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About Perry Vellenga
Expertise
Ceramic Tile/Marble. I can answer questions about floor preparation, tile selection, layout questions, performance of products, expectations of finish, compatabilities, questions about grout and epoxies, evaluating an installer, asking the right questions to check competence...more? 30 years this August 09'/ many years in commercial application from exterior finishes to Mall store fronts/ interior finishes like floor packages in stores inside Malls examples: The Limited, Lerner/NY, Lane Bryants, Bombay Co., ect...

Experience
I worked in an exclusive field of floorcovering called "Tenant Development" which is by invitational bid only, by way of a National bid list. These are large floor packages usually over 3500 sq. ft. of 18" x 18" Marble and Granite and many other types of Marble and sizes. They are specialty stores where the floor package can cost upwards of $50,000 for one store. I have also done "Structure" stores and J. Riggins stores, Express and Body Shop stores where wood flooring is used. Presently work for a National Flooring Company in the Residential new construction arena that covers most interior design elements..Granite Slab tops/wood flooring both job finished and prefinished ect..

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Flooring and Carpeting - Thin set

Expert: Perry Vellenga - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Can you die thin set with a color additive to match your grout application?

ANSWER: Thank you for your question Chris,

Your single question raises several questions in me, but in short a dye can be added to thinset mainly because it is a cementitious material so it's porous but I can't see the purpose in doing so. Are you desiring to "grout" with a colored thinset? Let me just state that thinset does not set up nearly as hard as a grout will. Thinset will also simply wash away soon after any cleaning process might begin. So while you can add a colored dye, there simply isn't any reason to do so...ok? That's it Chris, I hope this helps you with your project. Feel free to return anytime...

Perry V.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can you use grout as a thinset or is it too hard?

Answer
Hey Chris,

Your "cagey" process of inquiry is interesting but again the answer to the question is no. Grout has no adhesive properties in it that would stand up to any kind of foot traffic and could not serve as an adhesive to hang any wall tile. It is primarily a buffer between the tile to secure/stabilize/ and act as a barrier to water/debris getting down beneath the installed tile. Is there some reason you can't afford "both" thinset and grout at the same time? I hope this helps you Chris...

Perry

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