It shouldn’t be difficult to choose the right grout for your shower tiles. The selection process shouldn’t be complicated, aside from knowing the difference between color, unsanded grout and epoxy grout.
However, you will be overwhelmed by the number of options available if your search is for best grout to use in your shower.
The most important thing is to ensure that your grout is waterproof and sealed. There are three ways to do this.
1: You can use standard cement-based grout (we’ll talk about sanded grout and non sanded mortar) and then add a sealing agent
2: You can use waterproof epoxy grout (great but costly and requires a lot more work),
3 You could use pre-sealed waterproof grout.
The choices you make will be influenced by your budget, your skills and how much work you are willing to do. It also depends on the size of the tiles that you choose.
This article will discuss our top 5 choices for best grout for shower tiles. They are based on many situations and have the ultimate goal to help you choose the right product.
Summary Of The Top 4 Shower Grout Picks
1. Elmers E873 Tile Grout
You can repair grout in your shower or set tiles in your shower with Elmers E873 Ceramic Tile Grout. It is our top pick for shower grout.
This stuff is extremely affordable and very user-friendly (comes with handy squirt tube tubes), and it is recommended for bathtubs and showers.
Two products are recommended if you’re completing a major renovation and need to install new tiles in your bathroom.
2. Polyblend Cement Grout
We recommend using a Polyblend standard cement grout with Aquamix Enrich n Seal sealant for the most economical route.
This is the traditional, old-fashioned method of grouting. It involves very simple prep/cleanup and carries a low risk of error.
3. Laticretes SpectraLOCK Pro Epoxy
Laticretes SpectraLOCK PRO epoxy is the best grout for long-lasting performance and durability. It can withstand mildew, rot and stains far better than any other product.
Some people don’t like that epoxy-based grout doesn’t look as natural as traditional cement-based grout. This product is 3-part and requires a lot more prep work. It is definitely not the fastest, easiest or cheapest.
4. Perma Tile Waterproof Tile Grout
Perma-Tile Waterproof Tile Shower Grout is the best option if you want to grout your shower tile in a simple and easy way.
This grout sealer costs approximately the same as regular grout but requires no prep work.
Review Of The Best Grout For Shower Tiles
Elmers E873 Tile Grout
It is not the best choice for remodeling projects that involve installing a new shower. However, it can be used to repair old grout.
A 2-pack of 170gm tubes can be purchased. This should be enough to completely re-grout any standard-sized shower, even master bathrooms.
If you plan on re-grouting, the instructions say that 1/41 cm should be removed from the grout.
Many people use a small screwdriver to repair grout that has fallen out or chipped.
People prefer to apply grout by squirting it on their fingers and spreading it, instead of squirting directly from the tube. They then use a damp cloth or sponge to clean up any excess grout.
It should be completely dried by the time you are ready to use your shower.
Things we enjoyed
- It’s super easy and convenient to use
- A cost-effective way to improve the look of your entire shower.
- Looks clean and non-sanded.
Things we didn’t like
- White grout is the only choice
- It doesn’t look like regular cement grout. Unless you re-grout your whole shower, patches/repairs may be obvious.
The Most Economical Grout For Shower Tiles: Polyblend Cement Based Grout W/ Aquamix Enrich N Sealant
You can use a traditional Portland cement-based grout to grout your showers. Then, add a waterproof grout sealant.
Unsanded grout is best for stone tile gaps less than an (which is almost any normal shower) Anywhere above an, you will need to use sanded grout. Sanded grout is thicker to fill in gaps better.
A Polyblend 1 lb tub can be purchased, but it will likely take 3kg to cover a standard-sized shower. Most people purchase a Polyblend 5 kg tub, which will provide more than enough.
The process of applying the grout is very simple.
Applying the Enrich n Seal sealant is easy. Simply wipe off 2-3 layers using a damp cloth once the grout has dried completely. The sealant can also be used to seal natural stones and raw sand/rock tile.
Remember that Polyblend grout is available in many colors. Make sure to read the description before you shop and choose the right grout color for your tile.
Things we enjoyed
- Easy application and cleaning of standard cement-based grout
- Available in multiple colors
- Proper sealing can extend its life up to 15 Years
- Elegant, classic, and finished
Things we didn’t like
- The grout is more expensive than the waterproof sealant
- Available only in 1- or 5-Kg tubs.
Laticrete SpectraLock Pro Stainproof Pro Is The Best Epoxy Grout For Showers
Cement-based grouts can be porous and absorb moisture, while epoxy is completely waterproof and non-porous. Epoxy is also a great adhesive. It makes sense to choose a waterproof epoxy grout instead of a cement-based grout when you are installing shower tiles.
(Also epoxy is stronger and more durable that cement-based and will offer superior long-term resistance against stains and mildew).
While epoxy has many advantages, it also has some drawbacks. It is expensive and requires a lot more preparation work than traditional grout.
SpectraLock Pro epoxy grout is among the most popular and high-quality. It is a favorite of professional bathroom tile contractors. The full A/B tub is sufficient to grout an entire shower. However, you will need to buy the Part C (4 kg) separately.
You’ll spend over 100 dollars to grout your shower with epoxy. This is a significant amount more than you would pay for cementitious grout with sealant.
Things we enjoyed
-
The complete A/B Kit (you need to mix A and B together), includes everything you need, including prep and cleanup supplies, and detailed step-by-step instructions.
-
There are many colors to choose from (Part C is what determines color so make sure you look at all of the options).
-
Mildew and stain resistance are far better than cement-based grout
Things we didn’t like
-
Mixing parts A and B together will give you approximately 45 minutes of work. If you don’t finish the job before it cures, you are screwed
-
Its expensive
-
It takes a lot of preparation and cleaning before it is ready for you to use.
Choose The Best Shower Tile Grout: Perma Tile Waterproof Tile Grout
PermaTile waterproof grout is our #1 choice.
It works just like regular cement-based grout. You can make any color you wish. The best part? This one-step process requires no measuring, mixing, or waterproof sealants.
A 2kg tub is sufficient to grout a small shower. However, if you need to grout anything larger than 40 square feet, two tubs will probably be needed.
This grout is also unsanded, so it’s ideal for standard shower tile joints that are either 1/41 cm or 1/51 cm.
Finally, if you require a color other that white (which it does come in), you can simply add a grout pigment to get any color you want.
Things we enjoyed
-
Waterproof without the need to buy/add/mix extra sealants
-
One-step application using a grout floating (plus cleaning with a damp cloth).
-
Mix in pigments to achieve any color you desire
Things we didn’t like
-
Cementitious grout is more expensive than regular cementitious grout
-
Only one size (2kg tub) available
There Are Other Things To Consider When Shopping For The Best Grout For Your Shower.
Grout serves two primary functions: It holds tiles together and prevents moisture and water from getting under them.
This gives your tile floor or wall a finished, clean look, but it’s more of an artistic feature than a functional one.
Although we have already covered the most important things to remember when purchasing grout for your specific shower project, it is worth reviewing:
-
The grout must be either waterproof (epoxy) or water/moisture-resistant.
-
Think about your project. Are you going to do repairs or install new tiles and grout? Keep in mind that if you are doing repairs, it may be difficult to blend the new grout with the existing grout.
-
How wide will your tiles be spaced? Standard shower tiles will have gaps of either 1/41 cm or 0.75 cm. You can use epoxy or sanded grout if you are doing something else, such as a tile mosaic.
Another thing to think about when you decide to use epoxy grout is the temperature. As we mentioned earlier, you can start working immediately after mixing the epoxy resin and the curing agent. You should be able to work at lower temperatures (under 68-deg), but you might feel rushed if you are working at higher temperatures.
You should also consider the pressure coming from your showerhead. Does that pose a problem for you?
This is why it’s important to work in small batches.
It is best to never mix more than one quart of the same liquid at once.
Conclusion/The Bottom Line
We would choose the Perma Tile Waterproof grout if we were to take on a project.
It is easy to use and doesn’t require any sealants or additives. You just need to add water and spread it out using a grout floating, and you’ll have a traditional looking, waterproof cementitious grout that will last for years.
Do you want more? You can also check out these other articles that I have written:
