BedStuy Reno

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June 26, 2007

Back to the Goddamn Tile

Goddamn tile won't goddamn quit being more goddamn work. I went to seal the floor tiles this weekend before we grout. We are using a gray grout (supposedly doesn't stain and get dirty like white grout does), which can seep into and stain the unglazed floor tiles. So to avoid this, G and I decided to seal the tiles first, following the advice of other Bstoners. Problem was, the tile floor had gotten pretty filthy, so it took a long time to clean and dry it first before sealing it.

The sealer has a pleasant-to-light chemical smell that has a frightening bluish tint while drying. Faint hallucinogenic properties. Everything seemed cool though once it was all dry.

Comments

Yer goddamn tiles look f%*kin' awesome! Congrats. Yes, pain now, but years of great floor in the future!

Posted by: anon at June 26, 2007 11:22 AM

Yes, I know how that hex tile can get dirty and be a pain to install too. What makes me nuts is sometimes they are made on a weak mesh backing. This make the tiles move a little. I wonder if anyone ever made a metal mesh backing so those tiles would stay in place. I think you did a great job on your floor. I'm sure you will enjoy it every day.

Posted by: Rick at June 27, 2007 7:56 AM

Just really cool to read about the work. I hope to see this place in all it's glory when you have the big unveiling party and subsequantly trash the place. hugh sent me the link. very cool.

Posted by: evan at June 27, 2007 9:38 AM

hey peter!
this is molly, red headed paul's friend. Looks great! i'm starting on the hex tile pattern for my two family here in boston and was wondering how your wife actually designed the pattern.. i'm driving myself crazy trying to draw little dots on grid paper... any suggestions???? i guess i'll check back soon! feel free to email me: molly_hamill@hotmail.com
yours looks amazing! good luck

Posted by: molly hamill at June 28, 2007 12:11 PM

Looks great. I am sealing an unglazed tile floor too. Can you tell me what brand sealer you used? Thanks

Posted by: hancock1 at July 27, 2007 11:23 AM

Two months and nothing to report? Giving up on the blog?

Posted by: guest at August 24, 2007 11:44 AM

hi Peter. Are you still doing work on this brownstone? I would love to stop by and check it out if you wouldn't mind. I'd be willing to lend a hand and help out as well to get an idea of the amount of work you've done.

I'm a contractor in Manhattan but build high rises. I'm looking to do a brownstone of my own. Please let me know.

Posted by: seniorbrownstone at August 29, 2007 8:42 PM

OMW! Your tile looks awesome and the designs are fabulous! We just did a hex tile floor in a very traditional design . . . phew! I feel your G*%D#%@ pain!
Your floor is gorgeous.

Posted by: guest at August 31, 2007 10:59 AM

How is the floor prepared underneath to receive the tiles? Did you use 3/4" ply and then cement board over that? And if so, how did you deal with the cement board seams so you had a perfectly smooth surface. Our contractor messed up the hex tiles because of these underlying seams. Had to rip up two bathrooms worth of it. I was pissed...the tile was OOP and the contractor walked so it was a big waste. We need to redo it all. HELP! Your floor looks, of course as we all can see, A-1 Gorgeous!

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 7:23 PM

hello, I am thinking to use this type of tiles (the 1 inch hexagon) for my bathroom floor, but I am finding it difficult to find a seller here in London UK. I can only find then in gloss, and I really would like to achieve the classic Subway style with the tiles in apache.. I can easily find the gloss brick tile here, but no luck with the hexagon..

Can you suggest me a reseller in the us, that can ship to the uk? I really only need 2 mq, my bathroom is very small.

my email is googioka@gmail.com

maybe you can help me..

kind regards, Francesca

Posted by: guest at April 26, 2008 2:14 PM