Quarry Tile Basics

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!

I'm looking for green quarry tile to restore a 1917 porch on a Tudor Revival home. Any ideas? Thank you!

You 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.

If you are picky about the color of your green quarry tile, shop "locally". Otherwise, shopping online is a great way to go.

Our 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?

One 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.

Hello,
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

You 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.

I 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?

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

Your project sounds like fun. Since the greenhouse is 12'x12' I'd think 12"x12" tiles would work well. Of course the tiles are shy of the actual 12" by about 1/4", but if you shop carefully you may find tiles that are closer than not to the full 12". The actual size doesn't matter except for how it looks in the greenhouse and the math of stretching the across the length of the floor.

Another consideration though revolves around whether you are going to put a drain in. If so, smaller tiles work better in sloping toward the drain than larger tiles do.

Friends use AquMix's Enrich'N'Seal on their travertine flooring and are quite happy with the results. But make sure the sealant is formulated for the type of stone you are buying. And make sure you seal well so the water that's bound to find its way to the tiles won't do any damage.

Hi
We have just had a Ruabon quarry Tile floor laid - can I just leave it or should I seal it? What are the benefits of sealing.
Thank you

At the Ruabon Quarry Tile FAQ page I found that recommend against sealing because sealants too often have surfactants which would counteract the natural anti-slip properties of their tiles. Sealant is meant to protect tiles and grout from absorbing moisture, oils and stains, so if you use standard grout that should be sealed. But epoxy grout was used you don't need to do anything further to your floor, other than enjoy it.

For cleaning, contact the company to see what the recommended HG products are. Be sure the correct post fixing clean is carried out so maintenance is easy. As with any flooring, regular routine cleaning is recommended to keep the floor at its best for years to come.

Is there a website to look at drawings of patterns for quarry tile?

Different manufacturers, outlets and installers offer suggestions for what patterns you could use in laying quarry tile. They also have photos of the tiles they sell so you can see what colors and patterns the tiles have.

I have a new light color quarry tile floor on my
patio that has not yet been sealed. I would prefer more of a multi color look. Can these tiles be stained to achieve this look before it is sealed? This was done by family members and I also have a white film in areas. What is the best method to remove the white spots before proceeding with the finish work?

I don't see why the tiles couldn't be stained since they're not already sealed.

Any idea what the white film is? Grout haze? I can't really advise you since I don't know what it is.

Part of my house is under ground.(built on a slope cica 1890) I intend using quarry tiles to cover the concrete on the outside to stop rain water penetrating in to the basement, unless you have a better solution.

Hi Gaz,
Is the outside concrete a floor or the lower part of the outside wall?

I recently installed 8 x 8 red quarry tile on my
concrete porch area. I have some "irish creme" grout spots on the tiles. What do you suggest to remove these spots? Thank you

Malcolm, removing grout spots from tiles can be tricky. Were the tiles pre-sealed before installation, or before grouting? If not, the grout may be embedded in the tiles themselves. Have you checked the grout bag to see if it offers suggestions for cleaning up such spots?

I am laying some terracotta tiles. At what point do I seal them - before laying them, before grouting, or after grouting? I am using a mid-grey grout and do not want it to stain the tiles. Thanks.

Hi Libby,
It depends a little bit on what you're laying on/over. Are these inside or outside? Are there any moisture worries to consider? If so, they need to be addressed.

The tiles can be sealed before they're laid, especially useful for an added moisture barrier. They can be laid after they're down, but before grouting and then they should always be sealed again after the grout haze has been cleaned up so that the grout and tile are sealed for the final time.

Is Quarry tile appropriate for resurfacing kitchen countertops? I currently have plastic laminate and have found a good deal on Quarry tile that I would like to overlay on top of the plastic laminate. I, naturally am concerned about stain and heat resistance and long-term durability. What do you think about such an application? Thank you and have a great day.

Hi Connie,
It can be, what does the manufacturer recommend? It's not much different than using anything else - you still have to concern yourself with staining and have to be careful about placing hot things on the counter.

What do I use to seal quarry tile with? I also have some red brick that come from some black sheathing that are interlocked and used outside.
I removed the pieces of brick (about 2x6x1/4")and want to use them in a bathroom. What do I seal them with also?

Hi Beverly,

Wander over to www.aquamix.com - they have everything you need. Give them a call too - I know they also sell their products at some of the big home improvement stores under a different brand name - but I can't remember what it is!

Hi, I put quarry tiles on my counter tops in our kitchen when we built our house. We sealed them, but when it got wet, the sealer peeled up. I found out the sealer was water based. I am having problems resolving this issue, most sealers seem to be water based. I love them because I can put hot pots directly on them and they are pretty. I would recommend them to anyone looking for beauty, durrability and practical solutions.

Hi Barbara,

As with any stone that is sealed, most manufacturers recommend that spills are cleaned up as soon as possible and hot pots should never be put directly on the stone - always use a hot pad. Doing either of these will affect the finish/sealer and possibly the stone. You'll have to reaseal what has peeled off - hopefully you won't have to strip it all off first.

I have quarry tiles on my fireplace surround and hearth. The fire is gas. Can i paint the quarry tiles? If so what is the best product to use?

Hi Susan,
Since this is not a flooring question and not my area of expertise, I don't think I can comfortably help you. Why are you wanting to paint the quarry tiles?

We want to make a table top out of quarry tile for use on a covered balcony. Some rain does blow in and the table will get lots of sunshine. Plan on laying the tile on a 4' by 4' piece of either 1/2 or 3/4 plywood. Any suggestions?

Hi Guy,
Not really as this is a flooring site. What type of stone? If you seal it, do you plan to use a food grade sealer?

Hi there,
Does anyone know where we can get terracotta quarry tile, with a non-slip fleck?
We've currently removed carpet and exposed the tiled floor which was laid mid 80's, but only covers 60% of the floor.
We'd really like to complete the floor if possible, but the company(ies) that made the tile went bust a while back.
It's not the Heather Brown (which we have loads of), but it has a darker brown and some almost blue tinge to it. The tile size is 150mm x150mm.
Help!

We just did our kitchen floor in red quarry and it came out beautifully. My father has been a tile man for over 50 years and he says not to use the expensive specialty sealers or cleaners. They just don't work nearly as well as good ol Murphy's Oil soap. The soap is oil based so is cleans and seals great. Each time you clean you add another layer of protection that in time also builds up a very nice patina on the tile.

Is quarry tile ok to use in a shower for the surround and floor? If so what is the best way/product to seal it with?

Thanks,

Ron

Ron,

Quarry tile will work in a shower for flooring and walls,inside the shower and outside. A finish can be affected by standing water, but the sealer underneath will handle it.
I recommend using Aqua Mix as they have a variety of sealers and finishes that will address your concerns with standing water.

Just as a sidenote, if you end up using a highgloss finish it can be touched up to maintain the shine/gloss.

Hi

I have just bought quarry tiles from my local B&Q to lay within a small porch area. The floor area is concrete having previously been carpeted.

The instructions on the quarry tile box suggest that I should seal the tiles before installation. Do you think this is necessary?

Also after final sealing of the tiles should it be necessary to apply a wax/polish or even linseed oil?

I would appreciate your thoughts

Many thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,

The debate of sealing before tiling is an old one, and will rage on for years to come. The pro of sealing before tiling is that grout will be easier to clean off the floor when you are done. The con is that grout doesn't adhere as well where you need it.

I think the color of your tiles and grout makes a difference too -- the less contrast
between the two the less important the pre-sealant is.

Overall, if you are going to be diligent about cleaning the tiles as you go while grouting you could skip the pre-installation sealing.

Any suggestions for where I might find a quarry tile made by versaTILE? I'm trying to match a project started by someone else. It has a product # of Red #DC88. They are 8 x 8 and unglazed. Any suggestion you might have in where to find would be appreciated.

Mike,

Versa-tile is listed on Google. I would give them a call and they may be able to find the exact tile you are looking for, and the location of a local supplier.

I have the 4X4 terrocotta quarry tile in livingroom/kitchen are. I've stripped it and rather like the raw look So I have to seal it???

Hi.

No, you do not "have" to seal it. Sealing it will make it water resistant, less likely to stain, and easier to clean. Usually kitchen floors are sealed because they are very likely to get spills and stains.

If you like the way it looks, and those are not issues for you, you can leave it unsealed.

Hi

Can you tell me please how to color the grout....I have terra cotta quarry tiles and want to match the grout (it is a front door).

Thanks

Mike,

If you are adding new tiles, there are color additives you can add to the grout to get the color you desire.

If these are already installed tiles, you would need to look for a grout dye that could be added on top of the grout.