Guide · 5 min read
Sanded vs Unsanded vs Epoxy Grout: Which One Do You Need?
Grout types explained by joint width and location: when sand scratches tile, why epoxy wins in showers, and how much of each type a bag actually covers.
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Joint width decides it
The rule of thumb is simple: joints 1/8 inch and wider get sanded grout, joints tighter than 1/8 inch get unsanded. Sand gives wider joints bulk and keeps them from cracking and shrinking as they cure.
Unsanded grout is smooth and sticky, which lets it pack into hairline joints where sanded grout would just bridge over the top and leave voids. It's also the only safe choice next to scratch-prone surfaces.
When sand will scratch your tile
Sanded grout next to polished marble, glass tile, or glossy glazed ceramic can leave fine scratches that only show in raking light — after it's too late. If your tile is glass, polished stone, or high-gloss, use unsanded regardless of joint width.
Test first if you're unsure: rub a small amount of grout on a spare tile and wipe. Any haze that doesn't wash off is a scratch.
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Epoxy grout: the shower upgrade
Epoxy grout is a two-part resin that never needs sealing, never stains, and shrugs off mildew. It costs 3–5 times more than cement grout and sets fast — you work in small batches and clean as you go, because epoxy haze is permanent once cured.
It earns its premium in showers, steam rooms, and kitchen backsplashes behind the range. For a low-traffic powder room floor, cement grout with a good sealer is the better value.
Coverage reality check
Grout consumption swings wildly with tile size and joint width. A 25 lb bag of sanded grout might cover 200 sq ft of 12 × 24 tile with 1/8-inch joints — or barely 60 sq ft of 2-inch mosaic with 3/16-inch joints. All those little joints add up.
Always run your actual tile size and joint width through a calculator rather than trusting the coverage chart on the bag, which assumes large tile and thin joints.
FAQ
Can I use sanded grout with 1/16-inch joints?
No — the sand grains can't pack into joints that tight, so the grout bridges and crumbles out. Use unsanded for anything under 1/8 inch.
Does epoxy grout need to be sealed?
Never. It's non-porous by nature. Cement-based grouts (sanded and unsanded) should be sealed after they cure, typically 48–72 hours.
Why is my grout cracking out of the joints?
Usually one of three causes: unsanded grout in a joint wider than 1/8 inch, too much water in the mix, or movement in the substrate. Wide joints need sanded grout for bulk.
Keep reading
- Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: The 30-Second Answer (and the Long One)
Which mortar for porcelain, which for Kerdi and Ditra, what ANSI A118.4 and A118.1 ratings mean, and why the bag price difference is worth it.
- Grout Color: Match the Tile or Contrast It?
What matching vs contrasting grout does to a room, why white grout is a maintenance commitment, and how to test color before committing to 200 square feet.