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Bill V could you help me out

13 years ago

Bill,

The tile installers just installed a 13x13 porcelain, slate-like floor with 1/16 grout lines. They are coming tomorrow to grout and I purchased Laticrete Sanded Grout (1500) which says on the box for joints 1/16 to 1/2. The contractor who installed it (not a tile professional but he did a great job) said to used unsanded grout, but Lowes doesn't have the unsanded in the color I need. Is it ok to use the sanded? Thanks so much for taking the time to help so many people on these forums.

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Comments (8)

chris45ny
13 years ago
DH installed our tile with 1/16 spacers. He used Laticrete unsanded grout. If Lowes doesn't have the color you want, go to a tile store to get it. I would buy what your installer said, especially since you are saying he did a great job. Laticrete 1500 sanded and the 1600 unsanded are available in all 40 colors but Lowes probably only stocks a few. The tile store should be able to provide you with the color you want in the 1600 unsanded.
bill_vincent
13 years ago
I agree. What happens with sanded grout is the sand clogs the top of the grout joint, and then within a week or two, you see the grout joints turning to powder, because they're basically empty.

If I were you, I'd do one of two things-- either put off the tile guys until Lowes can order the grout and get it in (or go to a tile showroom and see if they can get it any faster), or go to another color they DO have in stock.

Unless it was the Permacolor (which it isn't), no way I'd use sanded grout on joints that small.
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Sorry-- Been trying to figure out why one of my shower pans ain't workin right... in fact, for a GW member! Anyway, here you go: how can it be tiled so that there is virtually no seam between each tile so as not to interrupt the pattern? I'm not sure how good the sizing it. If it's real good, you might be able to use a 1/16" grout joint, thereby keeping as tight as possible. you CAN NOT butt them together. That much, I'll tell you for sure. What you might do is take a bunch of the tiles and lay them out on your table-- say about 3 or 4 rows of 6-8 tiles-- and see if any of the rows gain on the others. If so, you might have to go with a little larger joint. Any good modified thinset will work. From Home Depot, Custom's Versabond. From Lowes, Laticrete's Multi-purpose. Being you're most likely going to use a white or light grey grout on these, I'd go with a white thinset. If you think that I need to hire in a real old-time pro to get this right, let me know and I will try to find someone. Not at all. In fact, this is pretty elementary. I am sure I will want the grout to match the tile, whether it is the ivory or white. (I have to choose which color I want). So, I've read all sorts of stuff about that too--silicone? sanded? If you use a joint less than 1/8", use unsanded grout. 1/8" or bigger, use sanded. As for the caulking, you want to caulk the joint between the tile and countertop with a latex or siliconized latex caulking from the same company as the grout manufacturer. Again, sorry I'm so late getting in here!
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percival46
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Bill,
I was able to get a Tec unsanded grout in a fine color. The tile guys couldn't be put off because everything else is set to move forward when the tile is finished. The tile store suggested putting in an additive. Is this a good idea?
chris45ny
13 years ago
I'm curious now. What color did you get in the TEC?? Please post pic after the grouting.

The reason I'm asking this is we went with a TEC unsanded grout for our backsplash as we were unhappy with the Laticrete permacolor grout on our floor. The Laticrete turned out lighter than my sample but the TEC turned out darker-go figure!! In the end, everything turned out fine but I'd be interested in hearing what you think about the TEC you're using. Good luck!
bill_vincent
13 years ago
Re the additive-- you can if you like. It'll certainly strengthen the grout.
percival46
Original Author
13 years ago
Well the TEC unsanded Light Pewter dried much lighter than it appeared on the grout stick. It looks nice now but I'm very afraid it will get blotchy when it gets dirty. I don't know whether to color it or wait for a while.
bill_vincent
13 years ago
Let it go for now. You can always color it later. If it DOES get dirty, you can always use the colorant then.
chris45ny
13 years ago
percival46-That is so interesting. We used the TEC light pewter also but it was WAY darker than the sample stick so DH had to wash it 4/5 times to get the right color. Here's some pics.

This is the TEC light pewter grout going on-it's so dark-we were freaking out!

This is a close up showing the TEC light pewter sample stick and the grout after DH did all the washings.

We wanted the grout to end up slightly lighter than the sample stick so we are happy now.

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