Grout Width and sealing. - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

jritkes · 09-15-2008, 08:12 AM

Hello all,

Probably a common question but here goes.

We are having our bathroom done with porcelain tiles.
Stall hower floor I assume we should use sanded grout because the tiles are 3/16 apart on the sheets and it is more durable.

My wife wants the smallest possible grout lines.

Can I do 1/16 on the walls (6x6 tiles) and the very small bathroom floor (12x12 tiles)? If so is it ok to do that small of a gap on a floor with unsanded grout?
I read the durability might not be so good for a floor.

Also the contractor stated he does not seal the grout. Is that normally part of a job? If not should I do it? Is it necessary?

Thanks you all!!

Bud Cline · 09-15-2008, 10:22 AM

What types of roofing do you do?

hayleymench · 09-15-2008, 09:16 PM

From everything I had seen or heard, I would think it would be fine.

Mr.Renovator · 09-28-2008, 10:36 AM

I just finished a bathroom with 1/16 inch gaps on floors and walls.It's ok to use non sanded grout on floor,because you should only use sanded for 1/8 or larger.Not only this job,but I've done this many times.It was even ok'd by my suppliers.Contractor's tipically don't seal because you need to wait a couple days to remove all moisture,then seal.We never seal immediatly,and refer this to homowner.

R&D Tile · 09-28-2008, 05:58 PM

The type of grout used is determined by the grout joint, not whether it's a floor or a wall, all tight joints used with stone on floors is unsanded.

Sealing as part of the job depends on what was installed, if stone, I price it into the job and I do it, if just for the grout, I tell them what it would cost for me to come back in a week to seal it and 95% of the time, THEY will do it, but I will tell them how and with what product.

Tileworks · 09-28-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jritkes

...shower floor I assume we should use sanded grout because the tiles are 3/16 apart on the sheets and it is more durable.

Yes, this is correct. Unsanded grout is for joints 1/8" or less, sanded is for 1/8" or more. I would use unsanded on the walls and sanded on the floor.

Quote:

Can I do 1/16 on the walls (6x6 tiles) and the very small bathroom floor (12x12 tiles)? If so is it ok to do that small of a gap on a floor with unsanded grout? I read the durability might not be so good for a floor.

Use the unsanded in the 1/16" joints on the floor as well.

Quote:

Also the contractor stated he does not seal the grout. Is that normally part of a job? If not should I do it? Is it necessary?

It's part of the job if he offers it, and it is not part of the job if he does not :-)

I typically seal everything, but not necessarily on every occasion.

- Bob

Mike Finley · 09-28-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tileworks

It's part of the job if he offers it, and it is not part of the job if he does not :-)- Bob

More specifically it's part of the job if he listed it and is charging you for it.