Choosing the right grout for your tiling.
1. Type of Grout
• Cement-based grout: This is the most common type and comes in two variations:
• Sanded Grout: Contains sand and is best for grout joints wider than 1/8 inch (3mm). It’s strong and durable, making it ideal for floor tiles or areas with high traffic.
• Unsanded Grout: This type is smoother and finer, and it’s used for narrower grout lines (less than 1/8 inch) or delicate tiles like marble or glass, where scratching could be a concern.
• Epoxy Grout: A highly durable and water-resistant option, epoxy grout is ideal for wet areas like showers, kitchens, and pools. It’s more difficult to work with but has a long lifespan.
2. Application Area
• Floor Tiles: For floor tiles, especially in high-traffic areas, sanded grout is often the best choice due to its strength and resistance to wear.
• Wall Tiles: If the grout lines are narrow (less than 1/8 inch), unsanded grout is ideal for walls, as it’s smoother and easier to apply in smaller joints.
• Wet Areas: If you’re tiling a shower, bathroom floor, or a pool area, consider using an epoxy grout because of its superior water resistance and durability.
3. colour of Grout
• Grout colour can dramatically affect the appearance of your tile installation. You can choose a grout colour that contrasts with your tiles to create a bold look, or you can select a grout that blends with the tile for a more seamless, subtle effect.
• Light-coloured grouts (e.g., whites, beiges) are good for creating a clean, airy look, but they can show stains more easily.
• Dark-coloured grouts (e.g., blacks, dark grays) are better at hiding dirt, stains, and discolouration but may make smaller tiles look more pronounced.
4. Water Resistance
• Grout that’s highly water-resistant is crucial for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Epoxy grout is the most water-resistant, but cement-based grouts can also be treated with a grout sealer to improve their moisture resistance.
5. Maintenance
• Epoxy grout: While it’s more expensive and challenging to work with, it’s highly resistant to stains and doesn’t require sealing.
• Cement-based grout: It’s less resistant to stains and moisture, so it often needs to be sealed after installation. Sealing can be done either immediately after grouting or after a few days.
6. Grout Additives
• Some cement-based grouts include additives to enhance properties like flexibility, water resistance, or strength. These include:
• Latex-modified grouts: These have better flexibility and bond strength, making them ideal for floors or areas where movement is expected (e.g., over wooden subfloors).
• Grout sealers: You can apply these after installation to increase the grout’s resistance to stains and moisture.
7. Tile Size and Grout Line Width
• Large tiles (e.g., 12×12 inches or larger) typically have wider grout lines, which means you should use sanded grout for strength and durability.
• Small tiles (e.g., mosaics) often require unsanded grout, especially if the grout lines are narrow (less than 1/8 inch).
8. Ease of Application
• Cement-based grouts are the easiest to apply, making them the most common choice for DIYers.
• Epoxy grout is more challenging to work with and requires more time and effort for cleaning and application. However, its longevity and resistance to stains and water make it worth considering for areas with high moisture or heavy use.
9. Environmental Considerations
• If you’re concerned about environmental impact, look for eco-friendly grouts, which are designed to be low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are made from sustainable materials.
Tips for Choosing the Right Grout:
• Match the grout to the environment: For wet or high-moisture areas, epoxy or latex-modified grout is ideal. For dry areas or smaller tiles, regular sanded or unsanded grout works well.
• Test grout colour before committing: Grout can change colour slightly as it dries. Always mix a small batch to test the colour before applying it to the entire project.
• Seal your grout: If you’re using a cement-based grout, apply a sealer once it’s dry to protect it from stains and moisture.
Choosing the right grout ensures not just the beauty of your tile work, but its longevity and performance. Always consider the type of tile, the size of your grout joints, and the intended use of the space to make the best choice.
If you have any further questions then please contact us and we will be more than happy to help!
