If you’re planning on remodeling your bathroom, there are a lot of decisions to be made. From the tiles on the floor and walls to the type of faucet and showerhead—it can be overwhelming. One less-discussed topic is whether to use epoxy grout or traditional sanded grout.
A look at Mapei Flexcolor, a flexible epoxy grout, will give you some insight into why it might be worth your while to opt for this product instead of traditional sanded grout.
A look at Mapei’s Flexcolor grout
Flexible epoxy grouts are ideal for high-traffic areas and can be used on floors, walls, showers, tubs and more. They’re easy to clean and resistant to stains.
They’re also available in a wide variety of colors so you can choose the perfect one for your project.
Table of Contents
- A look at Mapei’s Flexcolor grout
- What makes Mapei Flexcolor different?
- How does Mapei Flexcolor work?
- The problems with sanded and unsanded grout
- Why epoxy grouts?
- Epoxy grout is far less susceptible to staining than other types of grout.
- Epoxy grout is stronger than traditional grout, making it great for heavy-duty applications.
- It’s easier to clean epoxy grouts because they are less porous.
- Epoxy hardens into a single, solid piece. This means that the joints it fills will last longer.
- When should you not use epoxy grout?
- Contractors can also charge more for using epoxy because it’s more time consuming to install.
- If you’re planning on remodeling in the future, don’t use flexible epoxy grouts.
- Epoxies have some really great advantages.
What makes Mapei Flexcolor different?
Flexcolor epoxy grout is flexible enough to be used in joints that are not straight and can be used in joints that are not square, perfectly aligned, or flat.
This makes it a great choice for use in many different applications. For example, you can use this product for shower floors, tub surrounds, countertops, and more!
How does Mapei Flexcolor work?
Flexcolor grout is a two-part epoxy grout that is mixed together and applied to the joints between the tile and the flooring.
The first step in applying Flexcolor is to mix its two components, part A and part B. You can choose from several colors, but it’s important that you follow the instructions on your package carefully, as this will determine whether your project goes smoothly or not.
Once you’ve mixed up both parts of Flexcolor grout, it’s time to apply them onto your tile work area with a rubber float tool (you’ll find these at any hardware store).
The problems with sanded and unsanded grout
- Sanded grout is porous and can stain easily.
- Unsanded grout is weak, so it cracks easily.
- Cleaning and replacing unsanded grout is difficult.
- You’ll have to pay much more for sanded vs unsanded grout.
Why epoxy grouts?
Epoxy grouts are a great option for people who want to create a durable and long-lasting floor. They can be used in any room of the house, from kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms and hallways.
One of the main reasons people choose epoxy grout over other types is that it’s more resistant to staining than traditional grout. Epoxy grouts can also be stronger than traditional ones, making them ideal for high traffic areas like kitchens or entries.
Since epoxy grouts are nonporous, they’re easier to clean than traditional materials like tile or stone. This makes them especially good options if you have pets or children in your home—or just want an easy way to keep up with spills!
Epoxy grout is far less susceptible to staining than other types of grout.
As a rule, epoxy grout is far less susceptible to staining than other types of grout. With their high porosity and porous nature, traditional grouts can easily be stained by dirt or other contaminants that get into the joints between tiles. Epoxy can be tinted in a wide range of colors, making it easy to match any tile set you’re using.
Additionally, because epoxy bonds directly with your tiles rather than being applied over them (like traditional cement-based grouts), it’s much less likely to wear down over time because there’s no additional layer between the tile and its surrounding material!
Epoxy grout is stronger than traditional grout, making it great for heavy-duty applications.
Epoxy grout is much stronger than traditional grout. It’s also more resistant to water, making it great for heavy-duty applications, such as kitchens and bathrooms in homes with high traffic.
To ensure you’re getting the best possible epoxy grout for your home, we’ve put together this guide to help you learn everything you need to know about choosing the right product for your project.
It’s easier to clean epoxy grouts because they are less porous.
There are a couple of reasons why it’s easier to clean epoxy grout:
- Epoxy grouts are less porous than other types of grout, so they don’t stain as easily.
- Epoxy grout is more resistant to stains because the sealer protects against them.
Epoxy hardens into a single, solid piece. This means that the joints it fills will last longer.
Grout is a porous material, so it absorbs liquids. This can cause grout joints to expand and contract with temperature changes, which can damage the joint over time. Grout joints can crack and become damaged in this way as well.
In addition to its tendency to absorb liquids, grout also has a high surface area (meaning there are many small openings on its surface), making it more difficult to clean than other types of tile surfaces.
When should you not use epoxy grout?
You should not use epoxy grout if you have to replace the tile in the future. Epoxy grout can be difficult to remove after it has cured, and doing so will generally result in damage to your tile or flooring.
You should also avoid using this material if you have water issues in the area where you’ll be installing it, as epoxy grout is not recommended for areas that are frequently exposed to moisture.
This is because epoxy powder can absorb moisture from the air and become sticky when wet; this makes it more likely that dirt and other particles will stick onto your tiles over time, which will make cleaning difficult later on down the road (and could possibly even lead to mold growth).
It’s also important not to use epoxy grout if there will be heavy traffic through an area where you plan on installing it—such usage would expose it to too much wear and tear over time.
Contractors can also charge more for using epoxy because it’s more time consuming to install.
You may be thinking, “That’s great! My contractor can charge more for epoxy since it’s more expensive.” However, that might not be the case.
The cost of the materials for Mapei Flexcolor is actually less than what you would pay for traditional grout.
Contractors can also charge more for using epoxy because it’s more time-consuming to install.
If your project requires a lot of cuts or angles in the flooring and walls, this extra work will increase labor costs and therefore increase your project budget.
This means that contractors may end up charging you exactly the same amount even though they have to use more materials with Mapei Flexcolor than they would with traditional grout.
If you’re planning on remodeling in the future, don’t use flexible epoxy grouts.
If you’re planning on remodeling in the future, don’t use flexible epoxy grouts. Filling in a gap with epoxy grout means that it will be nearly impossible to remove without damaging your new floor.
The same is true if you choose to use a different type of flooring material; even though Flexcolor is advertised as being “removable and reusable,” it would be much better for your budget and peace of mind to spend the extra cash on a brand new subfloor than try to remove or replace the Flexcolor after you’ve installed it.
Epoxies have some really great advantages.
Epoxies have some really great advantages. They’re more durable, less porous, and easier to clean. Epoxy grout is stronger and less likely to break down over time.
Plus, epoxy is more expensive than other types of grout—but it’s worth it if you’re concerned with longevity or if you have a high-traffic area where the color could get worn off quickly.
On the flip side: Epoxy grouting takes longer to apply so it’s not ideal for small projects like an accent wall in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets that need a little help looking perfect.
Conclusion
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right grout for your project. It’s important to know what kind of grout works best for your style, budget and timeline.
The bottom line is that epoxy grouts are a great option if you want something durable and beautiful—and who doesn’t?