Starlike Evo: The Game-Changing Grout

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What kind of tile can you put on the wall or shower?

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Do you have to seal tile?

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How much extra tile should I buy for my project?

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What thinset is the best for my tile application?

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How hard is it to maintain natural stone?

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You have questions.

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We have answers.

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Welcome to the Belt Tile Podcast.

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How to style the bathroom, the backyard, the kitchen, how to improve your home style with tiles to make your home absolutely beautiful?

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Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.

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Here's your host, Mike Belk.

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Hey everyone, Welcome back to the Belk Tile Podcast.

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I'm Mike Belk and, as always, I'm here with Abby.

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Hey everyone.

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Abby, anything good happen yesterday.

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Oh, not a whole lot, just catching up from the long weekend.

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It was a blast to have some time off.

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Yes, it is always great to celebrate the 4th of July, even better when it lands on a Friday and get to enjoy a long weekend with friends and family.

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Oh my goodness, I stuffed myself with all the cookouts and celebrations.

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Do not get me started.

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I feel 10 pounds heavier, exactly.

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Okay, today we're diving into something that's been getting a lot of buzz in the tile world, starlike Evo epoxy grout Abby.

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You know I get a lot of questions about what makes this stuff different from your average grout.

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Yeah, and honestly it's not just hype.

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Starlight Evo is kind of a game changer.

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It's not just another boring grout.

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The colors and jewel tones that are available is a designer's dream, and it works for joint widths.

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From what is it?

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One-eighth of an inch to one-half of an inch.

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That's a pretty wide range.

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Exactly that.

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Flexibility is huge, especially for projects where you want a seamless look or you're working with mosaics.

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But what really stands out to me is the durability.

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We're talking serious resistance to stains, water, chemicals, even UV rays.

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So it's not just for inside jobs.

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This stuff holds up outdoors too.

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Right and I actually just had a client with a super busy entryway mud, rain, the works.

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I recommended Starlight EVO because I knew it could handle all that abuse and still look good.

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It's not going to yellow or get grimy like some other grouts do.

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And you know, as we talked about in our shower floors, episode maintenance and longevity are everything when you're picking materials for high traffic spots.

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Yeah, and the peace of mind for homeowners is real.

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You don't want to be re-grouting every couple years.

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With Starlight Evo, you get that long-lasting performance and you don't have to baby it.

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So let's talk about where this stuff really shines.

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Pools are a big one Because it's waterproof and chemical resistant.

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You can use it in swimming pools, even those with salt water or thermal water.

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It doesn't break down or fade, which is honestly impressive.

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Yeah, I remember this commercial pool job we did a while back.

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The client was worried about constant exposure to chlorine and cleaning chemicals.

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We used Starlike Evo and I mean years later it still looks brand new, no staining, no cracking, nothing.

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It's also great for outdoor kitchens or patios where you get a lot of sun and rain.

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And for bathrooms and kitchens.

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The non-absorbent, stain-proof thing is a lifesaver.

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You don't have to worry about mold or mildew in the shower or spaghetti sauce splatters on the backsplash it just wipes clean.

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I feel like that's a big deal for families, especially if you have kids who you know treat the kitchen like a science lab.

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Ha, yeah, or teenagers who never clean up after themselves.

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But seriously, it's about keeping those surfaces hygienic and easy to maintain and, like you said, it doesn't compromise on looks.

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The color stays true, which is something a lot of traditional grout struggle with over time.

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All right, so let's get into the nitty gritty installation.

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I get a lot of questions from clients about whether epoxy grout is a nightmare to work with, but honestly, starlike Evo is pretty user-friendly if you follow the steps.

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You mix the two components with a low-speed drill.

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Don't go too fast or you'll heat it up and mess with the consistency.

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Yeah, and you gotta use a green float that's made for epoxy grout.

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It makes a difference, trust me.

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The pot life is about an hour at room temp, so you have time to work, but you don't want to mix up more than you can use in.

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And the color options there are a ton.

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You can really customize the look, whether you want something bold or just a subtle match.

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I had a client do a navy blue tile with a light gray, starlight grout and it looks so sharp.

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Oh, and for anyone worried about cleanup, it's actually easier than a lot of traditional grouts.

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Just make sure you clean as you go and you'll get that nice uniform color.

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My tip is to use two buckets one for your float, one for your sponge.

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Keeps things tidy.

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That's a good one, and if you're new to epoxy grout, maybe practice on a small area first.

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It's not as intimidating as it sounds, but a little prep goes a long way.

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So once it's in, how do you keep it looking good?

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Honestly, it's pretty low maintenance.

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Just stick to a regular cleaning schedule with a pH neutral cleaner, nothing too harsh.

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That keeps the grout looking fresh and prevents buildup.

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And after it's fully cured, the stain resistant is one of the best in the industry.

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That is the beauty of epoxy.

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Grout takes the hassle of sealing the grout.

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Now, if it is a marble tile or natural stone or one of those crackle finish ceramic tiles, make sure you seal the tile first, then grout, then, once the grout is cured, you can go over and seal the tile again.

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Yeah, and don't forget to check things over every so often.

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If you spot any cracks or damage, fix them early.

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That way you keep the grout and the tiles in top shape for years.

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It's like we said in our shower floors episode maintenance is key to making your investment last.

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Absolutely Well.

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That's a wrap for today.

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If you're thinking about your next tile project, Starlike Evo is definitely worth a look.

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Thanks for joining us, Abby, always a pleasure.

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Thanks, mike, and thanks to everyone listening.

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We'll be back soon with more tile talk and tips.

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Take care.

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You've been listening to the Belt Tile Podcast.

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When it comes to creating a beautiful home using tile, this is the podcast for products, design ideas and tips.

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