Grout Types and Their Best Applications

Have you ever considered what holds your beautiful tiled surfaces together, ensuring they remain as stunning as the day they were installed? Grout is more than just a filler between tiles; it’s the unsung hero that adds strength, durability, and style to your home. Without the right grout, your tiles could shift, crack, or even lose their charm over time. So, how do you choose the right grout for your project?

This blog will explore the different types of grout, their unique properties, and where each type shines the most. Whether you’re planning a bathroom renovation, sprucing up your kitchen splashback, or tackling an outdoor tiling project, understanding the types of grout available is essential to achieve both beauty and longevity.

Our guide is here to help homeowners, renovators, and tiling professionals select the right grout for every need—ensuring each surface remains functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

Cementitious Grout: The Classic Choice

Cementitious grout is a traditional blend of cement, water, and sand. It remains one of the most widely used grouting materials due to its affordability and ease of application. There are different types of grout within this category, each with unique properties suited for various tiling projects.

Types of Cementitious Grout

• Unsanded Cement Grout: Best for narrow grout joints (up to 3mm), commonly used for wall tiles and tiled walls. This type of cement grout is ideal for smaller grout lines, offering a smooth finish without noticeable grit. Non sanded grout is perfect for delicate tile seams.
• Sanded Cement Grout: Ideal for larger grout joints (above 3mm) and is frequently applied in flooring applications, especially for floor tiles. Sand particles within this grout type provide added strength, preventing cracking in wider gaps. Sanded grout works well for ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles, giving a consistent grout formula for durability.

Applications

• Bathrooms: Cementitious grout works excellently for bathroom floors and small to medium-sized tiles in wet areas when sealed properly. It provides moisture resistance, making it a popular grout choice for both walls and floors.
• Kitchens: Sanded cement grout is ideal for splashback tiling in kitchens, providing a durable grout type for tiling projects involving noticeable grout seams.
• Living Areas: Perfect for floor tiles with consistent grout joints, sanded grout ensures stability and a uniform finish in high-traffic areas.

Advantages

• Readily available and cost-effective.
• Offers a wide range of grout colours to complement different tile choices, including contrasting grout colours for added design appeal.

Limitations

• It requires sealing to resist stains and moisture, as cement-based grout can attract dirt if left unsealed.
• May crack or shrink over time if not handled properly, particularly during the mixing process.

Tip for Best Use: Use a sealer after installation to extend its lifespan, especially in high-moisture environments like swimming pools or industrial settings.

Epoxy Grout: The Durable Performer

Epoxy grout is a blend of epoxy resins and fillers, offering superior strength and resistance to stains, chemicals, and moisture. Unlike traditional grout, epoxy grout is stain resistant and does not require sealing, making it an ideal choice for demanding environments.

Applications

• Commercial Kitchens: Highly resistant to grease, chemicals, and staining, epoxy grout is perfect for commercial kitchens where chemical resistance is key.
• Bathrooms: Epoxy grout performs exceptionally well in wet areas, including showers and spa surrounds, providing long-lasting protection for bathroom floors and tiled walls.
• Outdoor Spaces: Due to its ability to withstand harsh weather, UV light, and moisture, epoxy grout is ideal for outdoor tiling projects, such as natural stone patios or tiled pools.

Advantages

• Extremely durable and long-lasting.
• Stain resistance makes it suitable for high-traffic areas and places where spills are common.
• Does not require sealing, reducing maintenance requirements.

Limitations

• More expensive compared to cementitious grout, which may increase the overall cost of a tiling project.
• Requires experienced application due to quick setting times, which makes it challenging for DIY installations.

Tip for Best Use: Ensure professional installation for a flawless finish, particularly for intricate tile layouts or high-exposure areas where grout seams must be perfect.

Furan Grout: Industrial Strength

Furan grout, made from furan resin and furfuryl alcohol, is a specialty grout used mainly in industrial settings where chemical resistance is critical. This type of grout is similar to epoxy but offers even greater resistance to chemicals and high temperatures.

Applications

• Industrial Settings: Ideal for factories, laboratories, and other environments where tiles are exposed to aggressive chemicals and high temperatures.

Advantages

• Exceptional chemical resistance, suitable for environments exposed to extreme conditions.

Limitations

• Requires a more complex installation process, often involving pre-mixed grouts and a chemical reaction to set the material.

Tip for Best Use: Typically, furan grout is best left to industrial professionals due to its specific installation requirements and furfuryl alcohol content.

Urethane Grout: The Flexible Alternative

Urethane grout is a pre-mixed grout type known for its flexibility and stain resistance. It is particularly suited for areas with frequent movement or vibration.

Applications

• Bathrooms: Works well with glass or delicate tiles, providing a suitable grout colour for light coloured grout applications.
• Kitchens: Effective for countertops and splashbacks, offering matching grout options for various tile colours.
• Outdoor Patios: Handles temperature fluctuations with ease, ensuring durable grout lines in outdoor tiling projects.

Advantages

• Pre-mixed and easy to use.
• Does not require sealing.
• Resistant to stains and cracking, making it ideal for areas with high movement.

Limitations

• More expensive than traditional options like sanded grout and unsanded grout.
• Longer curing times compared to epoxy grout.

Tip for Best Use: Perfect for projects requiring flexibility, such as installations on wooden subfloors or areas prone to temperature variation.

Specialised Grout Types: Custom Solutions

Specialised grouts are designed for niche applications, offering unique properties tailored to specific needs.

Examples and Applications

• Fast-Setting Grout: Ideal for projects with tight deadlines. Suitable for commercial flooring or quick renovations.
• High-Performance Grout: Designed for high-traffic areas like malls or public spaces.
• Stainproof Grout: Perfect for kitchens, especially with light-coloured tiles.
• Coloured Grout: Enhances visual appeal by complementing or contrasting tile colours.

Advantages

• Tailored to specific environments.
• Offers enhanced durability, aesthetics, or speed of application.

Limitations

• May come at a higher cost.
• Requires careful selection to match the exact project needs.

Tip for Best Use: Consult a professional to determine if a specialised grout type is necessary for your project.

Choosing the Right Grout for Your Project

Factors to Consider

• Tile Material: Ensure compatibility with your tile type (e.g., glass, ceramic, or stone).
• Location: Indoor or outdoor environments require different properties.
• Joint Width: Narrow gaps suit unsanded grout, while wider joints need sanded or flexible grouts.
• Moisture Exposure: Wet areas demand water-resistant options like epoxy or urethane.
• Aesthetic Preferences: Coloured grouts can enhance the visual impact of a tiled surface.

Professional Insight: Always weigh the demands of the environment against the grout’s properties to ensure a lasting and visually appealing result.

Let Your Tiles Shine with the Perfect Grout

Selecting the right grout is the key to a durable and stunning tiled surface. Whether you need strength, flexibility, or chemical resistance, there’s a grout type for every project.

Partner with Xcel Tiling for flawless grouting solutions. Contact us today for expert advice and professional application services tailored to your needs.