What Kind of Grout Do You Use on Ceramic Tile?

In 2018, structural projects consumed about 3 billion square feet of the famous tiles. For a long time, tilers typically used cement grout to attach these tiles. Despite its importance, cementitious grout has become an expense that many are reconsidering. It is also unreliable for rooms or outdoor areas that receive a lot of traffic every day. But what other options are better and available for grouting? Tilers are turning to epoxy grout for interior and exterior home tile sealing.

Grout for ceramic tile is a cement-based bonding material used to fill the joints between tiles. The space left between the tiles is called a grout joint. Grout joints need to be sealed and properly maintained to prevent staining and discoloration. They are very porous. When properly protected, tile and grout will be easier to clean, more resistant to staining, and will provide a safer, healthier environment.

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Types of Grout for Ceramic Tile

There are four basic types of grout: unsanded, fine sanded, quarry type, and epoxy.

Unsanded Grout: This is used for grouting wall tiles with joints less than 1/8 inch wide.

Fine Grout: This is used for floor tiles with joints 1/8" to 3/8" wide.

Quarry type grout: This is the same fine sand grout used for ceramic tile, except that a coarser sand is used. Quarry type grout is used for joints from 3/8" to 1/2" wide.

Epoxy grout: This consists of epoxy resin and hardener. Ceramic tile grouted with epoxy is highly resistant to stains and chemicals and has tremendous bond strength. It is very suitable for countertops and other stain-prone areas.

The wider the joint, the coarser the sand has to be. The sand prevents the grout for ceramic tile from shrinking and cracking.

 HPMC for Tile Adhesive 

Here goes our favorite grout! Epoxy is a leading grout mixture made of epoxy resins and hardener that make this grout very strong and durable.

Over the years, many tillers have preferred to use epoxy in industrial structures. Today, people have become fond of applying it in their homes for stronger structures in the kitchen, bathroom, and tiled fireplaces among others.

Important Considerations

The wider the joint, the coarser the sand has to be. The sand prevents the grout for ceramic tile from shrinking and cracking.

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Sand prevents grouting shrinkage and cracking of ceramic tiles.

Grout is available in a variety of premixed colors.

Standard wall joint size is 1/16 inch wide.

The standard grout joint size for floor tile is 1/4 inch wide (finely sanded).

Grout joints in floor tile should be no smaller than 3/16" as floor tile dimensions may vary slightly. If the joint is too narrow, the installer will not be able to keep it straight.

Impregnate sealer into grout joints and prevent water and oil-based stains.

To prevent or limit staining problems in ceramic tile grouting, we recommend the use of an emulsion additive or sealer. The latex additive forms a rubber-like film over the pores of the ceramic tile grout, thus limiting its tendency to absorb stains. However, it is not completely stain-proof.