Unsanded grout is available in smaller quantities than sanded grout, and both are available in a range of colors. Grouting is done the same way for floor tiles, wall tiles, ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles , and so on. Pre-mixed grout, which contains a combination of grout and adhesive, is available, but grout powder gives a user more control, as it can be mixed to the desired consistency. Pre-mixed grout is firm and sticky and can be difficult to force into the joints. Mixing powder grout can be easily done with a bucket and trowel.
First add a little water to the bucket, and then add the powder — it is far more difficult to mix the grout if this is done the other way around. Each manufacturer will indicate how much water should be added on the bag of grout powder, typically 1.
Slowly add the grout powder to the water, stirring continuously until a creamy consistency like thick custard is reached. The amount of grout required depends on the size of the tiled area being grouted, the length and width of the tiles, and the width and depth of the joints.
All things equal, a user would require the same amount of sanded as unsanded grout. Most manufacturers provide details on the packaging to help a user calculate the amount they will require. Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. Diffen LLC, n. Sanded Grout vs. Unsanded Grout. Comparison chart Differences — Similarities —. Choosing the Right Grout for the Joint Size Grout should be chosen according to the size of joint space between tiles. Appearance Unsanded grout, which is a mixture of Portland cement , powdered pigments, and water, has the consistency of a smooth pudding.
Colors Grout pigmentation is often neutral e. Grout vs. Caulk Grout is designed for water to pass in and out of the joint. Don't Replace Grout with Caulk Over time, it is natural for some house settlement and foot traffic to cause minor cracks in grout. Durability Most grout jobs, whether of the sanded or unsanded variety, will last for years. Cracking Grout will form cracks if not mixed properly.
Discoloration Grout can discolor during application and over time. There are several reasons grout can become discolored during application: There is too much water in the grout mixture. The grout is not allowed to dry completely before cleaning. Joints are not thoroughly filled. Dirty tools are used for application. People walk on the tiles before the grout is completely dry.
Repairs and Maintenance Cleaning Harsh, acidic cleaners should be avoided, as should the use of steam cleaners on tile. Replacing Old Grout Old, stained grout can often be renewed, though in extreme cases one may have to regrout or even retile. Cost Sanded grout costs less than unsanded grout, predominantly because the sand used in sanded grout is cheap and so lowers the cost of production.
How to Apply Grout. Follow Share Cite Authors. Comments: Sanded Grout vs Unsanded Grout. Related Comparisons. Non-sanded grout is smooth textured grout that will not scratch tile.
Therefore, any homeowner that has highly polished stone such as marble, or a honed stone, will want to choose an unsanded grout. Non-sanded grout is best used for vertical tile such as in the bathroom and showers. This grout is better working material and sticks better to vertical surfaces than sanded grout.
This means that your tile and grout will look better for a longer time than with non-sanded grout in bigger grout joints. As a result of this type of grout being a coarser texture, it is harder to clean and to force into smaller grout lines.
Sanded grout should be your default choice for any general tiling. Grout fills the spaces between the tiles and is wiped clean with the edge of the float. Grout imparts further structural integrity to the tilework and fills gaps so that debris will not enter. Grout is quite visible, making it a style element as well as a functional element. When purchasing grout, you have a choice between sanded and unsanded grout.
Both types of grout have a number of overlapping uses. But your tile project will look better if you can delineate the differences between the two and choose the better one for your job. True to its name, sanded grout is a Portland cement-based grout with silica sand, inorganic aggregates, and chemicals. Best for creating wider grout lines, sanded grout should be your primary choice for most tiling applications since sand particles have the ability to lock with each other to form a sturdy joint.
Sanded grout is less expensive than unsanded grout since sand is a cheaper filler than the polymers in unsanded grout. 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.
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