Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Pre-Sealing Cement Tile: An Important Step


How to Apply a Grout Release - Cement Tile Install Tips
How to Apply a Grout Release - Cement Tile Install Tips

When you see a finished cement tile installation (or any tile installation), it's hard to visualize just how bad it looked when grout was first applied. The only way to get grout into the joints is by spreading it with a tile trowel. With glazed ceramic tile, grout removal and clean-up can be difficult. The task becomes more arduous when a porous material, such as cement tile, needs to be cleaned up. That's where pre-sealing comes in.

Commercial cement tile installations collage
Handmade cement tile offers a range of design possibilities for any commercial, hospitality, or retail space.

The benefit of a pre-sealer, or "grout release" product, is to make sure the grout can be easily removed after spreading it onto the tile and into the joints. By applying a grout release prior to installing the tile, you get the added benefit of inspecting each tile, as well as the opportunity to cull any tile that might be damaged or off-color prior to the actual installation.

While preparing to pre-seal your cement tile, take the opportunity to inspect each tile.
While preparing to pre-seal your cement tile, take the opportunity to inspect each tile.

Handmade cement tile offers a range of design possibilities - bold Cuban tile patterns in contrasting colors, or classic cement patterns in harmonizing colors. Whether used as floor tile or wall tile, the result will transform any space. We've assembled dozens of images filled with cement tile design ideas to help you get started on your next project.

To learn more about cement tile and to see how a pre-sealer is applied, watch our latest video, How to Apply a Grout Release - Cement Tile Install Tips. This short video shows how to apply grout release to cement tiles in an easy-to-understand format. Making time for this additional step will protect your tile from the hazards of even the most skilled of installers, while making sure the grout is easily removed.

In the coming months, we'll provide more tips on how to successfully install cement tiles. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, for more information about cement tile selection, installation tips, customization services, or available sizes, shapes and more, please see our new Guide to Buying Handmade Cement Tile.




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Designing with Tile

Commercial Spaces Design

Saltillo Tile Pin Board

"Design is the method of putting form and content together. Design, just as art, has multiple definitions; there is no single definition. Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated." — Paul Rand

Once a building has been erected, or is in the process of an overhaul, it's up to the designers to translate and transform the vision of the commercial, retail or hospitality space into a sensory-pleasing experience. Whether it's a grand lobby, a spectacular lounge or bar area, or even the common areas such as hallways and corridors, the designer is tasked with giving these spaces character and interest.

Therefore, it's no surprise that tile is the perfect component in making these visions come to life, specifically, cement tile. With cement tile, these spaces are given a historic feel from a material that has been used for centuries, with the added benefit of being able to customize patterns and colors.

Saltillo tiles also fall into the same timeless category as cement tiles. Because of their deep, rich hues, Saltillo tiles have the ability of transporting us to the colorful, refined grandeur of sun-kissed Spanish villas and haciendas of the Mediterranean.

With their inherit versatility and durability, it's for these reasons that designers and specifiers overwhelmingly choose the always stylish looks of handmade cement tiles and Saltillo tiles.



Fall for our In-Stock Cement Tile & $ave

What's better than cement tile that are in-stock and ready to ship NOW? Saving on those same tile! Mention coupon code THANKS and we'll thank you with 10% off any order of cement tile that is in stock. Limited to quantities on hand, so don't delay. Plenty of tile for that residential project you want completed before the holidays!


Cathedral
8x8 Cement Tile
In Stock! 395 Pieces



Fleur-de-Lis in Clover
8x8 Cement Tile
In Stock! 497 Pieces



Fragments Mosaic - Fall
12x12 Cement Tile Mosaic Sheets
In Stock! 40 Sheets



Cuban Heritage 140-1A Field
8x8 Cement Tile
In Stock! 347 Pieces


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