Frequently Asked Questions

There are four basic types of grout for ceramic tile: unsanded, fine sanded, quarry type, and epoxy

• Unsanded grout for ceramic tile: This is used for wall/floors tiles where the grout joint is less than 1/8” wide.
• Finely sanded grout for ceramic tile: This is used for floor tiles where the joints are 1/8” to 3/8” wide.
• Quarry-type grout for ceramic tile: This is the same as finely sanded grout for ceramic tiles except that a coarser grade of sand is used. The quarry-type grout for ceramic tile is used for joints that are 3/8” wide to 1/2” wide such as those used with Saltillo tiles.
• Epoxy grout for ceramic tile: This consists of an epoxy resin and hardener. Epoxy grout for ceramic tile is highly resistant to stains and chemicals and has a tremendous bonding strength. It is ideal for countertops and other areas susceptible to stains

While it is possible to install hardwood flooring directly onto a concrete basement floor by gluing it down, it is recommended that a more durable option, such installing subfloor first, or using engineered wood flooring, is considered. Because a basement is a below-ground-level space, it is susceptible to moisture and leaks making water damage a common problem for basement flooring that is not waterproof. Engineered wood flooring has the timeless look of hardwood floors, with the added durability of a plywood sub-layer. With engineered wood flooring, a thin layer of real hardwood is positioned on top of a plywood base. This plywood makes the floor structurally sound and prevents moisture from damaging the floor.

Another waterproof flooring option that looks like wood is laminate flooring. Laminate is flooring is easy to install and maintain, and because it's plastic-coated, it comes without the drawbacks of regular wood floors in a basement.

It's important to realize that there are two parts of a tile floor...the tile and the grout. Grout needs to be sealed. It's naturally porous and will stain easily. Most installers of tile floors do not seal them, because grout has to cure first. It's something you should do to keep your grout looking it's best. As a bonus, sealed grout is much easier to keep clean.

We can replace sealer with a grout additive, that can be used when mixing grouts and water (For example Stain Blocker from Custom) is done to strengthen tile or grout's defenses against dirt, spills, and erosion of grout.

Not all tile needs to be sealed.If your tile is ceramic or porcelain, it probably won't need to be sealed. There are some exceptions to this, If your tile is stone (slate, marble, granite, travertine, etc.) then it will need to be sealed.