I just finished grouting 1200 sq.ft. of tile in my house using epoxy grout. I used a grout sleve from Lowe's to put the grout in and applied it directly into the grout joints and then used a rubber float to work it into the cracks. I applied the grout, had another person working the rubber float and another person going right behind cleaning the grout with a solution of water and Dawn dishwashing liquid. We were using 1 gallon buckets of grout which is why there were 3 of us applying the grout. We had no problem applying the grout and cleaning it as we went and never had a problem with it setting up before we could work it into the joints or clean up the tiles and tools. I also grouted my bathroom by myself which was a smaller area, again with no trouble working the grout. I have read that the professional tile setters charge $1.00 - $1.50 more per sq.ft. to work with the epoxy! To me this is a big rip off, yes it is a little more trouble to work with but certainly not worth that kind of extra money. Everytime something new comes out in the construction industry the professional trades want to resist it and charge more money to work with it until they get used to it or finally have to. (Example Hardi Siding Products) Once applied the epoxy grout looks great, the reason that I applied it was I wanted to put it in and be finished with it. No sealing, staining or messing with it and it stays looking new and clean. It was defiently more expensive but to me it is worth the extra money and time to install. At my work we have tile and the grout is so dirty it is black, I did not want that! Once again it is worth the extra money to use the epoxy grout, and don't get ripped off by a tile layer that tells you how hard it is to work with and wants to charge you a lot of extra money to put it in. I have also installed a lot of tile and put in sanded grout and the epoxy is not that much more difficult to work with. For the record I am a Construction Manager and deal with all of the construction trades on a daily basis and not just a do it your selfer.

Mrs D-- I know I already answered you by email, but for the benefit of those searching the thread-- I'm not familiar with power grout. Not because it's not a good product (TEC has a terrific reputation), but because there are no distributors up here, unless you have a show room. That said, if your installer says he can do the installation without scratching the stone, I'd take him at his word. As for the sealer, personally, I'd prefer to seal it once-- when everything is done. Whichever way your installer wants to do it, I'd go with his recommendation. Some would rather seal twice, others all at one time.

I had a contractor who was very experienced with epoxy grout apply it in my downstairs bathroom. It does "slump" as others have mentioned, resulting in terribly shallow application on the floor, exposing tile corners you could feel with your toes. After much research on the Spectralock epoxy grout website, I found a PDF file advising reapplication over the existing grout, as a solution to shallow grout application. YES, you can apply epoxy grout over dried epoxy grout!! I printed out the PDF and called Spectralock customer service to confirm. YES was their answer. Even my experienced contractor did not know about this. It pays to READ people! I'm super happy with the outcome.

I recently put up ruby red glass tile, behind my range area, and behind the sink. I used the same nutmeg color grout on it, that I did the porclain mosaic's that cover the rest of the back splash. I havent found that it affected the shimmer or the depth at all. You might want to take some extra pieces, and attach them to a board, and try, half with a color grout, and half with the clear and see which you like best. Good Luck to you.