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Epoxy Grout: Epoxy grout is considered by many in the industry to be a superior choice for any kind of tile project. Epoxy grout is durable, doesn’t need to be sealed, is stain and chemical resistant, and can withstand high traffic and moist areas.
Do you use sanded or unsanded grout for porcelain tile?
Unsanded grout should be used in joints that are less than 1/8-inch-wide. It has a smooth texture and clings well to vertical surfaces, which makes it useful for grouting ceramic wall tiles. Sanded grout should be used for flooring and wall tile joints wider than 1/8 inch because it resists shrinkage and cracking.
Can I use sanded grout on porcelain tile?
Sanded grout is recommended for any install using ceramic, porcelain, granites, flamed or brushed marble, terrazzo, rock pebbles or meshed pebbles with a 1/8″ or up grout joint. Due to this addition, the grout becomes extremely strong, almost like putting colored cement in-between your tiles.
Should grout be lighter or darker than tile?
SHOULD GROUT BE DARKER OR LIGHTER THAN THE TILE? If you want to highlight the pattern your tile creates, a contrasting color is best. If you’re trying to unify your tile, such as with a wood look tile floor, go for a close match that’s a little bit lighter than your tile.
Do you have to grout porcelain tile?
Even with rectified tiles, it is not recommended to lay tiles without grout. Grout helps to protect the tiles against movement in case of the house shifting, it also helps make the tiles easier to care for in wet areas.
Which is better sanded or unsanded grout?
Sanded grout is the go-to choice for most interior flooring installations. This is because it is more durable than unsanded grout, can handle foot traffic, and is usable for larger tile joints.
Do porcelain tiles need special adhesive?
If you’re fixing a larger ceramic tile (larger than 30 x 30 cm) or any size porcelain tile to your walls, you will need to use a powdered adhesive. It’s important to ensure your wall can bear the weight of tiles and adhesive.
How thick should mortar be for porcelain tile?
The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick. For example, a 3/8″ notch trowel will produce a 3/16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.
What type of grout is best for bathroom floor?
Epoxy grout is the most durable choice for ceramic tile. As with cement-based grout, it comes in both sanded and unsanded forms. This type of grout doesn’t need to be sealed and can withstand any kind of spill your bathroom could dish up.
Can you lay porcelain tile without grout lines?
Well, the short answer would be a simple no – you should not attempt to install tile without grout. It’s not like grout adds to the stability of the tile installation (unless we talk about a few exceptional cases) so why is grout necessary?May 27, 2021.
What do you put in between porcelain tiles?
Laying porcelain paving requires more cement than other pavers (it’s necessary to build a stronger bond between paving slab and earth). As such, you’ll need to mix your mortar using 4 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement.
Can you leave grout on tile overnight?
Make sure your tile surface is completely dry before you attempt to remove any haze. This typically takes about 24 hours. Consult your installation professional—or, if you DIY-ed it, your grout’s packaging—for the exact amount of time. But do not wait more than 10 days to remove grout haze.
What color grout is easiest to keep clean?
The grout color that’s easiest to keep clean is likely to be a neutral shade such as a gray, or a tone of beige. These are super-practical choices for both kitchen and bathroom tile, and will demand less maintenance to stay looking good as new.
What color grout should I use with black tile?
When Using Black or Colored Tile… A light grout will make your tile pattern stand out and add even more interest. If you choose a dark or black tile, a grey or charcoal shade of grout will create a softer look.
Does white grout turn yellow?
Numerous grout types are prone to yellowing. For example, white epoxy grouts are notorious for turning yellow. Certain cleaners, especially those that contain dyes, can cause discoloration of grout. Household bleach commonly discolors grout.
How can I tell if my tile is ceramic or porcelain?
The easiest and fastest way to tell a ceramic tile from a porcelain tile is to take a look at its edge. A ceramic tile, whether for floor or wall use, has a glaze on top of the surface, giving it its color and finish. Porcelain tiles may be glazed but are frequently not.
How long after laying tile can I grout?
You should wait at least 24 hours before grouting the tiles. You may notice that the edges of the thinset or the thinset showing through the grout lines looks dry. Don’t be fooled by this.
Which is better porcelain tile or ceramic tile?
Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they’re harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use.
Why does unsanded grout crack?
ANSWER – There are many reasons why a grout will crack and come loose. Unsanded grout is recommended for grout joints 1/8″ wide down to 1/16″ wide. Or sometimes too much water is used in mixing the grout and/or in cleaning the grout right after it is installed. Too much water weakens the grout causing it to crumble.
Do you have to seal unsanded grout?
Unsanded Grout Basics. Unsanded grout contains no sand and is best used for thin grout lines and for delicate tile surfaces as well as for most glass tile. Sealing is not required with unsanded grout in some applications, but it is usually recommended.
What type of grout should I use?
Sanded Grout: Use sanded grout for grout joints from 1/8 inch up to 5/8 inch to resist cracking and shrinkage. Unsanded Grout: Use unsanded grout for grout joints up to 1/8 inch. Use only unsanded grout with glass, polished marble or metal tile to avoid scratching the tile.
Can you glue down porcelain tile?
The Tile Council of North America recommends using the highest quality adhesive for porcelain tiles. Ceramic tile, for example, which absorbs more water in everyday use, will grab hold of the adhesive, so it’s easier to use. But since porcelain does not, they recommend an epoxy or latex modified thinset.
Can I use Mastic on porcelain tile?
Mastic and thinset mortar are types of adhesives most often used for ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile installations.
Where do porcelain tiles come from?
The first porcelain tiles were made in China, for example in the 15th-century Porcelain Tower of Nanjing (now largely destroyed). Here the tiles were used for walls, which long remained typical. In Europe, a few rooms were made in palaces of porcelain plaques, often with forms in high relief.
