When you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, one of the most important decisions you can make is which type of grout to use.
That’s because grout is what holds together your tiles and keeps everything looking neat and tidy. Epoxy grout and cement grout are both strong and durable, but they have their differences—and understanding those differences will help you choose the best product for your project.
Water absorption
Epoxy grout is far more water-resistant than cement grout. Because of this, it will not absorb liquids as much as the cement variety and therefore has a longer lifespan.
The material is also less permeable, meaning that it won’t stain easily and any staining that does occur can be cleaned off easier than with cement.
Cement grouts tend to be more absorbent than epoxy ones and are therefore better at absorbing stains from tea or coffee cups, for example.
They’re also good at resisting mold growth because they contain less water than epoxy grout (which by nature contains more).
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Durability
Epoxy grout is more durable than cement grout. Epoxy grout is more resistant to abrasion, stains, and moisture than cement grout. It’s also more resistant to chemicals.
The reason for this is that it has higher compressive strength and greater resistance to water penetration due to its polymer structure.
Color
The color of the grout is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing between epoxy and cement.
Epoxy grout is more consistent in its color, whereas cement grout can vary in shade depending on how it was mixed.
In addition, epoxy grout tends to be more expensive than cement because it’s more difficult to make; however, if you have a particularly dark room that you want to lighten up with white or other light colors, then this might not matter much.
Cement is porous and stain resistant (which makes it better at absorbing stains), but because of its porosity cement is also prone to discoloration over time as well as absorbing liquids into its pores—this can cause mold growth if left untreated for too long!
Staining
Cement grout is more stain-resistant.
Easier to clean.
Epoxy grout is more expensive, but it’ll last longer and look better over time.
Cement grout is easier to use in that it doesn’t require as much preparation work (e.g., sealing the area) before you can apply it as epoxy grout does; however, epoxy also has some benefits over cement—for example, we’ve found that epoxy tends not to stain as easily or absorb liquids like wine or coffee like concrete-based products do (the latter of which may be due in part because of its porous surface).
It should also be noted that since cement-based products are stronger than most types of concrete—and often contain additives called “slump control agents” which help prevent cracks from forming—they’re often preferred for applications where you need something that won’t crack or break easily (e.g., building foundations).
Finally, if you’re concerned about mold growth inside your home then you might want to consider an alternative material such as vinyl flooring instead: while both types offer some resistance against mold growth they aren’t necessarily impervious so make sure whatever type(s) you choose will still work well with your needs!
Cost
The main difference between epoxy grout and cement grout is the cost. Epoxy grout is more expensive than cement, but the overall cost of your project could vary depending on the size of your job and whether or not you are working with an experienced contractor who knows what he or she is doing.
Because it contains a number of different ingredients, epoxy can also be more difficult to mix. This means that if you have to mix your own epoxy flooring material, it may require more time and effort on your part – including renting special equipment like a mixer truck (this can add up quickly!).
Grout type and size of tile job
The type of grout you use in your tile job will be determined by a few different factors. The size of the job is one factor, as is the size of the tiles themselves. The type of job you’re doing—tile flooring, tub surrounds, etc.—is another consideration.
The size of your tile project will determine whether you use mastic or epoxy grout. Epoxy grout may require more time to apply than mastic grout but it’s more durable and less likely to crack over time.
Mastic can be used for both small jobs like wall tiles and larger projects like floors and countertops. It takes less time to apply than epoxy but isn’t as durable once cured (which can take up to two days).
Lighting and color considerations
In addition to understanding how grout works, you should also consider these factors when choosing the color of your grout:
- The color of the tile. If you choose dark tiles for a room, use white or light-colored grout to make it stand out. If you choose light-colored tiles for a room, use darker-colored grout to create contrast.
- The color of the light. White lights tend to bring out all colors in space while yellow or orange lights tend to dull down those same colors. If you have bright lighting in your bathroom and want to tone down its impact on the tile and other elements, consider using lighter-colored grout in that space; if you have dimmer or candlelight type lighting in your bathroom and want to enhance its effect on those same elements, opt for darker-colored grout instead.
- The paint on the wall (if any). Light walls with an accent wall like gray can make gray epoxy look great but dark walls may not show off gray epoxy as much because they will become even darker by comparison!
Proportions of sand and cement in cement grout
Cement grout is stronger than epoxy grout because the ratio of sand to cement is higher. This means that a cement-based grout will be less prone to expansion and contraction than an epoxy-based one.
The problem with this approach is that it makes the strength of your finished project depend on what kind of sand you have available.
If your local building supply store only stocks #15 sand, then everything you build with it would be much weaker than if they stocked #30 or #40 grits instead.
Application methods
Both epoxy grout and cement grout can be applied using a trowel or float. If you’re using epoxy, it can also be applied with a grout bag.
If you’re new to tile installation, we recommend that you go with cement because it’s more forgiving for beginners.
It will also dry faster than epoxy which is important if you are working on a tight deadline or have other tasks that require the use of your bathroom (or kitchen).
The differences between these grouts will help you decide which is best for your job.
Epoxy grout is more durable than cement. Epoxy grout is a polymeric substance, while cement is a mixture of chemicals that hardens and dries to create a solid mass.
Because epoxy grout is so strong and durable, it’s best for use in high-traffic areas where you want your tile work to last for years.
Cement isn’t as strong and can be difficult to remove later if you change your mind about the color or pattern of your tile work.
Cement grouts are stain resistant and inexpensive; some brands even come with an acid stain that helps protect against discoloration over time.
The downside of this strength is that cement has a higher porosity than epoxy, which means it absorbs water more easily—and can dry out quickly if left unprotected in humid environments like bathrooms or kitchens with leaky faucets nearby.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you decide which grout is right for your needs. If you have any other questions about these two types of grout, please contact us today!
