Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

Hi guys,

We decided to use Machuca tiles for our patio floor. Would like to know if you can suggest any product I can use to seal/protect it from traffic, wear and tear etc. I bought Pye's Slate Seal and will test it. There are other products that I can test but would like to know if you have experience with any brand.

I asked the manufacturer and they just said to polish frequently with colorless floor polish. They recommend the Lincoln brand but I have yet to find it.

take note: these are cement tiles.

My contractor said he used a sealer once, he didnt mention what brand, but the location started to give off a foul smell. His theory is that the sealer didnt allow the tiles to breath so moisture was accumulating underneath. dont know if that makes any sense.

thanks for you input guys.

The manufacturer is in the best position to recommend the proper care of their products.

My suggestion is for you to find the nearest similar product to that Lincoln brand.

How much traffic are you expecting to fear wear and tear? Is the patio exposed to the elements?

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

thanks for your response. we will be seeing quite heavy traffic and we intend to put some chairs and tables on the patio. the patio does have a roof but it is outside, so i think there will be some rain.

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

You can also protect the floor by focusing on the source of potential damage.

Pads can be installed on the bottom of furniture's legs to lessen their tendency to scrape on the floor.

I do not have the specifics of the human traffic but shoes by themselves are not damaging to the floor. The sand and dirt that comes in with the shoes serve as "abrasive" to the floor.

As to the rain, ordinary wax (If Lincoln is really not available) applied regularly will serve as water repellant.

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

Vivafoxpro,

thanks for the tips. i do intend to install pads on the bottom of furniture legs.

im trying out the Pye Slate Seal. looks promising. will also seal the grout of the tiles.

i am getting to be intrigued by the Lincoln brand of wax 🙂

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

Pictures naman dyan para mainggit kami at may magaya 😀

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

Yes bro morrissey, how about some pics of your Machuca tiles, I've been really very curious since you posted your query the other day and have been waiting for you to perhaps post some pics of your patio.

You are slowly killing us with curiosity !!! LOL 😉 :cheerleader: 😀

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

your wish is my command. sorry. took me awhile to figure out how to post pics.

we decided to mix and match patterns. wifey wanted it really random na tile layout pero we opt for random sets na lang. there are some more pegs online. just google "random tiles". and there are many nice Machuca patterns so we decided to get as much as good patterns as we can.

this is from inside our workshop studio looking out into the patio. those glass blocks are nice to let some light in:

this is from inside the house looking out into the patio. the "lupa" part on the upper part of the photo has been filled in with cement mixed with red cement to make the tiles stand out.

hope you guys like them 🙂

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

how are these tiles when they get wet? madulas ba?

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

your wish is my command. sorry. took me awhile to figure out how to post pics.

we decided to mix and match patterns. wifey wanted it really random na tile layout pero we opt for random sets na lang. there are some more pegs online. just google "random tiles". and there are many nice Machuca patterns so we decided to get as much as good patterns as we can.

this is from inside our workshop studio looking out into the patio. those glass blocks are nice to let some light in:

this is from inside the house looking out into the patio. the "lupa" part on the upper part of the photo has been filled in with cement mixed with red cement to make the tiles stand out.

hope you guys like them 🙂

Hey bro, those Machuca tiles are beautiful indeed, but I usually see them installed on walls for accents specially on some Spanish type or medetteranian style of housing because of its beautiful designs and multi colored application. Hindi kaya sya slippery specially when wet or drenched with rain water since it is located on the outside entrance of your front or back door.

INGGAT LANG friend, baka madulas sa pag labas o pag pasok !!!!!!!!!!!! 😮 And thanks for posting some pics, they sure are beautiful !!

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

spyghost, rosy,

thanks for your question and concern. i am hoping there will be minimal slipping because there is a roof over the area of the tiles. in any case, i was told that these tiles get slippery after a long time of use and floor polishing. when we got them new, medyo rough sila at may grip. i am hoping the Pye Slate Seal will give them some grip. if not, then i will continue the search for a suitable sealer.

we do plan to do walls with Machuca tiles pero we will look for a suitable wall muna and if budget permits. tsaka baka lalong magulo utak ko nyan hehehe

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

Yes bro morrissey, is it right to say that the finish of these Machuca tiles are similar to concrete pavements with fine and smooth finish ?? If so, then perhaps some precautions should be taken specially after the summer months when rain starts to come in, :rain: yes their might be a roof above it but how about the un expected "ANGGE NG ULAN", this will still make the tile surface very slippery.

Bro just correct me if I am wrong, just thinking of the safety of people who will be passing and using that portion of the patio.

CHEERS and safety first. :groupwave::2thumbsup:

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

your wish is my command. sorry. took me awhile to figure out how to post pics.

we decided to mix and match patterns. wifey wanted it really random na tile layout pero we opt for random sets na lang. there are some more pegs online. just google "random tiles". and there are many nice Machuca patterns so we decided to get as much as good patterns as we can.

this is from inside our workshop studio looking out into the patio. those glass blocks are nice to let some light in:

this is from inside the house looking out into the patio. the "lupa" part on the upper part of the photo has been filled in with cement mixed with red cement to make the tiles stand out.

hope you guys like them 🙂

Thanks for sharing!

I would stay with the wax/polish prescribed by the manufacturer.

Using some other coating may result in "glazed" tiles and you lose one intrinsic character of your tiles. The manufacturer did not glaze them for a reason.

I believe in honesty in materials. I somehow shy away from tiles that look like wood and cement that they shape and paint like tree trunks.

Good luck! Just enjoy what is already there. It is already nice the way it is now.

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

there is a anti slip solution being sold in mc home depo in ortigas. haven't tried it yet though, but i'm planning on having it in the t&b when i get to pass by the area.

Re: Machuca tiles: how to protect/seal

vivafoxpro,

thanks for your opinion. i too would have preferred the manufacturers way. unfortunately, we became concerned with hairline cracks already appearing on the tiles. that is why we decided we need to add a layer for protection.

as you can see, the bottom left is the treated part. i did this as a test. i think the material enhanced the tile. now i know that eventually, i could get the same effect with the recommendation of the manufacturer but yun nga, there were the cracks to worry about.

now this does not mean its the manufacturers fault. neither was it the mason's fault, i think, because i was there when he was laying them and the bottom layer was really thick cement. the truth is, i should have researched more on ways to lay the tiles with more protection from cracks and considered additives available in the market.

well, its too late for that. the tiles have been laid. ive already put in a second coat of the sealer. the cracks are there, but i think they add character (hehehe) and as you said, i will enjoy what is already there.

oh and by the way, i also hate wood and cement shaped like tree-trunks. no offense to anyone here in the forum hehehe

update:

as i've said, im already on my second layer. the Pye Slate Seal has a funny characteristic in its second layer as brush strokes became visible, like ridges. i guess the substance was reacting to the first coat so this "ridging" happens. but i guess it will give the tiles some "grip" i hope. otherwise, i am satisfied with the product. my only concern now is peeling, which i heard, does happen to a lot of sealers.

thanks for reading guys!