How to Choose The Best Tile Grout? Tips And Tricks

If you’ve ever used tile in your home, you know how beautiful and long-lasting it can be if you take care of it well. But there’s another part of tile that may not be so appealing to you the grout that separates tiles from each other. Grout can be one of the least attractive features of tile, since it can attract dirt and mold if it isn’t kept clean. 

What Is Tile Grout?

Tile grout, also known as tile mortar, consists of cement and sand. When mixed with water, it forms a plastic mass that holds ceramic or stone tiles in place. Tile grout usually comes in white or gray colors. While it’s often used on floors, many people are starting to use it for countertops and other applications too.

How To Choose The Right Grout?

Choosing the right tile grout can be a daunting task. There are so many different types of grouts that it’s hard to know where to start. Here we have compiled everything you need to know about choosing the best tile grout for your needs. We will cover what you should look for when shopping for a new tile flooring, which is a lot more than just color and brand!

Consider the grout color. Different colors will dull out the tiles and make it look old faster, especially lighter grouts. Think about your flooring pattern and see which one would match best. Check if the manufacturer has a “color match” policy to help you make this decision easier for yourself! Here are some Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing Tile Grout:

1. Your tile size:

This is an easy mistake to make - not all grouts are made equal! For example, larger tiles require a smaller grout line to maintain a consistent look, and smaller tiles require larger grouts. This is not an exact science - your installer will know more about the best size for you!

2. Your tile material:

The materials of your tiles can affect everything from how much maintenance they require to what kind of grout you need. Porcelain doesn't need as much grout as ceramic or natural stone, for example.

3. Your tile installation method:

The process you use to install your tiles can affect what kind of grouts are best suited to that task. For most floor installations there is one recommended type of grout; if the installer uses a different material then it's okay - just be sure they know what they are doing!

4. Your tile pattern:

This is another factor that can have a big effect on your grout. Tile patterns require different kinds of grouts to keep the lines straight, so be sure you know which kind you need before choosing tiles for your flooring project!

5. Your tastes:

Your tastes are incredibly important when you're choosing tile flooring. The tiles themselves might be completely functional, but if they don't fit your taste then the whole room will suffer for it!

6. Tile style:

Finally, there are some special considerations for luxury flooring. For example, marble tile floors require a heavy duty grout to handle the pressure of foot traffic and prevent the tiles from popping out over time!

The bottom line is that you can't choose your tile without also choosing your grouts, but now you know what will affect those choices!

What are the different types of tile grouts available ?

There are many different types of grout to choose from, each with their own benefits and disadvantages. Here is a list of some common ones:

1. Cement:

This type can be waterproof but it's not recommended for large expanses because the material isn't flexible enough to handle movement like in larger tile installations. It also requires regular sealing to prevent flaking and stains.

2. Sanded:

Sanded grout is made of sand, cement, and water which makes it extremely easy to clean but also more likely for the mortar lines to crack because they are not as strong or durable as other types. This type should only be used in small tile installations where it will receive little wear and tear.

3. Epoxy:

Epoxy grouts have a protective coating that protects against hard impacts, chemicals, stains, and oils which makes it an ideal option for luxury flooring installations where the tiles are exposed to food or chemicals often. However this type of mortar takes longer to dry than regular types so be sure you choose the right time of year for your project!

4. Polymer:

Polymers are a relatively new type that have some amazing advantages over more traditional types. They dry quickly, don't require any sealing (like epoxy grouts), and can be used to create high strength mortar lines without the use of sand making it extra durable. This type is great for luxury flooring!

5. Siliconized:

Siliconized mortars are extremely durable, flexible for movement over time, and clean easily. This makes them an ideal choice of grout in luxury tile installations where they will be exposed to regular wear and tear like heavy traffic or spills from meals being eaten on the tiles. The only downside is that siliconized mortars can darken over time with exposure to light.

Tips on how to care for your grout?

Grouting is a messy job but it's one you need to do if you want your tiles to last!

Regularly clean the grout lines with mild soap and water. You can also use vinegar or bleach which will help keep mold away (yuck!)

Every few months, apply sealer when needed for extra protection against stains, fading, and mold.

Regularly inspect your grout lines for any cracks or signs of damage that can be fixed with more sealer application (you might need to repeat the process every few months depending on how often you use it). You can also apply a fresh coat of mortar over existing ones if they become too stained or dirty.

If you are unable to clean the grout easily with mild soap and water, try using a toothbrush or an eraser. You can also use specialized cleaners depending on what type of grout your flooring has! Just be sure not to leave it unattended for long periods because some strong chemicals might damage tiles over time if they are left on for too long.

If you have pets at home, then consider using sealers on your grout lines to protect them from damage due to pet urine and other stains! Just make sure that the chemicals used in the cleaners won't damage the tiles over time.

Don't forget that regular maintenance can go a long way when it comes to protecting your grout lines! So keep up with the schedule you set and enjoy all of the benefits that come along with taking care of them.

What is a sealant, and why do I need it?

A sealant is a product that you can use to protect your grout from stains and damage over time. It will also help keep it looking cleaner for longer! The process of applying a sealer takes less than an hour, so if you have the right tools, this step shouldn't be difficult or challenging in any way. Sealing your grout is an additional step that you should take to protect the integrity of it over time. It also helps keep tiles looking cleaner for longer since sealers are designed to help make stains easier to remove!

Do I Need To Seal It?

Yes – sealers not only give the mortar a protective coating but also to prevent stains from becoming permanent and soaking deep into your mortar lines (yikes!). Lighter coloured mortars and tiles tend to show more dirt than darker ones, so sealing will do wonders for preserving those easily stained areas as well as creating a protective barrier against oils in foods that can affect

Grout sealing tips

If you want to keep your grout lines looking like new and protected from damage, try sealing them. You can buy individual cleaners or sealers depending on what type of tiles you have; just be sure not to get this step confused with regular cleaning!

Sealing is an extra process that needs to done more frequently than once every few months. The process doesn't take long and will help prolong the life of your grout lines, keep them looking clean longer, and even protect from damage due to spills or dropped objects!

How often should you seal your tile flooring with a sealant?

The process of applying a sealant should be done between every few months to once per year. The frequency of applying sealant depends entirely on how often you use your home and what types of products you're using to clean it! Just be sure not to neglect this step because if anything, adding more frequent applications will help keep grout lines looking cleaner longer without having to do any extra work.

Do-it-yourself vs professional installation of tiles/grouts

If you're looking to save money in the short term, then do-it-yourself installation of tiles is a good choice. However, if you want the job done right the first time without any problems or mistakes along the way, it might be better to hire professionals!

While do-it-yourself installation may be cheaper, professional installation is a better choice when it comes to quality and guaranteeing the job will be done right.

The benefits of hiring pros are numerous but here are some of them:

• Professionals have the experience and skills to ensure that your tiles will be installed correctly.

• They know what is needed in order for a flooring project to go smoothly, which means less problems later on down the road (so it's more cost effective over time).

• You don't need to purchase additional supplies or tools to get the job done.

• They have all of the necessary materials on hand and can complete a flooring project in a relatively short amount of time. This means you won't need to wait around for days on end until it is finished!

Article Updated - November 25, 2021

Read More Articles:

1. How To Grout Your Tiles?
2. Best Ceramic Tiles Cleaners
3. Different Types Of Tile Pattern