don't know a thing about grout - how do I know what to buy?

14 years ago

I have heard about some super great grouts out there that have the sealer built in but they are also super expensive. We are building an entire new home and are on a strict budget and I don't have a clue about grout. Are there good grouts and bad grouts. If we want a light colored grout for our kitchen should be use the brand with the built in sealer? If we want a medium gray for the bathroom floor and shower - is a regular sanded grout okay to use? So confused. We plan on living in this house until we are old and do not wear shoes in our home, but we have dogs and guests so it may get dirty. Is one better than the other and is there a certain brand that must be used in a shower?

Comments (2)

bill_vincent
14 years ago
Okay. Sounds like you've been getting alot of misinformation and half truths. First, there's no such thing as a grout with the sealer built in. Many installers will try and tell you that about modified grouts which include latex polymers in the grouts, but that's bigtime false. The other, which is more of a half truth is concerning epoxies. Although there's no sealer built right in, sealer can not be used on epoxy grout, either, because it's actually a plastic, and as such, won't allow sealers to penetrate into the grout. However, it also doesn't NEED to be sealed being that by itself, it won't allow alot of the staining that normally occurs (although it also can't be said that it's stainproof-- that's also a mis-statement).

Now, Many of your questions can be answered if you go to the top of the bathrooms forum list and click on the "gallery" link. I have a thread over there entitled Tile FAQ's. In there, I go into alot of detail concerning grouts and the choice thereof.

One of the things I stress is my opinion that you're better off choosing medium to dark colors in high traffic areas, rather than depending on grout sealers, because the BEST that they'll do is delay the inevitable. With the medium to dark colors, you won't see traffic patterns, staining, or aging of the grout NEARLY as much. This also goes for epoxy grouts, with respect to choosing colors.

One other thing I say in that thread, and this WOULD pertain to you-- For the most part, it's my opinion that the use of epoxy grouts in residential installations, although everything people say they are, are very high priced overkill. There are only two times where I feel the use of epoxy grout is justified. One is if you're doing a tile countertop, and the other is if you have pets-- especially multiple pets, who might tend to have "accidents" every once in a while.

Hopefully, I haven't confused you even further. If after reading this as well as the FAQ, you still have questions, don't hesitate to ask. :-)

Matter of fact, I think your questions' going to be added to it, concerning the "grouts with sealer built in"!
bill_vincent
14 years ago
One other thing-- Concerning the epoxy grouts-- look into a product called Laticrete Spectralock.

Here is a link that might be useful: Spectralock Pro
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don't know a thing about grout - how do I know what to buy?

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bill_vincent

bill_vincent

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