- Sage Epoxy Flooring
If you ask the average person about grout, they’ll just think that grout is grout and that’s that. But there’s more to it than that! Did you know there are 3 main types of grout? There are cement-based grout, epoxy-based grout, and furan resin-based grouts. And of these, there are then two main categories – sanded and non-sanded. Sanded grouts are used for 1/8″ or larger joints, and non-sanded grouts are used for joints smaller than or equal to 1/8″, although you can get away with using both kinds for 1/8″ exact joints. I’m going to go into each type of grout and what makes them so different.1. Cement-Based Grouts: This type can be found in sanded and non-sanded varieties, in powder form or pre-mixed. It’s used most often for do-it-yourself projects, because it’s easier to work with and clean. It is weaker than epoxy-based grout, though.2. Furan Resin Grouts: This type of grout is available in both sanded and unsanded varieties. Instead of containing water, it’s alcohol-based. Because of this, it has a very high resistance to chemicals. However, it usually only comes in black and requires not only coating the tiles with wax prior to application but also removing the excess grout through steam cleaning. For these reasons, it is not the most practical choice for a do-it-yourself project. 3. Epoxy Grouts: Epoxy grout is more expensive than other types of grout and is water resistant. These grouts are very effective for tiles that require a high degree of water and stain resistance (such as countertops). There are another two types as well but not as common as the previous three. – Latex-Modified Sanded Cement Grout: This grout is similar to cement grout, but has an added degree of water resistance and bonding characteristics which makes it great for bathrooms, countertops and backsplashes that might be exposed to lots of moisture. – Caulking Grout: This grout is squeezed from a tube by hand or from a caulking gun. These caulking grouts match the colors fo cement brands and are great for filling tough-to-reach joints.