Changing Your Mind on Grout Color

Painting grout

The homeowner originally chose a dark brown grout when this floor was installed eight years ago, but always wished that she had chosen a color that matched the tile better.  We showed her color samples and she chose Sandstone as the new grout color. Tedius but rewarding work. Not all grout colorants are created equal.…

Read More

Restoring Vintage Grout

**Please click on individual photos to see a larger image.  The improvements in the grout are more easily seen when the photos are enlarged.** This is a vintage installation dated to the 1920’s and contains the original grout.  Almost a century later, we knew it was going to be impossible to bring back the grout…

Read More

Cleaning Grout

Cleaning grout

Many people with new tile installations think that they only have to use water to keep their new grout on their new floor clean.This is not true. A neutral soap should be used in the daily/weekly cleanup process. Another common mistake is to use chemically infused disposable mop heads on tiled floors. Disposable mop heads have some sort…

Read More

Vintage kitchen transformation

Cleaned grout

Do you think I can bring this kitchen back to its former classic self? The homeowner wanted to retain this kitchen’s vintage style. The exact size of the existing box trim on the counter edge was no longer available so I had to remove all 22 trim tiles. Also, most of the quarter rounds surrounding…

Read More

Changing the color of grout

new grout color

Over the years this ceramic mosaic floor with sanded white grout darkened considerably.  After many frustrating attempts to clean it, the homeowner called me and we agreed to apply epoxy-based grout colorant to the joints.  The grout colorant we use is dual purpose:  it not only changes the appearance of grout to a consistent color…

Read More

Granite sealing

Sealing Granite

We recently sealed this Absolute Black granite vanity and the grout between the floor tiles in a master bath. Typically, most installers do not automatically apply sealer to grout or stone; this task is the responsibility of the homeowner to either apply themselves or hire someone to seal the stone or grout.  In a new house…

Read More