Epoxy Grout vs. Cement Grout

Grout is a thick paste that has many applications. The application most people are familiar with is for filling cracks between tiles to help keep them in place. Tile grout is typically cement-based. In fact, cement-based grout is used by 94% of American contractors in both commercial and residential projects. For the most part, cement-based grout has a history of doing the job it’s meant to do. There are, however, some issues with cement-based grout that make it a not-so-good choice for your tile projects. There are many reasons why cement grout has simply seen its time, there are now better options to improve your grouting which is known to be the weakest link in a tile installation, so why use products that fail when you don’t have to?

Nobody Loves Cement Grout – and Here’s Why

While cement grout is frequently used in tile work, it’s really not the best choice. Cement-based grout products are thinner than mortar and building cement, allowing it to flow better into cracks and other areas. It works well, but one of its biggest characteristics, and also its major drawback, is the porous nature of cement-based grout products. There are almost undetectable openings throughout the grout mixture, left there even after it dries. The problem with this is, the pores allow dirt and other outside elements to find their way into the grout where it becomes embedded. This causes staining and even allows mold and mildew to embed itself into the grout. The cement acts not only as a conduit for stains, it helps the stains adhere to the grout lines. This means new grout lines can begin taking on discoloration if they are exposed to any staining materials. Cement-based products are also not waterproof. Excessive water, and especially the kind of moisture found in showers, can cause damage to cement-based grout, which is why a sealing process is required for all projects using this type of grout.

Not all Grout Products are Created Equal

If traditional grout is so susceptible to staining, isn’t there a better way to do tile work than to use cement-based grout products? There actually is another option. Grout products made with epoxy is the answer. Epoxy Grout is a far superior grout than traditional grout and can be used in the same ways as traditional grout products. In fact, Litokol epoxy grout products, distributed exclusively by The Tile Doctor within the United States, are far superior than even other epoxy grout products – see The Tile Doctor Provides the Safest Grout for the Installer and Environment. There are several key characteristics that make epoxy grout not only an alternative to cement grout, but a much better choice than cement grout.

Most importantly, epoxy grout is strong and durable. It is highly resistant to stains, cracks, chemicals, harsh weather conditions, and climate changes. These characteristics make epoxy grout the only way to go if you’re looking for the most durable, efficient way to do tile work. The strength of epoxy grout makes it perfect for any tile job, indoors or outdoors. The stain, crack and chemical-resistant properties make it suitable for areas with high traffic. The resistance to weather and climate changes make it ideal for areas where it will be subjected to harsh weather conditions or excessive amounts of humidity or severe cold.

You will hear a lot of talk about the difficulty of working with epoxy grout. Early epoxy products were difficult, but changes in the formulation have made epoxy grout easy to work with. Advances in products like Litokol Starlike Grout, make working with epoxy grout easier than other types of grout. Starlike Grout is formulated for easy clean up. It’s also non-toxic and 100% safe for installers, people, pets, and the environment.

Epoxy grout is a bit more expensive than cement-based grout products, but this really isn’t an issue in the long run. When you look at a few more of the positive aspects of epoxy grout products, though, you’ll quickly know how wise it is to choose epoxy grout over traditional grout. And when considering the added expense for upgrading to epoxy and solving the weakest link in a tile installation, one must consider how inexpensive it is relative to the overall cost of the project. For example, we will use a 240 square foot Kitchen floor project: The cost of tile and professional installation on national average is about $2,100.00. Based upon that, the cost to upgrade from cement to epoxy is 5% more, which is under 100.00. Therefore, you have to ask yourself, why would anyone still use cement grout?

As to the greater expense, the durability of epoxy grout negates the difference in price simply because it lasts so much longer. Epoxy grout will not crumble and begin to fall apart over time, whereas traditional grout products have a tendency to weaken, making it more likely you will incur the expense of redoing your tile at some point if you use cement-based products. With light maintenance, Epoxy grout will last a lifetime, so you know you’re never going to have to invest in extensive and expensive tile replacement.

Litokol Epoxy grout is not only functional, it has great decorative properties as well. Contractors and designers use The Tile Doctor’s exclusive Litokol Epoxy grout not only for its utilitarian purpose, but to make a fashion statement. Litokol epoxy grout products come in a multitude of colors and styles (currently 159+), which makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to add some sparkle and creativity to their tile projects, and because it’s easy to install and clean, it’s the perfect choice for every tile project. Whether you’re a homeowner who’s working on a tile project, someone who remodels houses, an architect, a designer, or a contractor, epoxy grout is a good option all the way around. Its durability and beauty make it the right choice regardless of where you plan to use it. So to summarize, epoxy grout is durable and long lasting, which makes it great for high-traffic areas, and you can find epoxy grout in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes to give tile projects a unique appearance that will complement any area, indoors or out. Litokol epoxy grout products use no pigment, do not require sealing, and come in 159+ colors and finishes (see Color Chart ), making it the highest-quality and most versatile choice for any tile project.

The Best in Epoxy Grout and Grout-Related Products

When you’re ready to get started on your next tile project, finding the highest quality epoxy grout products anywhere in the world is easy.

The Tile Doctor is partnered with Litokol, the leader in high-performance products in the construction industry. Litokol, has its headquarters in Rubiera, Italy. The company has been bringing innovation and quality to the construction industry since 1968 and has been promoting innovative solutions for professionals in the construction industry and the design world. Litokol is sold in over 120 countries, and The Tile Doctor is the exclusive North American distributor for their innovative, high-performance grout and grout-related products. Those products include a wide range of high performance and creative design options that adhere to to ISO 9001-2000 certification.

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One of Litokol’s products, distributed by The Tile Doctor, is the Starlike brand of epoxy grout, available in three collections that include over 159+ colors and finishes, which allows you to make the most of your next tile project. These color collections bring a range of options, including glamour colors for the more outgoing consumer and classic colors for those who prefer something a little more traditional. There are even sparkle and metallic finishes available that will bring an element of bold bedazzlement to the party. The Tile Doctor’s Starlike Crystal Glass Grout Jewels collection lets you add the beauty of sparkling jewels to your tile project, offering a range of jewel-like colors that bring depth and brilliance to your glass tile projects. The Tile Doctor also offers additives for bringing unique finishes and personalized touches to tile projects. The Galaxy, Spotlight, Gold, and Night vision additives, when mixed with Starlike, allow consumers to expand the uniqueness and creativity of their grout work by allowing them to create their own personal visions. This means the creative possibilities of using Starlike grout products from The Tile Doctor are virtually without limit.

Another great Starlike grout product from The Tile Doctor is Starlike Crystal Glass Grout. This amazing grout product lets consumers bring beauty and elegance to dull areas where before you may have used dull cement grout, not anymore!. This beautiful translucent grout is ideal for many areas of the home where you want to add color and life to glass tile projects. Starlike Crystal Glass Grout is comprised of tiny, hollow glass beads that reflect and refract light, creating a brilliant effect and eliminating the need for color grout. Like all of The Tile Doctor’s grout products, this is an epoxy grout, which means consumers can be assured their tile work will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but will have durability and longevity, maintaining its beauty for decades to come.