What Type of Grout Should Be Used in a Bathroom

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You have finally found that perfect tile for your bathroom, but that is not the end of the many pesky decisions you’ll have to make concerning your bathroom. There is that matter of what will hold the tiles together. 

When deciding on the kind of grout to go for, you still have to consider the texture, color, and composition to ensure you have a finished and functional bathroom.

Because every bathroom is unique and depending on the look, you are going for and the type of tile in question, you may be wondering what kind of grout I should use in my bathroom?

The best grout for bathrooms is epoxy. The epoxy grout is waterproof and highly resistant. It won’t crack, shrink or stain. Its innate water repellency makes it hygienic as it prevents mold formation and bacterial growth in moist and damp areas. Consider getting an experienced contractor to have it adequately filled.

The suitable grout for your tiles will complement its look and provide a total seal against mildew and dirt. It will make your bathroom look and feel sparkling clean.

Tiles are there to protect your wall against water damage and not just to look pretty. If water gets between your walls and mold grows, the only way to remedy this situation would be to remove the tiles and renovate the entire area, a thorough and expensive process.

The suitable grout for your bathroom can save you a lot of headaches in the long run, so make sure you get the right product that will seal up water and dirt from getting to your walls.

Sanded Grout Versus Unsanded Grout

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Depending on the project you are working on, you will often have to decide whether to go the sanded or unsanded way when the grout is concerned.

Sanded Grout

The sanded grout is a cement-based grout that contains inorganic aggregate together with silicon sand and some chemicals.

Because sand is porous, you will need to consider finishing up the look with a sealer when you decide to use sanded grout. The sealant will protect the grout against water.

Sanded grout is very common and widely used because it is cheap and offers good coverage. You can use this grout type to lock tiles in your bathroom and kitchen floors.

One of the drawbacks of sanded grout is that it can be challenging to get it between thinner seams. Furthermore, it has a  coarse consistency that can scratch delicate tiles.

Despite the drawbacks, sanded grout is the best option when trying to seal more prominent seams of about ⅛ inches thick. It will keep these spaces from cracking. Sanded grout is also cheaper and comes in a variety of colors.

Unsanded Grout

Unsanded grout is just that. It is a non-sand grout without silica aggregate.

This grout has fine consistency and is best suited for delicate or easily scratchable surfaces. You can use it with your ceramics, marble, glass, and natural stones.

Unsanded grout can go through thin lines and are the best bet if your tile spaces are more petite, more diminutive than ⅛ inches. When working on vertical surfaces, this grout offers little to no slump.

The slump freeness, coupled with the fact that you don’t need any sealer to go with it, is the reason why they are best suited for bathroom walls.

The disadvantage of using unsanded grout, aside from the fact that it is expensive, is that it tends to slump when applied on wide seams. It is why sanded grout is the best option for this type of seam.

Cement-Based Grout

Cement-based grout is a popular grout variation. It comes with a sanded or unsanded grout option to accommodate different tile gap sizes.

Though cement-based grout is affordable and can work well with ceramic tiles, you will still need to seal it to protect it from peeling, mildew, and stains.

When it comes to sealing that grout, there are two types of sealer:

  • Membrane forming sealer

This sealer tends to peel, and residual moisture gets on the grout.

  • Penetrating sealer

This sealer can breathe between the tile and grout. A feature that enables it to last longer and keep the grout sealed in for a long time. It is the preferred and most recommended sealant.

Epoxy Grout

The epoxy grout comprises a mixture of resins and fillers for hardening to help it work like a sealing adhesive. This grout has the best durability and longevity in moist environments.

It is heavy-duty and has a very high bonding power to prevent cracking, shrinking, or staining. It can be a great option when looking for grout that is ideal for high-traffic bathrooms or showers.

Epoxy’s innate repellent to water will prevent mold formation and bacterial growth, making it a very hygienic option.

Epoxy grout is the ideal choice for your bathroom kitchen, showers, or any other dumb moist area because it is stain and grease-resistant.

Unlike the cement-based grout, it does not require any sealant, and the formula dries rather quickly—no need to set your bathroom off-limits and wait for it to dry.

The grout comes in a sanded and unsanded option to cater to your seam size.

When you are looking to install your tiles with epoxy grout, consider getting help from an experienced and knowledgeable contractor because the tile can be challenging to apply has it has a unique nature.

Because the epoxy grout is durable and has excellent longevity, among other benefits, it does not come cheap. The hefty price is not just from purchasing the grout but also the cost of labor you will incur from an expert installation.

What Colour Grout Should Be Used in a Bathroom

Now that you have decided on the ideal grout type for your unique needs, the next thing to decide is the color that suits you.  Both epoxy and cement-based grouts come in a host of colors, so making a choice can be a bit confusing.

Let us look at some of the primary colors grout go in and what they work with best.

White Grout

Perhaps the most common and ideal grout color is white grout. White grout goes well with most tile colors to produce a clean and fresh look. However, the color is not suited to high-traffic areas as it will easily chip, stain, and become dingy over time.

If you don’t mind constantly restraining your grout, it can be an excellent option for you.

Black Grout

If you are looking to draw attention to the overall tile mosaic of your tilling, you should get black grout because of its contrasting effect. It is the perfect color for a contemporary or retro look.

This color grout will not stain, and you can prevent it from fading by not exposing it to sunlight.

Grey Grout

Though most people consider the grey color as a generally dull color, as far as grout color goes, it is superior to both white and black grout.

Grey grout is less likely to stain when compared to white grout and less likely to fade when compared to darker color grouts.

Even though most people overlook grout, it can be as crucial as tile selection because a suitable grout proves both ornament and functional values to the tile.

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