Grout often becomes an afterthought in the world of tile, and the importance of choosing the right product can be easily overlooked. Surprisingly, grout not only affects the overall look and feel of the design but also plays a major role in the maintenance and the longevity of the tile.
We at ART TILE, pay equal importance to the choice and quality of installation materials as to our main products – tile and stone. Our Warehouse offers a wide range of carefully selected installation & waterproofing materials and a professional consultation.
KIESEL, a family owned and operated business, based in Germany, is one of our favorite partners for grout. Recently, we hosted a KIESEL product demo and hands-on training for industry professionals. Some of the local tile installers have already used KIESEL grout and we wanted to hear their feedback.
We interviewed Bill Gannet who has been tiling locally for early 30 years and regularly works with Art Tile customers. Bill has noticed that grout over time has not dried as hard as 20 years ago and assumes this is due to the additives being added.
He has used the Kiesel ServoPerl Royal Grout on three different projects (see below) and shares his experience.
1. 100SF Outdoor patio with 3/8″ grout joints
2. Indoor bathroom
3. Shower area
About the product: Kiesel ServoPerl Royal Grout is a high strength, flexible, stain- resistant, cement- based grout with
What was your overall experience with the preparation and usability of the ServoPerl Royal Grout?
It was very easy to prepare and use. No special instructions were needed, and I took your trainer’s advice to add a bit more water.
Did you experience any efflorescence or color inconsistencies in your projects’ fully cured/dried grout joints?
No, and I was especially happy with its performance outdoors where I used the Bali Brown color. In addition, the caulk matched perfectly with grout.
Did you experience any “haze” effects on the tile after performing your tile sponge wipe?
Not at all, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to clean.
Would you recommend KIESEL products to a fellow contractor and/or customer in the future?
Absolutely – I wouldn’t have any hesitation of recommending it to anyone!
P.S. We’re fortunate to work with highly experienced and innovative tile professionals who strive to provide the best service possible and are eager to keep up with the latest industry trends and test new products.