grout selection

Proper Grout Selection

Proper grout selection is one of the most important decisions you can make. There are a number of grout manufacturers out there, each touting a superior product. What separates the good from the bad, the superior from the inferior? This article will help you make the right choice regarding which grout to purchase.

Some of the companies manufacturing superior grouts are TEC, Bonsal and Mapei. There are others as well, you just need to do a little research to find them. First of all, in order for a grout to even be considered 'superior', it must satisfy a few minimum requirements. The features listed below are by no means the only ones to look for, just the minimum needed in order to be called 'superior' quality.

• Acid Resistance
• Polymer Fortified
• Chemically Enhanced Curing Process
• Stain Warranty

Acid resistance means you will be able to clean your floor without the fear of chemically harming the grout. Without this feature, some cleaners could 'etch' the grout, causing it to be eaten away at the edges over time. This is especially true with household 'acid' cleaners.

Polymers added by the manufacturer will assist greatly in the grout being naturally stain resistant. This particular feature will help prevent you from the time-consuming task of having to use an after-market sealer on your grout after installation.

A chemically enhanced curing process means the color of your grout will be uniform throughout the entire area. No unsightly blotches or discoloration due to climate conditions or various moisture levels in your subfloor.

Finally,  the stain warranty. This is simply the manufacturer putting their money where their mouth is. Most reputable grout manufacturers will offer a 10-15 year stain warranty. Make sure you (if this a DIY project) or your licensed installer follows the grout manufacturers instructions completely, in order not to void any implied warranty. Now that you know which grout to purchase, which color will you pick? The article entitled 'Proper Grout Color Selection' will assist you in this very important decision.

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