Best grout for shower floor? Epoxy?

11 years ago

I really hate grout, and am re-doing my master bath with rectified porcelain tile so I can get the smallest possible grout line. My shower floor will be done in 2" x 2" files, and I read that with that size, you really need to have at least a 1/8" grout line. I don't think I need epoxy grout on the whole project, and I'm reading that it's quite a bit more expensive and really overkill for most residential projects, but I'm wondering if I should ask for it on the shower floor only. I really don't want stained, mildewed grout ever again, and with my tile color, I will have to have a light color grout.
If I use epoxy on the floor, but not on the walls of the shower or anywhere else, will the grout colors match? Is there anything better than standard cement grout but not as expensive or difficult to work with as epoxy, that will give me the same benefits as epoxy? Any information will be much appreciated. My tile person told me he uses standard cement grout, and would use sanded on the shower floor, but he would probably use epoxy if I insist. I got the impression it was not something he normally used.

Comments (5)

phiwwy
11 years ago
I used epoxy on my shower floor, but mainly because it's a steam shower. My walls are a different tile thus a differnt grout color altogether -but the same tile/grout was used on the main bathroom floor. the epoxy changed the color ever so slightly, but since it's separated by the shower threshold, it looks totally fine.
marys235
Original Author
11 years ago
My shower floor tile is just a smaller version of the shower wall and bathroom floor tile, so I'm concerned a change in the grout color will be pretty noticeable. Is Grout Boost an effective product? Anyone used that?
Related Professionals
Commerce City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hammond Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mount Prospect Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pleasant Grove Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ridgefield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · White House Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Williamstown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fort Washington Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Sun Valley Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Fort Myers Glass & Shower Door Dealers · Larkspur Glass & Shower Door Dealers · Longmont Glass & Shower Door Dealers · Holt Cabinets & Cabinetry · North New Hyde Park Cabinets & Cabinetry · Potomac Cabinets & Cabinetry
weedyacres
11 years ago
One difference if you have epoxy grout on the shower floor and regular grout on the walls, is that regular grout darkens when wet. Epoxy grout stays the same color. It's not a big deal, as you're not showing your house to sell when the shower's wet, but it's something to be aware of.

I've used epoxy grout in some rooms and regular in others (DIY), and I would definitely use epoxy grout on a shower floor to ensure I could keep it clean.
mic111
11 years ago
Grout boost did nothing for us except turn the grout white. We had to seal the grout with a enhancing sealer after removing the white with acid. The grout sucked up the sealer like a sponge which indicates the grout boost was useless. Definitely use epoxy. My contractor did the nicest job with the epoxy, much better than he did with the regular grout and it was very easy for him to work with.
Jeannie Williams
last year
I just installed Ardex Epoxy Grout in a shower pan. The epoxy grout color was Silver Shimmer and the mosaic shower pan tile was a polished Niles Marble Basketweave Mosaic with tiny black square dots.

The epoxy grout and the tile came from The Tile Shop in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Classic white subway tiles are 3x6. I plan to use a plain white grout on the walls as soon as it can be grouted. After that, finish plumbing connections.

The epoxy grout is still a little dark because the grout is still wet. Looks amazing with the engineered hardwood flooring!

Now for the shower door!

Tile installed by Paradise Remodeling in North Olmsted, Ohio.