5 Granite Tile Products That Work Wonders in the Kitchen

The use of granite tile products has gained considerable popularity in home improvement, especially in the kitchen. Granite is a beautiful, natural occurring material that compliments any kitchen when used appropriately.

In the kitchen, granite tiles are mostly used on counter tops and as back splashes, but they can also be used as tile flooring. There are several types of granite tile products, however there are some notable tiles that are extremely popular and worth checking out

Absolute Black Tile

The absolute black granite tile stays true to its name. It comes in the form of a black surface with no patterns or extra colors. Black is a bold color and as such, it works perfectly well on its own. This tile is suitable for large kitchens where it can be used on the counter top, back splash, and even tile flooring. In can also be used in small kitchens but such kitchens should have walls with bright colors, such as white and cream.

Black granite tile for the counter tops and back splashes should preferably be polished in order to make the cleaning process easy. The non-polished version of this tile can be used on the kitchen floor for safety purposes.

Bianco Romana

Bianco romana is a granite tile that has white as the dominant color. This tile falls in the marbled category of granite. This is because it has an easy flow of variations between its colors. These tiles are perfect for white kitchens with warm colors such cream and beige. They can fit in both small and large kitchens since they create an illusion of space. These Peru tile products are fit for counter tops and backsplashes. Their simple pattern allows them to be used on both surfaces.

Seafoam Green Tile

The seafoam green tiles are an uplifting color that charms any kitchen. Theses tile products come in a polished look that is suitable for counter tops and back splashes since they are highly prone to dirt. These tiles have a busy design hence they should be used sparingly. When used in a large kitchen, these tiles can fit on both the counter tops and the back splashes. When used in small kitchens, they should be used minimally on one of the surfaces.

Costa Esmeralda Tile

The costa esmeralda falls in the speckled category of granite tiles. It has a somewhat busy design but its color its subtle enough to be used on counter tops and back splashes. In order for it to be used in a small kitchen, the small kitchen needs to have walls with bright, yet simple colors that won’t suffocate the tile. Only select tile dealers offer this granite tile product. Leeway Tile serving Bloomington, IL is one that we highly recommend.

Typhoon Bordeaux Tile

The typhoon bordeaux tile has one of the busiest designs. It has a busy speckled design with several variations of bold, brown colors. This tile is suitable for large kitchens since the busy design would suffocate a small kitchen. A small kitchen can use this tile sparingly, preferably as a center piece.

For a granite tile to be used on a kitchen floor, it needs to be unpolished. Polished tile fits counter tops and back splashes since they make cleaning easy. These five tiles are some of the best options in tiling kitchen spaces. Explore more fabulous tile products and stay tuned on the Granite n' Grout gurus blog!

Three of the Top Products for Tile Grout Cleaning

After the installation of floor tile, grouting the gaps between the tile is the essential next step to complete the tile project. Grout is a construction material that is applied between the tiles to fill in the spaces and to provide strength to the tile work. Grouting is done to fill the gaps between tile, which keeps out debris and makes your tile look even and nice.

High level of cleanliness should be observed to maintain the grout clean. However as it is porous in nature over time it may accumulate dirt and grime. Tile grout cleaning can be an intimidating and tedious chore. However by using any one of the products discussed below cleaning of grout can be a breeze.

A good grout cleaning liquid is absolutely essential to keep your floor tile looking great. Whether you're using ceramic tile or other exotic stone tile, below are some great grout cleaning products to consider.

Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean

This is a powerful cleaner that is designed to removes stains, grease and dirt from grout joints in order to restore its color and appearance. It also works wonders in removal of food stains, soap scum and hard water deposits.

As it features an advanced stain pulling agent it is highly recommended for heavily soiled and neglected areas. This product complies with all Federal EPA and SCAQMD standards for VOC. The Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean product is one of the best suited for cementitious sanded and unsanded group joints and for use in the surrounding stone and tile area.

The Tilex Tile & Grout Pen

This is yet another amazing product that tackles even the toughest stains and grime in your tile cracks and crevices. It incorporates dual tips – a fine tip and a broad brush. The Tilex Tile & Grout Pen is precision engineered with a pointed tip to target even the toughest stains that is embedded in the crevices and gaps.

The Tilex Tile & Group Pen also incorporates a built-in broad scrub brush to deal with bigger stains. As it contains Clorox bleach it not only eliminates dirt but also attacks mold and mildew stains. It is convenient and easy to hold and hence assures ease of use. Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient contained in Tilex tile and grout pen.

DuPont Tile & Grout Cleaner

This product is specially formulated for natural stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles. It is effective for routine cleaning and removal of dirt, stains and soap scum. All you have to do is spray on the soiled surface and wipe clean with a dry towel or sponge.

There is absolutely no need to rinse the surface. However you can repeat the procedure for heavily soiled surfaces. The DuPont Tile & Grout Cleaner is available for purchase online in their official website itself.

We have discussed three different brands that offer specialist grout cleaning solutions. Yes, they are perfectly designed to bring back the brightness of your grout. You can also consult with your local tile store in Bloomington IL to learn more about the best grout cleaning products for specific types of tile and grout. These tile experts can help you make a sound decision regarding the best products for the job. Whatever product you choose for grout cleaning make sure to read and follow the directions carefully to ensure safe and effective cleaning. Also make sure to include tile and grout cleaning as a part of your routine household maintenance schedule.

5 Ways to Use Tile & Natural Stone for Home Improvement

By picking out the right tile, pattern and design, and using your creativity you can find some new ideas for decorating your home. We will discuss in this article five creative do it yourself tile decorating projects.

Adding tile areas to a bathroom is one of the ways to make it appear more stylish and updated by adding visual interest. You can select from an almost endless array of sizes, colors, and styles and tile is beautiful to look at and easy to maintain.

Just the same way you can set the overall mood with paint color you can do it by using style and color of the tile. With boldly colored tile you can create some dramatic effects. Lighter tile colors, on the other side, can make the room seem more airy and larger. You might also combine both darker and lighter colors by mixing lighter tiles with accent color tiles or using an overall light neutral shade of tile with a colored tile border.

Bathroom Vanity Tile

Most of the people think of only installing tiles on the bathtub and shower area in a bathroom. But there are other creative ways to use tile in a bathroom, as well. One idea is to install tile behind the sink and vanity area. It will not only look great but it is also very easy to clean and it will protect your walls from splashes.

You can also use some special purpose tiles in the sink and vanity area, such as those designed to hold toothbrushes, cups, and soap. These can be found at most tile stores with a fairly good selection of products. You can even tile a whole wall behind in the vanity and sink area of your bathroom. While tiles are usually seen as a flooring option, they are looking great on walls too.

Subway Tiles in the Kitchen

In your kitchen there are also endless possibilities of design using tiles. The horizontal subway tile style is timeless and classic. These are 3" x 6" ceramic tiles with gloss finish that come in a multitude of colors. They are easy to clean and can brighten the whole kitchen. You can choose a monochromatic design or you can add depth by mixing in herringbone tiles as a backsplash behind the sink or behind the oven. You can also create a totally different look by running the tiles vertically.

Natural & Stone Mosaic Tiles

Stone mosaic tiles are trendy, especially for the kitchen areas. Their pattern draw attention and enhance the entire design. You can install them on the kitchen walls or in specific areas such as over the sink or over the stove. If you want to create more dimension and depth you can use glass mosaic tiles. Another popular option is the basket weave stone mosaic pattern tile.

Rectangular Floor Tiles

Another strong trend in floor tile design is the use of natural stone or porcelain rectangular tiles. Porcelain tiles range from 6" x 24" to 6" x 36" to 12" x 24" to 18" x 36". The style of the rectangular tiles varies from stark cement look to wood look made from porcelain. Stone rectangular tile styles that are trendy include Statuario, White Oak, and Calacatta Gold. You may use a monochromatic design or just adding color to a few key areas.

Tile Artwork

Another way to creatively decorate your home with tiles is to create a custom artwork from tiles. An original design may include a mix of ceramic, glass, and stone tiles. You can use handmade stone tile with art deco touches, as well. Some tile dealers, such as Leeway Ceramic Tile, offer professional help in such projects, so keep a look out for tile experts of the like.

DIY Tile Installation

No matter what tile design you choose you can install the tiles yourself. The installation steps are: measuring the area where you want to install tiles, laying out the pieces, securing the cement board, laying out the tiles, spreading the adhesive, and setting the sheet of tiles in place.

In case that you have to cut some tiles to fit the corners, the easiest way to do it is by using a wet saw. The wet saw uses water in order to keep the blade from getting too hot when you work to make the cuts. You may rent a wet saw your for tile project from any local rental center. While working on your tile project remember to follow the proper safety rules.

DIY: How to Seal Grout

Sealing tile grout is a tedious task that many homeowners neglect doing. In fact, most homeowners are unaware of the fact that sealing grout is important to sustain the life of your tile flooring. Only after progressive grout discoloration and tile weakening does their neglect come to light..

You, unlike most homeowners, have learned the importance of sealing tile grout. Investing in a grout sealer can not only ward-off stains, helping to make your tile more appealing, but it also helps to ensure that water does not weaken and damage the tiles over time.

Choosing a Grout Sealant

The most popular types of grout sealants are solvent-based and water-based grout sealers. The less expensive of the two is a water-based grout sealer. The only disadvantage is that water-based grout sealants are less durable and do not last as long compared to solvent-based sealants. However, water-based grout sealers are less expensive, and arguably more eco-friendly for your home.

The Grout Sealing Process

The grout sealing process is actually quite simple. You just need to dedicate part of the day to do the work, as well as educate yourself on how to seal grout properly.

1. Organize your tools. The common tools and accessories that you'll need to seal the tile grout include:

• microfiber cloth
• bottle applicator
• a firm scrubbing brush
• the grout sealer

If the grout lines you are sealing are extremely thin, you could use a spray applicator rather than the bottle applicator. The idea is to ensure you can efficiently apply the grout sealer without getting it on the tile.

2. Prepare the tile surfaces. Prepare of the floor's surface by scrubbing the grout lines thoroughly with the brush. This ensures that dirt and debris is removed while leaving a smooth surface to apply the grout sealer. After scrubbing with the brush, wipe the surface with the a damped microfiber.

3. Prepare the grout sealer. After the grout lines are well cleaned and free of debris, fill the bottle applicator with the grout sealer product (note that some sealants come in suitable applicator containers.) You'll want to keep the grout sealer very full to the brim during the application process.

4. Apply the sealant. To apply the grout sealer, use the roller found on most applicator bottles to run up and down the groove lines. The bottle applicator will fill the lines with a layer of sealant. In some cases you may want to add another layer of the grout sealant, but as in any case, take the time to read the instructions that come with the product.

5. Let the grout cure. After the grout has been completely sealed, let the grout sealer cure for about 12-48 hours, depending on how many coats you applied. Typically the longer the better.

Well that's pretty much the grout sealing process in a nutshell. We suggest working in small sections at a time so you can efficiently return and apply second coatings without much downtime. We've also found that both water-based and solvent-based grout sealers are great choices, but solvent-based are typically more sustainable.

Lastly, if you're looking for a great grout sealer product, we have found the Grout Guard Protector to be one of the best products for DIY grout sealing. It's one of the most affordable and easy to use grout sealers, and it's a quality product, (even Martha Stewart Living gave it top ratings during their experiment.) You can get the product here at www.marble-cleaning-products.com.


About the author:
Tyler Tafelsky is a do-it-yourselfer and home improvement enthusiast. Tyler offers a wealth of knowledge and experience working with tile flooring, natural stone surfaces, and various other home improvement projects. You can reach him by connecting with Tyler on Google+.

How to Remove Stains from Grout

If you have tile flooring throughout your home, grout is a necessary material that will ensure the tiles remains strong and water tight. In some cases, tile grout can also add character and definition to the flooring.

However, grout is naturally porous material and thus is susceptible to staining over time. Depending on the type of grout is used, some types of grout are more susceptible to stains than others. 

So what are some of the things you can do to remove stains from grout and further protect from discoloration down the road? Below we'll share with you some tips to best care for you tile grout.

Cleaning & Restoring Grout

If the grout has experienced staining, it may be difficult to get it a hundred percent clean. Grout cleaners will typically get rid of surface dirt but will not be able to permeate into the grout especially if the stain has been absorbed. Some grout cleaner and restorer products are indeed effective at lifting stains. Typically these are composed of more powerful and complex compounds designed specifically for grout cleaning.

If the grout you have is white, you could attempt cleaning it with bleach. Use a brush to work the bleach in so that it can permeate all areas. However, if the grout is not white, it is suggested that you use tile poultice. Apply this then let it sit for several hours covered with plastic wrap. This may make the stains rise to the surface requiring you to simply wipe them off. 

If you would like to keep your grout stain free, ensure that any spills that occur are wiped up immediately to lessen the chances of staining occurring. Over time though, you will find that the grout will become discolored. In these situations, a grout colorant can be used to change the color of the grout to something different. Test the colorant first so as to ensure that it matches with the ties that you have in place.

Sealing Grout

Sealing grout is one of the most effective ways of keeping your grout stain fee. As aforementioned, grout is a porous material and without sealing it, it's much more prone to stains and discoloration. Using a sealant will ensure that the surface is covered thus protecting it from water absorption, staining, mold and the like. Sealant also makes it much easier to clean the grout. 

You will find that some new types of grout will come with the sealant already incorporated into them. However, contractors tend to find these types harder to work with and would rather do without it then seal the regular grout once they are done laying the tiles. To keep your grout in good working condition, it is recommended to seal it at least once a year. You can apply this grout sealer on your own using a bottle applicator or a foam brush. Once you are done with the application process, leave the grout to cure for several hours while well ventilated.

Grout Removal 

In some occasions, you may find that the stains have embedded themselves deeply in the grout thus making it difficult to get rid of them. In such scenarios, grout colorant may not be a good option as the stains may cause it not to look uniform. 

At this point, it would be suggested to have the grout removed and have the tiles re-grouted. A grout additive should be incorporated so as to reduce the chances of staining. 

Getting Familiar with Grout

If there is one material that does not elicit any excitement from homeowners it is grout. This may be a boring material when it comes to home improvement and maintenance, but you should give grout credit for its ability to keep your tiles in place.

In addition to working as a bonding agent, proper grout installation and sealing strengthens your tile flooring and walls. Grout also prevents certain types of damages occurring on your tiles, such as cracking due to over-bearing weight. Although it may not be an intriguing material, it is recommended to learn about grout so that you can understand its essential role.

Understanding the Types of Grout

Generally speaking, there are three main types of grout. The first two types of grout are sanded grout and un-sanded grout. The third type of grout is epoxy grout, which is becoming very popular. Making a choice on the type of grout will usually depend on the types of tiles that you are having installed, as well as the amount of spacing between the tiles.

For slim spaces (typically less than an eighth of an inch) un-sanded grout would be most suitable. Larger spaces should be filled with the sanded grout to ensure the gap is filled completely as well as to avoid the joint from shrinking.

However, there is also an exception to this rule and this comes about when you are using either marble or granite. The job at hand may have slim joints but using un-sanded grout increases the chances of scratching the marble or granite surfaces. In the event that un-sanded grout has the potential of causing harm to these surfaces, it is best advised to use epoxy grout.

Whether sanded or un-sanded grout, both comprise of cement as well as polymer ingredients. This is to stop the grout from becoming brittle and having an irregular color or texture. One thing to note with both these types is that they are still susceptible to staining due to their porous nature. This is why it is highly recommended to have the grout sealed once it has been installed.

When to Use Epoxy Grout?

There are some areas in the home that are commonly exposed to either a lot of chemicals or to a lot of foot traffic. These areas will require a stronger grout that can be resilient to this exposure, and epoxy grout is the ideal selection for these areas.

The ingredients that make up epoxy grout are quite hardy, thus having some resistance to chemicals as well as staining. You will find that some types will even comprise of detergent in their ingredients making them all that easier to maintain clean. Although this type of grout may be an expensive alternative, it would be most recommended to people who would want grout that possesses a long shelf life.

Selecting a Color for Grout

A common misconception people have is that grout will come in either white or grey. The truth of the matter though is that you can get it in a wide array of colors to suit your fancy. If you would like to stay on the safe side, select a color that is neutral and that will not affect the overall look of your tiles.

Otherwise, you can get creative and try to pair a suitable color with that of your stone. Just be sure to seal your grout after it has been installed. Grout sealant will ward-off staining and discoloration, while sustaining the life of your grout, as well as tile, for many years to come.

Common Do's & Don'ts of Granite Care

If you would like to keep your granite in good condition, you should steer clear of any habits that may harm it. Natrual stone, such as marble, limestone, granite, and quartz, tend to be very similar. However, the ways in which one maintains them differs.

Below are some common do's and don’ts when it comes to caring for granite.

The Do's of Granite Care

Mop up any spills immediately when they happen. Although acidic substances such as wine, fruit juice, sauces and the like may not damage granite as much as they would marble, they still have the potential of staining the surface. Cooking oil could also cause stains on the granite if not blotted immediately it is spilled.

Use a soft cloth or a sponge when cleaning. One of the recommended granite cleaners is NuetraSheen as it can be used on a range of surfaces while protecting the sealer on the stone. However, if you do not have this cleaning agent you could do with hot water and a soft cloth for quick wipe downs. Dish washing soap may not ruin your granite countertops immediately but over time you will notice some damage as this type of soap tends to dim the shine.

Invest in coasters. To ensure there are no ring stains on your granite, it is recommended you use coasters when serving drinks in glasses, bottles, or even cans.

Place hot pans on trivets or hot pads. Although thermal shock from placing hot items on the granite is rare, you would rather be safe than sorry. In addition to this, pots and pans tend to accumulate grit over time. Although granite is a hard surface, it could still end up getting light scratches from this.

Always use a cutting board. It is very tempting to cut your vegetables or meat on the countertop, as granite is a hard surface. However, not only do you stand the risk of chipping the granite but you could also end up ruining your knives.

Mop up granite floors on a regular basis. Most homeowners may prefer using a vacuum cleaner as it is faster but you could end up chipping the floor if there is any grit that is jammed in the wheels. You are much better off using a dry duct mop that has not been treated with any chemicals.

Have runners and door mats. The dirt carried in on people’s shoes can be abrasive to your granite floors. This can lead to scratching, wich is difficult to restore.

The Don’ts of Granite Care

Don't use generic granite cleaning products. Most generic household cleaners contain a host of chemicals that could degrade the sealer on your granite thus leaving it susceptible to stains.

Don't use vinegar. This and other acid based products such as lemon or ammonia are harmful to granite. These acids can result in etching on countertops and flooring

Don't use bathroom and grout cleaners. These powders are abrasive and can causes scratches on granite surfaces.

Don't sit on the countertops. Although granite is hard, it is not flexible thus exposing it to a lot of weight in a single spot could cause it to crack.

Don't store toiletries on them. These products tend to leak and could stain the granite.