DECEMBER

Dec. 2-5 Showtime Fabric Market; High Point, NC; (336) 885-6842; www.itma-showtime.com

JANUARY

Jan. 8-16 Atlanta Intl. Gift & Home Furnishings Market; AmericasMart; Atlanta; (800) ATL-MART; americasmart.com

Jan. 9-12 Heimtextil; Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt, Germany; heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Jan. 12-15 Domotex; Hannover Fairgrounds; Hannover, Germany; (609) 987-1202; domotex.de

Jan. 14-20 IMM Cologne Intl. Furniture Fair; Cologne Exhibition Center; Cologne, Germany; (212) 974-8836; imm-cologne.de Read the rest of this entry »

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The ceramic tile is grouted when the mastic is completely dry. Here are the four stages needed when grouting ceramic tile:

First stage: Put on your rubber gloves. Mix the grout until it is creamy in nature. Make the tiles wet so that they will not remove moisture from the grout. Spread the grout evenly over half of the surface to be tiled. Force the grout inside the areas between the tiles using the squeegee rubber. Use a wet sponge to clean off the excess. Read the rest of this entry »

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Using modern strong mastics, sealants and grouts, it is very simple to install a ceramic tile. The idea behind the installation does not depend on the installation style or size.

Prior to the installation, you need to have some tools such as a hammer, a chalk line, a level, a sabre saw with carbide blade, rubber gloves, tile mastic, grout sealer, tiles, an edging cap, two outside corner edge caps for ceramic tile. A paint stir stick or an old toothbrush is also needed for use in forcing grout deep into the tile joints. You could also acquire a grooved trowel, tile nippers and cutter, and a squeegee rubber if you want.

Insure that the wall is smooth and there are no loose plaster, dust or a peeling paint hanging on it. Study the mastic instructions well; a primer could be used on a new plaster or unfinished drywall. Read the rest of this entry »

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