May 08, 2014

Epoxy vs cement grouts

Epoxy grout has become more and more popular among tile contractors and builders. Unlike cement grout, which is made from a cementitious powder mix, epoxy grout is made from epoxy resins and a filler powder. The grout is extremely durable and almost completely stainproof. Regular grout isn't waterproof, so unlike epoxy grout, it can absorb water when it's wet and stain easily. If you're tired ofscrubbing the gunk off your grout, epoxy grout could be your solution.
Epoxy grout is made from two different resins mixed with a filler, making it very waterproof and bettered suited to harsher cleaning products. Epoxy thinsets offer greater bond strength and chemical resistance than cementitious grouts.

Although it has plenty of benefits, note that epoxy grout is more difficult to work with than regular grout. It also tends to look like plastic, which some homeowners don't like.

Regular grout is very easy to shape in outside corners where tile wraps around a wall, curb or shower niche. It is harder to achieve the same effect with epoxy grout, since it takes a little longer to set up in the grout joint.
It makes the most sense to grout a bathroom in three to five rounds. Epoxy grout sets quickly, so you don't want to mix all the grout for the bathroom and then rush it into place.

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