If your bathroom is looking a bit old and tired, Trust A Trader can help you to give it the little pep that it needs. Whether you are going for a full refurb with new tiles, or you want to give existing kitchen or bathroom tiles a new lease of life, it is important that you have the basics when it comes to grouting.
Good grouting looks clean and bright; once you notice bad grouting, it is guaranteed to irritate you until you get it fixed. What’s more, like many DIY jobs, if you do it wrong the first time, it can be harder and more expensive to fix in the longer term.
Whether you choose bright white or a contrasting colour, grouting can add a striking feature to your kitchen or bathroom. So, follow our tips on getting a great finish, starting with working through the different types of grout so that you can choose the right one for the job. Out of time or inspiration? No problem! We can help you to find a trusted, rated local painter and decorator, bathroom or kitchen tiler, or handyman.
Types of grout
Before you get grouting, you need to know the three main types of grout:
Sanded grout – is a cement grout that contains sand. The sand helps to reduce the amount by which the grout shrinks when it dries, which reduces the chance of the grout cracking. Sanded grout is usually used on floor tiles.
Unsanded grout – you don’t need to be a DIY expert to work out that unsanded grout doesn’t contain sand. Because of its smooth textures, it is easier to get unsanded grout into smaller gaps, so it is ideal for smaller tiles and walls.
Epoxy grout – Unlike sanded grout and unsanded grout, epoxy grout is made from epoxy resins, not cement. This means that it doesn’t shrink when it dries. For this reason, epoxy grout is suitable for wall tiles or floor tiles. However, because epoxy grout is more expensive, unless money isn’t of consideration, it is only used in areas where you need the added durability and water resistance, such as kitchen splashbacks, bathrooms and countertops.
There really isn’t any difference between floor grout and wall grout; the ultimate finish that you achieve will depend on the type of grout you use (epoxy, sanded or unsanded), the colour (there is a whole kaleidoscope of coloured grouts available these days), and the quality of the grouting work.
Once you have selected the right grout for the job, it's time to get grouting!
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