Shower Tile
The question of grout versus caulk is a big one when it comes to working on your shower. Use grout between the tiles, whether they are on the floor or wall. Use caulk at the corners of the walls and in the joints where the shower wall meets the floor or wall.
Caulk is used to fill in the gaps between tile and fixtures (such as a bathtub or sink) or the floor and wall. Unlike grout, caulk is not used between the tiles, except where a vertical and horizontal tile surface meet, such as between a tile shower floor and tiled walls.
You may also see spaces between your floor and bathtub. These may occur due to your home shifting. It's best to close these up to prevent water damage and the development of mold and mildew. Caulk will once again be the best solution here as it is flexible and will continue to adjust to the movement.
While grout is used for purely its adhesive properties, caulk is used as a sealant. Caulk is used to fill cracks preventing water or air from passing through. It is used particularly in moisture or air-leak prone areas, for example between a bathtub and the adjacent wall, or in the cracks in your attic.
You might also find caulk in shower corners, where two walls of tile meet. However, corners might also be finished with epoxy grout, which makes caulk and epoxy grout interchangeable in some instances. The biggest difference in the two materials is that caulk will remain more pliable.
As mentioned, silicone works well in places where shifts in pressure can cause your grout to crack. For most bathrooms, this means using it as a sealant for the joints of the shower tray and the bath.
Grout is the better choice for wet areas.
Though grout is more porous than caulk, it's best for tiled shower walls and floors. This is largely because of the way grout binds with backer board, the concrete material placed behind tiles.
What kind of caulk do you use in the bathroom? The best caulks for tubs, sinks, or shower stalls come in tubes labeled “Tub and Tile” or “Kitchen and Bath.” These are either acrylic latex or silicone compounds that have been chemically tweaked to resist mildew and to stick to smooth, nonporous surfaces.
Apply caulk.
Holding the caulking gun at a 45-degree angle, run an even bead along the gap in between the tape. Immediately run your finger to push in the caulking so that it fills the gap completely and grabs both the tub and flooring. If it is at all sticky, you can try wetting your finger slightly.
The best caulk to use in a shower is 100-percent silicone caulk designed for plumbing applications, often sold as tub-and-tile or kitchen-and-bath caulk. Silicone caulk has good adhesive properties and will not only seal cracks but also hold trim pieces to the wall.
Epoxy Grout is: Waterproof, durable, stain- and shrink-resistant. The best grout for a backsplash, shower surround and other surfaces susceptible to moisture or stains.
Refreshing caulk every year or so goes a long way to preventing water damage and mildew. Caulking a shower or tub is an easy DIY, too—here's how to get the job done like a pro.
While caulk is long-lasting on solid, unmoving surfaces, silicone sealant's flexibility means it lasts longer in areas with higher moisture. Using silicone sealant in a bathroom for sealing cracks in the tub and shower will create a more durable seal without needing to frequently re-apply.
It is recommended to replace the caulk in your bathroom every 5 years, even if it isn't showing signs of wear and tear. By maintaining and replacing your caulking regularly, you prevent damage that may be caused by peeling, cracking, mold or mildew. Fortunately, replacing caulk can be a quick and easy job!
Is silicone or acrylic caulk better? Silicone is your go-to whenever you're sealing something water-related—bathrooms, kitchen fixtures, bathtubs, even fish tanks. Acrylic is a good general-purpose sealing substance, perfect for tiny gaps between baseboards and chair rails.
But, if you need extensive caulking work done or are trying to do other work along with the caulking, such as a complete overhaul of your bathroom fixtures, then you should consider hiring a plumber. These pros tend to have more specialized experience in that type of job.
Grout is used between tiles to keep them from moving. It isn't flexible like caulk. Caulk is used around the base of the tub or where the tiles meet the tub. It's waterproof and used as a sealing measure.
Grout is a hardwearing emulsion but should only be used between joints of the same plane. This means any corners or bends that your tiles and fittings encounter should be handled with silicone instead. This is because grout is not flexible enough to withstand any structural movement. It is also not entirely waterproof.
The only type of grout that doesn't need sealer is epoxy, which is inherently pre-sealed. Grout sealers typically come in two forms-- spray-on sealers and applicator sealers.
Wet grout is a perfect place for dangerous mould and mildew to breed. As tile grout is usually made up of a mixture of sand, cement and water it is naturally porous and absorbent. Due to this, you need an effective shower grout sealer that will penetrate and protect the grout, stopping mould and mildew forming.