Ever wondered if there's a grout that actually lives up to the hype? In our latest deep dive, we explore Starlike Evo epoxy grout, the product that's transforming how designers and homeowners approach tile projects.
Tired of dealing with stained, cracked, or moldy grout lines? You're not alone. We break down why Starlike Evo stands apart from traditional options, offering exceptional durability against stains, water damage, chemicals, and even UV rays. Whether you're designing a busy entryway that faces constant foot traffic, a family bathroom prone to moisture, or an outdoor kitchen exposed to the elements, this product delivers performance that conventional grouts simply can't match.
What really caught our attention is the versatility - Starlike Evo works with joint widths from 1/8" to 1/2", making it perfect for everything from delicate mosaics to large-format tiles. The color options are a designer's dream, with vibrant jewel tones that maintain their brilliance year after year. We share real-world examples from commercial pool installations to family kitchens where this grout has stood the test of time without yellowing, cracking, or harboring mold. For those concerned about installation, we provide step-by-step guidance on mixing, applying, and cleaning up this user-friendly product.
Want to learn more about transforming your tile projects with the right materials? Listen now, and don't forget to leave a rating and review! Have questions about your specific project? Reach out to us at www.belktile.com or call 614-543-8334 - we might feature your question on our next episode.
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Episode Transcript
What kind of tile can you put on the wall or shower?
Do you have to seal tile?
How much extra tile should Ibuy for my project?
What thinset is the best for mytile application?
How hard is it to maintainnatural stone?
You have questions.
We have answers.
Welcome to the Belt TilePodcast.
(00:22):
How to style the bathroom, thebackyard, the kitchen, how to
improve your home style withtiles to make your home
absolutely beautiful?
Welcome to the Belk TilePodcast.
Here's your host, Mike Belk.
Mike Belk (00:43):
Hey everyone, Welcome back to the Belk Tile Podcast.
I'm Mike Belk and, as always,I'm here with Abby.
Abby Stuart (00:48):
Hey everyone.
Mike Belk (00:49):
Abby, anything good happen yesterday.
Abby Stuart (00:51):
Oh, not a whole lot , just catching up from the long
weekend.
It was a blast to have sometime off.
Mike Belk (00:57):
Yes, it is always great to celebrate the 4th of
July, even better when it landson a Friday and get to enjoy a
long weekend with friends andfamily.
Abby Stuart (01:04):
Oh my goodness, I stuffed myself with all the
cookouts and celebrations.
Mike Belk (01:09):
Do not get me started .
I feel 10 pounds heavier,exactly.
Okay, today we're diving intosomething that's been getting a
lot of buzz in the tile world,starlike Evo epoxy grout Abby.
You know I get a lot ofquestions about what makes this
stuff different from youraverage grout.
Abby Stuart (01:23):
Yeah, and honestly it's not just hype.
Starlight Evo is kind of a gamechanger.
It's not just another boringgrout.
The colors and jewel tones thatare available is a designer's
dream, and it works for jointwidths.
From what is it?
One-eighth of an inch toone-half of an inch.
That's a pretty wide range.
Mike Belk (01:39):
Exactly that.
Flexibility is huge, especiallyfor projects where you want a
seamless look or you're workingwith mosaics.
But what really stands out tome is the durability.
We're talking seriousresistance to stains, water,
chemicals, even UV rays.
So it's not just for insidejobs.
This stuff holds up outdoorstoo.
Abby Stuart (01:58):
Right and I actually just had a client with
a super busy entryway mud, rain,the works.
I recommended Starlight EVObecause I knew it could handle
all that abuse and still lookgood.
It's not going to yellow or getgrimy like some other grouts do
.
And you know, as we talkedabout in our shower floors,
episode maintenance andlongevity are everything when
(02:19):
you're picking materials forhigh traffic spots.
Mike Belk (02:21):
Yeah, and the peace of mind for homeowners is real.
You don't want to bere-grouting every couple years.
With Starlight Evo, you getthat long-lasting performance
and you don't have to baby it.
Abby Stuart (02:30):
So let's talk about where this stuff really shines.
Pools are a big one Becauseit's waterproof and chemical
resistant.
You can use it in swimmingpools, even those with salt
water or thermal water.
It doesn't break down or fade,which is honestly impressive.
Mike Belk (02:45):
Yeah, I remember this commercial pool job we did a
while back.
The client was worried aboutconstant exposure to chlorine
and cleaning chemicals.
We used Starlike Evo and I meanyears later it still looks
brand new, no staining, nocracking, nothing.
It's also great for outdoorkitchens or patios where you get
a lot of sun and rain.
Abby Stuart (03:05):
And for bathrooms and kitchens.
The non-absorbent, stain-proofthing is a lifesaver.
You don't have to worry aboutmold or mildew in the shower or
spaghetti sauce splatters on thebacksplash it just wipes clean.
I feel like that's a big dealfor families, especially if you
have kids who you know treat thekitchen like a science lab.
Mike Belk (03:21):
Ha, yeah, or teenagers who never clean up
after themselves.
But seriously, it's aboutkeeping those surfaces hygienic
and easy to maintain and, likeyou said, it doesn't compromise
on looks.
The color stays true, which issomething a lot of traditional
grout struggle with over time.
Abby Stuart (03:35):
All right, so let's get into the nitty gritty
installation.
I get a lot of questions fromclients about whether epoxy
grout is a nightmare to workwith, but honestly, starlike Evo
is pretty user-friendly if youfollow the steps.
You mix the two components witha low-speed drill.
Don't go too fast or you'llheat it up and mess with the
consistency.
Mike Belk (03:55):
Yeah, and you gotta use a green float that's made
for epoxy grout.
It makes a difference, trust me.
The pot life is about an hourat room temp, so you have time
to work, but you don't want tomix up more than you can use in.
Abby Stuart (04:09):
And the color options there are a ton.
You can really customize thelook, whether you want something
bold or just a subtle match.
I had a client do a navy bluetile with a light gray,
starlight grout and it looks sosharp.
Oh, and for anyone worriedabout cleanup, it's actually
easier than a lot of traditionalgrouts.
Just make sure you clean as yougo and you'll get that nice
(04:31):
uniform color.
My tip is to use two bucketsone for your float, one for your
sponge.
Keeps things tidy.
Mike Belk (04:38):
That's a good one, and if you're new to epoxy grout
, maybe practice on a small areafirst.
It's not as intimidating as itsounds, but a little prep goes a
long way.
Abby Stuart (04:46):
So once it's in, how do you keep it looking good?
Honestly, it's pretty lowmaintenance.
Just stick to a regularcleaning schedule with a pH
neutral cleaner, nothing tooharsh.
That keeps the grout lookingfresh and prevents buildup.
Mike Belk (04:58):
And after it's fully cured, the stain resistant is
one of the best in the industry.
That is the beauty of epoxy.
Grout takes the hassle ofsealing the grout.
Now, if it is a marble tile ornatural stone or one of those
crackle finish ceramic tiles,make sure you seal the tile
first, then grout, then, oncethe grout is cured, you can go
over and seal the tile again.
Abby Stuart (05:17):
Yeah, and don't forget to check things over
every so often.
If you spot any cracks ordamage, fix them early.
That way you keep the grout andthe tiles in top shape for
years.
It's like we said in our showerfloors episode maintenance is
key to making your investmentlast.
Mike Belk (05:32):
Absolutely Well.
That's a wrap for today.
If you're thinking about yournext tile project, Starlike Evo
is definitely worth a look.
Thanks for joining us, Abby,always a pleasure.
Abby Stuart (05:40):
Thanks, mike, and thanks to everyone listening.
We'll be back soon with moretile talk and tips.
Take care.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
You've been listening to the Belt Tile Podcast.
When it comes to creating abeautiful home using tile, this
is the podcast for products,design ideas and tips.
We hope you got some useful,practical information from this
show and we'll be back soon, butin the meantime, reach out.
The website is wwwbelktilecom.
(06:09):
Our store phone number is614-543-8334.
Find us on Facebook and Twitterat Belk Tile, and on Instagram
at Belk Tiles.
Make sure to leave a rating andreview and if you have
questions or comments, reach outand we'll talk about it on the
next show.
Till next time.
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