In vertical applications, you'll need a grout that can handle the tug and pull from the gravity, while in horizontal or floor grout, your grout doesn't need to be thick or strong. Grout should also match the type of tile that you are using. For instance, you don't want to use a soft, unsanded grout with large tiles as the grout will deteriorate over time and become prone to cracking. Even though they're harder and denser than glass, stone and metal tiles still require sanded grout. Sanded grout is also available in a variety of colors, whereas unsanded grout can only be white or beige.
If you're looking for a custom color, sanded grout is the way to go. Note that the most common grout color is gray. Grout also comes in many colors, including white, black, green, and even orange.
Some brands will also offer dyed grout where you can pick exact colors to match your decor or tiles. Sanded grout is much thicker than unsanded, and as such, it takes longer to dry. While unsanded grout dries within four hours, sanded grout takes anywhere between 24 and 48 hours to fully cure or dry out. This slow drying time means that sanded grout can be a hassle for contractors who need to get the job done and over with, but it also means that sanded grout is extremely durable.
As such, sanded grout is more frequently used in commercial settings where durability is a must. Grout is not expensive, but you need to purchase large amounts of it based on the size of your project. The cost includes everything, ranging from the mixing pail, bucket or tray, coloring or special needs, and the application trowels, clean-up tools, equipment, and other items.
The unsanded grout is used in this application because the sanded grout won't properly compact into thinner grout lines. On the other hand, unsanded grout will slump, crack, and not provide the proper fill. However, unsanded grout is recommended for tile that is easily scratched such as natural stone, glass, certain porcelains and ceramics. The sand content in sanded tile may damage these surfaces. Abrasion from sanded tile is also not enough to scratch the tile surfaces.
These two types of grout may seem the same, but they are not. Unsanded grout is perfect for smaller projects or areas where less durability is needed. It is a blend of Portland cement, water, and sand that can be easily applied with a rubber grout float by pressing it into the joints.
On the other hand, sanded grout is a blend of Portland cement, water, sand, and lime. This type of grout is recommended for larger projects or areas that need more durability. That, coupled with a lack of water can prevent grout particles from expanding properly to create a solid, firm joint. Knowing the amount of moisture the tile will absorb, selecting the right type of grout, getting the correct water mix and following the proper installation instructions are crucial to minimizing issues when working with absorptive tiles.
Many ceramic wall tiles are highly absorptive. If the water is absorbed in less than 30 seconds, you have a highly absorptive tile and should take extra precautions.
Today, many tile manufacturers also print the water absorption percentages on the tile packaging. These absorption ratings are based on testing performed by the American National Standards Institute ANSI where tiles are placed in boiling water and then measured for their weight change from dry to wet. Here are the four ANSI tile absorption categories:.
In fact, many types of ceramic tiles can absorb as much as percent of water in these tests. Larger tiles require more mortar for installation. However, smaller grout joints increase the risk of mortar to squeeze up through the joint. If the grout joint is not deep enough, there may not be enough grout material to form the essential cement particle bonds. How to Use. Related Products. Other products in these categories Part of the same system Products with the same or longer warranty.
This a thin, load bearing, self-curing, liquid applied rubber polymer that can be easily applied in a single coat to form a flexible seamless anti-fracture membrane. Tile and Drain Mat Plaza and Deck provides a thin, lightweight, weather and frost resistant installation for ceramic tile, pavers, brick or stone. Watch Tips From Our Pros! Watch Videos. Learn More. Due to its porous nature, sanded grout, unless modified, must be sealed to prevent water from infiltrating to the back of the tile and ruining the substrate.
Unsanded grout is easier to work with than sanded grout on vertical surfaces such as tiled shower walls. The lack of silica aggregate filler in unsanded grout means that it works well with scratchable surfaces such as some ceramic, glass, metal, marble, or natural stone tiles. Sanded grout should be your default choice for general use tiling, such as for flooring and walls.
Sanded grout is widely available, has the greatest range of mixed color choices, and reduces grout shrinkage. Think of sanded grout as the default choice grout for everything except for a few outliers that absolutely require unsanded grout.
In fact, using unsanded grout as your universal grout for all applications can be detrimental because structurally it does not hold up as well as sanded grout. 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. Due to unsanded grout's polymer content and extremely low porosity, it does not need to be sealed.
The reason unsanded grout is used in this application is that sanded grout will not properly compact into thinner grout lines.
Sanded grout is used for tile surfaces where the possibility of scratching from the sand content in the tile grout will not be a problem. This feature can be beneficial for do-it-yourselfers who are not confident about their grouting skills and may need to regrout at least one other time.
Unsanded grout is usually recommended for tile that is easily scratched, such as natural stone, glass, and certain porcelains and ceramics. In theory, the sand content in sanded tile grout may damage these surfaces. In practice, some veteran tilers relate that the abrasion from sanded tile grout is likely not enough to scratch tile surfaces.
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