Hexagon tiles can add beauty and sophistication to any room in the house. Since the shape and size could be a little challenging to manage, you may be wondering what the best way to grout your tile is. We have researched in-depth and have found some answers for you.
To grout hexagon floor tile, you will need grout mix, a grout float, and a thick sponge. Calculate how much grout you can lay and clean in a 30-minute time frame and mix only the amount you need to avoid the grout drying out before application. Work in small manageable sections. Follow these steps:
- Prepare the grout lines.
- Apply grout.
- Wipe across the tiles with the sponge.
- Remove tile haze.
Grouting floor tiles can be a daunting task, but we have more details on how you can get the job done and keep it simple! Keep reading as we break down each step and discuss the best strategy for laying hexagon floor tile.
Are Hexagon Tiles Out Of Style?
Interior design experts and flooring specialists will sometimes have differing opinions on whether you should install hexagon tiles or not. Some home investors and realtors also caution factoring in your plans for the house as tile design is a semi-permanent design choice. Depending on what type of hexagon style is selected, it could cause your house to be harder to sell due to concerns with the tile dating the home.
Any six-sided tile is a hexagon floor tile. They come in oblong picket shapes as well as the more common equal-sided shape. This means that your choices and combinations of color and shape are limitless, such as big black tiles with white grout with a sleek modern look or a vintage mosaic pattern from an earlier era.
Click here to see an example of an elongated hexagon tile on Amazon.
Most experts do agree that since the attitude and even era-specific themes of your house and its rooms are a personal choice, hexagon tiles don't ever go out of style.
Which Direction To Lay Hexagon Tiles?
Before the grouting can begin, you will need to have your tile laid and attached. Before applying the adhesive, we recommend laying out at least a few tile lines to plan your floor. The choice of direction to lay your floor tile will be a personal one that depends on the look you are going for.
Laying out the tiles before installation is also referred to as dry fitting. Many installers choose to dry-fit the whole floor. Mark your tiles for cutting and plan out how they fit under casings before affixing for best results. Some professionals even recommend numbering your tile pieces or marking which ones will go along which walls for the easiest installation experience.
Small tiles will usually come in sheets, and you will have little choice for the layout. You will want to pay special attention to how the ends of your sheets fit together to make sure the spacing matches the rest of the sheet.
Click here to see these small tile sheets on Amazon.
Medium to large tiles usually will come individually. Organize the tiles in different design orientations to decide which looks best. Assembling tip to tip creates a busier look that could be too much for the eye in some rooms. Assembling symmetrically side to side can be a safer look but can be harder to install uniformly. After laying out, the tiles in different patterns, take pictures to objectively compare each one to find the layout that suits your tastes.
Click here to see these large tiles on Amazon.
Once you have chosen a direction to lay the tiles, affix them with your selected adhesive. Within 24 hours of installation, begin to prepare the grout lines.
How Do You Apply Grout?
There are different variations on the best way to go about grouting a tile floor, but there are steps that most experts mention. Installing and grouting hexagon floors is considered an intermediate skill level task for a DIYer, but it can be done with patience and an eye for details.
Prepare The Grout Lines
Ideally, the adhesive or mortar is wiped from the tiles anywhere it seeps up during the tile installation. This can be done using a toothbrush or a small paint sponge. Cleaning as you go will keep the mortar from drying on top of the tiles. Dried mortar can be difficult to remove.
Inside 24 hours after installation, use a towel and utility knife to clean the grout lines. Scrape lightly along the edges of the tile and remove with a damp towel. Some installers will even sweep or vacuum after the 24 hours are up and before the grouting process begins.
Once the adhesive is hardened, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, remove any spacers used and any tile film that may be on the tile to protect it during transit.
Apply Grout
Though many professionals can quickly apply the grout to large areas at a time, we recommend working in small sections to make the task more manageable and lower the risk of your grout drying out during the application.
Grout comes in pre-mixed and powdered form, sanded, unsanded, as well as epoxy and acrylic. Use the grout type recommended for the floor type you are installing. Hexagon floor tiles generally have smaller grout joints. Unsanded grout is usually recommended for thinner grout lines.
Click here to see the unsanded grout mix on Amazon.
If you choose to use a grout mix, prepare the grout in batches keeping in mind your skill and speed level. Try and mix only what will be used immediately. Note that you will need to factor in the time it will take to spread the grout and wipe it down before moving on to the next section.
Using the grout float, spread the grout over the selected area, using the flat part of the float, covering the whole section. Pass the side of the float at a 45-degree angle to push the grout down into the lines. Once the grout is completely smoothed down to the tile, allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
Click here to see this example of a grout float on Amazon.
Wipe Across The Tiles With The Sponge
With a bucket of clean water and a sizeable non-abrasive sponge, wipe across the tiles from left to right in one motion. It's important to keep your touch very light to avoid disturbing the grout lines. The sponge should be squeezed as dry as possible after every rinse to ensure it picks up as much grout as possible.
You will know that you are done with your section when the sponge remains clean after the final swipe. Allow the grout to be set according to the package instructions.
Mix another batch of grout and repeat the application and wiping steps in sections until the floor has been completed.
See this example of a grout sponge on Amazon.
Remove Tile Haze
As the grout continues to dry, it is normal for a haze to appear. Do not wait too long to remove it, or you will end up spending more money on more expensive removal methods. We recommend removing the haze from the tile 24 hours after the installation. Do not allow more than ten days to pass as the grout will continue to harden and become very difficult to remove.
There are different methods for removing the haze. We recommend using a damp cheesecloth and water. Pass lightly over the tiles. The cheesecloth should be just damp enough to remove the haze, as too much water can cause your grout to shift.
Use a flashlight at different angles to see if the haze has been removed successfully. If not, use a commercial product formulated for your tile type. Vinegar and water can also be used to clean haze from tile, but exercise caution as the acidity in vinegar can be harmful to porous tile types and can also weaken the grout.
Click here to see this grout haze remover on Amazon.
Where Can You Use Hexagon Floor Tile?
Now that you know how to go about grouting your hexagon floor tile, you may also be wondering where hexagon floor tile is used? Due to its versatility in size and shape, use hexagon floor tile in any room of the house. Big tiles are easier on the eye in a larger room, while small mosaic tiles would look great in your bathroom! However, you decide to use hexagon flooring; it is a great way to accent any space in your home, and done correctly, it will hold up for years to come.
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