Tile & Natural Stone FAQs
Cracked grout can easily let moisture and debris into the spaces between the tile and mortar, which may result in tiles coming loose. In addition, cracked grout turns into missing grout that can eventually ruin the installation. Fixing cracked grout is worth the time it takes.
For maximum stain protection, it’s important to seal and periodically reseal natural stone floors. Select a high quality penetrating sealer, preferable one with a natural, no-sheen finish.
The tile type often dictates what size joint space to use. It is desirable to have small joints in most cases. If a tile is rectified (cut after firing) a 2mm or 3mm space is possible. But not all tiles are 100% perfectly sized, therefore a bigger joint is sometime needed for a more aesthetic distribution of pieces.
Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass, which is then baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze allows an unlimited variety of colors and designs as well as protects the tile from staining. Unglazed tiles have a surface that is not coated. Full-body porcelain tiles have color that extends throughout the tile body.
The final look of mixed stone tiles may fall short of appearance expectations, especially if the stone is variegated and veined. Your installer should mix tiles from different boxes during installation to achieve a more even, visually pleasing result. You should always inspect the natural stone with the installer before the installation takes place.
