Sanded grout, which has...tada...sand in it...is used in grout joints 1/8" and wider. The sand is a bulk filler. It minimizes shrikage cracking as the grout cures. The particles of sand will often give sanded grout a rougher texture than unsanded.

Unsanded grout is made of a finer particulate, no sand filler, in general it is smoother. But it's for joints smaller than 1/8".

While there are varying degrees of "smooth", sanded doesn't always have to be rough-rough like coarse sand paper. Some of the finer particles can be washed away when too much water, or too heavy a hand with the sponge, is used during clean up. Or the finer particles can be dissolved away by acid cleaners, leaving a rougher surface.

Epoxies will be smooth.

I'm not terribly familiar with Tec. But I've never had a problem with Laticrete.

thanks mongo.

We used Laticrete Permacolor the last time I did this tile in the old house. And it was very rough. But, since it was white it was ok. But if I'm doing a light gray this time, I don't want it to look like cement. But we haven't decided if we are doing gray or white.