I just finished grouting 1200 sq.ft. of tile in my house using epoxy grout. I used a grout sleve from Lowe's to put the grout in and applied it directly into the grout joints and then used a rubber float to work it into the cracks. I applied the grout, had another person working the rubber float and another person going right behind cleaning the grout with a solution of water and Dawn dishwashing liquid. We were using 1 gallon buckets of grout which is why there were 3 of us applying the grout. We had no problem applying the grout and cleaning it as we went and never had a problem with it setting up before we could work it into the joints or clean up the tiles and tools. I also grouted my bathroom by myself which was a smaller area, again with no trouble working the grout. I have read that the professional tile setters charge $1.00 - $1.50 more per sq.ft. to work with the epoxy! To me this is a big rip off, yes it is a little more trouble to work with but certainly not worth that kind of extra money. Everytime something new comes out in the construction industry the professional trades want to resist it and charge more money to work with it until they get used to it or finally have to. (Example Hardi Siding Products) Once applied the epoxy grout looks great, the reason that I applied it was I wanted to put it in and be finished with it. No sealing, staining or messing with it and it stays looking new and clean. It was defiently more expensive but to me it is worth the extra money and time to install. At my work we have tile and the grout is so dirty it is black, I did not want that! Once again it is worth the extra money to use the epoxy grout, and don't get ripped off by a tile layer that tells you how hard it is to work with and wants to charge you a lot of extra money to put it in. I have also installed a lot of tile and put in sanded grout and the epoxy is not that much more difficult to work with. For the record I am a Construction Manager and deal with all of the construction trades on a daily basis and not just a do it your selfer.

Thanks for the input Mongo! We try to be very diligent with the installation too. And SpectraLock was absolutely great both immediately after installation and few years later. Unfortunately, we will start our bath reno shortly after that kitchen backsplash project, so there will no be enough time to get a long term test for Dimension grout. Oh well, it could be actually because with our full time job and other activities, our remodeling will not be fast. What do you think about the aesthetic effect of this grout? Is it worth the hassle and the extra cost? I did not see it in person, only on pictures..

Posted by bill_vincent (billvincent@hotmail.com) on Sat, Sep 10, 11 at 10:17 One caution on white epoxy, and this goes for ALL epoxies, not just the Spectralock. Because the epoxy matrix is amber in color, it tends to add a slight yellowish hue to the finished grout. Not it's not so noticeable when the tile is a different color, but when used with a white tile, it tends to stand out. I'm going after the same look as the OP - white porcelian "marble look-a-like" with white-ish grout. But am debating if the extra $750 upcharge is worth it for the Spectralock epoxy. Now that I found this quote from Bill_V, am concern the blending of white-ish grout + epoxy may make that upcharge even more of a ridiculous proposition. Thoughts?

Any advise out there? I have been told that I should use an epoxy grout for less maintenance. Also I am using a grey grout rather than a white grout.