Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout: Which Is Right for Your Tiling Project?

You might be busy choosing the perfect tiles for your kitchen backsplash or bathroom walls, but it is also important to pick the right grout for the job. If you decide to use cement or polymer cement-based grout, you will have two options: sanded or unsanded. Once you understand what makes sanded and unsanded grout different, it will be easy to know which bag to buy at the store.

Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout: Key Differences

Sanded and unsanded grout are two types of cement-based grout, but their makeup is slightly different. On the one hand, sanded grout contains fine sand particles. On the other hand, unsanded grout has mineral particles. In addition, sanded grout is less expensive and available in more colors than unsanded grout. However, unsanded grout is easier to work with and doesn’t take as long to dry.

What Is Sanded Grout?

Sanded grout is a cement grout with sand particles throughout to increase the grout’s stability, decrease its shrinkage, and make it crack-resistant. Sanded grout is denser and better able to fill large gaps between tiles. It is the most common choice for tiling projects.

Sanded grout provides more stability on floors and other areas with large tiles. The sand particles in sanded grout remain in place, eliminating the risk of grout pulling away from tiles as it dries, but it can be too thick for certain areas, such as shower tiles.

Best for: 

• Tile flooring installations

• Anyone who wants a non-traditional grout color

• Tile joints larger than 1/8 inch

Sanded Grout Pros

The sand particles in sanded grout increase its stability and durability, making it a good option for tiled floors. It’s also less likely to crack or shrink than unsanded grout, which can help prevent your tiles from loosening.

Sanded grout is also less expensive than unsanded grout, which is perfect for budget-conscious DIYers. Plus, sanded grout comes in a wider range of colors, so you can find the perfect shade for your tiling project.

Sanded Grout Cons

Sanded grout has a rougher texture than unsanded grout and may scratch delicate tiles, such as marble and glass. It’s best to avoid sanded grout if you’re installing a fragile type of tile. 

Sanded grout may also take longer to apply than unsanded grout. You’ll need to wait up to 72 hours for the grout to dry, then you’ll need to seal it and wait another 72 hours for it to fully cure.

What Is Unsanded Grout?

Unsanded grout, or non-sanded grout, doesn’t contain any sand and has a smoother surface. It works best in delicate areas where the tile joints are minimal. Unsanded grout is much smoother and, because it doesn’t have an abrasive texture, reduces the risk of scratching or damaging tiles upon installation. Unsanded grout increases tile installation costs because it uses more costly polymers and does not contain the inexpensive sand filler that sanded grout uses. However, in certain situations, it is the only option to ensure your tiles have the appearance you desire.

Best for: 

• Vertical tile installations (like backsplashes and shower walls)

• Delicate tile (including marble and limestone)

• Tile joints smaller than 1/8 inch

Unsanded Grout Pros

Unsanded grout isn’t as coarse as its sanded counterpart, so it won’t scratch fragile types of tile. Some people also prefer the look of unsanded grout since it’s smoother and less textured than sanded grout.

With unsanded grout, installation and maintenance is simpler, too. For one, its sticky consistency makes it easier to apply. Once installed, its smoother texture makes it easier to clean than sanded grout.

Unsanded Grout Cons

Unsanded grout is costlier than sanded grout because it contains more premium materials. In fact, the starting price for unsanded grout is about twice as much as the sanded version. There are also fewer color options to choose from.

Additionally, unsanded grout doesn’t work well in larger tile joints. In wider seams, this type of grout can slump, crack, or shrink—and potentially lead to problems with your tile.

Sanded Grout vs. Unsanded Grout

Your tile installation will last longer when you use the right grout for the job. Using the wrong grout can cause problems like scratched, loose, or cracked tiles. When learning how to install ceramic tile, or any other bathroom/kitchen tile, pay close attention to the type of grout required to lengthen the life span of your tiles.

Appearance: Tie

Some people prefer the smoothness of unsanded grout to the textured look of sanded grout. However, sanded grout comes in a broader range of colors, which lets you hyper-customize your tile installation. As you consider the latest bathroom tile trends, keep the type and color of grout in mind.

Options: Sanded Grout

If you need unsanded grout, you will only find it in white, beige, and other similar neutral hues, limiting your shower tile ideas. Typical sanded grout colors include black and a variety of brown, gray, and blue hues. 

You can also use grout dye powder to achieve an impressive range of bright colors like lime green, yellow, and neon pink. Some of these powders have a metallic sheen with sparkles. Always look at the product packaging to determine if it is best for sanded and/or unsanded grout.

Durability: Sanded Grout

Sanded grout is more durable, thicker, and coarser because of the fine sand particles that hold it together. It can withstand lots of pressure, making it an ideal choice for flooring.

The fine mineral particles in unsanded grout make it less durable and, because it can crack under heavy pressure, you’ll want to skip it for flooring projects. Unsanded grout is ideal for vertical applications like kitchen and shower walls.

Price: Sanded Grout

A 10-pound bag of sanded grout costs $5 to $30, and a 10-pound bag of unsanded grout costs $10 to $35. The pricier grout promises better color consistency and resistance to efflorescence, which is a powdery deposit left on the surface of tiles, bricks, rock, and other materials when moisture evaporates. Overall, sand is less expensive than the pigments and polymers in unsanded grout, giving sanded grout the edge from a financial standpoint.

Ease of Installation: Unsanded Grout

Generally speaking, people find that unsanded grout is easier to install because it’s stickier. It is also a quicker installation because you don’t necessarily have to use a sealer (although it is wise to use one in high-moisture areas) or consider shower tile waterproofing to keep your tiles free from moisture and mold.

Sanded grout takes longer to cure and requires a sealer, making it a more time-intensive installation.

Maintenance: Unsealed Unsanded Grout

In addition to daily or weekly cleaning, it is necessary to reseal your grout annually if you sealed it to begin with. First, learn how to clean floor tile grout using a store-bought cleaner or a DIY solution made of baking soda, ammonia, and vinegar. (Just make sure that the cleaner is suitable for the type of tile you have, and don’t mix a store-bought cleaner with any other ingredients or cleaners.) Once the surface is clean, apply the resealer.

Repair: Tie

Knowing how to regrout your tiles can help you fix any problems before they get worse, and it can also help your tiles last longer. Common issues include cracked or missing grout, and the repair process is the same for sanded and unsanded grout.

If you have cracked grout, clean the area thoroughly and then install fresh grout on top.

For missing grout, you need to start with a clean slate. Use a grout removal tool and a grout brush to clean the seam. Then, refill the gap with fresh grout. Reset or replace any tiles as needed.

Life Span: Sealed Sanded or Unsanded Grout

You can expect unsanded and sanded grout to last around 15 to 20 years if you use high-quality products and tiling tools and stay on top of maintenance and repair. Moisture affects longevity, so grout is likely to have a shorter life span in bathrooms. And sealed grout lasts longer than unsealed grout.

Where to Use Each Type of Grout

Unsanded grout works best in tile joints that measure 1/16 to 1/8 inch. It works best on vertical surfaces, such as shower tile, and is much easier to spread than sanded grout. You don’t have to worry about scratching the surface, but if you use it in tile joints that are too wide, it could shrink too much, loosening the tiles. You should typically avoid unsanded grout when installing new floor tiles.

How Much Does Grout Repair Cost?

If you hire a local tile contractor, you can expect to pay between $100 and $700 for grout repair. However, these prices will increase significantly if you need to regrout an entire area. For instance, having a pro regrout your shower costs an average of $600 to $2,500. In either case, the repairs will cost more if you use unsanded grout (rather than sanded grout).

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

By regrouting or repairing grout without a pro’s help, you’ll save a sizable chunk of change. On average, it costs up to $100 to regrout a shower yourself, for example. 

However, there are drawbacks to DIYing this job. Installing grout is a time-consuming, labor-intensive task. And if you do it incorrectly, you could end up with all kinds of problems, including cracked grout. Over time, this can lead to mold, tile damage, and other issues.