Acrylic Grout: Acrylic grout is a great option for wet areas like decks and showers. It's intended to be mildew-resistant and retains its color well. Epoxy Grout: Epoxy grout is less do-it-yourself-friendly than other types. It's a common choice for countertops due to its hardness.
Epoxy grout is often recommended for showers because it is highly resistant to water and moisture. Epoxy grout is a durable, stain-resistant material that forms a strong bond and provides a waterproof barrier.
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.”
Grout Float: A reliable grout float is your go-to tool for packing the grout into the joint. Make sure you have one on hand for precise application.
While you can use either sanded grout or unsanded grout for vertical tile such as bathroom or shower walls, unsanded grout provides a better working material. It sticks better to vertical surfaces with less of the slump associated with sanded grout.
Cement-based grouts are water resistant but are not impervious to water and darken when wet, so for a truly impervious grouted joint which doesn't change colour when wet, the use of an epoxy grout is recommended, giving you high stain, abrasion and chemical resistance.
Sanded cementitious grouts are used with wider seams between tiles, ⅛ inch or more, because the larger sand particles allow for a stronger bond. Unsanded cementitious grouts contain finer particles and are better suited for smaller widths between tiles, usually between 1/16 and ⅛.
Dampen the substrate and tiles
The use of water is an important part of the entire installation process. Before grouting, use a clean sponge with potable water to dampen the substrate throughout the tile installation. Next, dampen the edges of the tiles with a light water spray bottle.
Although a grout float is considered to be the primary tool for grout application, there are other alternatives such as a grout bag, putty knife, or a sponge and cloth.
However, a common guideline is to wait approximately 15 to 30 minutes after applying the grout before wiping off the excess. This initial waiting period allows the grout to firm up and achieve a workable consistency.
Choosing a grout color that's the same color as the tile will help make the space feel larger. For example, choosing white grout to go with white tiles, such as subway tile in a bathroom, visually opens up the room. White also looks good with gray, blue-gray and light gray tiles.
Premixed flexible grouts are ready-to-use products that don't require any additional mixing. They're made with either acrylic or urethane resins and offer excellent flexibility and water resistance. These grouts are ideal for DIY projects as they're easy to apply and clean up as you go.
Professionals often use steam to loosen the dirt and other particles trapped in the grout without needing to scrub manually. While every steam cleaning machine is different, you'll follow this basic process to clean grout lines: Use a steam cleaner with a small nylon brush attachment.
White grout is always a popular choice and creates a fresh look when used with any tile colour. As you can see below on the left, used alongside darker tiles such as Manton Hollow from our Savernake collection, white grout accentuates the grid pattern of the tiles.
Floor Tiles: Epoxy grout is ideal for high-traffic areas due to its durability and resistance to cracking. However, cement grout may be sufficient for low-traffic areas if properly sealed and maintained.
You can apply new grout right over the top of the old grout. To do this, all you need is a grout removal tool. Use the tool to strike out the old grout, making sure the depth is at least 2mm, which is about the thickness of two dimes stacked one on top of the other.
Remember the tip on avoiding bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals to clean grout. It would be best if you also avoided vigorous scrubbing. A rough brush and too much elbow grease will remove the dirt, but it could also remove the grout. Another way to prevent grout damage is to use a squeegee on shower walls.
If any gaps or holes appear, apply more grout with your fingertip. Sponge off any excess. Allow the grout to dry for several hours, preferably overnight. Polish the tile with a clean, dry cloth, taking care to remove any film from the front of the tiles so they shine.
A dedicated grout rake or a Stanley blade is best for removing existing grout. Grout rakes can be both mechanical and electric. Any electric grout rake is usually 240V and has variable speeds. The Rubi Grout Remover helps to remove grout surrounding ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Ideally, the final wipe-down will take place after the grout has been allowed to cure for 24 hours. However, grout haze could still potentially be removed within a few days.
Epoxy grout is a better choice for showers, kitchen, bathrooms, and other damp areas because it is stain resistant and requires no sealing, unlike cement-based grout.
2. Unsanded Grout Provides A Better Hold On Vertical Surfaces. If you've ever installed a shower before, chances are that you used unsanded grout. Unsanded grout is extremely sticky, because it has no additional sand or aggregate added to it.
If you can scratch grout out with your fingernail, you might need a re-grout. If your tiles are falling off, you need a re-grout – and maybe a re-tile! If your tiles are cracked and you have signs of water damage, you probably need a re-tile, re-grout, new backer board, and wallboard too!