About Grout
When the decision to change the tile was made it seemed like an easy fix to an otherwise remodel free house purchase. In the beginning it was more the color of the tile not working with the furniture that was to be used in that area of the house and some of the original tile being damaged and no replacement tile could be found that were the deciding factors in the choice to make that change.
After numerous visits to the local home improvement stores the selection of tile was narrowed down to two choices. Again, it seemed fairly simple to make that choice. Then the discussion as to how to lay the tile and what kind of grout were the choices to go with the tile was the next part of the process.
What seemed to be a simple answer to the question what is grout, really turned out to be quite an extensive research project into the world of the what tile and which grout go together. It seems that the tile is the part of the equation that is the more important part.
Then, the decision on how to place the pattern of the tile became the next important part of the project making it, in the end, the focal point of the whole project. As it turned out the surface of the tile, how sensitive it was to abrasion and how far apart it was to be placed created the major deciding factors in what kind of grout could even be used with the tile.
Again, since the grout is the material that is used between the tiles to connect them and support the tile work it just seemed like a necessary part of the whole project. I was surprised at how many details were associated with that part of the project and the importance of each choice when the final grout selection was made.
I guess you could call me, as a new owner and deciding when I made the purchase that it could be fun and rewarding to do much of the work is what made, as the saying goes 'biting off much more that you can chew' a reality. The vocabulary of new words I learned about the whole area of tile and grout was extensive and looking back is becoming more rewarding the further I get away from the actual doing of the project.
The type of tile, the spacing between the tile as it is laid out and then the type of grout that can be used are all very important parts of the tile-grout decision making process. I learned that if the spaces were about the size of a penny that unsanded grout needed to be the front runner. For more spacing, the consideration had to move to sand being used as part of the ingredients in the mixture being used. Then the time after the tile installation became hours or days again depending on the type of materials selected and installed.
In the end, I made great choices for every part of the project and the finished area is exactly what is the best of all possible choices. Color, type, pattern and durability for the amount of traffic for the area. The grout choice is one of the things that really showcases the tile and pattern and it will be long term a continuing satisfaction.
Can I answer the question what is grout? Oh yes, I can.