Import Tile was founded as a business importing Mexican pavers, and we've been importing authentic hand-made Saltillo since the mid 1970's. We even developed and trademarked the Granitewear refined Saltillo product that others copy, and call "Super Saltillo".  We always have thousands of feet of these authentic tiles in stock, including stair treads, corner treads, pre-stained and pre-sealed versions.

Some Saltillo Facts

These tiles are made by hand from clay found locally near Saltillo, Mexico.  The clay is mixed with water, pressed into wood molds, and dried in the sun. Granitewear (aka "super Saltillo") is given an extra treatment with a metal mold to create the even, rounded edges that make the product look a bit more refined.  As the tiles dry, they can warp a bit. They are finally fired in a gas kiln, turning them into a cotto-colored earthenware ceramic.

True saltillo has a variations in color and texture that give it the charm and beauty of a hand-made tile.  Edges may be a little warped, and thickness can vary a bit, so Saltillo requires more thinset mortar to set than machine-made tile.  Normal Saltillo grout lines are 1/4" or wider, and often done in a Natural Gray color.

The web site of another Saltillo importer, Fort Worth Brick and Tile, has lots of good information about the history, installation and care of authentic Saltillo tile.

Tile Patterns

Saltillo is one of the few families of tile that come in both different sized squares, and different shapes like hexagons and octagons. So it's possible to create a number of interesting tile patterns, combining squares of different sizes (pinwheel patterns) or a combination of squares and octagons.

Saltillo is also unusual in that stair tread tiles are available.  We carry both 12"- and 14"-deep treads, plus treads for outside corners that have finished edges on two sides.

Saltillos are often combined with decorative tiles, as shown to the left, creating a distinct central American look.

Saltillo Finishes

All cotto pavers should be sealed, and you have the option of buying our pavers in raw form, pre-sealed, or pre-stained and sealed.  Pre-sealed pavers are recommended for indoor use, and have several coats of a water-based sealer.  For outdoor use, we recommend that you seal the tiles yourself after installation, using a quality solvent-based sealer.  We generally recommend Glaze-N-Seal Multipurpose Sealer.

Saltillo takes on an elegant appearance after years of use.  Come look at some of the Saltillo flooring in our showroom, which has been in place for more than 30 years.