Tile Grout Types

Tile Grout Types
Water, cement, and sand have consistently formed the foundation of

civilizations. However, as humans progress, we are constantly
developing new ways to construct things. Grout is a dense fluid that
is used as a reinforcement in existing structures. It fills gaps and
seals the joints between tiles. Differing from mortar, grout has a low
viscosity and lack of lime, which makes it thinner and easier to work
with.
Joint Size
Sanded Tile Grout
Unsanded Tile Grout
Epoxy Tile Grout
Polymer Tile Grout
Furan Tile Grout
Grout Color Selection
Tile Grout Sealers
Caulk
While tile mortar is used to secure tiles to the substructure, grout fills
the spaces in between the tiles. Grout comes in a variety of finishes
and materials, from sanded to polymer and furan. Additionally, when
selecting tile grout, several things must be taken into consideration
like:
The type of tile or stone being used.

The space in which the tile is installed (locker room, commercial
kitchen, toilet, etc.)
Activities on tile that might affect your choice (foyer vs. kitchen)
Any environment it may be exposed to (grease, heat, steam)
:
Tile: Grout installed in the background, no grout installed in the foreground
Joint Size
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that there is
generally no specific standard for the size of a grout joint, but notes:
Nominal centerline of all joints should be straight and of even

width with due allowances for hand-molded or rustic tiles.
Some relevant questions to ask before installation include:
How big is the tile?

What amount of variation is there between tiles?
Where is it being used?
Is the surface level?
Can it be easily scratched?
Are the edges of the tile linear or hand-molded?
Ultimately, the designer should choose the grout joint that best fits
the scenario. It should be noted that the tighter the joint, the more
variation there will be from tile to tile. A good standard is to avoid any
:
joint smaller than three times the average variation (from tile to tile).
Otherwise, the finished product could look irregular.
When selecting the type of grout to use, you have a lot of options,
which we discuss below.
Sanded Tile Grout

The top choice for most tiling projects is sanded tile grout. It is
comprised of Portland cement with silica sand, inorganic aggregates,
and chemicals. Sanded tile grout is more affordable than unsanded
grout because sand is a cheaper filler than polymers. It provides a
tight lock and makes for a clean finish.
Sanded grout should always be sealed to prevent water from

infiltrating the tile and ruining the substrate. It is typically used on tile
floors where joints are 1/8” to 3/8” wide. Uses for sanded grout can
include:
Bathroom floor
Kitchen floor
Shower pan
Entryway
Sanded grout means denser joints. It is more affordable than other

grouts and allows for a large variation of color. However, keep in mind
sanded grout can scratch certain surfaces and is difficult to force
into narrow joints. It must always be sealed with a pH-neutral and
water-based sealer.
Unsanded Tile Grout

Unsanded tile grout (sometimes called non-sanded) also contains
Portland cement and powdered pigments for color. There is no silica
:
aggregate filler in unsanded grout, so it works well with easily
scratchable surfaces, like glass, metal, ceramic, marble, and natural
stone tiles. It is best used for delicate tiles with thin grout lines, which
makes it easier for vertical tile installation.
Joints that are small, ranging from 1/8-inch down to 1/16-inch are
best for unsanded tile grout. It works well on installations like:
Shower wall
Bathroom wall
Polished or honed stone
Rectified tile
Unsanded tile grout means less slump on vertical surfaces. Grout

sealing is typically not required to finish the job. Keep in mind,
unsanded grout is more expensive than sanded and you have fewer
choices of color. Additionally, it’s not the best for wide seams due to
the viscosity.
Epoxy Tile Grout

Epoxy tile grout is one of the toughest and most sustainable on the
market. Unlike sanded or cementitious grout, it is comprised of
epoxy resins and a filler powder. This makes it strong, durable, and
virtually stain proof. At times, the epoxy bond between tiles is
stronger than the tiles themselves. The material can even be
impregnated with Teflon.
Epoxy can increase flexibility for joint widths of up to 1 1/4 inches and
is best used for projects with:
Heavily trafficked areas like entryways, hallways, and foyers

Harsh conditions exposed to grease and acid, like restaurant
kitchens
:
Kitchen counters and backsplashes
Any type of flooring you want to protect
The newest types of epoxies contain detergents in the hardeners.

This makes for a quick cleanup with water and vastly improved
workability. Unlike cement-based grout with the shelf life of a year,
epoxy grout can last forever when stored correctly.
Although the strength of epoxy grout is incomparable, there are

some downsides. Many installers are not comfortable using the
material compared to cementitious grout. It is much more difficult to
shape and slope. Additionally, if the job is not done right, the
appearance can seem plastic. Porous stone or tiles should be sealed
prior to grouting since epoxy grout tends to discolor porous
surfaces.
Polymer Tile Grout

Differing from an epoxy grout, polymer tile grout ensures color
quality. It can come in handy for disguising irregularities in handmade
tiles and bridging the joint thickness in some patterned installations.
It is considered high-performance and is designed for more
demanding spaces.
Polymer tile grout is cement-based with added polymers that are

activated once they hit water. The chemical reaction increases the
grout’s water, abrasion, and chemical resistance and adds an
incredible amount of strength.
Polymer tile grout is a single component material that is completely

stain proof. The first generation was made from urethane and the
newer types are a form of siliconized acrylic. Urethane allows for
manufacturers to make a translucent grout for glass installations and
is easier to clean up than acrylic.
:
Like epoxy, it can be used for joint widths of up to 1 1/4 inches.
Acrylic is suitable for smaller joints, up to 1/8-inch. Polymer grout can
benefit projects like:
High-traffic residences
Commercial spaces
Kitchen counters and backsplashes
Entryways
This type of grout not only offers better color consistency, but also
resistance to efflorescence (the salty look of cement products),
which is a common problem with cementitious grout. Polymer tile
grout should never be used with pebble tile, be submerged, or be
exposed to steam.
Furan Tile Grout

Furan tile grout is similar to an epoxy except it is made of polymers of
fortified materials that are highly chemical-resistant. There is no
water in this type of installation and the system is comprised of two
components. Furans contain a furan resin and a filler powder with an
acid catalyst. This is what causes the resin to cure. It is a chemical
reaction that forms through heat.
The tile surface can be smooth or abrasive, but it must all be treated
with a wax coating to protect from staining. Unlike cement-based
grout, Furan can fill small spaces and thus can be used for joints
spaces like an epoxy or polymer. It works best on jobs like:
Brick Pavers
Quarry tile
Industrial projects like meat-packing plants, warehouses, and
laboratories
Areas exposed to high levels of chemicals and/or grease
:
Although this is one of the strongest tile grouts on the market,
installation can be expensive and dangerous. Precautions should be
made to avoid breathing in the vapors and special skills are required
for the job. Furan can only be installed in temperatures between 60
and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so this can make for a very particular
type of project.
Grout Color Selection

The color of grout is not always a simple thing to manage. There are
a lot of variables that can alter the design aesthetic of the job. The
unevenness of color can be subjective and certain grouts are easier
to work with than others.
When it comes to color selection, there are generally three main

approaches:
Contrasting — opposing colors like white grout with dark tile

Harmonizing — same colors like blue grout with blue tile
Neutral — a shade of white or grey all around
:
Dark tile grout with dark tile
Since most grout is cement based, the majority of it will eventually

turn a grey color over time. This means that medium greys and
beiges are the best colors to work with if you want to preserve the
design. Bold colors and bright blacks and whites will fade over time
and change the overall color of the installation.
Be careful using very light colors like white since it tends to show dirt
more than neutral or darker colors.
Tile Grout Sealers

When a grout is porous, it must be sealed to maintain the quality of
the job. A grout sealer is a water-based or solvent-based sealant that
is applied over dried grout to protect it from water, oil, and acid-
based materials. Cement-based grout always requires a type of
sealant to protect the finish.
There are two types of tile grout sealers that people use: topical
(membrane-forming) and penetrating. Topical can be prone to
peeling and can get cloudy if residual moisture pushes to the
surface. Penetrating sealers continue to breathe after soaking into
the tile and are often the preferred method.
Sealers can also come in the form of an additive. These are mixed
with the grout before installation and form an integral protection from
stains.
Caulk
There are certain instances where caulk should be used in place of
grout. Technically speaking, anytime there is a change in backing
surface or substrate, caulk should be used so the surfaces can freely
:
move. This includes wall joints and the joints between walls and
floors. Caulk is typically dispensed at inside corners and anywhere
the tile meets another material, like a bathtub.
Grout can crack when there is movement in the walls, floors, or

countertops. This inevitably allows moisture in, which can cause
structural problems in certain places. Although grout cannot hide
corner cuts as efficiently as caulking, it is often used by installers
because:
Caulk does not match the grout color (or the aging process will
cause a mismatch).
Grout needs less maintenance than caulk
Mold grows more easily on caulk (except for those treated with
mildewcide).
Acrylic caulks breakdown in wet applications that are horizontal
(urethane, silicone, and multi-polymer are better choices).
Although caulk is not good for permanent repairs, it can provide a

quick temporary solution until a proper repair can be made.
The tools and materials at our disposal to build innovative and

efficient developments continue to grow. Understanding what is
available and knowing the best tile grout for the job is part of the
battle. Do your research and it will ensure optimal performance on
every tiling job you oversee.
Article Updated: May 20, 2021
Help make Archtoolbox better for everyone. If you found an error or

out of date information in this article (even if it is just a minor typo),
please let us know.
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Water, cement, and sand have consistently formed the foundation of

The type of tile or stone being used.

Nominal centerline of all joints should be straight and of even

Some relevant questions to ask before installation include:

How big is the tile?

Sanded Tile Grout

Sanded grout should always be sealed to prevent water from

Sanded grout means denser joints. It is more affordable than other

Unsanded Tile Grout

Unsanded tile grout means less slump on vertical surfaces. Grout

Epoxy Tile Grout

Heavily trafficked areas like entryways, hallways, and foyers

The newest types of epoxies contain detergents in the hardeners.

Although the strength of epoxy grout is incomparable, there are

Polymer Tile Grout

Polymer tile grout is cement-based with added polymers that are

Polymer tile grout is a single component material that is completely

Furan Tile Grout

Grout Color Selection

When it comes to color selection, there are generally three main

Contrasting — opposing colors like white grout with dark tile

Since most grout is cement based, the majority of it will eventually

Tile Grout Sealers

Grout can crack when there is movement in the walls, floors, or

Although caulk is not good for permanent repairs, it can provide a

The tools and materials at our disposal to build innovative and

Article Updated: May 20, 2021

Help make Archtoolbox better for everyone. If you found an error or

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