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Design Dilemma Bathrooms

What type grout is best for shower?

10 months ago

The seller of the shower walls and shower floor tile gave me this advice for grout type: Most of the time sanded is on the floor and nonsanded is on the walls but there are some cases that sanded goes on the wall, so this would need to be discussed with him (tile guy) and he will let you know.

My concern is that the builder & tile guy have no idea what type of grout is best to use and they want me to make that decision. What do you use and why?

FYI, the tile for the walls is 5"H x 10"W and the floor tile is a 2" hexagon. This is a new shower build. Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

Stonetech/Avanti Tile

10 months ago

I generally use Prism grout for that application. You can go from an eighth of an inch up to a quarter inch. Antimicrobial and needs no sealer. Colour is very consistent.

Comments (10)

millworkman
10 months ago
" My concern is that the builder & tile guy have no idea what type of grout is best to use "

That is very disconcerting in my opinion. If they do not know what type of grout to use, are you certain that the shower was properly built, waterproofed, pan flood tested, etc., etc.?
ccav thanked millworkman
Susie .
10 months ago
It primarily depends on the width of your grout lines. Smaller than 1/8”, use unsanded. Also I would probably not use sanded grout on glass tiles. Sanded grout is used on floors because it’s more durable. It doesn’t shrink as much as unsanded, which is a concern with wider grout lines. I’m not sure I would say that “they have no idea.” Have you spoke. With the tiler? Definitely educate yourself about waterproofing methods - that is the most important concern IMO for a tiled shower. Grout and tile are not waterproofing - you need a good membrane, etc.
ccav thanked Susie .
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How about TEC XT? Comes in both Sanded and Unsanded versions (for most colors), and is supposed to be more stain resistant and mold and mildew resistant than other cement-based grouts. It does require a longer cure time 7-10 days before getting wet or sealing (doesn't need to be sealed, but can be, with a solvent-based sealer, which we did when we sealed the marble and trav tile in both bathrooms). I sealed it in the MB at 7 days because I needed that bathroom functional "now" LOL. It also requires a drier clean-up (just wring sponge out well when wiping off excess grout, according to the rep with whom I spoke during my grout "research"--there's a video you can watch, too). It's a little stickier than the reg TEC grout, so you might need a bit more elbow grease to remove grout haze, but that's about it. We used the Bright White for the field tile in both upstairs baths (used the reg TEC in Bright White for our kitchen and guest bathroom since the XT either wasn't around then or we just didn't know about it at the time). We used both the Sanded and the Unsanded. The Unsanded is a bit whiter than the Sanded (because the sanded has actual grains of sand, which I'm sure you know), but both seem white enough. We used a very glossy, very white, Porcelanosa large format tile in the MB. Our grout lines are very tight, except for the White Thassos mosaic/border (which came pre-mounted on mesh), and the Unsanded worked very well. We also used it (in Almond) with the split faced trav mosaic in the hall bath which had practically non-existent grout lines in spots. Of course, when I say "we" used any of these products, I mean our wonderful tile guys used them for us!
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 months ago
Well time to educate yourself for sure.I do say talk to the tile guy inperson and whaile you are at it ask about what is used for waterproofing too.
ccav thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
cpartist
10 months ago
Make sure they know TCNA standards for waterproofing. I would suggest that after they explain how they waterproof you come here to make sure it's correct. Otherwise you may be redoing your new shower in a year or two.
ccav thanked cpartist
ccav
Original Author
10 months ago
I have every confidence that the builder will do a good job creating the bathroom. They've been at it for decades. It was just the grout that I had a concern about. Thanks for all the feedback.
wdccruise
10 months ago
- Fine Homebuilding Choosing Grout
- Home Depot Types of Grout
cpartist
10 months ago
They've been at it for decades.

I can't begin to tell you how many people come here with shower leaks and say, "I hired someone who has been doing it for decades."

If they're doing it for decades and it's wrong, it's still wrong.
Olychick
10 months ago
I had epoxy grout used in my bath remodel 13 or 14 years ago and I love it SO much. It's totally bombproof, never needs scrubbing, nothing stains it. I just had a 2nd bath redone and they used epoxy because I insisted on it. Maybe Prism suggested above is epoxy? I don't know what brand my guy used.
ccav thanked Olychick
pleballerina
10 months ago
I would still read up on TCNA standards myself and then ask them to explain to you exactly how they will waterproof the area. If at all possible, be present and take pictures at each milestone. If something doesn’t look right or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak up. This can’t be emphasized enough-this forum is full of nightmarish stories of shower installations gone wrong.

Also if possible verify for yourself the tile, and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding its installation and layout.

Good luck with your project!
ccav thanked pleballerina

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