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Sealing unglazed tiles-terracotta

| Posted in Construction Techniques on December 26, 2002 05:55am

I’m preparing to lay a terracotta tile floor in a 1/2 bath using unglazed 1/2″ thick tiles, about 4″ x 4″. The tiles are reproductions from the early 1900s tilemaker, Moravian Tileworks (http://www.buckscounty.org/departments/tileworks/index.html). They are fired red earth with no coatings.

I have seen and read about two competing products for sealing before grouting and after. Both seem good but I have no hands on experience with them. One is quite a bit more expensive than the other. Cost is not the factor, quality is.

Has anyone used either or both of these products and can write to their 1.) appearance, 2.) durability, 3.) ease of application? I’m looking for a medium sheen as well.

Aquamix
Start with Seal & Finish Low Sheen. Follow with AquaMix Floor Shine & Hardener.

Miracle Sealants – more expensive
Start with 511 Porous Plus. Follow with Saltillo and Terracotta Paste Wax and then followed by the Saltillo and Terracotta Liquid Wax. Manufacturer also suggests the option of going with Mira Shine after the application of 511.

Thanks!
Seth

“Nothing is a mistake. There is no win and there is no fail . . . there is only make.”

John Cage



Edited 12/26/2002 10:02:34 AM ET by Seth Frankel

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  1. Frankie | Dec 26, 2002 09:04pm | #1

    I have usd the Miracle sealants before and love them. There are basically two types of sealants as explained to me by two competing manufacturers. Same explaination. The lesser costing sealant has larger molecules and therefore sits on the surface of the tile - somewhat as stain does on wood. The more costly has smaller molecules which allows it to be absorbed by the material - as maybe a dye behaves with wood. That is better for tile because it cannot flake, chip or rub off. Note: The first coat application will seal the tiles. Any subsequent coats will then build a surface. No more absorbtion. In other words, the floor will begin to build a sheen/ gloss. Do not allow either sealant to puddle. When dry it will flake off in the most unattractive way.

    Go for the more expensive material. It will also last longer. You can even go with more expensive stuff than MS but those are usually for granite countertops that are not so porous to begin with.

    Next, I prefer to seal terracotta AFTER grouting. This was recently discussed in another post concerning slate tiles. (Try searching.) Too much risk of the grout not bonding with the tile if it went on heavy in even a few edges. Do things once, right and well. The cheapest in the long run.

    When you are finished setting the tiles, use a few leftover tiles to test how YOU apply the sealant and how many coats leaves you with the look you like.

    One last tip. I dunk the terracotta tiles in a bucket of water and wipe before installing. Less likely for them too leach the moisture in the thinset.

    Lots O' Luck!

    1. Seth_Frankel | Dec 26, 2002 09:19pm | #2

      Frankie,

      Thanks for your reply. I went and read that thread you mentioned abou the slate tiles.

      One question about sealing and grouting. I was planning on carefully treating each tile with the 511 just on the top surface prior to laying as a grout release. The Miracle application sheets advise using the same material as a grout release. I'd then lay the tiles and grout...followed up by another application of the 511 and then all the waxes/polishes.

      You say apply sealant *after* grouting. Do you mean only after grouting or the combination I described above? I'm having trouble imagining trying to clean up these extremely porous tiles without a sealant applied prior to grouting.

      Am I missing something?

      Thanks.

      Seth

      "Nothing is a

      mistake. There is no win

      and there is no fail . . . there is only

      make."

      John Cage

      1. Frankie | Dec 27, 2002 01:41am | #3

        I have never had trouble removing grout from unsealed tiles of any variety. Frankly I don't understand why anyone does. If you are so careless as to allow grout to dry on the tile (therefore requiring the g release) you have no business grouting in the first place. Keep up with the grout application, don't get interrupted, don't stop to answer the phone or help a neighbor move a sofa and you will be fine.

        The downside to using the sealant as a g release: 1) the thinset will take longer to dry because the moisture cannot escape through the tile, it actually gets trapped imside the tile, 2) sealing them individually takes so muich time, 3) what if you seal the edges of a few tiles too much, you won't discover this until it's TOO LATE! Then you are f***ed! and 4) it's more work, I have enough as it is.

        Seal only after grouting.

        1. FastEddie1 | Dec 27, 2002 05:00am | #4

          I installed saltillo in our kitchen...probably about the same as terra cotta.  I think you would have a hard time sealing just the top surface without the sealer wicking through to the edges.  I didn't have any difficulty getting the grout off the face of the unsealed tiles, but like the man said, I didn't let it dry on the tiles either.

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