Another consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the tile material that you’re working with. The harsh aggregate material present in sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite, marble, limestone, and other soft stones. Still, if you’re working on highly-polished tiles that have a joint of more than ⅛ of an inch, epoxy unsanded grout is going to be the best choice. It’s more durable than traditional grout, and doesn’t pose the risk of scratching, that sanded grout does. When it comes to preserving softer, more delicate tiling materials, the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout is not a contest at all. 4. Sanded Grout Should Never Be Used For Joints Smaller Than 1/8 Of An Inch Hello. Regarding the differences in the grout width, we recommend you bear in mind that there is a variation of 1/32nd of an inch in some of your grout lines. This is a very small difference and probably isn’t noticeable. Also, tiles are installed by hand, so expecting every grout line to be identical down the to 1/32nd inch might be asking a bit much. Sanded grout can work a lot like sandpaper. The materials used to create the sand are often much harder than soft stones. Spreading sanded grout over soft tiles can cause damage, especially on soft limestones and marbles. This is a huge determining factor when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout. Regarding the levelness of the tiles, if you can’t see visually (not by touching them) that the tiles are not perfectly level, then it’s probably not worth redoing parts of the installation, which is what you’d have to do to change this. Do you know if your contractor used a leveling system? If he did, than it’s definitely not worth it to reinstall sections of the tile because he’s done what’s possible to keep the tiles as level as they can be.

Ultracolor Plus, Flexible, Water Repellent Grout | Mapei UK

First , it’s harder for you to work with sanded grout in tight spaces. The aggregate “sand” material used to create it can be quite bulky, and preclude you from being able to squeeze it into small tile joints, making it unsuitable for precision work. Sanded grout is durable, but that doesn’t really matter if you can’t even manage to squeeze it in between your tile applications correctly. A final note is that you won’t be able to use just any sanded grout if you’re working on extremely large tile joints. For projects with a 3/8 of an inch or larger tile joint, you’ll need what’s known as “wide-joint mixture” grout, which is readily available at most flooring and hardware stores. Wide-joint mixture has a higher volume of large aggregate material to further reduce shrinkage issues. This makes it perfect for tile projects with large grout joints. 2. Unsanded Grout Provides A Better Hold On Vertical Surfaces If you try to use sanded grout for a tiling project using joints that are smaller than 1/8 of an inch, you’re going to have some serious problems.Sanded grout is the go-to choice for most interior flooring installations. This is because it is more durable than unsanded grout, can handle foot traffic, and is usable for larger tile joints. Next time you take on a big project for a customer and are going to be renovating a tile kitchen or a bathroom, you’ll definitely want to grab some high-quality sanded grout.

Keracolor U Unsanded Grout, technical sheet | Mapei Keracolor U Unsanded Grout, technical sheet | Mapei

Most flooring specialists have an intimate knowledge about the difference between sanded vs.unsanded grout. But even some experienced general contractors are still unsure about the differences between the two most common grouting materials. For Mapei, “zero impact on climate change” means that CO 2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle of ULTRACOLOR PLUS using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of renewable energy and forestry protection projects. A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity. When cement-based, unsanded grout dries, it shrinks – and it can pull away from tiles. Adding sand to the grouting mix ensures that the material doesn’t shrink as much. This is because the ratio of aggregate material to cement is much higher. For pure durability, sanded grout always wins in the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout. It’s a bad idea to use sanded grout for precision joints that are smaller than 1/8 of an inch. For precision work, unsanded grout is almost always a better choice.So if you’re doing a project with joints that are smaller than 1/8 inch, you run the risk of having trouble installing your tiles correctly. In addition, you could be leaving behind, pinholes that tell customers that you used the wrong grouting material– neither of which is ideal. Understand The Difference Between Sanded Vs. Unsanded Grout – And Make Your Next Contract A Success