1 Using plastic edging
The top edges of a field of tiles that runs halfway up a wall can be sealed off with a plastic edging strip instead of grout. The smooth coping strip, which comes in a range of colours, is held in place while the tiles are hung.
2 Grouting
After the tiles have firmly set - about 24 hours - use a sponge or rubber squeegee to fill the joins between the tiles with grout, using waterproof grout where appropriate. There are also specialist grouts available for use in food-preparation areas and for exterior use.
3 Making good the joins
The grouted joins between the tiles are made neat by using a small stick with a pointed, but slightly rounded tip. The pointed tip is carefully pressed into the grout and run along the join - a little like the pointing on a brick wall - to neaten the finish.
4 Polished finish
When the excess grout has been removed from the tile surfaces with a damp sponge, the joins finished and the grout dried, polish the tiles to a sheen with a clean dry cloth. A piece of hessian is ideal: while coarse in texture it is still quite soft and won't scratch the glaze.
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