Experience with epoxy grout?

[NetWareHead]

Getting an estimate to re-do a bathroom and that includes tiling the shower/bath and floors. I asked my guy about grouts that do not mildew/mold/stain and he mentioned I can upgrade to epoxy instead of standard grout.

The catch is that the epoxy grout is more than 5x expensive than regular grout. This is for a rental so I want it to look rentable for a long time. I wouldn't mind spending the money on the grout as long as it performed as promised.

I think one of the quickest ways for a bathroom to lose its luster and look grimy is stained/mildewed grout. What do you guys think?

 

[NutBucket]

Considering your renters likely won't be diligent about cleaning I would go for the epoxy.

 

[Greenman]

The stuff works as advertised. Many tile installers refuse to use it because it's difficult to work with and, easy to screw up the entire job with it.

 

[NetWareHead]

Considering your renters likely won't be diligent about cleaning I would go for the epoxy.

This is my main reason for wanting to go with the grout but just want to make sure it will perform as promised.

Its a small bathroom but even at 5x the estimated amount, I will end up paying between $100-120 for epoxy grout alone. Not a bank busting decision at all...

 

[NetWareHead]

The stuff works as advertised. Many tile installers refuse to use it because it's difficult to work with easy to screw up the entire job with it.

Thanks. Tile guy mentioned it takes longer to install so I guess there will be a corresponding increase in labor charge

 

[echo4747]

I have epoxy grout in one bathroom in my home now for over 15 years. It has held up well and does not have any stains or discolorations. I used used it in a tub surround area that had a steam generator installed to create a mini steam room. The grout has been a really humid environment as has held up really well. I do remember the guy who did the tile work, say it was a bitch to work with.

 

[edro]

I used "stain-free" grout in our shower because we knew our water had rust and it would be difficult to clean regular grout.
It still got rust stained and was still difficult to clean.
We used an epoxy sanded grout with 3/32" gaps.
It came pre mixed in a tub.

Edit: We must not have used epoxy grout since it was pre-mixed.
It must have been acrylic grout.

 

[NetWareHead]

I used it in our shower because we knew our water had rust and it would be difficult to clean regular grout.
It still got rust stained and was still difficult to clean.
We used an epoxy sanded grout with 3/32" gaps.
It came pre mixed in a tub.

We also have hard water with iron present....

Will need to look up Epoxy sanded grout and ask my tile guy. So you are saying that this grout withstands staining even better?

 

[echo4747]

I used it in our shower because we knew our water had rust and it would be difficult to clean regular grout.
It still got rust stained and was still difficult to clean.
We used an epoxy sanded grout with 3/32" gaps.
It came pre mixed in a tub.

If it came premixed( ready to use) it may not be a true epoxy grout. All epoxies I've ever seen have are 2 part systems. A hardener or activator which is added to the base

 

[echo4747]

Better explanation here...This is copied/pasted from the Tile Council of North America:



What is the difference between epoxy grout and mortar and conventional grout and mortar?

We are often asked about epoxy grout and mortar versus conventional grout and mortar.

Epoxy grout (meeting ANSI A118.3) is quite different from cementitious grout and epoxy emulsion grout. Made from epoxy resins and a filler powder, the grout is extremely hard, durable, and nearly stain proof. Often times the bond between tiles is stronger than the tile itself.

You might wonder why this type of grout is not used all the time. First, most installers find it harder to use than cementitious grout. Also, it has a more plastic appearance which, as with all matters of aesthetics, some people like and some don't. Also, it is much more difficult to shape and slope; this can be done easily with cementitious grout and is often needed to transition from one tile to another. It may also slump in the joint hours after the floor is finished because the grout becomes less viscous initially as it heats up and cures. Lastly, it generally takes days longer to cure and must be kept rigorously clean. And it can cost three to eight times as much as cementitious grout.

There are even epoxy grouts on the market impregnated with Teflon that are both stain proof (nearly) and wipe clean incredibly easily.

It is also possible to smooth epoxy grout (with or without Teflon) before it cures in a way that leaves the surface with an extra slick plastic finish to which it is very difficult for dirt to adhere.

These "100% solids" epoxy grouts should not be confused with epoxy emulsion grouts which are a mixture of cement and epoxy resins (ANSI A118.8). Epoxy emulsion grouts are not stain proof and generally will absorb liquids and stains. They are more similar to polymer fortified cementitious grout (ANSI A118.7) but may have better chemical resistance than some polymer fortified grouts.

Epoxy thinsets offer greater bond strength and chemical resistance than polymer modified cementitious thinset. This performance comes at a price as epoxy thinset is much more expensive than regular thinset. Typically, they are only used to bond to difficult substrates or where extraordinary chemical resistance is needed.

 

[skyking]

True epoxy will not come pre-mixed in a tub.
I just did our kitchen backsplash with spectralock pro in a 1/8" joint.
http://www.laticrete.com/dealers/products/grouts/epoxy_grouts/productid/78.aspx
Two parts liquid and the color powder.
It was too hard to work in 90 minutes, and hard as concrete the next day.
Here is an amazon link for cost comparisons:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FATZA8S/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00FAU3YH6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EJX795CBDTJHK9T9T8S
Add $35 for the color of your choosing.

I'm not a pro, but I found it easy enough to work with. It is totally worth any extra hassle, as it is just about bomb proof. I have an entry, the guest bath, and this backsplash done with it. Nothing has stained it in 10 years.

 

[Greenman]

Thanks. Tile guy mentioned it takes longer to install so I guess there will be a corresponding increase in labor charge

That's a valid charge, as it does take longer.
I've only used it a couple of times, and the problem I had with it was getting all the film off of the tile without getting the surface of the grout too low in the joint.

 

[Humpy]

You might also consider urethane grout if your installer has experience with it. He should.

 

[gururu2]

I am re-tiling a portion of my rental units shower this weekend. I studied up on the best grouting system and epoxy was by far the highest recommended (spectralock to be specific). For full stain resistance, they advise a week or more of drying time. I think for wet exposure 24 hour is ok. If the guy is pro then he shouldn't have any problems with the difficulties mentioned.