Cement Grout, Epoxy Grout and Which to Choose

Grout is the part of a tiled surface that holds soil, and the material decides how much maintenance it will need for its whole life.

What matters, and why.

Cement grout

Porous. It absorbs liquid and stains, and it needs sealing and resealing. It is also cheaper, easier to repair and far more common.

Epoxy grout

Effectively non-porous. It resists staining and does not need sealing, which is why it suits wet areas and kitchens. It is harder to install well and less forgiving.

Cleaning versus staining

Dirty grout responds to mechanical scrubbing. Grout still grey afterwards is stained through, and the honest options are recolouring or replacement.

Recolouring

A durable coloured sealer over cleaned grout. It looks new and it lasts. We are straight about which of your grout would benefit and which would not.

If this is something you would rather hand over, our marble and hard surface care is scoped at an inspection and confirmed in writing before any work begins. We will also tell you when a job does not need us.

Questions

Answered plainly.

Sealing slows absorption considerably. It does not make it epoxy.

In a shower area, usually. Across a whole floor, the cost difference grows quickly.

Every one to two years in a wet area, longer elsewhere. A water droplet that soaks in rather than beading tells you it is due.