Why Saltillo floors stop looking good
Saltillo and other Mexican clay tiles are common in older Florida homes, and when they are maintained they are beautiful. The catch is that the tile itself is soft, porous clay. All of the color depth and protection comes from the sealer on top.
Sealer wears. In traffic lanes it wears through to bare clay, which looks pale and dusty. Elsewhere, dirt bonds into the aging sealer and the floor goes dark and dull. Mopping cannot reach dirt that is locked inside the finish. The only fix is to remove the old finish and apply a new one.
Full strip or semi-strip?
This is the first decision and it drives the price.
| Factor | Full strip | Semi-strip |
|---|---|---|
| What it removes | All old sealer, down to bare clay | Top layers of sealer and bonded dirt |
| When it is needed | Years of neglect, heavy buildup, wear-through | Floors that have been maintained |
| Time | Longer | Shorter |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
We decide during the free assessment and tell you which one your floor needs and why.
The restoration process
After stripping or deep cleaning, the floor is neutralized so no chemical residue is left. Grout is cleaned, and this is the moment to change the grout color if you want to. Then we apply multiple coats of sealer in the sheen you chose. Each coat adds depth to the color and protection to the clay.
The result is the rich terracotta tone and soft sheen the floor had when it was new, with a surface that mops clean.
Choosing a finish
- High gloss is the classic Saltillo look. It shows the most color and is the easiest to keep clean.
- Satin softens the shine while keeping the depth of color.
- Matte gives a natural, rustic clay look. It hides scuffs but shows less color.
All three protect the tile the same way. It is a style choice.
Keeping it looking new
Mexican tile is a maintenance floor. Expect to reseal every three to five years depending on traffic, pets and how close you are to the beach. Between resealings, clean with the neutral cleaner we leave you. Never use vinegar, bleach or acidic products, which strip the finish you just paid for.
Maintain the floor on schedule and each visit becomes a semi-strip rather than a full strip, which keeps the cost down for the life of the floor.
