Don’t Overlook Grout!

By | December 7, 2015

Don’t Overlook Grout!

In Florida, we LOVE our tiled floors. Our tiled floors help keep our homes cool during the extreme heat of the summer. Not only do they keep our home cool, but our tiled floors are highly durable and very easy to clean. As much as we love our tile, there is one portion of our tile floors that we easily overlook. It is the grout the accompanies our tile.

What exactly is grout?

Grout is the filler line of a cement like substance that sits between the tiles. Have you ever wondered why we need to use grout on our tiled floors, showers and backsplashes? There are a number of reasons why it is important to include grout in your tiled flooring including:

Hiding Imperfection:

Yes, it is true, not all tiles are cut equally nor to perfection! That means, if you attempted to lay tile without grout, every crooked line and imperfection in your tile will shine through! Imagine looking at those imperfections on a grand scale…how would they look in a kitchen or in an open concept home?

Dirt, Grime, Stains, Crumbs and Mold Growth:

We just learned that tile isn’t cut perfectly which means if you were to place tile side by side without grout there could potentially be little spaces and gaps. These tiny gaps are a great place for liquid to seep into. Imagine how dirty your tile would look if every spill on the kitchen floor left a little residue behind! Not only that, what if water sunk in between tile and started growing mold. The health of your family could be at risk!

Damage Control:

Grout leaves space between tile, reducing pressure and rubbing that could occur due to home settling if there is no grout in place. This pressure could eventually lead to damaged, cracked and chipped tiles.

Did you know there are different types of grout?

There are two types of grout material on the market today. One is a cement based product and the other is crafted out of epoxy.

What’s the difference?

Cement Grout:

Simply explained, cement grout is colored cement which is a great option for decorating as you can match it to the color palette of the room you are tiling. It comes in two forms, sanded or not sanded. The finish selected is usually dependent on the width of the space between the tile. A general rule of thumb is; grout joints smaller than 1/8” should use the non-sanded version while anything over 1/8” should use sanded.

If you have cement grout in your home or you are about to lay new grout, it is important for you to consider sealing it with a penetrating or impregnating sealer. Applying a grout sealer can help preserve the color and condition of your cement grout. Cement grout is very porous and can stain and discolor if not protected correctly.

Epoxy Grouts:

Epoxy grouts are a type of synthetic thermosetting polymers or resins. These grouts do not require a sealer because they are crafted to be stain resistant.

Most of our homes are equipped with cement, porous grout. Sometimes this type of grout can become dull, stained and the color may fade away, ruining the overall decor of a room. Complete Care Systems can recolor your grout and bring new life into any room with tile. Contact us today for information and a free quote. We will work with you to make your home shine!