Do Ceramic Tile Floors Need To Be Sealed

Unsealed tiles such as clay and natural stone must be sealed.

Do ceramic tile floors need to be sealed.

Different types of ceramic tiles and grout have distinct features that should be considered when choosing sealing products. Using a product like pro seal ultra is ideal for grout. Textured tiles can prove difficult to keep clean as they have high low surfaces. Genuine ceramic floor tiles do not stain so sealing will not improve stain protection.

Tile contractors and their customers need to understand whether porcelain tile needs to be sealed and if so why when and with what type of sealer. But is this strictly true. Do porcelain floor tiles really need to be sealed. They are glazed and unglazed.

When to seal tiles. First it is important to understand that there are two types of porcelain tile that need to be considered. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are not porous. Many tiles especially natural stone such as slate marble and limestone are porous and need to be sealed.

It s necessary to seal tiles that are going in high moisture areas bathrooms especially and the presence of oil and grease in kitchens makes it a good idea to seal any wall tiles there too. Sealer is necessary for any floor tiles because they pick up dirt and grime that will set into the tile if it isn t sealed. Sealing is done to strengthen tile or grout s defenses against dirt spills and erosion of grout but not all tile needs to be sealed. Damage wanting to seal a ceramic floor tile to fix or cover some damage.

A mop won t dig out the dirt and often. Ceramic tile floors are an attractive and durable addition to high traffic and wet areas in a home. If your tile is ceramic or porcelain it probably won t need to be sealed. Many consumers believe that a polished porcelain floor tile doesn t need sealing.

However during the polishing process micro pores are opened up. Another big reason some tiles need to be sealed even before the installation for certain types. Some polished porcelains are sealed as part of the manufacturing process to protect them during installation but a further seal after a thorough builders clean is recommended to offer. There are some exceptions to this so check with your manufacturer to be sure.

But like any floor a ceramic tile floor can become soiled or stained if it isn t sealed properly and regularly. The key is to ensure that proper sealer is periodically applied. Sealing of grout however may be a good decision that will help you reduce floor maintenance. Epoxy grout is a tough water resistant material that doesn t require sealer but it s not right for every tile application.