Types of Grout
The are different types of grout depending on the application. There is floor tile and wall tile. Then there are small grout joints and wider grout joints. So how do you know how wide to make the grout joint and what type of grout to use?
The simple answer is, check the manufacturers recommendations for grout joint width. Tiles are manufactured differently depending on material, (ceramic or porcelain), edges (rectified edges or not), and based on style. For example, the natural stone tile, Travertine, becuase it has straight cut edges is installed with very small grout joints. However, the rough edged Saltillo tile, made of a naturally occurring red clay called Terracotta, is installed with wide grout joints upwards of a 1/2″ to account for it’s irregular sizing. Each uses a different kind of grout.
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Sanded Grout
Sanded grout contains fine silica sand and is portland cement based so you would use this for wider grout joints. Essentially, the ingredients bind together to provide a more stable grout joint that will not crack or shrink in a wide joint space. Sonsequently, it is best to use this for grout joints wider than 1/8″.
Tile installers tend to like sanded grout for floor tile because it is more durable over long periods. It handles foot traffic well, but it needs to be sealed. Also it requires periodic cleaning as the wider grout joint does collect dirt and water. Because of cleaning and discoloration many people in general prefer a small grout joint where these issues almost disappear.
Unsanded Grout
Unsanded grout is used for narrow grout joints of 1/16″ to 1/8″. Today with rectified tiles having straight cut edges and self-spacing tile these small grout joints are common. So what type of grout do you use in this case? Unsanded grout is still a portland cement based grout but it is of a smooth texture allowing it to easily pack into small joints.
In either case, sanded or unsanded, it is a good idea to seal the grout since it is cement based and therefore porous.
Hybrid Grout
Grout, as with many products, is improving over time. A grout that I have found myself going to consistently is Ultracolor by Mapei. It is what I call a hybrid grout; used in place of sanded and unsanded grout. From 1/16″ to 3/4″ grout joints per the Mapei website, this grout works well.
I have used the Ultracolor on floors and shower walls without complaint from the installers. Some have indicated it is a little more work to clean off the tiles after application though. But, two great features are that it is non-shrinking and repels water. Therefore, it does not need to be sealed because it is built right into it’s ingredient formula. It is also color consistent. In general, I have found this to be a really good all around grout.
Epoxy Grout
Another type of grout is epoxy grout which is made with resin and hardners. Different than regular grout it does not need to be sealed. Because of its composition making it impervious it is great for wet areas. Additionally, epoxy grout is resistant to the impact of harsh chemicals often found in cleaning products. This is a stable grout meaning that it won’t shrink, discolor or crack. Additionally, it can withstand climate changes and weather conditions.
It sounds great, that is why you’ll see this more in commercial applications. The properties for an epoxy grout make it very durable, easy to clean, and holds up well to foot traffic. But it comes with a downside; it is harder to work with during installation. Epoxy grout is best left to a tile installer experienced with it application.
Selecting the Right Grout
Now that you have a general idea about what type of grout to use it is time to select your tile. As indicated above tile choice can impact your grout. You are almost there. Have fun, enjoy the process, and your upcoming remodel project.
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