Quarry Tile Basics - Comments
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I just moved into a house with terra cotta--brick colored tiles in the kitchen. How do I know if it has been sealed? The house was built in 1979 and I imagine the floor was installed at that time. It isn't shiny like waxed vinyl floors look shiny. Is the sealant a matte finish? Thank you! Your site is great!
Katheryn at October 17, 2007 11:46 AM
Posted by: Katheryn at October 17, 2007 11:46 AMI'm looking for green quarry tile to restore a 1917 porch on a Tudor Revival home. Any ideas? Thank you!
Maggie Jones at October 18, 2007 07:12 PM
Posted by: Maggie Jones at October 18, 2007 07:12 PMYou can test it's sealant by putting a few drops of water on the tile floor. If it beads up the tile is still sealed. But even if they sealed it when the floor was installed, the sealant could have worn off and need to be redone.
Can you see a traffic pattern where the surface looks different than the edges of the flooring? That will be one clue, but not definitive.
You could have a matte or low sheen sealant.
The Flooring Lady at October 26, 2007 07:02 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at October 26, 2007 07:02 AMIf you are picky about the color of your green quarry tile, shop "locally". Otherwise, shopping online is a great way to go.
The Flooring Lady at October 26, 2007 07:21 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at October 26, 2007 07:21 AMOur quarry tile floor was installed about 1981 - over the years I have used Mop N Glo because that's what the previous home owner was using...but now, around the stove, it seems like the grease/dirt is ground in and I'd like to do something to refurbish this floor and make it look great again. What do you suggest?
sandy at January 4, 2008 11:05 PM
Posted by: sandy at January 4, 2008 11:05 PMOne recipe I have heard about for this kind of gunky build-up is to use a mixture of 1/4c all-purpose cleaner (make sure it doesn't have chlorine), 1c ammonia, and 1/2gal cool water. Be sure to change the water frequently so you really get a clean floor.
A good all-purpose cleaner to have around is StainSolver -- it's a great oxygen bleach cleaner that's perfect for most of your cleaning needs around the house -- from floors to laundry.
When you get it all cleaned up you can decide if you want or need to reseal it and the grout. Most often I see recommendations for penetrating sealers, but your flooring store may have other recommendations.
Once you get it in the condition you like, use vinegar water for your regular cleaning. The recipe I follow is 10:1 water:vinegar. Don't be shy about changing the water frequently so you don't end up smearing the dirt around instead of removing it.
The Flooring Lady at January 5, 2008 11:47 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at January 5, 2008 11:47 AMHello, I have quarry tile in my kitchen. The floor was put in 1980. No sealant was ever used. A lot of different products were used on the floor. Recently, whatever I used has removed the color in blotches all over the floor. It is really a mess. Is there something I can use to get the color of the quarry tile all the same and then put a mat finish on it. Thanks so much for any advice. Lynne
Lynne Schoen at January 5, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted by: Lynne Schoen at January 5, 2008 12:55 PMYou can try applying a "stain" to the blotchy areas to get rid of the dalmation look. A friend of mine with Mexican pavers uses shoe polish that's the same color as her tiles to repair the look when the tiles chip.
I know another person who uses wood stain -- but I don't think that would work as well if you plan to seal it afterward because sit might keep the sealer from penetrating or adhering.
It sounds as if you have a mess that can't be hurt too much by experimenting. So go for it and see what happens. And please let us know your results.
The Flooring Lady at January 6, 2008 12:50 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at January 6, 2008 12:50 PMI have just moved into a 1988 home that has loads of quarry tile. The tile downstairs that hasn't been "sealed" looks fine. The upstairs appears shiny in most places, is much darker than the red tile downstairs. It is brown looking. I would like to remove the sealant (which I think may be epoxy and the original (and has paint flecks in it where they weren't careful painting) and clean it and protect it again. So do you know how I get this stuff off and what I would put on it again please?
Bobbie at February 28, 2008 02:21 PM
Posted by: Bobbie at February 28, 2008 02:21 PM
I am going to use quarry tile in a 12 by 12 sunroom/greenhouse addition to a renovated barn. What size tile is most practical, what sealant? I know I want a matte finish to increase thermal storage. Susan
Susan Sheridan at March 29, 2008 03:29 AM
Posted by: Susan Sheridan at March 29, 2008 03:29 AM(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
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