I cannot say enough good things about Kevin Salcedo of Salcedo Tile. I had a project that most tile installers would never touch — a fully hand-laid Mexican Saltillo and Talavera floor, set on a 45-degree diagonal, with ½-inch grout joints, handmade tiles that are naturally irregular, and a custom mosaic step piece created by my daughter. It was an extremely complex job that required real craftsmanship, patience, and an almost artistic eye. And Kevin absolutely delivered.
Saltillo and Talavera tile installations are not like regular tile floors. These tiles are handmade and imperfect by nature — each one is slightly different in size, thickness, texture, and shape. The grout joints are wide, the tiles themselves are uneven and porous, and laying them on a diagonal multiplies the difficulty because every row has to be cut precisely while still maintaining the pattern. This kind of floor requires a rare level of skill, attention to detail, and old-school craftsmanship. Honestly, most installers in Central Florida have never installed anything like it.
Kevin had never done a floor of this type before, but you would never know that by looking at the final result. He approached the job with incredible focus and commitment. He researched the materials, asked thoughtful questions, and communicated with me every single day. Before starting, he confirmed the schedule and showed up exactly when he said he would. During the installation, he texted me each morning before arriving and checked in often to make sure I was happy with every step along the way.
What really impressed me was how meticulous he was. He went through every box of Saltillo tile to select the best pieces for the most visible areas. He back-buttered every single tile — something many installers skip, but is essential with handmade Saltillo. He carefully handled broken and chipped pieces, adjusted for natural tile irregularities, and constantly checked alignments by eye. And the grout work… Saltillo has pits, dips, and cracks from the handmade firing process, and filling those correctly takes patience and real skill. Kevin took his time and did it perfectly.
The finished floor is absolutely stunning — warm, vibrant, authentic, and beautifully laid out. It looks like it was done by someone who has installed Mexican tile for decades. The diagonal pattern, the Talavera inserts, the wide grout joints, and the long mosaic step my daughter created all blend together seamlessly. It completely transformed my porch into a space that feels like it came straight out of an old-world Mexican hacienda.
On top of his craftsmanship, Kevin is just an excellent person to work with. Honest, reliable, hardworking, respectful, and truly committed to doing the job right. He cares about his craft, and it shows in every detail.
If you need tile work done — especially anything that requires real skill — you will not find a better installer than Kevin Salcedo. I am grateful I found him, and I would hire him again without hesitation. Highly, highly recommended.
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