Make Your Tiling Jobs Look Great & Last Longer with the Right Grout

DIY tiling jobs, especially small repairs, are well within the scope of a handy homeowners. Knowing which type of grout to use is essential for success. Cement grout is the most common and has long been used in many commercial and residential applications. Traditional formulations required mixing with water, but high quality pre-mixed grout is also popular. Cement grout offers a uniform, consistent colour with no shading regardless of tile type, temperature, or humidity. Sanded grout contains more sand particles than un-sanded grout. This creates a grittier, more solid texture and makes it ideal for filling gaps 1/8” wide or larger. Un-sanded grout has a much smoother texture and should be used for seams thinner than 1/8” in width. Water-resistant cement grouts are available, but in most cases you’ll still want to apply a grout sealer.

Epoxy grout is less porous than cement grout, which gives it greater waterproofing characteristics. This makes it ideal for use in tub surrounds, shower stalls, and other high humidity areas of your home. Epoxy grouts can also better withstand the acids and greases common to most kitchen cooking environments. Whichever type of grout you choose, be sure to perform regular maintenance with a good grout cleaner.