A good quality grout depends heavily on your project, but epoxy and high-performance cement are top-tier choices.
The "best" quality grout depends on your project, but epoxy grout is widely considered the highest-quality, most durable option for long-term performance. It is waterproof, highly stain-resistant, and chemically durable, making it ideal for moisture-heavy areas like showers and kitchens.
Jim Whitfield, manager of Technical Services at Mapei told industry professionals, “Because epoxy grout is so tough, it wears extremely well. It doesn't wear down over time and become a tile gutter—like cement grout can—where all the dirt and liquid and junk collects.” Epoxy grout is a reactive grout.
The best grout for travertine is epoxy grout or a high-quality, polymer-modified cement grout. The ideal choice depends on your joint width and application area, but epoxy is widely preferred for its stain resistance, waterproof nature, and lack of required sealing.
The best grout for Saltillo (terracotta) tile is a heavy-duty, sanded Portland cement grout formulated explicitly for wide joints (typically 1/2 to 114 inches). Standard thin grouts will shrink and crack in these large gaps. Top industry choices include MAPEI 2-1/2 to 1 Saltillo Tile Grout and Custom Building Products Saltillo Grout Mix.
Epoxy grout: the modern performer
This type of grout is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces where spills and moisture are frequent. Pros: Highly durable, stain-resistant, easy to clean, long-lasting.
The short answer is no; you cannot simply smear new grout directly over old grout. Because grout is a porous mixture that needs a certain depth to bond, new grout will not stick to the old surface and will crack, flake, and fall out within a few weeks.
DON'T use abrasive scrub pads or powders
Scouring pads, steel wool, and abrasive powders scratch travertine's surface, creating dull tracks and exposing raw stone to staining. Even 'soft scrub' products contain micro-abrasives that accumulate damage over time. Use only soft microfiber cloths and soft-bristle brushes.
Bathroom tile trends for 2026 are all about warmth, texture and quiet confidence ✨ Travertine continues to lead the way, especially in larger formats with minimal grout lines, creating calm spa-like spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-led.
Whether your grout should be lighter or darker than your tile depends entirely on the design style, room size, and maintenance effort you prefer. There is no single "right" answer, but each choice achieves a very different look:
The most common types of grout are epoxy, sanded and unsanded. Epoxy grout is made of resins, silica fillers, pigments and hardener. Sanded and unsanded grouts are cementitious grouts.
Polyblend is a highly popular, budget-friendly cement-based grout that is generally good for standard tile projects. It is affordable, easy to mix, and widely accessible. However, it requires proper sealing, is susceptible to efflorescence, and some users report issues with color consistency.
Let the grout set for 15 to 30 minutes and then begin gently wiping off the excess grout with a clean, damp sponge.
When choosing the best tile grout, the right brand depends heavily on whether you are prioritizing water resistance, stain resistance, or ease of installation. For premium quality and professional results, Laticrete, Mapei, and The Tile Doctor (Starlike) are the top-rated brands across the industry.
Select the most prominent color in the tile and go with a similar shade of grout. For example, a shade of orange grout works for tiles that are a blend of grays, greens and rusty oranges, unless you want to go for contrast. Tintable grout is a newer alternative to pre-colored grout in indoor applications.
Another option that's great for low maintenance kitchen floor tiles is epoxy grout. This type of grout is made from epoxy resins and a filler powder that's not cement. The key advantage to this material type is that it's non-porous, waterproof, and stain resistant.
Chipped tiles, stained grout, and brightly colored porcelain tubs and toilets (think avocado green, mustard yellow, or bubblegum pink) instantly make a bathroom look neglected. No matter how clean the rest of the space is, damaged surfaces or retro fixtures give off a dated vibe.
Avoid overused tile colors like gray, navy, brown-beige, black, and white marble. Skip nostalgic shades like avocado green and overly bright tones that clash with today's softer style. Opt for warm neutrals, natural stone looks, or nature-inspired hues for a fresher, more timeless finish.
Vinegar is acidic and can damage travertine, which is a type of natural stone. When vinegar comes into contact with travertine, it can etch the surface, causing dull spots, discoloration, and erosion. It is best to avoid using vinegar or other acidic cleaners on travertine.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is generally safe for travertine, provided it is heavily diluted, you use a mild formulation, and you rinse the stone thoroughly. However, it is best reserved as a spot-cleaner rather than an everyday maintenance product.
You can clean travertine with isopropyl alcohol mixed with water without hurting it. Mix one part alcohol with four parts water, spray it on, wipe it off, and let it dry.
Travertine should typically be sealed every 1 to 3 years, depending on the quality of the sealer used and the amount of traffic the stone receives. However, usage dictates the exact timeline:
Grouting mistakes make your tile project look less than perfect—despite all of your hard work. Common errors include adding too much water to the grout mix, holding the grout tools wrong, and neglecting timing.
Builders often skip sealing grout to cut costs, save time, and avoid returning to the job site. Additionally, many modern polymer-modified grouts are stain-resistant, and sealing un-cured grout can trap moisture. Some installers even use it as an upsell or exclude it because sealing can leave a hazy film on certain tiles.
You should regrout your tile when you notice signs like mold, discolored grout, loose tiles, or cracked grout. Grout usually lasts 15 to 20 years with good care. Watching for these signs helps you know when it's time for regrouting.