Can Terracotta Tiles Be Painted or Stained?
Are you looking to update your terracotta tiles, Saltillo, Lincoln, or Mexican pavers? There's great news! You can change the color of your terracotta tile floor to virtually any color you'd like to match your decor, interior design, or exterior color palette.
🎨 This guide will walk you through your options so you can complete your terracotta tile renovation with confidence and get the tile colors you've always dreamed of.
🎨 Best Colors for Terracotta Tile
There are a lot of terracotta tile stain colors to choose from, and depending on the tile and your personal preferences, some are better than others.
Let's talk about the most commonly stained tile: Saltillo tile.
Saltillo tiles have stood the test of time. They are beautiful, durable, and long-lasting when properly maintained. They naturally come in hues of pink and yellow, but not everyone is thrilled with those colors.
Because we are not actually painting Saltillo tile, we are staining it. The process is delicate and done by hand so we can avoid streaking as much as possible.
Saltillo tiles are very porous, so we apply multiple coats of highly diluted stain. Since Saltillo tiles already contain pink and yellow tones, stain colors do not always look the same once applied to the floor. For example, yellow over red can become orange.
These are some of the most popular colors people choose for their Saltillo tiles.
🤍 Whitewash Stained Saltillo Tile
You really have to see whitewash stain in person to appreciate its beauty.
If the whitewash stain is lightly applied, usually around 1 to 3 coats, it lightens the whole floor and brightens the natural pink and yellow hues.
✨ The coolest part is the pearlescent effect that a high-gloss sealer can create across the entire Saltillo tile floor. You may feel like you're walking on genuine mother of pearl with this color.
When more heavily applied, Saltillo tiles can take on a Snow White effect that contrasts beautifully with many color palettes. If the grout is not stained, or is stained a different color, the floor can also take on more of a checkerboard effect.
✅ Pros & Cons of Whitewash Saltillo Tile
Pros:
- Beautiful pearlescent appearance
- Can create a checkerboard effect
- Can create a Snow White appearance
- Brightens the overall look of the floor
Cons:
- Requires consistent maintenance
- Neglect will show more noticeably over time
- Harsh chemicals can affect the finish
Solution: Do not use harsh chemicals because they can affect the finish and begin removing the stain, revealing the original pink and yellow tones underneath. Avoid ammonia.
Use a neutral cleaner or a low-suds degreaser and change your cleaning water often. For example, if you have 500 square feet, change your water at least 4 times and buff each area dry.
Many people overlook the importance of buffing the floor dry. Leftover cleaner residue can break down the sealer and prematurely dull the floor.
With proper maintenance, you'll constantly be smiling from the compliments your guests give you.
🤎 Staining Saltillo Tile Dark Brown
When staining Saltillo tile darker, it can create an almost wood-like feel.
Remember, stain penetrates into the tile. It does not sit on top of the surface like paint. The natural patina and look of the terracotta tile will still shine through, including the natural markings in the tile itself.
Don't be alarmed by the variation because the final effects can be absolutely gorgeous.
You can also brown out the floor and stain the grout, giving the Saltillo tiles a chocolate bar effect. Once the sealer finish tops it off, this look is a winner every time.
The same pros and cons apply to brown staining: stick to your maintenance.
🪵 Spanish Oak Terracotta Tile Stain
This is the effect we get when using a reddish-brown color.
On Saltillo tiles, it can look like a beautiful fox color. Depending on the tile, it can even look copper, like it did on some manufactured Saltillo tiles we refinished and restored.
The surface was much denser because these tiles were not very porous, so each tile took the color in its own way.
We also stained the already brown grout to an oyster gray color using toothbrushes. That was super custom.
After sealing the stained tiles and grout with a gloss sealer finish, the results speak for themselves. That is why we use pictures and videos. You have to see it to understand it.
🩶 50 Shades of Gray Saltillo Tile
When staining Saltillo tile or terracotta tile gray, the possibilities are nearly unlimited.
The key is applying enough coats to reduce the original color fighting through the stain. Once that is done, grout color becomes the next important decision.
Light grout colors with gray can brighten the floor, such as antique white. Darker grout colors can make the whole floor look a shade darker. This is something to keep in mind if you're gravitating toward gray.
We named this color Lulu Gray after one of our clients named Lulu.
Share this page with people you know who have terracotta tile. A lot of homeowners simply don't know their options, and if you find this advice helpful, they probably will too.
For in-depth informational videos on terracotta tile restoration, subscribe to our channel here.
🧪 Terracotta Tile Stain Removal
Before staining your terracotta tiles, we may need to remove an old stain previously applied to the floor.
Stain removal from Saltillo tiles is done using a chemical process. We do not use machines because sanding is bad for these tiles, and it creates a huge mess.
The process removes and strips away the existing old sealer and stain.
When you skip the proper process, you can end up with a peeling floor, a headache, and nightmares that could have been prevented if you had just listened to the Tile Dr.
💰 The Cost to Stain Saltillo and Terracotta Tiles
Because restoration is part of the process, you are looking at the cost to restore your terracotta tiles as well as the cost to stain them.
Good restoration done by hand, along with sealing and staining, is an investment of approximately $12.00 to $20.00 per square foot.
The difference depends on what was previously done to the floor and whether the floor was maintained or neglected. That determines how much product and labor we need to fully remove the coating from the surface of the terracotta tile.
📋 Conclusion
If you're wondering what colors go with Saltillo tiles, or what the best grout color is for Saltillo tile, you can watch and learn from our videos here.
Saltillo tiles and terracotta tile can be stained virtually any color you choose.
I chose to showcase these colors because they are the most popular and tend to look the best when mixed with the natural hues of pink and white found in Saltillo tiles.
Call or email to get your tile looking amazing with the colors you've only dreamed of.
Get on the busy schedule ASAP. We are limited to a few projects yearly based on the quality we provide and our small size. It takes a long time to learn this art.
📞 Get on the Busy Schedule ASAP to Ensure Your Spot
Kevin Williams
Phone: (707) 389-8375
Email: Californiatilerefinishing@gmail.com
Or Contact Fritz Wittmann
Phone: (707) 384-1172
Email: Fritz_wittmann@yahoo.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can terracotta tiles be painted?
Terracotta tiles can technically be painted, but staining is usually the better long-term option because stain penetrates the tile instead of sitting on the surface like paint.
What are the best stain colors for Saltillo tile?
Popular Saltillo tile stain colors include whitewash, dark brown, Spanish oak, gray, walnut, and custom blended tones depending on the style of the home.
Does stained Saltillo tile need maintenance?
Yes, stained Saltillo tile should be maintained with proper cleaners and periodic resealing to help protect the finish and preserve the color.
Can old stain be removed from terracotta tile?
Yes, old stain and failed sealers can usually be chemically stripped from terracotta and Saltillo tile before refinishing and restaining.
How much does it cost to stain Saltillo tile?
The cost depends on the condition of the tile, the amount of restoration needed, and the staining process required before sealing and finishing.