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* BUSINESS CARDS
* BILL BOOKS
* BROCHURES
* OFFICE STATIONERY
* MAGAZINES
* Wedding Invitations etc.
Contact us today at:
Tel: 1-869-469-5907
Fax: 1-869-469-5891
Email: nevprint@sisterisles.kn
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Five Key Things to Consider Before
Applying that Grout
When selecting a new tile floor, you don’t want to forget about grout. It may seem like a trivial decision to
make, but grout color and width will make all the difference in the appearance of your new floor. Before
you apply grout to your new tile floor, there are five key things to keep in mind.
1. Selecting the Right Color
No matter what the thickness of your grout, it will be visible so you want to choose a shade of grout that
will compliment your tile and your décor. You can get grout in all sorts of colors now, so you can try to
match the color of your tile so it blends in more or you can choose a contrasting shade the will
emphasize the spacing between each tile. Remember that white and lighter shades of grout will show dirt
and stains more than darker colors. Grout color can also change over time so you’ll want to keep that in
mind when selecting a shade for your new floor.
2. Purchase the Correct Tools
Just as with any home improvement project, having the right tools is important if you want to complete the
project effectively. You should purchase a good quality grout to ensure that it stands up over time. You
will need some kind of tool to apply the grout – a palette knife or spatula or trowel will decrease the mess
on the floor and on you. Using these tools will also help you keep the grout level. You don’t want the
grout to be too much lower or higher than the level of the tiles. You will also need a sponge or cloth and
a bucket to remove any excess.
3. Spacing
Spacing the tiles and the grout is a tricky business, but you need to be patient and take your time to
ensure that your tiles look evenly spaced out. You might want to take the time to layout your tiles and
ensure the correct spacing before even gluing them in place. You will need to work somewhat quickly
once the glue is down, so planning ahead like this can save a lot of stress and aggravation later.
Once you have your tiles and know the size, you’ll want to figure out how much grout you want to have
showing. When it comes to actually laying down your tile, you can purchase spacers at your local home
improvement or hardware store. These will help you keep the tiles a specific distance apart and ensure a
consistent width of grout all around the tiles.
You need to make sure that your tiles are in the correct spot before you put the grout down. The grout
only fills the spaces between the tiles, so if you find that the grout lines are uneven it is the result of the
tiles being crooked, not the grout itself.
4. Sealer
To protect grout, you need to apply a sealer. This sealer will protect the grout from damage and stains.
You can purchase these sealers at your local home store or at a specialty tile store. It may take some
time to apply this sealant, because you have to go over each grout line without getting any on the tile,
but it will really help protect your grout from all sorts of harm. Your grout will probably show age quicker
than the tiles themselves, so you want to do everything you can to protect your grout right from the start.
5. Maintenance
You need to clean and maintain your grout, just as you do the tile itself. In fact, you probably need to pay
more attention to the grout since over time it will build up dirt faster than the tile surface. If your grout is
not perfectly level with your tile, your mop may miss some of the dirt and stains and cracks or holes in
the grout can also hide bits of dirt and bacteria. Every once and awhile, you should carefully clear all of
the grout lines to ensure you remove any hidden dirt and stains that might be missed during your usual
cleanings. Over time you may even want to apply more sealer since it can be worn down by high traffic
and scrubbing.
Next featured article would be:
Three Top Reasons NOT to Tile over Vinyl Flooring
Applying that Grout
When selecting a new tile floor, you don’t want to forget about grout. It may seem like a trivial decision to
make, but grout color and width will make all the difference in the appearance of your new floor. Before
you apply grout to your new tile floor, there are five key things to keep in mind.
1. Selecting the Right Color
No matter what the thickness of your grout, it will be visible so you want to choose a shade of grout that
will compliment your tile and your décor. You can get grout in all sorts of colors now, so you can try to
match the color of your tile so it blends in more or you can choose a contrasting shade the will
emphasize the spacing between each tile. Remember that white and lighter shades of grout will show dirt
and stains more than darker colors. Grout color can also change over time so you’ll want to keep that in
mind when selecting a shade for your new floor.
2. Purchase the Correct Tools
Just as with any home improvement project, having the right tools is important if you want to complete the
project effectively. You should purchase a good quality grout to ensure that it stands up over time. You
will need some kind of tool to apply the grout – a palette knife or spatula or trowel will decrease the mess
on the floor and on you. Using these tools will also help you keep the grout level. You don’t want the
grout to be too much lower or higher than the level of the tiles. You will also need a sponge or cloth and
a bucket to remove any excess.
3. Spacing
Spacing the tiles and the grout is a tricky business, but you need to be patient and take your time to
ensure that your tiles look evenly spaced out. You might want to take the time to layout your tiles and
ensure the correct spacing before even gluing them in place. You will need to work somewhat quickly
once the glue is down, so planning ahead like this can save a lot of stress and aggravation later.
Once you have your tiles and know the size, you’ll want to figure out how much grout you want to have
showing. When it comes to actually laying down your tile, you can purchase spacers at your local home
improvement or hardware store. These will help you keep the tiles a specific distance apart and ensure a
consistent width of grout all around the tiles.
You need to make sure that your tiles are in the correct spot before you put the grout down. The grout
only fills the spaces between the tiles, so if you find that the grout lines are uneven it is the result of the
tiles being crooked, not the grout itself.
4. Sealer
To protect grout, you need to apply a sealer. This sealer will protect the grout from damage and stains.
You can purchase these sealers at your local home store or at a specialty tile store. It may take some
time to apply this sealant, because you have to go over each grout line without getting any on the tile,
but it will really help protect your grout from all sorts of harm. Your grout will probably show age quicker
than the tiles themselves, so you want to do everything you can to protect your grout right from the start.
5. Maintenance
You need to clean and maintain your grout, just as you do the tile itself. In fact, you probably need to pay
more attention to the grout since over time it will build up dirt faster than the tile surface. If your grout is
not perfectly level with your tile, your mop may miss some of the dirt and stains and cracks or holes in
the grout can also hide bits of dirt and bacteria. Every once and awhile, you should carefully clear all of
the grout lines to ensure you remove any hidden dirt and stains that might be missed during your usual
cleanings. Over time you may even want to apply more sealer since it can be worn down by high traffic
and scrubbing.
Next featured article would be:
Three Top Reasons NOT to Tile over Vinyl Flooring
