March/April 2011
TILE
!
L VE An edition of TILE Magazine
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Selecting & Applying Tile Adhesives pg. 12 Floor Care: 101 pg. 20 What’s New at Coverings pg. 34 Tiling the Path to a Sustainable Future pg. 39
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Table of Contents March/April 2011 vol. 8, no. 2
TILE
Magazine
Features
12 Selecting and Applying Tile Adhesives Selecting the right tile adhesive, and applying it carefully, are two keys to a durable, long-lasting installation whether you are working with ceramic, glass, or stone tiles, says columnist Michael Byrne. Grout is important because it protects tile edges, but the adhesive layer is even more important because it holds the tile in place, supports it from below, and eliminates voids.
20 Floor Care: 101
Dave Gobis asks, “You ever get that call from the customer who says their floor is ‘wearing out’ after several years of use? How about the one where they can’t keep the grout clean anymore? Most people fail to realize that tile being relatively impervious, hides no soil. Cement grout, being relatively porous, loves soil.” Read what he has to say about basic floor care techniques.
TILE Magazine, Vol. 8, Issue 2 (ISSN 1555-0567) is published 6 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct and Nov/Dec by, BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 3623700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals postage paid at Troy, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TILE Magazine, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923 Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to TILE Magazine, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or
[email protected].
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30 Coverings 2011: What to See and Do! International and domestic distributors, contractors, retailers, architects and designers will soon descend upon the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., March 14-17. Get a jump on the competition by previewing the latest news and offerings in technology, colors and materials from exhibiting manufacturers.
Departments Editorial...................................................................... 6 New Product Showcase ............................................ 8 A Woman’s Perspective .......................................... 26 Art Tile Collection .................................................... 29 Tile Products & What’s New at Coverings.......... 34
39 Tiling the Path to a Sustainable Future As green building initiatives continue to evolve, so too do expectations for the sustainability of building products. Today, product expectations are especially influenced by green product standards and green building specifications. Read what Bill Griese and Eric Astrachan of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) have to say about the topic and what role the organization plays in the green building community.
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Industry News .......................................................... 36 Calendar .................................................................. 36 Green Matters ......................................................... 38 Tile of Spain ............................................................ 42 Product Marketplace ............................................... 45 Tiles of Italy ............................................................. 46 Tiles of China .......................................................... 48 Tile of Turkey........................................................... 49 Advertiser’s Index .................................................... 51 Classifieds ............................................................... 51 Tile Q & A ................................................................ 52
On the Web Feel like something is missing in your day-to-day activities? Then follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and let’s start talking! For the most up-to-date information on all industry events, breaking news items, and special web-only features, visit www.tilemagonline.com daily!
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Letter From The Editor
TILE
®
Magazine
Phil Johnson, Publisher
[email protected] Arpi Nalbandian, Editor
[email protected] John Moore, Senior Editor
[email protected] Rick Arvidson, Sr. Art Director Jennifer Allen, Production Manager
[email protected] Editorial Contributors: Michael Byrne, Dave Gobis Publishing and Sales Office: 22801 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Phone: (818) 224-8035, Fax: (818) 224-8042
Just When I Thought I Had Seen It All A few months ago, I was asked by Tile of Spain representative Amanda Eden if I would like to join the annual “Reign In Spain” A+D Tour where four architects and designers and six journalists would find themselves on a week-long trip that included various parts of Spain (Madrid, Zaragoza, Teruel, and finally, Valencia, for the Cevisama show).
A
fter checking my production schedule for this issue, as well as that of Coverings Insider, I decided this opportunity should not and could not be passed up. As a lover of tile, architecture, history and certified foodie, suffice it to say it took me all but one minute to convince myself that I could work on the road while pulling all-nighters in my hotel room to make sure deadlines were met. Well, my plan worked, for the most part. I did get a lot of work done but darn it if I didn’t fall in love with the country, its people and most importantly, the friendships and bonds that were struck with my fellow travelers. Never have I been involved with such a great group of professionals who knew how to be serious when called for, and let loose when it was our “downtime” from the day’s activities. We were inseparable from day one and I can only thank the powers that be at White Good & Co. (Tile of Spain’s PR reps), Tile of Spain, the exhibitors of Cevisama who welcomed our group with tile eye-candy and information, the hard-working and dedicated people at Keraban who opened the doors to their manufacturing facility so we could see first-hand what it took to make
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tile (start-to-finish), and our informative, yet patient guides in Zaragoza and Teruel. In case you missed my live tweets from our various Spanish destinations, including my live coverage from Cevisama’s show floor, I invite you to join TILE on Twitter (@TileMagazine) and me (@TileEditor) so you won’t miss the next live-from-the-show-floor coverage from Coverings in Las Vegas (March 14-17). Feel free to browse through the albums of Reign In Spain/Cevisama images we posted on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TileMagazine) to appreciate everything we experienced and felt during that one week. Now that Coverings is here, you too can go on a whirlwind tour of tile-producing countries, such as Italy, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, China, Palestine, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Portugal, Peru, The Netherlands, India, Israel, France, Germany, Greece, and more! In addition to the great tile and stonerelated products on the show floor, the organizers of Coverings have set forth a program where there is truly something for everyone. Everything from daily featured seminars, the Installation Design Showcase, live Installation Demonstrations, CEUearning conference programs (tailored to the specific needs of installers, fabricators, architects and designers, distributors and retailers), and to end the day, Happy Hour on the show floor. We’ll be at Coverings each day to bring you the top stories and finds, so make sure to follow us on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook so you won’t miss a thing! TILE
March/April 2011
Tile Accounts Manager Phil Johnson • (818) 224-8035 ext. 2207 Southeast Regional Manager Scott Daniell • (770) 788-6377 Western Regional Manager Dan Lipman • (818) 224-8035 ext. 2206 Northeast Regional Manager Keith Parry • (973) 248-6097 Classified Ad Sales Sharon Ward • (847) 405-4017
[email protected] Italy Paolo Albertazzi • 39-059-686123 e-mail:
[email protected] UK/Europe/Mideast Patrick Connolly • 44-170-247-7341 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 44-170-247-7559 Brazil Lazzaro Menasce • 55-11-3822-4422 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 55-11-3663-5436 Turkey Hilmi Zafer Erdem • 90-0212-257-76-66 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 90-0212-287-00-99
For advertising information, call (800) 835-4398. Corporate Office: BNP Media II, L.L.C. 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700 Troy, MI 48084 Phone : (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317
Corporate Directors Timothy A. Fausch – Publishing John R. Schrei – Publishing Lisa L. Paulus – Finance Rita M. Fourmia – Corporate Strategy Director Marlene J. Witthoft – Human Resources Director Scott Kesler – Information Technology Vincent M. Miconi – Production Nikki Smith – Directories Michael T. Powell – Creative Holly Banks – Marketing Beth Surowiec – Clear Seas Research Emily Patten – Conferences & Events Audience Development Cassandra Haggard – Audience Development Coordinator Kelly Carlson – Multimedia Specialist Carolyn M. Alexander – Audience Audit Coordinator Contact Customer Service at: (847) 763-9534 • Fax: (847) 763-9538 •
[email protected] List Rental Postal contact: Rob Liska at 800-223-2194 x726
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digital design definition Made in the USA
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Product Showcase
Want to see more of the latest in ceramic and porcelain tile trends? Visit www.tilemagonline.com!
195 193
194 192 195 Michelle Griffoul Studios The Santa Barbara Collection from Michelle Griffoul Studios features a soothing yet striking color and design palette inspired by the surroundings of Santa Barbara, CA. Available in six hues, as well as color blends in random size mosaics. Circle 195 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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194 Bellavita Tile
193 Emil Ceramica
192 Daltile
New from Bellavita Tile is the Botswana series, a new design element for commercial or residential walls, backsplashes, countertops and showers. Boasting a glass and natural slate mosaic tile blend, the new collection showcases the sandy earth, gray stone, green grasses and white clouds of the African nation. Circle 194 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Emil Ceramica’s Golden Wood collection touts the warm colors found in natural woods. The product’s surface is smooth and plain, with internal wood-like graining. Offered in five colors. Circle 193 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Palatina Glazed Porcelain floor tiles from Daltile deliver the look of natural travertine with the ease of maintenance associated with quality ceramic tile. Available in 12” x 12” and 18” x 18” sizes, as well as a 3” x 12” bullnose, Palatina’s smooth surface and warm color palette with three colors integrates color variation within each tile, and from piece to piece. Circle 192 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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March/April 2011
191 187
190 189 191 Floor Gres
190 Marazzi USA
187 Ceracasa
189 Mediterranea
Walks/1.0 from Floor Gres reinterprets the look of quartzite into a porcelain stoneware collection that combines a rough texture with rich colors and graphics. Available in White, Black, Beige, Gray, and in several formats including mesh-mounted mosaics. Circle 191 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Marazzi USA’s new Timeless collection provides a “fresh take on the perennially popular look of traditional marbles.” The color variations and veining are created through Marazzi’s state-of-the-art 3D printing technique, allowing for infinite design capabilities unique to the company. Offered in five formats and three colors. Circle 190 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
The latest development from Ceracasa, ECOM4Tile, meets four different characteristics “with the biggest potential for the eco-construction or for the sustainable construction” sectors, including energy savings; comfort; easily cleaned; and a biocidal treatment that kills bacteria and reduces odors, the company notes. Circle 187 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Mediterranea has used advanced digital inkjet graphic design technology to recreate the classic look of heart pine timber with its Heart Pine series of glazed porcelain tile. The fully rectified collection has only recently been made possible with the design capabilities of Mediterranea’s exclusive Dynamic HD Imaging TM program. Circle 189 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
March/April 2011
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185 184
186 188 185 Crossville
186
Crossville’s new Color by Numbers wall tile program features coordinating Aura® Paint from Benjamin Moore® and floor tile from its own Color Blox Collection. Sixteen neutral and saturated colors comprise the collection. Available in glazed gloss and satin finishes in three sizes. Circle 185 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Dreaming, the latest collection from Lea Ceramiche, reproduces the look of marble using Lea’s Full HD technology. Available for floor applications in two finishes — levigata (polished) and velvet — in three sizes, and four shades (Crystal White, Romance Safari, Grey Temptation and Passion Pulpis). Circle 186 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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Lea Ceramiche
March/April 2011
184 Monocibec
188 Portinari
Monocibec presents its Ontario collection. Inspired by North America’s large forests, the collection captures the nuances of Maple, Beech, Oak and Walnut with the use of Digital Jet System decorative technology. Offered in two sizes and two finishes, Ontario can be used both indoors and outdoors. Circle 184 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
New from Portinari is Essence, a technologically designed collection that boasts a satiny surface in a large format (90x90cm) floor tile. Offered in several urban shades, including: Bianco, Crema and Nebia. Circle 188 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Tile That Defines A Space Florida Tile invites you to take the time to sit back and reflect on your space; interior or exterior and admire the beauty and the possibilities that can be. We offer a full line of floor and wall tiles as well as natural stone and decorative elements to complete any look. All in all, we produce a finished product that is both beautiful and responsible.Visit our website or one of our Florida Tile locations for more information.
This product contains recycled content
PRISTINE BY www.floridatile.com Visit our booth at Coverings 2011 Booth # 3112 Circle 19 on Information Card
Art & Decorative Tile Techniques by Michael Byrne
Selecting and Applying Tile Adhesives
S
electing the right tile adhesive, and applying it carefully, are two keys to a durable, long-lasting installation whether you are working with ceramic, glass, or stone tiles. Grout is important because it protects tile edges, but the adhesive layer is even more important because it holds the tile in place, supports it from below, and eliminates voids. Support is critical for all installations, especially those that have to withstand heavy loads or constant foot traffic. Voids in the adhesive layer can cause tiles to crack or collapse when loaded, and on exterior installations in cold climates, moisture can collect in voids and cause freeze-thaw damage. On exterior or wet-area interior installations, voids that collect moisture make excellent breeding grounds for mold and mildew which are extremely difficult to remove. Selecting the wrong adhesive, or applying it incorrectly not only wastes the adhesive, but it can also cause damage to the tiles.
Organic Adhesives There are two main types of tile adhesive: organic adhesives and thinset mortars. Organic adhesives, called mastic in the trade, are pre-mixed adhesives that, in my opinion, are better suited for non-functional installations such as lightweight mosaics installed on a dry, interior wall. When first entering the trade, I used solvent based adhesive for interior floor and wall work and found it to be adequate for most residential applications. As well, the solventbased mastics I used were unaffected by moisture or water. However, the trade-off for strength and ease of use was the industrial high that came with breathing in the fumes. Today, most organic adhesives made for use with tile are latex-based and produce little or no harmful fumes, but the trade-off is
For most tiles, the recommended procedure for spreading adhesive is to use the flat side of the trowel to key the adhesive into the setting bed (Figure 1) and the notched side to apply a uniform amount (Figure 2).
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March/April 2011
Figure 1
that latex-based adhesives are prone to re-emulsification: they soften or dissolve if exposed to water. For this reason alone, organic adhesives should never be used for exterior or wet-area interior applications. 80% uniform contact is the industry standard for adhesives used on dry-area floor or wall installations and to achieve that, a 1/4 x 1/2 x 1/4inch (or larger) U-notch trowel must be used for tiles 10-inches or larger. When applied this thick, a latex-based organic adhesive may not completely cure, and, in fact, may remain soft enough that it offers little or no support for the tiles installed over it: latex-based organic adhesive should only be used on tiles less than 4-inches, and only on nonfunctional installations. Thinset Mortars Forty years ago, there was only one type of thinset mortar called dry-set thinset mortar. It was, and still is, called dry-set because when it was used as the adhesive, tiles did not have to be soaked in water before they could be installed. Today, dry-set refers to Portland cement thinset mortar made without latex. Dry-set thinset mortar is quite strong compared to latex thinset mortars, but it needs to be cured carefully so that it does not completely dry out quickly – this can significantly reduce its strength.
Figure 2
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Figure 3 Dry-set thinset mortar is usually mixed with water, but it can also be mixed with a liquid latex for more strength and a simpler cure since latex tends to hold moisture longer than dry-set. This is a good thing, but it can work against you if your installation calls for porcelain tile. Latex thinset mortar is recommended for
I
Figure 4 porcelain tiles, but since porcelain is impervious, latex thinset needs extra time to dry. As stated above, latex can be added as a liquid, or it can also be added – at the factory – as a powder called a dry polymer. Besides convenience, there is less weight to truck around and carry. With large-format tiles more
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March/April 2011
Figure 5 Figure 3: To help minimize adhesive squeezing up into the grout joints of thin tiles, I use the flat side of the trowel to gently flatten the notches. Figure 4: When installing tiles 10-inches or larger, thinset mortar should be spread in one direction only to prevent air from being trapped between the tile and the setting bed. Figure 5: When installing tiles with a patterned back, the cavities should be filled with thinset mortar prior to setting them in the mortar spread on the setting bed.
commonplace, thicker adhesive beds are required to provide the required 80% uniform coverage for dry-area installations, and 95% for exterior and wet-area interior installations. Generally speaking, when the adhesive layer needs to be thicker than ¼-inch (produced by a ½-inch notch trowel), a mediumbed thinset mortar should be used. As the name implies, medium bed thinset falls between thin and thick bed, and it differs from dry-set or latex thinset mortars because larger grains of sand are used to build strength and give the mortar body. One thinset mortars that is not made with Portland cement is 100% solids epoxy mortar which is often used not just as an adhesive, but as grout. Depending on the manufacturer, epoxy thinset
Heavy duty performance in a lightweight epoxy grout.
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mortar has a wide range of properties unique to each brand. I use 100% solids epoxy mortar and grout solely to install some green marble and other stone tiles that react with water: the bodies of such tiles may warp or distort. When a nonreacting tile cannot be substituted, 100% solids epoxy adhesive should be used. The latest development in thinset adhesives is crack isolation thinset mortar,
which has two functions: adhesive and crack isolation. Crack isolation thinset mortar costs more than dry-set or latex thinset mortars, but in balance, it eliminates the need for a separate membrane and its installation costs. There may be a minimum thickness that must be applied to a setting bed to achieve the desired results, so check each manufacturer’s specific instructions before using.
What will you build first?
Applying adhesives The success or failure of a tile installation can hinge on how well the adhesive has been applied. Tile industry standards require 80% uniform coverage for dry-area, interior applications, and 95% uniform coverage for wet-area and exterior applications. Uniform means that the adhesive covers the back of the tile evenly and without excessive voids that could cause cracks to appear in the tiles. To achieve a uniform layer of adhesive, notch trowels are used. A notch trowel selection chart may be found printed on the back of most sacks of thinset mortar, but the first step I use to determine the best trowel is to use this rough rule of thumb: ¼-inch square notch for tiles up to 4-inches, 3/8-inch square notch for
The success or failure of a tile installation can hinge on how well the adhesive has been applied. Tile industry standards require 80% uniform coverage for dry-area, interior applications, and 95% uniform coverage for wet-area and exterior applications.
Schluter®-KERDI-BOARD Substrate, building panel, bonded waterproofing Whether you work with mosaics or large-format tiles, an absolutely flat, level, plumb, square substrate is essential for creating a perfect tile covering. tEven, impact-resistant, and rigid tWaterproof and vapor retardant tDimensionally stable tThermally insulating tLightweight (contains no cement or fiberglass) tDust-free and easy to cut with a utility knife tPrinted gridlines for precise cutting tSuitable for use on any kind of structure
www.kerdi-board.com | 1-800-472-4588 Circle 3 on Information Card
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March/April 2011
tiles up to 10-inches, ½-inch U-notch for tiles up to 12-inches, and larger notches for tiles over 12-inches. Next, I try out a trowel on the job site setting bed with the adhesive and tiles selected for the installation, and use a larger or smaller notch to get the desired coverage. For most tiles, the recommended procedure for spreading adhesive is to use the flat side of the trowel to key the adhesive into the setting bed (Figure 1) and the notched side to apply a uniform amount (Figure 2). To help minimize adhesive squeezing up into the grout joints of thin tiles, I use the flat side of the trowel to gently flatten the notches (Figure 3). When installing tiles 10-inches or larger, thinset mortar should be spread in one direction only to prevent air from
Contractors made us #1. Reliability keeps us there.
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*Polyblend is the #1 most preferred brand of grout in America according to the 2009 ClearReport by ClearSeas Research.
Figure 6
Figure 6: This technique of back-buttering is not just useful for hollow-backed tiles – it increases the bond strength of any tile.
being trapped between the tile and the increases the bond strength of any tile setting bed (Figure 4). When installing (Figure 6). With particularly large tiles with a patterned back, the cavities tiles that require more adhesive than should be filled with thinset mortar usual, I use a notch trowel to increase prior to setting them in the mortar the back-butter layer of adhesive. For spread on the setting bed (Figure 5). best results for tiles installed in wet or This technique of back-buttering is not dry areas, I aim for a minimum 95% just usefulFCITile_TLS1210.eps for hollow-backed12/6/10 tiles – it9:41:05 TILE coverage. AM
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About the Author Michael Byrne has been a tile installer since 1968 working on residential, Michael Byrne commercial, industrial, artistic and specialty installations. He is the author of two books, numerous videos and hundreds of articles on tile installation. Michael has worked as an independent consultant on installations in North, Central and South America, the UK and Europe, and is one of the founders and was the first president and executive director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF). Michael is the owner of a consulting, expert witness, and publishing company in Los Olivos, CA, and can be reached at www.michaelbyrne.us.
Substrate. Joint width. Tile type. Whatever the variables, one color consistent grout.
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Floor Care: 101 By Dave Gobis
Y
ou ever get that call from the customer who says their floor is “wearing out” after several years of use? How about the one where they can’t keep the grout clean anymore? Most people fail to realize that tile being relatively impervious, hides no soil. Cement grout, being relatively porous, loves soil. One of the most popular reasons for buying tile is the desire for easy maintenance which is often confused with no maintenance. In carpet, you could easily loose a cup of dirt in the fiber and with wood you would probably have to look twice to find it. Not so with tile, it is right there and readily apparent. In our rush to sell and install tile products we often forget to make any mention of the floor care required to keep their investment in that like new
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condition. The danger of not addressing floor care at the time of sale is we leave the customer to their own devices. This may sometimes involve Grandma’s tried and true method of vinegar and water or perhaps Grandpa’s method which is sure to be even worse. Not informing the customer about floor care and the correct products to accomplish that task leaves us vulnerable not only to the possibly ill-advised means of others, but it’s almost like inviting a future complaint. So for this issue, let’s take and look at cleaners and sealers. What is real, what is marketing, and is it really worth the effort? Sealers are usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about grout, stone, or porous tile products. Sealers should be looked at as
March/April 2011
enhancements, not cures. They don’t fix anything. Contrary to overly optimistic expectations they do not cause the soil to levitate off the tile and grout. They can’t correct nor are they a substitute for correcting bad conditions. If the grout job is poor (soft absorbent joints) due to excessive use of water in the mixing or cleaning, they may provide limited assistance. When the grout joints are
Above: Sometimes big cleaning can be big problems. The owner of this facility complained of gloss loss on their floor over the course of several years. It was found that the cleaner they were using was digesting not only the soil but the tile product as well. Make sure you use suitable products!
The grout choices you want for the results you need. CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
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PRODUCTS. PERFORMANCE. COLOR PALETTE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM. www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786 To learn more about Custom Grout Solutions, get the free mobile app for your phone
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Polyblend is the #1 most preferred brand of grout in America according to the 2009 CLEAReport™ by Clear Seas Research.
Top Left: This picture shows a typical porcelain tile which is clean; however the grout is dirty. Because the grout was sealed with a good sealer originally the grout was very easy to clean with a mild alkaline cleaner and soft bristle brush. A sealer is not intended to stop the grout or tile from getting dirty. It is however designed to provide a given degree of stain resistance and keep the dirt and contaminates on the surface thus allowing them to be cleaned very easy with the appropriate cleaner and not requiring bleach, vinegar, etc to try and get it back to this condition. Photo courtesy of Custom Building Products Center Left: While not true for ALL polished porcelain, some lighter color polished porcelain can greatly benefit from use of a penetrating sealer. This is often applied prior to grouting to keep the pores exposed in the polishing process from staining. Bottom Left: If you’re thinking acid, then this is not what you think it is. It is actually an oxidizing cleaner which the label warns not to use on cement products. This is what a cement tile looks like after being soaked in the product for several days. The same appearance can be true of acids.
deep below the edge of the tile it will continue to collect soil. If the shower is leaking, a sealer is not going to stop the leak or make it waterproof. They are not cures, they are aids to cleaning allowing increased response times. To overly simplify it, sealers work by providing microscopic particles and a carrier (often water), to plug the holes in porous tile, grout or stone. There are numerous combinations and variations both carriers and fillers dependent on the anticipated pore structure and
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degree of protection desired. To assume that one product will perform equally well whether used on a very porous travertine or to seal impervious polished porcelain prior to grouting is not always correct. Some are designed for use on specific products and others specific applications. Being a very competitive business you get what you pay for. It is quite reasonable to assume a $12 quart bottle from one manufacturer will not provide the same protection as a $24 pint can from another. The first step in sealing is cleaning. If the product is new and the floor has been protected or traffic restricted the effort required is minimal. If the porous tile, stone, or grout has been in service it must be thoroughly cleaned to be effectively sealed. Mopping a floor is not a method of through cleaning; it is a method of minimal soil removal and primarily a means of soil redistribution over a broad area. While a mop picks up very little soil it makes a great application tool for many cleaning products. Cleaners work by loosening and suspending soils for removal. To effectively clean a floor a product must be applied, allowed to dwell on the surface loosening the soil, abraded by the appropriate means, removed by extraction then rinsed followed by more extraction. Sounds like a lot of work and it is. Intensive cleaning is usually done with alkaline floor cleaners. They are favored for their aggressive removal of soils but as previously mentioned; require a good rinse after use, especially if a floor is to be sealed. For everyday cleaning pH neutral cleaners are the preference when needed. These are most often mild cleaners that do not leave a film or require rinsing. Products to be avoided are those which contain vegetable or other oils. These leave a film coating
Add some speed at the tile backer position. When your team hits the showers—or the kitchen— Diamondback™ Tile Backer will add speed to your game. Diamondback’s unique textured pattern and coating help grip tiles to prevent slippage during installation X Lighter weight than traditional cement or glass-mat gypsum backer boards X No need to install additional vapor barrier X Scores and snaps like regular gypsum board X
800-233-8990 • www.certainteed.com ROOFING • SIDING • TRIM • DECKING • RAILING • FENCE INSULATION • GYPSUM • CEILINGS • FOUNDATIONS • PIPE Circle 14 on Information Card
Sealers are designed to provide a given degree of stain resistance and reaction time to clean it up. They are not stain proofing agents. Spills should be cleaned up as soon as they occur or are noticed. Photo courtesy of Custom Building Products.
SunTouch Mats
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on the floor and have a dulling effect on glazed tile. As they build-up they can also become very slippery. Acids are products to be used with extreme caution. Acids are not cleaners, they are eaters. They eat away at the finish of both the tile and grout. Many a floor has been ruined by a single use, especially stone. Use of acids on a regular basis with tile products that will tolerate it often end up so abrasive they are nearly impossible to maintain. This includes use of the famous vinegar and water. If you’re a retailer, nearly every tile manufacture has a care brochure you can hand out. Most commercial projects require floor care be part of the submittal package. For our residential customers, we used to give out sample size containers of appropriate sealers and cleaners at no charge. While far from the biggest tile shop around, in a few short years, we were the number one wholesale purchaser of cleaning products in our area. Not a day went by where someone did not come to the store to purchase cleaning products. Another consequence of that proactive approach is we rarely received a complaint and if we did, easily chagrined the customer with the fact we gave them instructions and free product with their purchase. Try it, you will like it. TILE
About the Author
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David M. Gobis, a third-generation tile setter, is an independent Technical Consultant. Mr. Gobis is an author of over 100 trade-related articles and a frequent speaker at industry events. He is a voting member of The American National Standards, and Tile Council of America Installation Handbook committees. He can be reached via email,
[email protected].
Floor Preparation
Concrete Repair
Tile Setting
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