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Best grout to use? epoxy? 4x8 subway white calacatta marble shower

Harbor View Villa

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hello,

I browsed the forum here for feedback on epoxy grout, and found mixed results.

Some say epoxy grout left a glaze on their marble tile, others like it for the simplicity of the maintenance.

I am doing a calcacatta white marble shower with small tiles (4x8 subway). I think "standard white" would be the best grout color. I read that white grout is a pain to keep clean, which is the main reason why I want to go with epoxy grout.

Leaving cost aside (it can't be more than $500 for 150sqft of tile, even with the crazy California labour?), is there any reason I should avoid epoxy grout?

I will have a tile installer do the work. If I tell him to seal the tile prior to grout, would this help avoid the epoxy haze?

EDIT: yes, I totally understand that grout is not waterproof. I have installed redgard behind.

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Comments (5)

User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
White epoxy yellows over time. It’s also uncalled for when using natural stone. It doesn’t make any assembly at all “better” if you’re already choosing to go with a porous sponge on your walls. The waterproofing system behind the stone is far more important than grout choice.
Harbor View Villa
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, we put waterproofing behind. 3x40mil wet layers of redgard.

I understand grout is not waterproof. I just want to minimize the maintenance to clean it. The marble will get sealed yearly.
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User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
The latest research suggests that sealing marble in a shower creates more issues than it prevents. Your tile professional should be aware of that, and the ongoing experiments. As well as the issues with using epoxy with natural stone. It’s very concerning hat you are posting here instead of working with him for answers to your questions. It suggests that he doesn’t know the answers, and thus is not quified to be doing your job.

Further statements just confirm this. You might want to reread the specs on the Red Guard. More is NOT better. You are out of spec. And read the TCNA manual. Not following manufacturer’s installation instructions puts you outside of industry standards. Re vet any tile professional who would do that. Before you let him touch any of the rest. Because starting over now is better than staring o er after an installation failure.

https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/TDS/TDS-104.pdf

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer
Tina
4 years ago
Try not to use any grout! or the smallest lines you can. We have a steam shower, 3 showers daily ( I soak in the tub at night). And our beautiful pre-sealed white grout turns a pinkish color and I feel like in order to clean it I’m scrubbing layers of the grout off with a scrub brush and a tiny bit of Bon Ami.
Our cleaning lady wants to use scrubbing bubbles, but I won’t let her because we’re careful with our cleaning products we purchase, and Srcubbing Bubbles is in on the EWG list.
Shower is lest than a year old new construction.
User
4 years ago
You have insufficient ventilation if you are getting pink slime mold. That has zero to do with grout.

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