question for tile guys - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Hook131 · 02-10-2009, 12:11 AM

Everyone always says use sanded grout on the floors and non sanded on the walls of showers. and i understand it has to do with the spacing, so why can't you just use 1/8 inch gaps on the walls and use sanded for it all? i only know of one guy i used to work for who did this and it seemed like he never had problems or call backs. Anyone have a reason not to do this? my old boss said he prefered sanded better because it would leave a smoother finish with no sponge marks. Thanks
Alex

reveivl · 02-10-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hook131

Everyone always says use sanded grout on the floors and non sanded on the walls of showers. and i understand it has to do with the spacing, so why can't you just use 1/8 inch gaps on the walls and use sanded for it all? i only know of one guy i used to work for who did this and it seemed like he never had problems or call backs. Anyone have a reason not to do this? my old boss said he prefered sanded better because it would leave a smoother finish with no sponge marks. Thanks
Alex

It only has to do with grout size. Less than 1/8" use unsanded, more than 1/8" use sanded.

precisionbuild · 02-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reveivl

It only has to do with grout size. Less than 1/8" use unsanded, more than 1/8" use sanded.

1/16" or less.

detroitMi · 02-10-2009, 12:46 PM

You can use sanded grout on the floor ,it depends on what Tile you are having installed,some tiles requires small joints,some don't. Marble Granite Travertine Limestone requires 1/16" joint (have no choice) Ceramic slate and some ceramic tile requires a bigger joint ,that's when you have to use sanded grout only.

Hook131 · 02-10-2009, 07:45 PM

I explained that i understand all of that. My question was is there any reason why you couldn't use bigger spacers, like 1/8 or bigger, and go with sanded grout on the shower walls. Thanks
alex

precisionbuild · 02-10-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hook131

I explained that i understand all of that. My question was is there any reason why you couldn't use bigger spacers, like 1/8 or bigger, and go with sanded grout on the shower walls. Thanks
alex

You can. It's all about the space. The sand helps hold the grout together. 1/8" or bigger should be sanded.

RizzoMaryland · 02-10-2009, 07:59 PM

I have had problems with dark colored unsanded grout. Often it does not have a consistent color especially in 1/8" joints.

Mellison · 02-10-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hook131

I explained that i understand all of that. My question was is there any reason why you couldn't use bigger spacers, like 1/8 or bigger, and go with sanded grout on the shower walls. Thanks
alex

Not a good idea. The shower walls should be water tight. Wider grout joints will do nothing to help in this regard.
I would not go over 1/8".