Sanded Or Unsanded Grout For Floor Tile

Spreading sanded grout over soft tiles can cause damage especially on soft limestones and marbles.

Sanded or unsanded grout for floor tile. Sanded grout contains silica sand and is best used for tile joints that are wider than 1 8 inches because sand particles lock together to form a strong joint. Grout lines 1 8 to 3 8 thick. Unsanded grout has no sand is thin and sticky making it suitable for tile joints less than 1 8 inch wide such as backsplash and vertical shower walls. The main difference between unsanded and sanded grout is the presence or absence of sand.

Most tile installers recommend using sanded grout for floor tiles because it will withstand foot traffic better than unsanded grout. Unsanded grout basics. Both cement based grouts and epoxy grouts come in sanded and unsanded types and can both be used. One of the final reasons sanded grout is one of the most common choices is because it is about half the price of unsanded grout.

This is a huge determining factor when choosing between sanded vs. Unsanded grout is often the best choice for smooth polished tiles like marble even if the joint width is 1 8 or larger. Unsanded grout contains no sand and is best used for thin grout lines and for delicate tile surfaces as well as for most glass tile. Non sanded grout for tile the basic difference.

Sanded grout contains fine sand and should be your choice for most tiling projects because it is cheap and provides a tight lock. Unless it is a modified formula sanded grout should be sealed after installation.