You’ve discovered the joys of DIY and spend your weekends scouring the shelves of your favourite home improvement warehouse, searching for the next round of must-have products to transform your house into a home. There is only one problem – Tile sealant isn’t as simple as you thought. You know sealing tiles before you grout is important, and the longevity of your bathroom or balcony is highly dependent on its quality. Still, the tile sealing products in front of you are confusing. If you’re torn between completing the job or researching professional bathroom resealing services, use our guide to help you decide.

UNDERSTANDING THE BATHROOM TILE TYPE

All tiles are the same. Wrong. Along with the colour, size and shape, tiles are also not made from the same materials. Although many assume the tiles from bathrooms to balconies to kitchens are identical, tiles can be ceramic, composite stone, natural stone, porcelain and even glass. You may have guessed by now, but these different tile types demand a variety of sealants – unfortunately, a one size fits all tile sealing solution hasn’t been invented yet. If the manufacturer has neglected to include instructions, call the crew at Megasealed for advice and possible solutions suited to your tile type. Sadly, the retail warehouse staff don’t always have the correct answers, so why take the chance?

TOPICAL OR PENETRATING: WHICH TILE SEALER SHOULD YOU USE?

Before starting the job and laying under the bathroom resealing strip, consider the sealant you’ll use. You have two general choices (specialist products come highly recommended where possible, such as the Megasealed range and services), topical and penetrating. Put topical sealants dry on the surface of a tile, blocking water from seeping through; penetrating sealants utilise a different tactic, sinking into the pores of a tile and stopping any liquid from filling up the micro-holes and fissures.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT: APPEARANCE

Choosing the proper tile sealant (even the right tile) can come down to minor details. Matching the appearance of your tiles to the décor of your home can be a mission in itself and the tile sealing strip debate is probably another post in itself, so let’s break it down. When you select a tile sealer, envision the finished product: do the tiles look glossy, appear shiny or embrace a matte end product that complements your wooded floors in the hallway? While tossing up whether the wet look suits you, consider the importance of non-slip surfacing – taking an accidental dive for want of a sweet-looking bathroom, kitchen or balcony floor shouldn’t take the shine off a new floor. Think safe and get a second opinion before buying.

A finished tiled floor is a captivating addition to any renovated home or commercial property. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, protecting your new floors from everyday use will ensure the longevity of your work. Or, if you’d like a little help, let the tile sealing professionals at Megasealed take the second chair and balance DIY enthusiasm with tried and tested experience. Get an obligation-free quote from our professionals now.