Are you looking for terracotta flooring but want to avoid the ‘orangey’ look? Sealed Manganese Saltillo tile is a special type of brown Saltillo tile that brings a southwestern charm or modern vibe to any decor. It’s one of the most versatile colors of brown terracotta flooring – adding depth and character that will help your space stand out.
Let’s look at why this brown terracotta tile is a great choice for anyone wanting a luxurious, artisan look.
Vamos, amigos!
What is Manganese Saltillo Tile?
Manganese Saltillo tile is a type of handmade Mexican tile. Some people call it brown terracotta tile, primarily used for flooring in various indoor and outdoor settings.
Due to the added ingredient of manganese oxide in the natural terracotta clay, these Saltillo tiles boast a beautiful color palette ranging in light and dark brown colors, tan, hints of green, and undertones of terracotta shades. These natural variations display the unique beauty of natural terracotta clay. Plus, each Saltillo floor tile is deeply rooted in Mexican artisan craftsmanship!
As the largest supplier of handmade Mexican Saltillo tile flooring, we produce all our terracotta shapes and sizes in the Manganese color, following our strict quality control standards. Explore our variety of Saltillo tile patterns while shopping for your next project!
By choosing Manganese Saltillo for your home or a new commercial project, you pick a naturally beautiful and unique piece of art for your home.
Considering Terracotta Flooring?
Contact us to talk tile, prices, colors, y mas. We ship this stuff worldwide!
Artisan Characteristics of Brown Terracotta Tile
What makes Manganese Saltillo special is its stunning colors. You can see rich, earthy tones from warm walnut browns and tan colors to deep, beautiful charcoals and terracotta undertones. These natural clay tile colors are not the same all over but flow through the tile with an occasional swirling of beautiful charcoal colors. This creates a lovely look with movement and depth. Each Manganese Saltillo tile is unique because of its natural beauty and handmade nature. No two tiles are the same!
Manganese Saltillo is also very durable. The combination of high-temperature kiln-firing and the application of multiple coats of penetrating sealer transform an already durable clay into a most durable brown terracotta floor tile. The result? Flooring that can handle heavy foot traffic while also being low maintenance. This tile works well in many areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and outdoor spaces.
Pro Tip: If you like the look of Manganese Saltillo flooring but want to narrow the scope of color range, consider the amount of overage you purchase. For example, we recommend our customers order 15-20% overage for most patterns’ waste, cuts, and borders. But by increasing that by an extra 5-10%, you can cull through some of the brown clay tile colors on your job site – pulling out the less desirable colors for your space. This process of color culling leaves behind a floor with earthy tones of our rustic Saltillo floor tiles.
(And yes, you’ll have more tile than you’ll install, but it’s a much less expensive alternative to custom stains or glazes for terracotta tiles.)
The Craftsmanship Behind Manganese Saltillo Tiles
Every Manganese Saltillo tile shows the hard work of many years of craftsmanship rooted in the essence of traditional Mexican artistry and heritage, unlocking the true beauty of authentic Saltillo heritage today. Skilled artisans create each tile by hand, using methods passed down from generation to generation. Their commitment keeps the uniqueness and charm of Manganese Mexican Saltillo alive.
The process starts by finding the best raw materials. Mexican tile experts choose clay only found in the riverbeds of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Once water and manganese oxide are mixed into the clay, artisans handcraft the tiles by shaping, drying, and baking them in traditional kilns. This kiln-firing process at high temperatures gives the tiles strong and rustic features. The focus on age-old methods and top-quality materials makes Manganese Saltillo tiles rustic, beautiful, and superior quality.
Just like with any handmade Mexican Saltillo tile, there are imperfections and variations, showcasing rustic characteristics. These can include but certainly aren’t limited to size and thickness variations, bumps, chips, hairline cracks, irregular markings, smudges from the origins of Mexico stamp, lime pops, and more. Some tiles even have an occasional paw print, adding to the tile’s lasting impression. None of these imperfections are considered to be defects.
On the contrary, they are what makes Mexican handmade tiles sought out by designers and homeowners worldwide. When you choose options like our Riviera pattern, geometric shape tiles like the Octagons and Rectangles, or Hexagon Manganese Saltillo tile, you gain a piece of earthy warmth and history, crafted with love by skilled artisans.
Design Inspirations Using Brown Mexican Terracotta Tiles
Manganese Saltillo is popular because of its easy maintenance and versatility for fitting into many home decor styles. In fact, consider using it in various settings like a modern farmhouse kitchen, log cabin, Bohemian beach home, or patio with a Spanish Colonial look. The Manganese finish offers the most design versatility in all our Saltillo tile colors.
For a modern vibe, pair it with light-colored walls, simple lines, and minimal furniture. Add natural materials like wood and wrought iron for a cozy feel. You can also use bright fabrics in warm, earthy colors to spice up the space. No matter your style during this shopping journey, Manganese Saltillo tile gives a beautiful base for your design ideas.
This Octagon tile pattern uses a 4×4 Manganese accent tile. The bathtub shower combo features black and white cement tiles (also, handmade!) Learn more about this project – Horse Barn Meets Modern lodge!
Photo Gallery of Manganese Saltillo in Homes
Follow these tips to get a beautiful look. Words can only do so much! Check out our photo gallery and see the vibe and beauty of Manganese Saltillo tile in real homes. Imagine this:
- Bright kitchens with Manganese Saltillo in a classic brick-lay pattern, making a warm and useful space.
- Cozy living rooms where Manganese Saltillo, in a lovely hexagon saltillo tile pattern, add a bit of rustic charm and look interesting.
- Welcoming patios paved with Manganese Saltillo in the detailed San Felipe pattern, turning outdoor spaces into personal retreats.
Case Studies: Real Homes with Manganese Saltillo
Curious about the Manganese Saltillo tile and need expert guidance? Check out our case studies and project articles for helpful information.
Case Study: Modern Rustic Style With Colored Hex Tiles
This Austin, Texas home is nestled in the hill country for a country vibe, but guests are pleasantly surprised to walk into a modern home grounded in rustic style flooring. We worked with the interior designer who specified 12×12 Hexagon Manganese Saltillo tiles throughout the house. From the bird’s eye view, peek into the living room styled with minimalist style furniture. Yet, it’s contrasted with plush textiles and even a cowhide rug. There’s no mistaking the Texas feel in this modern home with brown colored hexagon tiles.
The concrete subfloor has a crack prevention and waterproofing membrane, which is standard practice for Saltillo floors. Semi-modified thinset is the proper course for setting these sealed hexagon tiles. Then, installers used regular mortar mix for grout. This is surprising to most homeowners. But mortar mix is a traditional source of grout for Mexican tiles – it works great and is inexpensive. Lastly, TerraNano topcoat sealer in the Extra Low Gloss finish protects this floor from UV rays, scratches, and more while adding a soft satin finish.
Case Study: Artistic Spanish Revival Home
Artistic elements flow throughout this California home. Let’s begin with the obvious – handmade Manganese Saltillo tile flooring in the Riviera pattern. This 2-tile combination is created using the San Felipe (arabesque) and Fleur de Lis-shaped tiles. Hands down, this is our most popular decorative flooring pattern. For a low gloss sheen, 1 coat of our Crest topcoat sealer is applied. (Pro Tip: topcoat sealer is applied after the floor is fully installed so it seals the grout, too. No additional grout sealer is required!)
Throughout the home, you’ll see handmade cement tiles. These are also artisan encaustic-style tiles made in Mexico. Our customers pick a pattern and colors… and we make it for you. Mexican cement tiles are a lovely way to add a personalized stamp of décor to any space. Staying true to the rich heritage of Mexican products, these encaustic-style products are also easy to clean and maintain!
These examples show how Manganese Saltillo goes well with different looks and building styles. You’ll discover homeowners’ design choices, from picking grout colors to choosing furniture. This creates lovely and put-together spaces.
FAQs
What Makes Manganese Saltillo Tile Different from Regular Brown terracotta tile?
Manganese Saltillo is different from regular terracotta. Thanks to the manganese oxide additive in the clay tile, it has beautiful manganese-infused terracotta tones. Both types give a natural feel of real clay. Also, Manganese Saltillo is extremely urability due to its riverbed clay origins in Mexico. In fact, Saltillo tile is one of the most durable terracotta tiles available.
how do i maintain my manganese saltillo tile flooring?
One great benefit of sealed Manganese Saltillo is that it requires minimal maintenance and very little upkeep. After sealing, Manganese Saltillo tile is very easy to care for. You only need to sweep it regularly and mop it as needed. This will help keep your tile looking good, even in hot or cold temperatures, indoors or outdoors, and when facing outdoor weather elements.
can manganese saltillo tiles be used outdoors?
If installed correctly, Manganese Saltillo tiles are great for outdoor areas and various other environments. Pro tip: install fully sealed Manganese tiles and apply a high-quality, long-lasting topcoat sealer like TerraNano. With the added UV protection and scratch resistance, these clay tiles are ideal even outdoors.
how much does manganese saltillo tile cost?
The price of Manganese Saltillo can change depending on a few things, including the pattern shape and size, shipping services, and overall square footage. Most Manganese Saltillo tiles cost between $4.50 – $10 per square foot.
what is the best finish for saltillo terracotta tile?
The most popular finish for Saltillo tiles is a satin or low gloss sheen. These subtle sheens camouflage dusty footprints from shoes or furry friends while providing an easy clean-up surface for potential spills. For those who like a lot of shine, gloss finishes are also lovely.
Want to explore ideas for your project?
