From what we’re understanding of your comment, it sounds like the tiles themselves are too gritty for your tastes. If you don’t like the appearance of the tiles themselves, unfortunately the only solution is a new tile installation. You can tile directly over the old tiles if you want to, but the better rout by far is to take the old ones off and then replace them.

Mapei Ultracolor Sand Grout | Tile Grout | Tile Giant

So, to help you take a side in the sanded vs. unsanded grout debate, we’ve put together this guide. Whether your next project is a residential shower tile installation, an outdoor patio, or a kitchen renovation, you’re sure to benefit from the knowledge you’ll gain from our guide. Most flooring specialists have an intimate knowledge about the difference between sanded vs.unsanded grout. But even some experienced general contractors are still unsure about the differences between the two most common grouting materials.When cement-based, unsanded grout dries, it shrinks – and it can pull away from tiles. Adding sand to the grouting mix ensures that the material doesn’t shrink as much. This is because the ratio of aggregate material to cement is much higher. For pure durability, sanded grout always wins in the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout. A final note is that you won’t be able to use just any sanded grout if you’re working on extremely large tile joints. For projects with a 3/8 of an inch or larger tile joint, you’ll need what’s known as “wide-joint mixture” grout, which is readily available at most flooring and hardware stores. Wide-joint mixture has a higher volume of large aggregate material to further reduce shrinkage issues. This makes it perfect for tile projects with large grout joints. 2. Unsanded Grout Provides A Better Hold On Vertical Surfaces However, instead of being using the reaction between cement and water, these grouting options use advanced chemical compounds, consisting of a base and an activator. When you add the activator to the base, the grout begins to cure in a non-reversible chemical reaction that results in an extremely strong hold. Another consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the tile material that you’re working with. The harsh aggregate material present in sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite, marble, limestone, and other soft stones. First , it’s harder for you to work with sanded grout in tight spaces. The aggregate “sand” material used to create it can be quite bulky, and preclude you from being able to squeeze it into small tile joints, making it unsuitable for precision work. Sanded grout is durable, but that doesn’t really matter if you can’t even manage to squeeze it in between your tile applications correctly.

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For Mapei, “zero impact on climate change” means that CO 2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle of ULTRACOLOR PLUS using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of renewable energy and forestry protection projects. A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity. Now, you probably already know most of what we went over above – you’re a professional, after all – but it’s always good to expand your knowledge as a contractor. Still, if you’re working on highly-polished tiles that have a joint of more than ⅛ of an inch, epoxy unsanded grout is going to be the best choice. It’s more durable than traditional grout, and doesn’t pose the risk of scratching, that sanded grout does. When it comes to preserving softer, more delicate tiling materials, the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout is not a contest at all. 4. Sanded Grout Should Never Be Used For Joints Smaller Than 1/8 Of An Inch Regarding the levelness of the tiles, if you can’t see visually (not by touching them) that the tiles are not perfectly level, then it’s probably not worth redoing parts of the installation, which is what you’d have to do to change this. Do you know if your contractor used a leveling system? If he did, than it’s definitely not worth it to reinstall sections of the tile because he’s done what’s possible to keep the tiles as level as they can be. High performance, fast setting, mould-resistant and water-repellent grout from the world’s largest manufacturer of adhesives, grouts, sealants and specialty products for the building industry.Sanded grout can work a lot like sandpaper. The materials used to create the sand are often much harder than soft stones. Spreading sanded grout over soft tiles can cause damage, especially on soft limestones and marbles. This is a huge determining factor when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout. Hello. Regarding the differences in the grout width, we recommend you bear in mind that there is a variation of 1/32nd of an inch in some of your grout lines. This is a very small difference and probably isn’t noticeable. Also, tiles are installed by hand, so expecting every grout line to be identical down the to 1/32nd inch might be asking a bit much. So if you’re doing a project with joints that are smaller than 1/8 inch, you run the risk of having trouble installing your tiles correctly. In addition, you could be leaving behind, pinholes that tell customers that you used the wrong grouting material– neither of which is ideal. Understand The Difference Between Sanded Vs. Unsanded Grout – And Make Your Next Contract A Success It’s a bad idea to use sanded grout for precision joints that are smaller than 1/8 of an inch. For precision work, unsanded grout is almost always a better choice.