Tile Grouts

Grout helps give your tiles a neat finish, and the colour you choose can change the overall look. These FAQs cover grout types, where to use tile grout or silicone, and how to apply, seal, clean or replace it.

 

What is grout?

Tile grout is a dense, usually cement-based mixture that's mixed with water and sometimes sand. It fills the gaps between wall tiles and floor tiles, helping seal the joints and give the surface a neat finish.

 

What grout colour should I choose?

It depends on the finish you want. A colour close to your tiles gives the surface a more continuous look, while contrasting grout makes each tile and the layout stand out. If your tiles have several shades, compare grout colours against a sample before deciding. For more ideas, see our guide to choosing grout colour.

 

Should I use grout or silicone?

They each have a job and they're not interchangeable:

• Grout is firm. It fills the spaces between tiles to lock them in and give a finished look.
• Silicone sealant is flexible. It's used around the edges, like where tiles meet a bath, basin or wall corner, to prevent cracking from movement and keep water from sneaking in.

Use the wrong one in the wrong place and you'll either get cracks or a messy, dirt-attracting finish.

 

Does grout really need to be sealed?

That depends on the type of tile grout you're using. Standard cement-based grout needs sealing to help prevent stains, mould and moisture damage. Flexible or polymer-modified grout, however, is often water-resistant already, although sealing adds extra peace of mind, especially in showers or wet zones.

If you use epoxy grout then no sealing is needed. It's naturally waterproof and stain resistant (and more expensive for that reason).

 

How do you apply grout?

Applying grout is the final step in your tiling project and helps create a neat finish. Once the tile adhesive has set, the joints should be clear of dust, debris and excess adhesive. A vacuum or grout rake can help clean them out.

Powder grout needs to be mixed with clean water until smooth and thick like toothpaste. A rubber grout float held at about 45 degrees helps press it diagonally into the joints.

After around 10 to 15 minutes, excess grout can be wiped from the tiles with a well-wrung damp sponge. Once the grout has dried, you can use a clean cloth to buff away any haze.

For a step-by-step guide, watch our video below:

For the tools, step-by-step instructions and help working out how much grout you need, you can also see our guide on how to grout tiles.

 

How do I stop grout drying on the tiles?

Work in manageable sections and clean excess grout at the time stated on the pack. Dried residue can be harder to remove, especially from textured tiles. Use a cleaning method suited to both your grout and tile finish.

 

How long does grout take to dry?

Usually, it needs about 24 hours before light use, and around 48 to 72 hours before you can use the shower or give it a proper clean.

Always check the product instructions; some tile grouts are faster setting but rushing it can affect the finish. Proper curing gives you better, longer-lasting results.

 

Can I put new grout on top of old grout?

You can but it's not usually the best idea. For tile grout to hold properly, it needs a solid base but old grout can be cracked, weak or full of soap residue. That means the new layer might not bond well and could fail sooner than you would like. If the old grout needs replacing, follow our guide to regrouting tiles.

If the old grout just looks tired but isn't damaged, try a grout reviver instead. It's cleaner, quicker and made for exactly that job. But if it's cracked or crumbling, it's best to remove at least the top few millimetres before regrouting. A grout removal tool makes the job easier than it sounds.