Tips on Installing Tile & Grout in your Home

If you are looking to update your home with fresh, clean tile in Phoenix, you have no doubt looked into the costs of having it professionally done, and taking on the job yourself. Admittedly, there are plenty of different ways to install and grout tile, as well as keeping up with the maintenance and cleaning the tile and grout on a regular basis. But how do you know what the best route is? Are some methods more appealing than others, financially and physically? Make sure you know all of the facts before you make this huge step in the improvement of your home and its flooring.

Before you undertake this project, you should always get a good idea for what you want in the new flooring you are about to put in place. Look at pictures of different tile styles, trim, grout colors and seals, alignment, and patterns. There are plenty of great outlets that can provide you with these inspiring images including Google, Pinterest, and even just going down to your local hardware store. Getting a good look at some other ideas can really help you when you are trying to decide what kind of tile and grout is best for your home and what will look the most appealing once it’s in.

Just because you want the job done fast and now now now, doesn’t mean that you should exclude online retailers. Some online retailers could even provide better prices for the usually moderately priced tile that people put in their homes. Online tile shopping could even provide you with better options than you have at your local hardware and flooring stores. So don’t exclude these retailers just because they are not convenient or fast enough. A lot of the time, in hardware stores, you will have to special order your tile anyways- if you want the right look in your home.

Once you have chosen the right kind of tile and look you want in your home, planning out the layout and pattern is crucial to pulling off a good look with the flooring. All too often, people do not consider how a pattern will look in its intended space. Once it’s installed, you can’t take it back without spending massive amounts of money to do so. When you’re looking at the tile you’ve picked, consider the different angles in your home, walls, layout, and overall square footage before you lay it down and have it permanently placed.

Once you have worked out the logistics of placing tile and grout in your home, you should get the proper tools to get it done right. You could use the less dangerous, ineffective “score and snap” method to cut your tile into the right pieces. This, however, could create inaccurate, unsightly cuts that could ruin the look of your newly installed tile and grout. Your best bet is to use a wet saw. It’s much more accurate and can give you the clean, straight edges you need to make your tile installation look great. You can also have the pieces cut at your local hardware store so you don’t have to deal with the hazard of the wet saw.

Once the tile is laid out and you’re ready for the grouting process, you should choose the proper grout that fits with your tile. It comes in a variety of colors and textures, so choose wisely. If you have a natural stone tile, you should use unsanded grout, as this will create less scratching on the stones. If you have large and small joints, use the sanded grout for the larger ones, as this fills the space better, and unsanded grout for smaller joints. This is delicate work, so make sure you wear gloves to keep it off your hands and mix it properly so there are on redundancies in the mixture.

Finally, you should definitely seal your grout. Grout is porous and very susceptible to damage, so sealing it will give it a longer life and make it look as though it’s brand new every single day. Tile sealing is also possible with some materials, and this is also a good idea for the same reasons. Your tile can look beautiful and maintain its durability for a long time to come if it’s properly sealed.

For the best tile and Phoenix grout cleaning and maintenance in Arizona, come to Desert Tile & Grout Care. We have the tools, experience, and knowledge you need in order to maintain the carefully installed tile in your home. For more information, contact us today.

Published By:

2917 E. Park Avenue
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
Office: 480-288-4475
Website: deserttileandgrout.com