Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Professional Tile Tools: All About the Grout

There is a lot more to doing a successful tile project than professional grade tile tools.  You have some other material that is often overlooked:  Your grout.

Call to Order Professional Grade Tile Tools | 844-309-2945

Grout and Tile Tools


First off, what is grout? According to the site WIKIPEDIA.ORG: "Grout is a construction material used to embed rebars in masonry walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete, fill voids, and seal joints (like those between tiles). Grout is generally a mixture of water, cement, sand, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill the cores of concrete blocks). It is applied as a thick emulsion and hardens over time, much like its close relative mortar.[1] Unlike other structural pastes such as plaster or joint compound, grout, when mixed and applied correctly, creates a waterproof seal. Main varieties include: tiling grout (either urethane, cement-based or epoxy), flooring grout, resin grout, non-shrink grout, structural grout and thixotropic grout. Structural grout is often used in reinforced masonry to fill voids in masonry housing reinforcing steel, securing the steel in place and bonding it to the masonry.[1] Non-shrink grout is used beneath metal bearing plates to ensure a consistent bearing surface between the plate and its substrate. Portland cement-based grouts come in different varieties depending on the particle size of the ground clinker used to make the cement, with a standard size of around 15 microns, microfine at around 6-10 microns, and ultrafine below 5 microns, with the ability of the final grout to penetrate a fissure largely dependent on this particle size (smaller size equates to greater penetration).[2] Because these grouts depend on the presence of sand for their basic strength, they are often somewhat gritty when finally cured and hardened. Tiling grout is often used to fill the spaces between tiles or mosaics, and to secure tile to its base. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae. Tiling grout is also cement-based, and comes in sanded as well as unsanded varieties. The sanded variety contains finely ground silica sand; unsanded is finer and produces a non-gritty final surface. They are often enhanced with polymers and/ or latex. There are several tools associated with applying and removal of grout such as: grout saw or grout scraper a manual tool for removal of old and discolored grout. The blade is usually composed of tungsten carbide. grout float a trowel-like tool for smoothing the surface of a grout line, typically made of rubber or soft plastic. grout sealer a water-based or solvent-based sealant[3] applied over dried grout that resists water, oil, and acid-based contaminants. Dremel grout attachment an attachment guide used in a die grinder for faster removal of old grout than a standard grout saw. Pointing Trowel Used for applying grout in flagstone, and other stone works." [READ SOURCE]

Where Can I Find Tools to Work on Grout? 

While finding tools for grout is fairly easy, there is one piece of advice we would like to offer.  Make sure you get professional grade tile tools for any tile project.  Why?  Well, it is the difference between a fiasco and a well done tile project. 


How can the right tools help.  For one durability.  They're not going to break easily.  You also get the best your money can buy. 

So make sure when you buy, you always buy professional grade tile tools


Visit our Site

or

Call Us Today
844-309-2945












Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Contractor Grade Tile Tools and the Right Type of Grout

While we talk a lot about selecting the right tools, particularly contractor-grade tile tools, it's also important that you consider the grout that you use.
Buying the Right Grout is as Important As
Contractor Grade Tile Tools |
844-309-2945

How Many Types of Grout Are There?

How many types of grout are there?  According to the site The Floor Elf:
"There are three basic types of grout available for your tile installation. They are:

Non-Sanded (also known as Unsanded)
Sanded
Epoxy

Choosing the correct grout for your particular installation will not only complete the job correctly, it will also cut down on maintenance. Properly installed and sealed grout will last for the life of your tile. So which to use and when? Non-Sanded (or Unsanded) Grout Unsanded grout is made specifically for grout lines smaller than 1/8 inch wide. This is a general rule. I use unsanded grout only in tile with grout lines smaller than 1/16″. Unsanded grout (all grout to different degrees) will shrink as it cures. The reason for only using it in smaller grout lines is the wider the grout lines, the more grout must be used to fill them. The more grout you have, the more it will shrink. If you try to fill grout lines that are too large the grout will shrink enough to pull away from the sides of the tile.

Unsanded grout is easier to work with, especially on vertical surfaces such as a shower wall, because it is “stickier” than the sanded variety. You can spread it onto the wall and it will stick there while you force it into the grout lines. It is also much easier on the hands than sanded. Although it is easier to work with, you need to make sure that the application for which you are using it is correct. Sanded Grout Sanded Grout is used for any size grout lines 1/8″ and wider. Although the specifications state unsanded grout be used in grout lines that are exactly 1/8″, you really should use sanded for them. It will ensure proper adhesion to your tile and guard against too much shrinkage. No, not Seinfeld shrinkage, grout shrinkage. Sanded grout has fine sand added to it. This prevents the grout from shrinking too much as it cures. That’s why it is used for larger grout lines and should be used for the majority of tile installations. If you have a polished stone such as granite, marble, limestone, and some polished travertine, you should be careful about using sanded grout. While sanded may be the correct choice for the size of grout lines, it may not be the best choice. Depending upon the polish of the stone the sand in the grout may actually scratch it. If you decide to use sanded make sure you test it in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it will not scratch your finish. Or use epoxy which would be a better choice anyway. "

[READ SOURCE ARTICLE]

How Can You Buy Grout?

Buying grout also depends on the project in question. As to where you can buy grout, one of the best ways to get it is to buy it online.

The better websites will let you buy both grout and tile tools in the same place.

So remember, you want the right materials for your tiling project.  You want the right tile, the right grout, and most importantly of all, the right tile tools for the job.

Give Us a Call Today at

844-309-2945

Or

Visit Our Site

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Why Should You Use Contractor Grade Tile Tools?

Just as there's a difference between tile types, there is also a difference between regular tile tools and contractor grade tile tools.

Professional Grade Tile Tools Make a Big Difference
In Any Tiling Project | 844-309-2945
Contractor Grade Tile Tools are What Experts Use

Decades back, tiling was considered to be a profession that one became an expert at only after spending years in the trade. The tips and techniques used in the tiling business were considered to be trade secrets which could not be shared outside the profession. However, over the years we have seen plenty of stores open up and do good business by selling tiles and tile tools.

If you are looking forward to tiling your floor or wall while ensuring that the result looks professional and clean, you need to start with the best source materials to do the job. This is why you should get the best contractor grade tile tools that are available in the market. It does not matter whether you are working on a big tiling commercial project or are simply remodeling your kitchen floor or setting down tiles in your new house- these contractor grade tools are what you should be using all the time.

Contractor Grade Tile Tools and Attention to Detail

While tiling is an easy process, you need to be extremely meticulous when you lay them down to avoid overlapping or leaving too much of space in between. The contractor tiling tools are of professional grade, and they can get the job done much quicker than otherwise, while ensuring top quality result. Are you wondering why or how these contractor tile tools are different from the usual garden-variety kits that you find in your local hardware store? These professional tools are sturdier, durable, efficient, and strong. You can rely on these without fail.

A tile is usually made of stone, ceramic, metal or glass. This means that you need something strong and extremely sharp to be able to cut them without running the risk of getting messy edges. Tiles also come in different shapes and sizes- the rectangular and square shape being the most common. But tiling projects often differ from one another, and you may need to cut the tiles down in size to fit them properly. Using the usual tile saw found in the market will not help you here. After the first few runs, they will give out on you. A professional grade tile saw will help you to cut through big format stones and large tiles. Because they run on high power electric motors, they can easily cut through strong materials like granite, stone, and metal.

Ultimately, you want your tile to look it's best, or your whole project is meaningless.  So start with professional grade tile tools.

For more information, visit our site, or give us a call at 844-309-2945

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Why Contractor Grade Tile Tools are Worth It (Conclusion)

There are some final reasons to consider contractor grade tile tools.  


Professional Grade Tile Tools Include Items
Such as Gloves | 844-309-2945

Professional Grade Tile Tools May Help You Avoid Injuries

A contractor who uses professional grade tile tools knows that their body is their livelihood, and so the decision to spend money on tools to keep it working and intact is a no-brainer. But your body is no less important to the life you live! These tools will come in handy for almost all home improvement projects, and, if you use them right, you’re certain to have many more to come.

A simple pair of kneepads can make the job much easier, as well as have you working faster because you need fewer breaks. The contractor-grade versions of these will be much less likely to irritate your skin, and will last far longer. But there’s even a step up from there: since you’ll be working on a hard surface, a rolling knee board makes perfect sense. This will protect your knees and increase the rate at which you’re able to work. The cream of the crop even includes chest support, so you can lean over your grouting work without taking the life out of your back. 

Contractor Grade Tile Tools: Hand in Glove


You’re almost certain to already have a favorite pair of gloves in a drawer somewhere. If they’re already contractor-grade, then great, you should keep using them. But if you just picked them up out of the bargain bin and have since grown attached to them, consider upgrading. A good pair of work gloves will be well-insulated without making your hands too sweaty, and will be durable without sacrificing too much dexterity. It’s always a game of give and take, but contractor grade tools take advantage of the latest scientific research to get you the best of both worlds. As always, what seem like small advantages for the high-end actually go a long way toward saving you time and money on this project, and for many projects in the future.

You already know the value of putting your own work into a project, and you’re well aware that sometimes you have to pay a little more to get the quality you need in a project. Yet if you think all of this and you’re still settling for consumer-grade tools, you’re cheating yourself. In almost every phase of the tiling process, spending a little more money on the tools you use will save you time, materials, and even your own health, and you’ll be able to carry them forward into future projects and reap the same benefits again and again.


So remember there is a difference between tools.  There are bargain tools and contractor grade tile tools.  

Visit our Site 

or give us a call at 844-309-2945