Most people do not know the difference between sanded and unsanded grout. When it comes to sanded vs unsanded grout for ceramic tile installation, you will discover that they both have positives and negatives. For this reason, it is important for you to be aware of the differences when you are choosing bathroom grout for your tile installation projects.

Basically, the differences are pretty straightforward since one includes sand within the grout while the other does not. Generally, sand is needed to strengthen the cement inside the grout and make it stronger and also prevent cracks. The sanded grout include cement and sand blended with a color, while unsanded grout only include color and cement.

As a result, if you are comparing the strength and durability of the sanded vs unsanded grout, you will discover that the one without sand will not be as strong and is going to crack particularly along larger grout joints. Even though, it might seem that unsanded grout will not be good for tile installation, this would be ideal for certain tile such as the stone ones with smaller grout lines.

It is possible to determine when you have sanded grout by simple touching with your finger to see if it has a tough texture and upon close inspection the sand will also be noticeable. On the other hand, the unsanded grout should have a smoother texture with no sand showing in the grout.

When installing porcelain and ceramic tiles with more than one sixteenth inch of grout in the joints, the sanded grout will be the best option. These kinds of floor tile installations can gain from having grout a stronger and more durable grout which is more unlikely to crack. In addition it will be a lot easier for you to apply sanded grout to get a nicer appearance along the grout joints.

However, if you have smaller grout joints under one sixteenth of an inch or even less it is best to use the unsanded grout. When you have smaller grout lines the sanded grout cannot fit inside the little nooks and crannies which are common during these kinds of tile installations. This is particularly common during shower installations which use standard four or six inch tiles because these tiles are more or less butted up against one another. In such situations it is best to use the unsanded grout because you stand a better chance of avoiding cracks.

In many cases unsanded grout can become dingy and dirty, which will eventually lead to cracks. When installing shower tile in your bathroom over a period of time you will notice a buildup of mildew and mold inside the unsanded grout which is extremely hard to clean. In these instances it is advisable to take out and replace the old grout with the most effective recaulking and regrouting procedure. Keep in mind that regrouting will not be the best option for sanded grout because it will be much harder for you to remove using the regular tools.

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