Grout experts, Fusion Pro, Kerapoxy, Spectralock, Bostik?
happyallison
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (85)
Creative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agobjb817
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Is Bostik TruColor grout very good?
Comments (29)I realize this is an old thread but wanted to add my voice here. I am a general contractor and specialize in bathroom and kitchen remodels. I use bostik trucolor on every single project and it works great. It’s not miraculous though. Anyone who wants grout that won’t get dirty is dreaming and needs to use a different floor choice. ALL grout gets dirty the difference is that the urethane won’t soak through the pores. I’ve used a lot of different grout and find this the easiest to apply that’s urethane. Plan on using bostik blaze afterward to get the grout haze you may have missed. It literally melts it away no issues. Way easier than your Home Depot special grout cleaner. As far as change of planes goes you should never put any grout in an area that is a change of plane. That’s what color match caulking is for. They even make a sanded version if you really hate the silicone look. This grout is great if applied correctly. Hope this helps!...See MoreLaticrete white grout?
Comments (22)@J M We did not use Spectralock 1 grout in our kitchen because we found out that it is not intended for use around food preparation areas. So, its use is rather limited. Instead, our installers used Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA (which I will hereafter refer to for brevity just as "Mapei," although this is only one of the family of Mapei grout types) which has some of the features of longevity of epoxy but isn't an epoxy grout. The Mapei was water-based, so shouldn't yellow. It is also rapid-setting, so the installers must be very skilled with it and only do small portions at a time, or else you can end up with a mess as the Mapei can harden over the tile and be very difficult to remove. My one complaint with my installation was that the installers used too much water and removed too much of the grout as it was setting, so the grout level is a little low. It's not bad, but there's nothing that can be done to fix this aside from taking the grout completely out and re-doing it, at least according to Mapei customer service. Doing that could damage the tile, so I'm going to live with it. The grout needs to have at least 1/2 depth of the tile to which it can adhere, and after it is cured, it won't stick to the previous layer of grout unless it has those sides of the tile to help with adhesion, or so says Mapei's customer service. I would have preferred the grout to be nearly level with the tile, which is the standard set forth for this grout in the instructions, but I ended up with some noticeable edges of the tile showing, even beyond the beveled top edge of the tile by a small amount. Since it has been installed, I've barely noticed the problem, so it will probably only come back to haunt me when I am cleaning the grout and need to get the extra dirt out that falls into the deeper-than-desired depressions. This Mapei grout doesn't require a sealer, but it can be sealed which I plan to do, probably with some Laticrete product. I have a lot of respect for Laticrete's technological advancements, but in my instance, the Mapei was recommended by the people who laid the tile, and I am thus far happy with it. One more note on the application, I provided the tile people with several dozen, new sponges to use on our job so they could feel free to wipe away on the grout since it was a rapid-set product, but they ended up using their own very water-heavy sponging system that was overkill for this grout....See MoreGrout experts, Fusion Pro, Kerapoxy, Spectralock, Bostik?
Comments (0)I am looking for a stain resistant grout for my kitchen backsplash, as well as master bath shower. I cannot figure out the difference in performance. any experience with these?...See MoreWhat to ask bathroom contractor before signing on the dotted line
Comments (61)Is that your only bathroom? People do it. Maybe it's more important your co-worker knows what's involved in being a GC than knowing you? I don't know. When I started I knew nothing and had no experience, so I knew no way. Having gone through two bathrooms, if I had the time I might consider it but I'd spend so much time doing research I'd probably never complete it. Are you moving pipes? If not, you might be better off with a skilled, insured expensive handy man who would relish your input. Someone who loves to learn but is so swamped with work, they'd be glad to have you figure out the best grout, water proofing system, exhaust fan requiremens, etc. Those types do it all themselves so you'd only have to find the one right fit instead of asking the GC what type of grout his tile guy uses as that usually ticks them off and sets up red flag for them that you're going to be a PITA. Maybe that would be a better fit if your primary concern is that it's done with best practices? Maybe being your own GC is the best fit if you have enough experience to pull it off and your focus is best practices, exquisite craftsmanship and your budget allows for that?...See MoreAvanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agovgoren1
8 years agoScarlett Scudder
8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agoGayle Harris
8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agopdemo
8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agoCabot & Rowe
8 years agolam702
8 years agopdemo
8 years agouscpsycho
8 years agoCabot & Rowe
8 years agoCabot & Rowe
8 years agouscpsycho
8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agouscpsycho
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMint tile Minneapolis
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
8 years agouscpsycho
8 years agoLyons Pride Tile and Marble
7 years agocatmathy
7 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
7 years agoLyons Pride Tile and Marble
7 years agoMint tile Minneapolis
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agouscpsycho
7 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
7 years agouscpsycho
7 years agotlhorne
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoCabot & Rowe
7 years agoUser
7 years agoptrout Ptrout
7 years agoCreative Ceramic & Marble/ Bill Vincent
7 years agoCabot & Rowe
7 years agoMint tile Minneapolis
7 years agoptrout Ptrout
7 years agoCabot & Rowe
7 years agouscpsycho
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agodawn_starling15
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoLyons Pride Tile and Marble
7 years agouscpsycho
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoAglitter
3 years agoCharles Dutch
3 years agokculbers
3 years agoEric
9 months agouscpsycho
9 months ago
Related Stories
TILEEpoxy vs. Cement Grout — What's the Difference?
Grout is grout, right? Nope. Cement and epoxy versions have different appearances, durability and rules of installation
Full StoryTILE3 Key Steps for Grouting That Looks Its Best
Get your grout right to keep your tile beautiful and for an installation that will last
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: How to Install Tile
Before you pick up a single tile, pull from these tips for expert results
Full Story
Mint tile Minneapolis