“What is the difference between epoxy and grout?” is one of the most common questions I hear when it comes to tile work. You may be wondering what grout even is, let alone what differentiates it from epoxy grout.
Grout is a porous substance that fills in the gaps between tiles, while epoxy grout is made up of two parts that form a hard, nonporous finish once cured.
Epoxy grout also tends to have color added to it and doesn’t require sealant after installation, making your maintenance much easier.
Which is better grout or epoxy?
This is a common question that we hear all the time. If you don’t know what each of these products is, or how they are used, you are not alone. It’s pretty confusing at first!
Let’s start with grout. Grout is a cement-based product that is used to fill gaps between tiles. This helps seal the gaps and creates a solid surface for tile work, making for easy cleanup and maintenance. There are many types of grout; one of the most common being sanded grout. When it comes to choosing epoxy vs sanded grout, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Epoxy grout cannot be installed on walls that have been previously tiled with cement based products (i.e., traditional ceramic tile).
- Sanded grout needs an acrylic additive added before installation because it tends to be too thick for most applications without this additional component (which will cost more money). On top of that, if using sanded grouting material instead of epoxy means spending extra time mixing up batches as needed instead of just pouring out what you need right when it’s needed since only small amounts can be mixed at once due to its consistency being so thick already that adding water would make it unusable due to thinning out too much on top of having less bonding strength than necessary which leads into number 3 below…
- Epoxy provides superior adhesion compared with traditional cement-based products because epoxies bond directly onto surfaces while sanded ones do not; they just adhere around edges which may lead them eventually pull away from those edges over time, especially under wet conditions such as those found near pools or showers where there’s constant moisture present during use and cleanup periods leading back into number 4 above about needing additional components before installation when using other types besides epoxies which aren’t required due in part thanks again for number 5 below about their self-leveling properties allowing for
Table of Contents
- Which is better grout or epoxy?
- Can I use epoxy instead of grout?
- What’s the difference between grout and epoxy grout?
- How long does epoxy grout last in a shower?
- How can you tell if grout is epoxy?
- Can you apply epoxy grout over existing grout?
- Does epoxy grout turn yellow?
- How long will epoxy grout last?
Can I use epoxy instead of grout?
Epoxy can be used in place of traditional grout, but it’s important to note that you cannot apply epoxy over existing grout. Epoxy is more expensive than traditional grout, so it’s a consideration if you’re on a tight budget.
The installation process also takes longer because it requires more steps and multiple coats.
However, epoxy is more durable and easier to clean than regular grout. It’s also available in more colors than traditional grout, allowing you to get creative with your tiles and make a bold visual statement with your bathroom or kitchen remodel.
What’s the difference between grout and epoxy grout?
Epoxy grout is significantly different from regular grout in a number of ways. Most notably, epoxy is much more expensive and harder to work with than regular cement-based grout.
The advantages are that it’s stronger and much more durable, as well as being water resistant and extremely stain resistant. If you’re working on a small project with a limited budget or your tile choice was based on aesthetics rather than practicality, regular cement-based grout will likely suit your needs better.
Another benefit of epoxy grout is that it’s easier to clean and maintain over time because it doesn’t absorb liquids the way cement-based grout does. Weigh your options carefully so you don’t end up with a mess that far exceeds the scope of your original project!
So now that you have an understanding of what each type of grout has to offer, let’s move on to how they should be used for the best results…
How long does epoxy grout last in a shower?
Here’s how to tell the difference between epoxy and grout:
Epoxy grout is more durable than ceramic grout. It’s also waterproof, stain-resistant, and can last for more than 10 years. Because of its long life cycle, you won’t have to worry about replacing it if it becomes discolored or damaged over time.
Ceramic grout generally lasts around four years before it needs to be replaced. This is because ceramic is porous, allowing water and other liquids to seep in and damage the grout over time as well as remain stained due to its inability to resist various liquids.
How can you tell if grout is epoxy?
If you’re trying to tell if grout is epoxy, look for the following features:
- A high price. Epoxy grout will likely be more expensive than regular grout. Pre-mixed formulas can cost up to $20 per bag, whereas regular grout might only cost $3.
- A strong smell and a darker color. Both of these are common traits in the best-known epoxy brand, Bostik’s Dimension Grout. That said, not all epoxy grouts have these properties.
The material makes a difference as well – if you try to mix your own epoxy using Epoxy Resin, it won’t work the same way as pre-made grout does; pre-made epoxies are specially formulated for tile and masonry projects.
Hint: If your powdered product is hard to mix with water, it may be an epoxy grout!
Can you apply epoxy grout over existing grout?
You can apply epoxy grout over existing grout. This is one of the key differences between epoxy grouts and traditional cement-based grouts. Epoxy isn’t porous, which means you don’t have to worry about stains soaking into the material. Plus, epoxy is harder than cement, making it better at resisting wear.
Additionally, since epoxy isn’t porous it is easier to clean without a residue buildup than cement grout. So if your old ceramic tile floor or bathroom shower looks dingy because stains have built up in the grain of your current cement-based grout, you may want to consider replacing it with an epoxy grout product like Fusion Pro single component Grout by Custom Building Products.
Does epoxy grout turn yellow?
No! Epoxy grout is stain resistant, so it won’t discolor over time. It’s also great for high-moisture areas due to the waterproof nature of the epoxy itself.
But all of those wonderful qualities come with a cost—epoxy grout is more expensive than regular grout and needs to be applied by a professional. While you can put some epoxies on yourself, many other products really need to be installed by someone who has been trained in using them.
And even if you do install it yourself, you’ll still need special tools to keep the epoxy from hardening in the containers too soon and making a mess that you don’t want.
How long will epoxy grout last?
Epoxy grout lasts five to ten years, which is quite a bit longer than cement-based grout. It was more expensive, but it has a lot of great qualities.
It’s super strong and stain-resistant, which makes it great for showers that get used daily and aren’t cleaned every day. The bad news is that you can’t easily remove epoxy grout once it sets. Also, you can’t use it in areas with expansion joints because the movement could cause cracks.
Conclusion
There you have it. Epoxy and grout: what they are, what they do, and how they differ. Which is better? It’s hard to say. Grout is easier to work with, cheaper, more widely available, and a whole lot easier to clean.
But epoxy comes in any color you can dream up and will last for years without cracking or discoloring. Either way, you go, your space will be looking stylish in no time!