Thank you so much for the info and advice. My tile is 18x18 in kitchen and living area. We will either use unsanded bone from Home Depot, or classic ivory from floor and decor. Your opinion is welcome on either of these products. Have been upset with the installer. He was suppose to use ceramaflex over hydrorite. Instead, he used a quick set in the kitchen over hydrorite and upon protest, he used ceramaflex and hydrorite in the rest of the area. Though highly recommended, he has tried to rush the job. Now the problem is using light grout over the gray adhesives. I would have fired him but have no time to find another installer. This condo is in the Galveston area so there are few choices. I was happy to know that the grout color is pretty close to the powder color when it's dry. Have you used Classic Ivory from Floor and Decor. Made by Great Northern. Thanks again.

This is a seminar and I won't go into that kind of breadth or depth on this subject. Basically, four things to consider regarding sealant: 1) use of the space - high traffic?; 2) color of grout; 3) type of grout; 4) type of sealer. Most sealers are not impenetrable and do breathe. Their purpose is to aid in the cleaning, not to make cleaning unnecessary. I would not rely on HGTV (both of your sources were actually quoting some HGTV guy) and a carpet cleaning company for information on this. If you get a room full of real professionals together who have been doing this work for decades, I'm doubtful you will find agreement with your referred sources conclusions. Seal on but rely on manufacturer recommendations and those of your qualified tile professional to determine the best sealer (and grout) for your application. Now, from afar and in general terms, your question about a non-sanded grout sealer. Have you already grouted it? If you haven't, then Laticrete Select non-sanded grout does not require sealant. If you have already grouted it, then we might recommend Miracle Porous Plus (use it in well ventilated area as it is petroleum based). Van Herron Stain Guard is fine too (do a couple coats if you use that). Our opinion but we base these decisions on all the things mentioned above on our own projects. I just realized that you changed your post and my response is based on the previous post you had up.

^ Excellent advice, but I would add practice on scrap first please. You'll be amazed at how much better you are on your third sample.

Paul, the edge is not just irregular, it comes to little points at the end of each row. It looks like every 2 to 4 horizontal ridges, you get a grout joint between the stacked sections. Then there are all those tiny-looking zig-zags. Too much grout to clean if you ever get mold or mildew, and oh, so hard to get into those corners! Satisfy my curiosity and tell me, how is the look of a stack of a variety of tiles, each floating a millimeter of six above and below the others achieved? is it dark colors alternating with light colors? It appears that we are looking at such a stack edge-on, to me. That is why someof us keep calling it ridged.