Sophie, for inside shower on the floor, do you like the Mapei Kerapoxy CQ or the Fusion Pro? it will be on Nero Marquino Hex tile.

jaime,,,,here is the warm gray

thank you that's a beautiful color. where do I get this product? Is it easy to apply myself?

btw this is only for the grout on the floors, I'm not doing anything in the shower

I use Flexcolor CQ for everything. Epoxy isn't really needed except in a commercial situation. It's acrylic based, never needs sealing, and is the same color every single time.

You really should do the shower too. The dark grout showcases the imperfections in the setting too much. With the lighter color, they will be much less noticeable. You can buy it at Lowes on the shelf in my area. Yours may have to order it.

Is the Flexcolor CQ as difficult to apply and remove off of marble products as the Epoxy based grout? I'll be using a charcoal grout for the floor but the walls will be in that warm gray you just spoke about. Flexcolor CQ for the walls as well? it's larger white subway.

It's more difficult than standard cement based grout, but far from as difficult as epoxy. It's non porous once it cures. Don't forget the color matching caulk for the change of planes.

I've used Polyblend Grout Renew, it's all in one colorant and sealer. The only thing you need to make sure the grout is cleaned really well before applying.

ok perfect. thanks. I couldn't really find any info on which would be better to use. Is it prone to scratching at all while grouting? the hex is honed. Also on that subject, I normally use 511. Any other impregnating sealer for marble that you like better?

No it doesn't scratch, I've used it in several places and it doesn't stain either as long as you get to it right away.

Microfine sands shouldn't scratch even glass. 511, wiped on the face only of the mosaic before setting. Honed may need a second coat with the additional surface texture to grab. Depends on the tile. Sample board will tell. Then after the grout cures well, another coat swiped across it. Wipe up the excess after 15. But you probably know that.

yes i've already done all of that. I always seal the top of my stones before grouting. My batch of 511 must be on the old side because it left staining marks on the black marble. Never had issues with it in the past so I'm guessing it's just old. I'm just unfamiliar w/these other grouts, having only used the cementious based grout in the past.

is powergrout as good as the CQ? I have a new marble tile floor installed and my contractor wants to grout first with powergrout and then seal the marble. He is saying sometimes the sealer prevents the grout from setting well. Any opinions?

when you seal before grouting, you only seal the tops. It's tedious work because it has to be done by hand, each individual tile, with no drips going down the sides. (sounds like he doesn't want to do this!) It also helps after grouting by making clean up easier. I sealed the tiles myself before they were laid.

Sealer is not applied to grout until at least a 3 days to one weeks after grouting in order to let all moisture dissipate.

OP I would clean grout and see how it looks and performs with a sealer applied. Lt more work then just applying grout and with marble cleaning out this grout lines can easily damage the tile themselves. Get the toothbrush out.

If you seal with 511 first it can cause grout issues as marble will soak in the product even if only applied to the top. Other issue is the 511 can get a sand blasted look if a cement based grout is used. Lastly you can trap the moisture in the tile causing discoloration.

As you are grouting you will see the water soaking into the tiles edges. Regina listen to your contractor.

If the marble is polished I would just grout or use a grout release vs a sealer. Seal afterward. Non sanded allows you to have the floor polished if needed.

Laticrete has matching silicone caulk for wet areas.

Maybe look into a product to stain the grout you have removing grout is a tedious job with real risk of damage to tile so IMO a last resort