It may be one of the smallest elements in a kitchen or bath design, but grout can make a big difference in the overall appearance of the space. Grout really tops off your installation, said Joshua Levinson, president of Artistic Tile wholesale. In a lot of respects, its a great equalizer, covering up imperfections and inconsistencies. When joints are filled and packed properly with grout, it can even out lippage and variations in the height of materials.

So how can you make grout do its best work? Follow Levinsons advice for grout selection and installation and your tile projects will reach perfection.

1. Choose the right type of grout. Grouts typically are cement-based products and are available as sanded or unsanded, said Levinson. Sanded grout is specified for joint sizes of 1/8 inch or more, while non-sanded grout is best for joints of less than 1/8 inch. Sand is there to provide additional body to the grout in a large joint to prevent shrinking, sagging and cracking, he said.

If the joint size requires sanded grout, pay attention to the possibility of scratching glass or polished stones, warned Levinson. Sand is quartz- and silica-based and often higher on the Mohs Scale than many limestones and marbles, so scratching is a consideration in design and installation, he said. The joint size between surfaces that could be scratched should be designed to be less than 1/8 inch so unsanded grout may be used.

While historically grout would be mixed on site, adding in the amount of sand and color needed, today, grout is usually supplied in pre-mixed bags. Latex additives can be mixed in with the grout to reduce absorbency, thereby increasing stain resistance and improving color retention. Some grout manufacturers include latex additives in their pre-mixed grout, while others require they be added separately. Some manufacturers also add anti-fungal and mildew-resistance additives. After installation, silicone sealers also can be applied to grout to prevent staining.

Epoxy grout is an alternative to cement. Made with epoxy resins and a hardener mixed just prior to installation, this waterless grout is extremely stain and mildew resistant and does not require additional sealers. While epoxy grouts can be more difficult to work with, harsh when contacting the skin and harder to clean up, recent improvements have addressed these issues. Epoxy grouts have certain limitations, typically including the inability to be used with glass tile, as they restrict movement to a large degree, said Levinson. Epoxy grouts are typically chosen when stain resistance is desired.

The newest option is StarQuartz urethane grout, which is touted as having the benefits of epoxy with an installation as easy as cement. It is more stain resistant and requires no sealer, said Levinson. Until the most recent formulation, StarQuartz had challenges in wet installations.

Grout-free installation is only an option with products that have a very tight joint in dry areas, such as a mosaic fireplace. I dont recommend it in wet areas, said Levinson. Without the grout, the joint is just opening to the substrate.

Grout color selection is also important in terms of its longevity. A white-colored grout in a high-traffic area, ultimately its going to stain and be dirty, said Levinson. Even if you clean it right, it will darken. Therefore it might be best to choose a darker cementitious grout, or an epoxy or urethane grout, that will stay truer to its color over time.

While each manufacturer offers its own palette of colors, custom color selection is not yet an option. You could mix two grouts for a custom color for a certain effect, he said, but make sure its mixed properly and that you mix enough for the whole batch. You dont want the color to vary. Even when using one color grout, Levinson suggested getting enough of one lot to do the entire job to avoid color variations.

See more here:
5 Steps to Grout Greatness

Related Posts
November 20, 2014 at 6:28 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Tile Work