Sealing porcelain tiles

[larold]

I bought some matt porcelain floor/wall tiles (30x60x1) from homebase for my bathroom. Once laid, do I need to seal these? I have done searches on this topic but come up with conflicting views on this.

 

[jefoss]

nope, good porc is not needing a seal

 

[Grado]

If it doesn't tell you to on the box you should be fine. Make sure you use the correct adhesive and grout though, standard stuff could stain them.

 

[warehouseman]

Sorry to be flippant, but I did not realise you could buy good porcelain tiles from homebase !!
I would point out that I know of several porcelain tiles that need sealing and on each occasion , no mention is made of this fact on the boxes.
There are one or two products on the market which , if you are in doubt, you can apply to both porcelain and ceramic tiles to assist with ongoing maintainence/cleaning. They are solvent based and are invisible. One, for example is 'Sovereign stone sealer' which, despite its name, will go on almost anything.

 

[larold]

Excellent. thank you. Will give it a try. Well, they're definitely porcelain and they're definitely from homebase, but whether they are 'good' or not, who knows They certainly look nice to me, but I'm no expert. Thanks again

 

[larold]

One more question - do I seal before or after grouting?

 

[jefoss]

even tho i beleive they wont need sealing, if you must i work this way.


seal - lay - seal - grout - seal.

no room for error, then after grouting a good clean