Start with the grout data sheet, not an old label
Grout fills and finishes tile joints; the setting material bonds tile to the substrate. The practical selection order is tile surface, product-approved joint width, exposure, movement details, maintenance target, and installer capability.
The familiar “sanded for wide joints, unsanded for narrow joints” shortcut describes some legacy cement grouts, but it is no longer a complete specification. A current conventional sanded product from LATICRETE lists joints from 1/16 to 1/2 inch. See the manufacturer’s stated range. The manufacturer says PERMACOLOR is formulated without sand. It lists joints from 1/16 to 1/2 inch. The current page says it no longer requires sealing. Compare the current cement-grout documentation.
That does not make every grout interchangeable. Use the named product’s technical data sheet and installation instructions. Check compatibility with polished stone, glass, metal tile and other sensitive finishes, and make a test area when scratching, staining or haze would be costly.
Sanded vs unsanded: a useful category, not a universal rule
Traditional cement-grout labels still tell you something about the formula. Aggregate helps a sanded grout build a dense joint, while an unsanded formula is often considered for smooth finishes and tight work. But the package instructions decide the usable width and surface limitations.
LATICRETE describes 1500 Sanded Grout as a cement, graded-aggregate and polymer blend for joints from 1/16 to 1/2 inch. See the 1500 Sanded Grout page. LATICRETE describes 1600 Unsanded Grout as a polymer-fortified portland-cement formula. The manufacturer lists it for wet and dry areas. See the 1600 Unsanded Grout page. Those documents show why an article-wide 1/8-inch dividing line is too blunt.
A newer high-performance cement grout can change the decision again. LATICRETE says PERMACOLOR is formulated without sand. The manufacturer lists joints from 1/16 to 1/2 inch. The current page says it no longer requires sealing. Review the PERMACOLOR details. The actionable rule is: select an actual product, then confirm its width range, approved uses, sealing instruction and tile compatibility. Do not substitute a generic label for the data sheet.
Epoxy grout: higher performance with a tighter installation process
Epoxy grout combines resin, hardener and filler rather than relying on portland cement. It is often shortlisted when stain resistance, color consistency and reduced sealing maintenance justify added material cost and installation discipline.
The current SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium page describes that product as a high-performance epoxy grout with color uniformity, durability and stain protection. The page lists 1/16-to-1/2-inch joints. It says the grout never needs sealing. It states an 80-minute working time at 70°F. Read the SPECTRALOCK product limits. The manufacturer qualifies “stainproof” as applying to common household substances in residential installations and tells users to clean spills immediately.
Treat those as product-specific facts, not promises for every epoxy. Before bidding, confirm unit size and coverage, temperature-dependent working time, approved substrates and tile types, cleaning stages, return-to-service time, movement-joint treatment and installer experience. A small mockup is cheap compared with cured resin haze on textured tile.
Does cement grout need sealing? Check the named product
“Cement grout always needs sealer” is no longer a safe universal rule. Some conventional products may call for or permit a penetrating sealer; other modern cementitious grouts explicitly say sealing is not required. LATICRETE calls PERMACOLOR a high-performance cementitious tile grout. Its current product page says it no longer requires sealing. Check the manufacturer’s current instruction.
Use this sequence instead:
- Read the grout data sheet and care instructions.
- Decide whether the tile or stone also needs sealing and whether the proposed sealer is compatible.
- Respect cure time before any approved sealer or aggressive cleaning.
- Record the exact grout, color, batch and care instructions in the closeout package.
- Test cleaner or sealer in an inconspicuous area before broad application.
Sealer is not a repair for voids, cracks, failed movement joints, poor slope or a missing waterproofing layer. It may change absorption and cleanup behavior, but it cannot convert an incorrect tile assembly into a correct one.
How to choose grout for a real tile assembly
Use a submittal-style check instead of choosing by color alone.
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Joint | Minimum and maximum width on the named grout data sheet |
| Tile | Scratch, stain, porosity and haze risk; mock up sensitive surfaces |
| Exposure | Interior, exterior, submerged, chemical, food, freeze-thaw or high traffic |
| Movement | Sealant and movement-joint locations; grout is not a movement joint |
| Maintenance | Whether this grout requires, permits or rejects a sealer |
| Installation | Pot life, wash timing, temperature, cure and return to service |
If tile selection is still open, compare ceramic and porcelain tile before finalizing grout and cleaning methods. In a shower, put the waterproofing decision ahead of grout selection. LATICRETE describes HYDRO BAN as a load-bearing waterproofing and crack-isolation membrane. The manufacturer says the membrane bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates. It says tile, brick and stone can be installed directly onto the membrane. See the membrane description. Our shower waterproofing systems guide explains the broader assembly choices. Grout is the exposed joint finish; it is not a substitute for the specified waterproofing system behind the tile.
Grout types and sealing FAQ
Is sanded grout always for joints 1/8 inch and wider?
No. Joint ranges are product-specific. One current sanded grout lists 1/16 to 1/2 inch, and a high-performance cement grout formulated without sand lists the same range. Read the named product data sheet.
Does every cement grout need sealing?
No. Follow the exact product instructions. Some cementitious grouts may use a sealer, while current PERMACOLOR documentation says that product does not require sealing.
Does epoxy grout need sealing?
The cited SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium epoxy product says it never needs sealing. Do not assume every resinous grout has identical instructions; check the selected product.
Can grout waterproof a shower?
Do not use grout as the waterproofing plan. Specify and inspect the shower’s substrate, slope, waterproofing membrane, transitions and penetrations before tile and grout conceal them.
What should a grout mockup test?
Use the actual tile, grout color and cleaning process. Check surface scratching, pigment pickup, haze, joint profile, color consistency and cleanup before approving production work.