Differences Between Sanded Grout & Non-sanded Grout

Sand Provides Strength

• Sanded grout contains sand, which is included in the grout for strength in areas where a surface is more likely to crack, such as a floor. Concrete used for sidewalk often has sand in it for the same reasons. Sanded grout is dyed with a color pigment to match your tiles or personal preference.

Non-sanded Grout Is Smoother

• Non-sanded grout, manufactured with the same formula as sanded grout minus the sand, is simply mixture of cement and dye pigment used to create colors. The non-sanded grout is not as strong and will crack when used in wider joints between tiles. Non-sanded grout is commonly used in stone installations and tiles with narrow joints or spaces between the tiles. This types of grout will be smoother to the touch than sanded grout.

Uses

• If the grout space is more than 1/16 inch, use sanded grout for its strengthening properties. Use non-sanded grout on smaller joints because there's less pressure on the grout, preventing cracking. For even smaller joints, apply non-sanded grout because sand won't fit into the joints.

Cleaning

• Non-sanded grout joints are spaced so tightly together -- in the case of shower tiles, for example -- that cleaning can become a pain once mildew gets embedded into the surface. Over time cleaning stained non-sanded grout becomes more difficult. Sanded grout, even though it's porous, still has better abrasive properties and is more responsive to bleach, power washing and scrubbing over its non-sanded counterparts. Non-sanded grout has the tendency to chip away and crack over time even with no external pressures stressing the joint. It becomes brittle and has a tendency to crack.