We have Fireclay crackle and it never stains.

Oh great! How often do you seal it?

I have crackle in my kitchen for over a year and have had no problems. I didn't even know about sealing it until it was installed at which point I did apply it. I doubt the installer sealed it prior. I've splashed tomato sauce and wine on it and it wipes up easily. Even tomato sauce splashes that have sat for a few hours wipe right off. It's a different story with the grout however.. In fact I'd say it's more important to keep up the yearly sealing in order to guard against stains on the grout. That said, even stains on the grout have come out after using a little bleach cleanser on them.

Bean, thank you! Very helpful!

I wasn't aware it needs to be sealed! I'm going to have to research that.

It's 3-years old.

Mimipadv, if you find out otherwise, especially for Fireclay, let me know.

From what I read, the cracks in the crackle finish could let in moisture or stains, but maybe Fireclay does a second glaze over the crackle finish. I would love to know.

When I was researching Fireclay their rep told me it did not require sealing. Did you try contacting the tile manufacturers directly? I imagine they'd be a good source through their customer service lines.

I am hoping to call Fireclay later today and will let you know what they say.

I also have Fireclay and haven't resealed it since it was installed in January 2014. No stains whatsoever.

Different tile makers have different specifications. Some crackle tiles have to be sealed before they are installed, others do not. Many have to be re-sealed twice a year, others once a year. It's really important to follow the installation and care instructions of your tile fabricator - and differences in care specs might help you choose your tile. Once you've chosen, as long as you care for it properly, it should last a lifetime. I personally would not buy a tile whose manufacturer says it will stain even after it has been sealed. Good luck!

I have cream-colored Sonoma Tile crackle for my backsplash. It's been there for 4 years and no stains at all. No sealing either, other than the grout lines after it cured. Here's something else...everyone says the edges must be sealed or grout will creep into the cracks. Neither happened with my tiles, i.e., they didn't seal the edges and the grout didn't seep into the crackles. It looks to me like my tiles have a clear glaze on the top and edges already.

Crackle adds a nice bit of interest to otherwise plain tiles.

Thank you to everyone for their comments and advice!

I used crackle glaze in a pottery studio for a planter I slip casted. I first put on a layer of glaze....using a light color, then a layer of crackle glaze in another color on top of that. The crackle glaze opens up to let the color underneath show through. The first layer of glaze would seal the stoneware...but the crackle...is just that...cracked glaze. Or....you can just use crackle glaze without the undercoat and the color of the stoneware would show through.

The manufacturer would sure make a difference in the wearability of the tile.

I heard back from Fireclay about sealing their ceramic crackle tiles. This is the answer I was given: "Hello. Both the white and recycled tile can be used as a backsplash. The white clay tile comes sealed by our factory, but we always recommend sealing before installing in general."

Not necessarily a straight answer about the crackle finish, but enough of an answer for me to know I need to seal them.

I have adex tile that was installed a few weeks ago. I am about to seal it, and it was also sealed prior to grouting. However, the grease markers or sharpies that the tile cutter used to make markings on some tiles when setting them, on a few tiles did not come off (this was during tile install, before any sealing was done). The tile setter had to go back and remove and replace those tiles. It was about 4. So there is definitely some porosity, I'd say especially along the edges. However I think once sealed you will be fine. I did put in my contract that the tile would be sealed between install and grouting and was here to remind the tile setter.

Curious what brand sealer are you all using? Is it a specialty item or widely available at Lowe's or HD?

My crackle tile behind the range backsplash was installed about one year ago. It's in perfect condition but I should get a coat of sealer on it.

I just bought the 511 impregnator sealer. It was recommended by the tile setter and listed by the grout manufacturer (I used TEC grout) as well. I got it over a week ago, just haven't gotten around to wiping it on!

I also used miracle 511 for my walker zanger crackle. I sealed it myself and installed it and yes spaghetti sauce has already landed on it and it wiped off with ease. I honestly wasn't worried a bit about the tile I kind of panicked because we chose white grout. Love it and it didn't bat an eye at the sauce (yahoo). I used Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout that does not need to be sealed. It has been installed for hmmm, 4 months? I can't even remember already, talk about project fatigue, lol!

No help, but I love that crackle look tile.

Subway Ceramics makes an excellent crackle finish tile that doesn't stain . I have no financial connection to the company.

Mine was NOT sealed despite my saying I thought it should be. Tile guy insisted no, and I stupidly let him walk. Fast forward to my second pot of red sauce in new kitchen. SPLAT. Red sauce in cracks of crackle. I had to flush it out of the crackle with a syringe filled with hydrogen peroxide. It did work, though. Called my contractor and he apologized, sent a guy to seal it with 511. Now we're all good. I will seal the tile again in another couple of years, I'm guessing.

We have Walker Zanger Gramercy Park Pipe Smoke. It is a crackle tile. We sealed it before grouting with 511. Yesterday, I took an unused tile and 511'd half of it. I put on each half home made tomato sauce, yellow prepared mustard, and ketchup. Left it for 24 and just washed it off - most of it had dried.

No stains on either side. YMMV, but I am no longer going to hover over my husband when he is at the stove.

Some crackled tiles are double glazed, crackle is under a final solid glaze so the crackle look stays, but still has a cover

Nightowl, thanks for the experiment! Great to know about WZ gramercy tiles. Thinking of using Pipe Smoke or Heirloom white. They are my first choice right now but waiting to see some samples I ordered from Fireclay.

So far FC's customer service has been excellent and I do like supporting companies that take extra care with their customers. I asked WZ a question via email recently and wasn't as happy with their service. Although they did answer after a week or so, the response didn't actually answer the question I asked which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.

RE WZ - they "forgot" to ship our tile. We got credited the shipping, but it still set us back a few weeks. That said, no regrets otherwise.

I don't know if this comes too late, but we have Walker Zanger Gramercy Park crackle subways in our backsplash including behind our gas range top. After over 3 years of heavy use they look as beautiful as the day that they were installed. They were sealed at install, but have not required any additional maintenance. The area that takes the most abuse is behind our sink and there isn't a mark or stain on any tile indicating that they are porous and need to be resealed. I also have not seen any additional 'crackling'. I can highly recommend them to be used in a backsplash.