ANSWER - The transition joint between the top of the bathtub flange and the wall tile is not supposed to be filled with a cementitious grout. It should be filled with a resilient ASTM C920 sealant that is either a 100% silicone sealant or a polyurethane sealant.
Apply two strips of painter's tape parallel to the seam that requires caulking. This will ensure you get a clean, straight line. Load Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk into the caulking gun. After loading the sealant into the gun, cut the tip to the desired bead size at a 45-degree angle.
In any tiling installation, there will always be a use for a silicone sealant. This can be used around a bath or around a sink, in the joints between the tiles on the walls, or in our tiler's case in the video, between the tiles on the wall and the worktop.
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.
Caulk is a flexible sealant that is often used in areas where two different materials meet, such as where tile meets a shower pan. Its primary function is to prevent water from seeping into cracks and crevices, which can cause damage over time.
Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints. Don't use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures.
In conclusion
In general, grout is a great option for shower tiles but if you're sealing the joint of a bath or a shower tray, you need the flexibility and the anti-fungal properties of a good watertight silicone.
Using caulk instead of grout in areas where grout is traditionally employed is not advisable. This is because caulk lacks the structural stability and durability of grout. In tile installations, caulk cannot bear the same load as grout, and it is more susceptible to wear and tear from foot traffic and cleaning.
Thinset (also called thinset mortar, thinset cement, dryset mortar, or drybond mortar) is an adhesive mortar made of cement, fine sand and a water-retaining agent such as an alkyl derivative of cellulose. It is usually used to attach tile or stone to surfaces such as cement or concrete.
Considering all the pros and cons for each type of caulk, GE recommends using silicone sealant because it is 100% waterproof, mold-resistant, highly flexible, and durable. GE recommends silicone sealant for bathtubs. No matter what type of bathroom project you have, there is a GE sealant product to help.
When it comes to bathroom tile trends for 2025, marble bathroom tiles are having their moment. Whether it is a classic white marble like the Carrara Bianco Marble or checkerboard tiles like the Riviera Emerald & White, marble tiles are sure to elevate any bathroom scheme, adding a timeless elegance.
Don't Tile Under A Drop-In Or Alcove Tub
Alcove tubs aren't meant to sit on top of tiles. They are meant to sit on the bathroom subfloor directly via support feet or mortar.
If you can't or don't want to re-seat the bath, there are two alternative options. The first is to plug the gap with an adhesive and bonding material. Once this has dried, you can then seal the bath using the above process. The second choice is to use flexible caulking strips.
Yes, we suggest that you use a caulking tool if you're looking for professionalism and an excellent finish in your work.
DUNLOP FLEXIBLE FLOOR & WALL GROUT is a water and frost-resistant powder based grout. Flexible and highly durable, it can be used for grouting natural stone, mosaics, glazed and porcelain tiles, in joints up to 20mm.
ANSWER - The transition joint between the top of the bathtub flange and the wall tile is not supposed to be filled with a cementitious grout. It should be filled with a resilient ASTM C920 sealant that is either a 100% silicone sealant or a polyurethane sealant.
Grout offers a number of valuable benefits: It gives your floor or wall a crisp finished appearance. it helps keep dirt and debris from getting in between and under your tile.
Use some clear silicone sealant meant for bathrooms. Use painters tape along the bathtub base and tile floor to make a neat line that doesn't overlap the grout by much. Removes painters tape slowly and immediately after you have applied. You'll be amazed how professional it looks.
Epoxy grout: Waterproof, durable, stain- and shrink-resistant. The best grout in shower walls, backsplashes and other surfaces susceptible to moisture or stains. Ideal for use with unglazed and other tiles.
Can you use caulk instead of grout on your tiled surface? The long and short of it is…not usually. However, to expound upon the topic, we must explore what grout and caulk are, and what purpose each material serves.
Silicone won't stick to wet or even damp grout. It may last the day but it won't last long after. If using a non-silicone such as CT1 then if SPOTLESSLY clean and grout residue free you could seal the same day but not directly after.
Grout is used to fill spaces in between tiles. Most grout product options come in powder form, but pre-mixed containers are available as well. Whichever option you choose, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to mix grout.
Glass mat gypsum board is a better choice. Sheets of glass mat gypsum are made from water-resistant silicone-treated gypsum, reinforced on both sides by fiberglass mats. DensShield is one common brand. It is easier to cut than cement board, it is mold resistant, and it has a built-in moisture barrier.