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Avoiding grout issues in shower floor - epoxy grout?

3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

hi,

We have had a nightmare with our original shower floor install (walk-thru shower with penny-round porcelein tile) and we are having to redo it. The dark grout was impossible to clean, and ended up staining badly (long story) within a year.


I've heard about epoxy grout - will this prevent the grout staining?


Also, any recommendations on dark grey vs white grout with dark grey porcelein tile?


many thanks!


David

Comments (5)

  • 3 years ago

    Following this. My shower grout is the bane of my existence.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Epoxy is complete overkill for residential. Commercial restaurants or commercial steam showers? Sure. Modern polyurethane, acrylic, or resin modified grout? Absolutely. Easy care for anyone. Without the yellowing of epoxy.

    Most ”grout” issues though, are really lack of adequate ventilation issures, incorrectly waterproofed shower issues, use of incorrect personal care products issues, or poor cleaning issues. All of those issues are under your control. Even a cast iron pan, or epoxy grout will grow mold, if those behavioral issues are not solved before using the new shower.

    The only factor not fully under your control is incorrect waterproofing. But that is under your control via hiring a qualified contractor. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

  • 3 years ago

    I LOVE my epoxy grout and anyone who thinks it's overkill must not have had to clean grout themselves. It is bombproof. Nothing stains it, it doesn't really even get dirty, no scrubbing necessary. People claim it will yellow (if you use white) but mine is more an ivory color and has not changed one bit. You will not be sorry, but you have to be sure your tiler is experienced with it or willing to take their time to do it right.

    I would probably use a grout color close to the tile color or maybe a little lighter. I don't know if dark epoxy grout would show stuff like soap residue or not.

  • 3 years ago

    I put epoxy grout in my son’s bathroom at a previous home. Anyone who sees my son’s bathroom would agree that epoxy is not overkill for residential. I wish I had it in our current home. It is amazing and I would recommend it. When we regrout, I will do epoxy. Also, I think anything really light or really dark is just harder to keep clean. I generally like to choose grout that is close to the tile color. Are you redoing the tile also or just the grout? If you are redoing tile also, I would look for something that’s in the mid-tone range. Was it a waterproofing problem that caused your grout issues?

  • 3 years ago

    Not overkill, epoxy grout in residential showers is the best thing to use. You need an installer that knows how to work with it. White will go cream/ivory/antique over time and it will most likely not be a true white to begin with. If your tile is not stark white, you may not notice.