Ceramic tiles were never made to be sealed but there is a strong argument for sealing those porous grout lines that tend to collect and hold ugly dirt and soils.
Can ceramic tile be sealed.
The surface of most ceramic and porcelain tile does not need to be sealed although some require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile.
Let me share what i believe you want to know to make a smart decision.
If your tile is stone slate marble granite travertine etc then it will need to be sealed.
Here are a few things to consider about putting sealant on a glazed ceramic tile floor.
You could alter the look of the tile if you use the wrong type of.
With some grouts that can be even worse with it needing sealer.
I would not suggest sealing the countertop tile because ceramic tile already has a built in sealer.
But like any floor a ceramic tile floor can become soiled or stained if it isn t sealed properly and regularly.
Glazed ceramic creates a beautiful and elegant floor.
However this can be misleading in some cases as some porcelain tiles will benefit from the use of a sealer due to the amount and more so the size of the pores left after the manufacturing process.
For the last 18 years i ve been answering the multitude of questions for do it your selfers and contractors.
This can cause residue and dirt to stick to the top layer sealer and make the tile look dirtier than it actually is.
There are some exceptions to this so check with your manufacturer to be sure.
Even tiles that have a pre existing sealer can eventually have that layer wear down over time.
How to reseal old ceramic tile grout.
When you reseal your old ceramic tile and grout make sure you use the correct product.
Ceramic tile floors are an attractive and durable addition to high traffic and wet areas in a home.
This makes the tile non porous so if you apply any type of sealer it will just sit on top and not absorb into the tile.
However the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement based material.
Failure to do this can lead to the grout chipping and coming off over a short amount of time.
It s best not to use a coating for this but instead a penetrating or impregnating sealer.
Any tile that is ceramic porcelain or natural stone needs to be periodically sealed.
Finding the best tile sealer for ceramic and porcelain floors.
You want to know why some tile sealers for ceramic and porcelain tile are better than others.
Many people are confused about whether they should apply sealant to their glazed ceramic tile.
If your tile is ceramic or porcelain it probably won t need to be sealed.