Sealing and grouting encaustic tiles - Tile Advice

[Paul R Cox]

Just wondering if anyone else who's worked with Original Style might be able to advise. I've tiled a floor with their "black" and "white" encaustic 6" tiles and have sealed with Universeal All-in-one sealant. Went back today to grout but was getting some staining on the white tiles (cast iron coloured grout) The strange thing is this appeared to fade away as the tiles dried but I'm not confident to carry on grouting. I've applied a third coat and will return tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone else has had this and how many coats they normally need to seal these safely. I appreciate the performance of sealants may vary.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If I'am correct at the back of their brochure they don't recommend dark grouts!!
Even when sealed the sides of the tiles could still accept staining which could frame through to the surface.
By using a dark grout it makes the black tiles look bigger than the white.
I've always used cement grey grout either Ardex c2 or mapei 112 or Manhattan.
These tiles are not encaustic but dust pressed tiles and do accept .03...something moisture. I only seal internally to aid maintenance after grouting.

 

[LauraCTW]

As above. We would recommend a standard grey grout (usually supply Ultra Grey Flexjoint). One coat of KF Stain Stop from lithofin before grouting and not had a problem.

 

[Paul R Cox]

Ok thanks. I've started so may continue depending on what I find tomorrow as I'd have to start raking out otherwise. But will definitely bare this in mind in the future.

 

[Blunt Tool]

Ok thanks. I've started so may continue depending on what I find tomorrow as I'd have to start raking out otherwise. But will definitely bare this in mind in the future.

When you go back tomorrow look at white tiles again as don't think it will have disappeared after drying it will look like a tide mark that has been left. Might be easier to change grout colour and clean and regrout what you have done

 

[Paul R Cox]

Ok, went back and raked out the dark grout then went to the suppliers for some cement coloured grey. Whilst there they informed me that the Universeal probably wasn't the ideal stuff for Original Style tiles and I should strip it off and re-seal using Stain Stop KF Carried out a test area without that process and went fine so simply grouted up and got my money. I used the Universeal to save time but it didn't pay this time. I'll know in future! Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

That's good - so did you have to explain to customer or was the dark grout your choice and grey was now preferred.

 

[Paul R Cox]

Dark grout was my recommendation initially but customer was fine though obviously will dry lighter but if there was an issue I'd explain about the issues with darker grout.

 

[Flintstone]

For me, always white grout, or very light colours

 

[Time's Ran Out]

For me, always white grout, or very light colours

On a floor?

 

[Flintstone]

With encaustics yes, and seal the grout.

 

[JMC tiling]

If I'am correct at the back of their brochure they don't recommend dark grouts!!
Even when sealed the sides of the tiles could still accept staining which could frame through to the surface.
By using a dark grout it makes the black tiles look bigger than the white.
I've always used cement grey grout either Ardex c2 or mapei 112 or Manhattan.
These tiles are not encaustic but dust pressed tiles and do accept .03...something moisture. I only seal internally to aid maintenance after grouting.

I think John is correct, the last encaustics I installed the recommendation was to either use white or light grey mapai and not any type of dark grout.