Tile remains one of the most popular flooring materials — and for good reason. Tile not only possesses an incredible durability, but this flooring will also add beauty and value to virtually any home. Of course, this only holds true of tile flooring that is installed the right way, and as any good tile contractor knows, grout represents the most important factor in a tile floor.

Unfortunately, many people who undertake the task of installing a tile floor themselves don’t understand the importance of correct grout application. If you would like to learn more about how professionals achieve the best results, read on. This article will outline three key aspects of installing grout the right way.

Before applying grout, there are two phases of the tile installation process you need to complete. The first involves laying down a bed of thinset on the subflooring. Tiles are then pressed into the thinset using a guide to ensure correct spacing. After the layer has dried, it will be time to fill in the joints between the tiles using grout.

However, you can't just rush into grout application. First, your joints must be as clean as possible. Any loose, crumbling bits of thinset will promote a weaker bond between the tiles and the grout. This will increase the likelihood of one of the most annoying tile problems: tiles getting loose over time.

Use a paint scraper or screwdriver to loosen up any stray bits of thinset from the inside of the joints. Then vacuum out the joints using a vacuum cleaner equipped with an appropriate brush tip. Make sure that no dirt, debris, or dust remains in the joints.

Now that your floor has been correctly prepped, you can move on to mixing up your grout. This step may appear deceptively simple; after all, you just have to add water to the grout mix you've purchased from a tile supply company. However, this process can be more complex than you think.

Consistency is the key aspect to be aware of. Consistency is directly related to the amount of water you use when mixing up your grout. Too much water will result in a grout whose consistency is much too thin. This will weaken the strength of the grout, making it more liable to crack and crumble as time goes on.

However, too little water also poses problems. Because the grout will be excessively thick, you will find it especially difficult to apply it evenly to your joints.

Be sure to closely follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the water to grout ratio. A well-mixed grout should have an easily spreadable consistency reminiscent of creamy peanut butter.

At this point, you will finally be ready to start laying down your grout. For this aspect of the project, you will need a grout float — a hard rectangular piece of plastic with a handle on one side. Use the edge of the float to scoop up some grout from your bucket. Be sure not to take too much, otherwise, you'll have a hard time controlling the grout as you apply it.

Also, pay close attention to the angle at which you hold the grout float during application. Ideally, the grout float should remain at roughly a  45-degree  angle relative to the surface of the tiles. By keeping the float at such an angle, you can more easily avoid the problem of accidentally digging the edge of the float into the grout lines.

Contact Tile Supply Experts

Installing a tile surface takes the right kind of knowledge and the right kind of supplies. For more information about what you'll need to successfully complete your next tile project, feel free to  contact the tile supply experts  at AA & Bob Allen Inc.