give your tile that extra fantastical element. When you have finished applying any of the tile treatments or enhancers, finish up by applying a few potent coats of saltillo tile surface sealers. This will give the surface that shiny sheen and glossy look. If you don't the surface to look glossy, but rather keep it natural stone looking with a rough and almost powdery surface, then you could apply a penetrating sealer. Because saltillo tile is porous and soaks in liquids very well, then this option will work very well. The sealer will have the same effect as the surface sealer, but instead will leave your saltillo tile looking natural.