Tile and Grout Sealing

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Tile and Grout Sealing

An important preventative step is sealing your tile and grout

Everyone is talking about it and many have had it done but have you had it done yet?! We’re talking about sealing your grout and tile. If not, it’s something seriously worth considering. It’s a relatively inexpensive service compared to the value it gives. So, what exactly is tile and grout sealing?

Before we dive into the particulars of what tile and grout sealing is, it’s best we first examine what the different types of grouts are.

What are the types of grout?

Grout is the material used to fill in the space between each tile. The grout joint (the space) between each tile is typically anywhere from 1/8” to about ½”. The sizing you choose is more so dependent on aesthetic preference than a structural or technical need.

Cement Base AKA Cementitious Grout

There are many different color options to choose from. This grout can be purchased premixed, meaning that the grout comes in a pale and ready for use. Or in a power like form that is ready to be mixed using water or a proprietary mix from the manufacturer.

The two main grout companies that most are familiar with are Laticrete and Mapei.

Cementitious grout is a blend of cement, polymers, color pigments and graded aggregates. Both sanded and unsanded grouts are made from the same ingredients except unsanded is composed of much finer aggregate particles thus not having that gritty look or feel. There are two main types of cementitious grout: sanded and unsanded.

                     Sanded– Used for floors and rarely used for walls. Due to the enlarged sand (aggregate) particles, it’s more durable than unsanded grout thus better for high trafficked areas. Sanded grout should not be used in grout joints 1/8 and smaller.
               Unsanded– Mainly used for walls and low trafficked areas. Not recommended for floor applications unless the material is a natural stone. Best used for walls such as backsplashes and shower walls. Unsanded grout is the better choice for smaller grout joints.

With ever enhancing technologies, both Laticrete and Mapei have engineered grout enhancers to be used in place of water when mixing cement based grout. The grout enhancer acts as a built in sealer. It forms with the grout to create a denser grout with long lasting pigment colors. It helps repel dirt and grime and inhibits mold and mildew growth.

Most homeowners, builders and contractors use cementitious grout because it’s the easiest to work with and has a great deal of forgiveness in regards to application and cleanup compared to epoxy grouts.

Epoxy Grouts 

Epoxy grouts are entirely different from cementitious grouts. You do not and cannot mix epoxy grouts with water. In fact, epoxy grouts are mixed with their own proprietary blend of resin, hardeners, fillers and pigments. The mixtures are usually a two or three component mixer blend plus the pigment color. Typically, epoxy grouts are sold as a kit equipped with the needed materials to mix the grout.  

Benefits of Epoxy grouts.

Virtually stain proof

Waterproof

extremely durable,

color and pigment longevity retention,

can be combined with custom pigments for a glitter or glow in the dark effects

mold and mildew resistant

Application of Epoxy Grouts

Epoxy grouts can be submerged in water for pool application, or in high moisture areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms or catchall rooms, or dry areas such as living rooms.

The bonding chemical structure of epoxy grouts allows for the grout to be more flexible. Thus epoxy grouts are extremely resistant to shrinkage and cracking. 

While epoxy grouts ARE much more durable than cementitious grouts, it’s important to note that epoxy grouts take longer to cure, meaning harden. During the curing phase, this grout MUST remain extremely clean and free of any dirt or debris. It is only stain and waterproof once it has fully cured. Not following such precautions may result in stained grout. 

Because epoxy grouts are waterproof- meaning that unlike cementitious grouts which will absorb water, oils and other liquids-epoxy grouts will repel water and moisture, epoxy grouts should not be sealed with a grout sealer. 

Why it's important to seal your tile and grout​

Tile Sealing

Throughout this blog post, you’ll often hear us refer to tile and grout sealing. Cementitious grout should ALWAYS be sealed for reasons written about in this post. However, tile should only be sealed when it is a porous and/natural stone. Meaning, glass, porcelain, ceramic tile does not need to be sealed. Their grout lines do, however, so long as the grout is cement based. 

We are often asked what the difference between certain grout sealers and what is the different between each sealant description. So, let’s discuss sealant terms and what they mean

 

Penetrating aka Impregnators

This means that the sealer should absorb into the tile or grout to create the sealant barrier. Penetrating sealers and Impregnators are not a surface sealant. Meaning that they do not coat the top of the surface of a porous area such as cementitious grout and tile. Rather this type of sealer will penetrate.

The Pros always chooses a grout and tile sealer that DOES NOT change the sheen level or color of your grout or tile. There are many products on the market that has the ability to change the sheen level of your tile. Most make it more a glossy effect.

Benefits of sealing your tile and grout

After reading above, hopefully you have a better understanding of tile and grout sealing. If not, please feel free to contact our office and we’d be more than happy to further assist you.

Tile and grout sealers act as an invisible, impermeable protectant barrier. The sealant forms a bond with the tile and grout and acts as a shield as it penetrates.

Grout and tile sealants protect against water and oil spills.

Protects against stains, dirt and grime.

Keep tile and grout looking new.

Easier clean up.

Due to the barrier, water cannot penetrate thus inhibiting mold and mildew growth. This is a HUGE pro for sealing your tile and grout. Believe it or not, we’ve seen marble actually stain from mold and mildew growth. Even after it was cleaned and our clients wanted the tile sealed, the unfortunate growth of the mold and mildew caused the tile to stain.  

For natural and porous stone, you MUST seal the tile using an impregnating sealer prior to grouting to avoid the grout staining the tile. This is especially true for cement, marble, travertine, sandstone, and other heavily porous stone.

Contact The Pros for all your tile and grout sealing needs in Houston, TX. We would be more than happy to assist you.

Tile and Grout Sealing Q&A

No, it does not change the color of your grout. In fact, it helps keep your grout and tile looking new far longer compared to no sealer application.

Depending on the sealer you choose, yes it can change the sheen level of your tile and grout. When we provide this service, unless otherwise specified and requested by our client, we DO NOT use a sealer that changed the sheen level.

The sealer should penetrate your tile and/or grout lines. It helps in making the tile more resistant to stains and helps keep it waterproof. Technically because the sealer penetrates, there should be no reason it is more or less susceptible to scratching.

Depending on the traffic, you should seal your grout and tile at least once a year. More often if your area is high traffic.

Yes. And its actually recommended to seal exterior surfaces.

No. Mortar is the material component of thinset. We use thinset to adhere your tile to its subfloor or wall backing. However, for wall tile applications, many pros opt for a Mastic glue in areas that are not high moisture such as backsplashes. You cannot use this for grout.

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    Home Design Trends of 2019

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    2019 Home Design Trends in Houston, TX

    We’d like to preface this blog by stating that because something is a trend that does not mean it’s an absolute design choice. We strongly encourage our clients to choose their home design based upon their wants, needs and the functionality that makes sense for their families. While it’s no secret that designs come and go, there are many designs that are simply classics that will remain in style and truly stands the test of time. On that note, we’ve noticed that trends tend to circle around every 15-25 years, but with a modern twist, for example, gold hardware and mid-century mod furniture.

    Backsplash Trends

    Let’s discuss tile shapes quickly. Understanding each shape of tile will help you narrow down the selection.

    Square

    Subway

    Arabesque

    Hexagon

    Mosaics

    Triangle

    Diamond

    Octagon

    Rhomboid

    Chevron

    Lantern

    Texture

    Each comes in various sizes ranging from smaller mosaics to larger tiles. Each tile can be installed as a backsplash, wall tile, floor tile, and shower/bath body.

    Geometrical Tile Shapes such as the hexagon, octagon, and triangle are very popular and add a retro vibe when installed. They make a great choice for your bathroom, laundry rooms and catchall rooms if you are aiming for the vintage/retro with a modern twist motif. 

    Cement Tile/Stencil Tile. This tile requires a knowledgeable installer. The installation method is quite different than your porcelain, ceramic and natural stone. This tile is purchased per tile which differs from per sq. ft. Cement tiles are designed with beautiful patterns for a nice visual. This tile can be installed on the wall or floor. It offers a beautiful pattern. 

    Coutertop Trends

    Quartz counters are currently the most popular counter top being installed at the moment in Houston; more specifically Quartz that resembles marble. Luxurious looking without the continuous up keep of marble, quartz gained in popularity because of the many selections, styles, colors and most importantly its durability. Not to mention it’s much more budget friendly than real marble while offering a more benefits such as lower maintenance, more durable, and  it’s nonporous which means it doesn’t stain like real marble. Every designer, builder, flipper, remodeler and contractor is using quartz.

    Granite is not too far behind in popularity.

    Quartz Countertop

    Granite Countertop

    Cabinet Trends

    Colors and color blocking. Adding hues to the kitchen is all the rave. Colors help set the mood and feel. Matte finished cabinets are increasing in popularity. 

    Bright Kitchens. Many of our clients LOVE bright kitchens. Installing light colored cabinets is the best way for a bright kitchen and many offset the bright cabinets with a darker counter or backsplash. White cabinets are on the up rise, and other colors such as light grays are too. 

    Upper glass cabinet doors with Decorative Mullions and Mutins are VERY trendy, stylish and add a world of elegance with their design. This is a particular favorite of mine. We love adding a few upper cabinets to frame around the sink area to add a beautiful visual. If you’re not keen on a glass display because of the transparency, a mirror substituting the glass is growing in popularity.

    Open shelving is popular but may not be functional for every family. Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper seems to love using open shelving in the kitchen, especially around the sink area. While they are beautiful, many Houston homeowners rather shy away from this style of cabinetry and opt for beautiful cabinets with glass doors. If you are interested in an open shelving concept, there are limitless options to choose from. This style is a wonderful option if you love to display your China or have plants in your kitchen. Open shelves can absolutely be incorporated in any type of kitchen, even as accent shelving.

    Traditional kitchen cabinets are popular but very taste specific. Homeowners like to pick this particular style of cabinetry to fit their design motif. Traditional cabinetry offers beautifully carved designs and very rich in color. This style of cabinetry is fun to design because of the all different trims, pillars and corbels that can add elegant detail.

    Shaker Cabinets are popular have been for quite a few years now. Minimal design with straight lines, they are design adaptable and aesthetically pleasing. These cabinets are a perfect choice for builders and flippers because they are neutral in design and not very taste specific.

    Gold and Brass hardware. Old world charm meets elegant modern. Gone are the days of chunky and clunky faucets and cabinet hardware and in are minimal sleek straight lined gold and brass hardware. Some love and some hate this trend. When designed right, it looks beautiful. One major down side of this trend is that once it has passed, it makes the space look very dated. 

    Traditional Style Cabinets

    Dark Modern Kitchen

    Shaker Style Color Block Kitchen

    Dark Matte Colored Cabinets with Brass Faucet

    MIRRORS

    Mirrors are very vogue at the moment. And not just wall mirrors, but mirrored furniture, cabinets and armoires! Smoked and antiqued mirrors add old world charm and when paired with decorative mullions and muntins, it modernizes the décor.

    Wallpaper

    Love it or hate it, wallpaper is trending. Wallpaper can be fun and add great pizzazz to your room. Patterns, florals, shapes and textured wallpaper are what our clients LOVE. We have been doing more accent walls in wallpaper than full rooms. It’s a great backdrop to a desk or bed and can be added as a beautiful focal point.

    Flooring trends

    Waterproof flooring is a more of a necessity for Houston homeowners than an actual trend. For homeowners that have braved Hurricane Harvey and faced its aftermath and destruction to new home owners that refuse to fall victim to such a disaster, all are asking for waterproof flooring.

    The flooring best suited to be called waterproof is tile. Tile flooring offers so many options, designs and layouts. There is something for everyone. Tile is the preferred flooring option for Houstonians because of the extreme heat and weather conditions. Spills and floods can be easily cleaned on a tile floor and it offers a cooling effect in the hot and humid summer months. Luckily, winters here are milder in comparison to other areas of the US and tile isn’t a complete nuisance during the winter. 98 out of 100 homes we enter have at least 1 area of tile flooring. Some homes are completely tiled while others are tiled on the entire first floor opening the second floor to another flooring choice.

    Hardwood Tile Planks Flooring. Tile that looks like hardwood is very popular in Houston because of how stylish it is. Since Houston is such a warm and humid climate, solid hardwood floors require more upkeep than most homeowners have time for. (Stay tuned for the pros and cons of installing hardwood in Houston). Tile that looks like hardwood is the perfect solution. Easy to clean and extremely scratch resistant are qualities that make it a wonderful choice for Houston homeowners. Wood look tile flooring is offered in a variety of colors such as browns, the uber trendy grays, and whites and multicolored for a more rustic and distressed look.

    Faux marble tile (not to be confused with Quartz). Faux marble tile is typically a porcelain tile with a Carrera marble print. This tile is offered in matte and gloss finishes. It is a perfect alternative for getting that marble look on a budget. It’s also more durable and requires less maintenance than real marble making it a great choice for tile flooring in Houston.

    Waterproof luxury vinyl. Waterproof luxury vinyl comes in both stone and hardwood variations. Te COREtec flooin brand is our coice of clickable luxury vinyl. Wen tis product it te market, it revolutionized te floorin world. Now tere are many brands tat offer clickable luxury vinyl. We ave many in stock colors of various luxury vinyl brands.

    Engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood is much more popular for Houston homeowners than solid hardwood. Offering the same aesthetic appeal, sometimes you cannot tell if its solid or engineered!, it requires a world less upkeep. Cool toned engineered hardwoods have been gaining in popularity as opposed to browns with red and orange undertones. Browns tones with an undertone of grays are trendy because that combination offers the cool tones that Houston homeowners love. My favorite engineered hardwood to date is Bruce gray hand scraped hard maple. If you happen to have an engineered hardwood but you want to change the colors, we offer sanding and refinishing hardwood services.

    Solid Hardwoods. Flooring trends wouldn’t be complete without solid hardwood. While it’s true that engineered hardwoods are more popular than solids, we can’t leave solid hardwood off the list completely! Many of our clients simply love their hardwood and wouldn’t have any other way! Wide plank hardwoods are much more popular with our Houston clients that narrower plank hardwoods. We’ve also book installing a lot more Herringbone and Chevron pattern hardwood. LOW sheen and oiled floors are beloved and are often sought after from our clients. Once main point we’d like to make, specifically because of te Houston climate, is to install live sawn or rift and quarter sawn hardwood. These refer to the types of cuts of hardwood.  They offer a more structurally sound hardwood and the hardwood expands and contracts much less when cut in this manner.

    Sheens. Semi-gloss and glossy sheens for hardwoods and engineered hardwoods are very outdated. Having glossy floors automatically makes your hardwoods look dated and old. Not to mention you can see every scratch and slight discrepancy with high gloss floors. Softer sheens like satin and matte finishes are VERY in. Houston homeowners almost ALWAYS choose a prefinished solid or engineered hardwood, and most manufactures offer their floors with a proprietary sheen blend. However, very few manufactures are making high gloss flooring.

    Contrary to outdated glossy hardwoods and engineered floors, polished tile that is glossy is trending right now in Houston. Glazed tile has a more muted finish close to matte but not quite as dull as matte. This particular finish is equally as trend as polished tile and if often installed in areas with water and moisture to avoid slip and falls.

    Paint color trends

    Grays are still super popular. I have a sneaky feeling that the grays will start to shift toward whites and all the palettes of cool white tones and we have been seeing a sift toward geige color paints – Just my opinion for now, we shall see!. Light bright colors are VERY in, in Houston TX. Clients want their home to feel light, bright and cheerful. Some of the most popular colors our clients have been choosing are:

    Popular Gray Paint Colors

    Sherwin Williams

    Amazing Gray

    Sherwin Williams

    Agreeable Gray

    Sherwin Williams

    Light French Gray

    Sherwin Williams

    Repose Gray

    Behr

    Fashion Gray

    Behr

    Skyline Steel

    Behr

    Natural Gray

    Behr

    High Speed Access

    Behr

    Silver City

    Behr

    Tin Foil

    Behr

    Silver Feather

    Behr

    Silver Drop

    Popular White Paint Colors

    Benjamin Moore

    Chantilly Lace

    Benjamin Moore

    White Dove

    Farrow and Ball

    All White

    Behr

    White Pepper

    Behr

    Off the Grid

    Behr

    Soft Focus

    Behr

    White Time

    Behr

    Mission White

    Behr

    Swiss Coffee

    Behr

    Diamonds Therapy

    Behr

    Painters White

    Behr

    Cotton Knot

    Behr

    Morning Dove

    Behr

    Snowy Pine

    Behr

    Evening White

    The most popular paint sheens are flat/matte, eggshell and satin. Semi and high gloss are mostly used on trim and mouldings as these finishes are much easier to wipe clean. Our preferred wall paint finish is satin. Satin is the goldilocks’ finish between flat and gloss as it’s not too shiny (i.e. semi-gloss) but it’s not too dull (e.g. flat) and it’s super easy to wipe clean without taking off the paint.

    Powder Rooms

    BOLD Powder rooms are tending. Powder rooms are smaller than your master bath or guest bathroom. This is the perfect opportunity to make this room stand out.

    Floating Vanities and Bucket Sinks. Floating vanities are more of a modern design while bucket sinks are total farmhouse décor. One main staple of a power room is your pedestal sink.

    Cement tile or stenciled floors. Cement tile is generally more expensive than porcelain and some natural stones. However, if you happen to love cement tile, it’s completely worth it. Each tile is handcrafted thus the reason for the pricing being per tile and not per square foot. Cement tile, although beautiful, can have an overwhelming and over stimulating design effect. A powder room floor is the PERFECT space to lay this floor because powder rooms are typically smaller in square foot size than other areas of your home. This style of tile is a definite design must for that farmhouse style everyone loves! 

    Shiplap. Tons of homes in Texas have shiplap. Many have it exposed as a design element, while other older homes have it hiding under the current walls. It’s such a great surprise to find shiplap. Shiplap is the epitome of a Texas farmhouse.

    Technology Infused Homes

    On MAJOR trend of 2019 and for future years are technologically advanced homes AKA Smart Homes. As our technology advances, so does the need and requirement to implement it in our everyday lives. This is going to be a blog of its own, so stay tuned!

    Conclusion

    So to recap on the overall design and building trends in 2019, COOL toned colors are in from wall paint and paper down to the color of your flooring, cools tones are hot. Houston homeowners love light colored homes.

    Clients are packing a design punch in their powder room bathrooms. Going for more of a bold design in the powder rooms because of the size, it’s been a great experience working with our clients when they have the bravery to choose some daring styles. From bucket sinks to cement stenciled floor tiles, if you want to try a new style, a powder room is the perfect area of your home to do so. Our clients want their kitchen designs to withstand the test of time. Choosing Quartz and keeping the kitchen on the lighter side is the best way to avoid a dated look in 5-10 years from now. Light bright colors are in. Accent walls with wallpaper with beautiful patterns add for a beautiful visual.

    Contact The Pros for all your updating needs in Houston, TX. We would be more than happy to assist you.

    • 1-855-G0T-PR0S(408-7707)
    • info@calltheconstructionpros.com
    • 281-928-6133

    Full Service

    We can take care of all of your construction and remodeling needs. Call us today to discuss your project and see what a difference having The Pros in your construction will make. 

    Contact Us

    The Power of a Kitchen Backsplash

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    One of the most effective ways of adding design, style, pizzazz and flair to your kitchen is the installation of a new backsplash. Installing a backsplash is minimally intrusive in regards to the actual construction aspect of it and typically a day or two project(depending on the material you choose it can be a bit more time consuming)A new backsplash has the ability to change the entire look, feel, and vibe of your kitchen.

    The backsplash isn’t limited to just the kitchen, however. You can install a backsplash in a laundry room and bathroom where water and other liquids such as detergents and cleaners are present.

    What is a backsplash and why is it important to have one?

    The backsplash is a term used to describe the area of your kitchen or bathroom between the countertops and the bottom portion of the upper cabinets that will be covered with a material of your choice. It protects the bare wall from typical messes such as water, grease and other cooking related splashes. At once time it was installed purely for ease of cleaning; however, it has since become a main factor when designing a kitchen.

    While the main purpose of a backsplash is to act as a protectant, it’s also multifunctional as it is a huge factor when designing a kitchen. The kitchen backsplash is the perfect space to add your design flair. Backsplashes are a main component of aesthetic appeal. Due to it being the middle ground between the lower and upper cabinets, it’s usually the first area your eyes are drawn to when entering a kitchen. A backsplash has the ability to make or break a kitchen design. Choosing a busy backsplash design along with a busy countertop pattern can have an over stimulating effect. However, choosing solid or soft color backsplash design along with a busy countertop can have a balancing and harmonious effect on the overall design of the kitchen. A backsplash should tie an entire kitchen design together.

    The most popular material to use for a backsplash is tile; although other materials such as stainless steel are used as well.

    Popular tile materials include ceramic, porcelain, glass, mirror, natural stone, natural stone slab(usually the same as the countertop) and engineered stone such as quartz.

    *One major Faux Pas of installing backsplashes is using the same tile on the floor as on the backsplash. Often time’s tile manufacturers will produce a matching tile for the backsplash that is smaller than the floor tile but it has the same texture, style, pattern and even color; this is perfectly fine to use. However, we recommend never using the same size floor tile as the backsplash. However, using a slab that matches the countertop, when done right, is also a great option.

    How to finish off your backsplash edges?

    Don’t forget your trim pieces. You’ll never want to leave your backsplash with a cut edge. Make sure you have your matching pencils, chair rails and bull noses for a seamless and smooth finish.

    There are limitless design options for a backsplash. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to choose the perfect design for your style. But don’t worry! We offer a comprehensive design service for our clients.

    Here are some beautiful Backsplashes

    Contact The Pros for all your Backsplash and tiling needs in Houston, TX. We would be more than happy to assist you.

    • 1-855-G0T-PR0S(408-7707)
    • 281-928-6133
    • info@calltheconstructionpros.com

    Full Service

    We can take care of all of your construction and remodeling needs. Call us today to discuss your project and see what a difference having The Pros in your construction will make. 

    Contact Us