What is Spanish Tile, why is it called Spanish Tile, and is this considered a good flooring option?And how does it feel in summer and winter (concrete slab floor below)?
Spanish tiles such as satillo etcetra is like an adobe, made of clay, very durable and strong, nice looking...It is also prefered for diy'selfers that want to save money and install thier own...Spanish tile usually have slighty irregular edges, not perfectly straight, and on purpose..they do not have to be perfectly straight when laid due to these irregular edges..but keep as straight as possible, but becuase of the irregularities, the eyeball cannot see the ones not perfectly straight..They are a very pourous tile, so use a good sealer after instilation...You can buy these tiles straight edged too, but these would be for the professional to install if you have no knowledge of them..
Spanish tile is pretty much just what is sounds like. It is tile imported from Spain. Sometimes tile imported from Mexico is called Spanish tile. This is a favorite in a lot of Southwestern Architecture - I had it throughout my home when I lived in Santa Fe. It is a beautiful tile and is an excellent choice for flooring. As is true with anything you have to make sure you are getting a good quality product. It is essentially the same as most floor tile as far as maintenance goes - nothing special because it is Spanish.
Mexican tile, also known as Spanish tile, is a broad term used to describe a number of tile materials on the market, ranging from saltillo to hand made ceramic tiles sporting traditional Spanish and Mexican designs. Regardless of the type of tile you choose, you can count on Mexican tile to add a warm, pastoral, south of the border flair to any space in which you have it installed. Saltillo Tiles Saltillo tile is by far the most common of the Mexican and Spanish tiles found on the market. It is made from raw clay traditionally pressed by hand, and has an earthy, rough, almost terra cotta look to it. Depending on the firing, saltillo tiles range from deep yellow to deep orange in color, and come in a large variety of tile shapes, everything from your basic square to hexagonal and more elaborate patterns. Because of the nature of the clay and the more traditional form of production, these tiles are more porous than other ceramic tiles. As such, they should always be sealed with a quality sealant to protect them from stains and spills, which they would readily soak up if not protected. They will also need to be periodically re-sealed. Don't think of this as a downside, however. Like with hardwood, refinishing your saltillo will revive your floor, keeping it looking like new far past the time when other ceramics will have lost that newly installed look. On a final note, saltillo tiles get their name from the town in Mexico where they were originally, and still are, manufactured. If you get the real deal, and not an imitation variety, you can expect to find an odd chicken foot print or other animal print in your tiles when they are installed. Place these tiles in a prominent place in your tiling project for a great conversation starter and enjoy the rustic feel such imperfections will add to your finished product. Most tile floors, including Spanish tile, will feel cool to bare feet in both winter and summer.
