New Tile

chris n

Hey, I just got done installing a new 16 by 16 tile floor in my basement. All done, grouted ,sealed the grout lines ,cleaned ,etc and ther must have been at least 2 different shipments of tiles as there is a distinct difference between two of the tiles as you enter the room. One row I set has a sheen to it and is darker( as most of them are), the next row is lighter with no sheen It seems to be like just one box out of the 19 was ligher than the rest . My question, I guess, is there anything I can put down over the whole floor to make it all even? I certainly do not want to tear up the different ones.My being a paper hanger by trade and this being my first attempt at installing tile, you guys have gained my complete respect .This is a job for younger,stronger people.

By the way it is ceramic tile not porcelain

cleveman

No, there is nothing acceptable. I'm assuming epoxy paint is unacceptable to you.

chris n

No,painting is not an option.

Static Design

The tiles may not be cleaned good, take some good tile cleaner/ acidic wash and go over the tiles again. Scrub the crap out of them, and see if that helps.

chris n

I will give it try but am not too hopeful.

olzo55

Chris,
you might try an enhancer only on the light ones but don't be too hopeful. I'd go get a box of the right dye lot before it gets sold out. otherwise you're screwed.

chris n

That's what I was afraid off.Fortunately,I am not my own paying customer,so getting more tile will not happen.Are to separate boxes numbered like wallpaper?If you get 2 different runs in paper they will be slightly different ,it must be somewhat the same.

jreiner13

You want to try to get tile from the same lot #, and work randomly out of several boxes.

SLSTech

Ding Ding Ding - Correct (Hey, how about an intro in the appropriate area?)

Chris, as your painter, what do you do when you need say 2 gallons of paint - you mix them together correct? Same with tile - if you need 5 boxes of tile, you randomly grab tile from each box & install it which helps blend together any color variations instead of one row being lighter than the other.

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TileLady

I've seen different 'sheens' with tiles. Tile manufacturers have stipulations about different batch numbers and coloring, however I personally think it's unacceptable to have different 'sheens'. If you don't want to pay for new tiles to match the predominant ones, I would suggest contacting the store or tile manufacturer and see if there's anything they're willing to do.

When (and if) you do contact them, be sure to let them know you're also a contractor and you understand these things do happen, but ask them if there's any way they can help you with this. Be really nice and they may just surprise you. Best of luck!

chris n

Chris, as your painter, what do you do when you need say 2 gallons of paint - you mix them together correct? Same with tile - if you need 5 boxes of tile, you randomly grab tile from each box & install it which helps blend together any color variations instead of one row being lighter than the other.

Yea,it's the same with wallpaper( different lot#'s),I just did not realize it was like that for tile.

I would suggest contacting the store or tile manufacturer and see if there's anything they're willing to do.

If it were in a paying customers home,I would( even though they came from HD) but as I did it myself in my home,I will live with it. Just wondering why there is not some kind of "sealer" I could cover the whole floor with to make it more even.

Forry

This "might" actually help a bit, and pretty easy.

It's a sealer that adds sheen.

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now i am scared for my future
i've got all ten
smashed a lot of them stupidly before
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chris n

Can't hurt.

Bud Cline

Why are you any different than any other customer? You got screwed on a mixed-lot-shipment and the seller should stand good for replacing the entire order. Mixing tiles from various boxes is the recommendation but that doesn't change the fact that they have filled your order using mixed-lots.

At the very least I would BITCH and threaten litigation to a point that you could collect a settlement for your trouble. The whole thing is a rip off by Home Depot. They are good for screwin' unsuspecting soles.

Brock

Exactly what I would try except I would only apply it to the tiles that are sheen-less. Let it cure good and recoat them if neccesary. Then when you have the sheen you want go over the entire job with the product.

Worth a try and cheaper than the baby sledge and scraper.