Connect with us

Lifestyle

The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Grout: Choosing the Right Grout for Your Tile Project

mm

Published

on

When it comes to tiling, grout is more than just a finishing touch – it’s a critical component that holds your tiles in place, protects them from damage, and influences the overall appearance of your installation. With several types of grout available, each with its own pros and cons, choosing the right one for your project can be daunting. In this post, we’ll break down the different types of grout and offer some guidance on how to make the best choice for your tile project.

Sanded Grout

Pros:

  • Durability: Sanded grout is the go-to option for areas with high foot traffic or where the tiles are subject to heavy wear and tear. The added sand provides strength and resistance to cracking.
  • Affordability: Typically, sanded grout is more affordable than other types, making it a popular choice for larger projects.
  • Versatility: Sanded grout works well with most tile materials, particularly in installations with wider grout lines (1/8 inch or more).

Cons:

  • Not suitable for narrow joints: The coarse texture of sanded grout can make it difficult to use in smaller grout lines (less than 1/8 inch), leading to a rough and uneven finish.
  • Can scratch delicate tiles: The abrasive sand particles in this grout can scratch softer tiles like marble, so it’s best avoided for polished or highly sensitive materials.

Best for: Floors, high-traffic areas, and tiles with wider grout joints.

Unsanded Grout

Pros:

  • Smooth texture: Unsanded grout is smooth and free of abrasive particles, making it ideal for delicate tiles like marble, limestone, and polished ceramics.
  • Perfect for narrow joints: It’s designed for smaller grout lines (less than 1/8 inch), creating a sleek, seamless finish.
  • Less shrinkage: Without the sand, unsanded grout experiences less shrinkage, reducing the likelihood of cracks in narrow spaces.

Cons:

  • Less durable for larger joints: Unsanded grout is not as strong as sanded grout in wider gaps, making it more prone to cracking when used in larger joints.
  • Higher cost: While not excessively expensive, unsanded grout tends to be pricier than sanded grout due to its specialised use.

Best for: Walls, backsplashes, delicate tiles, and areas with narrow grout lines.

Epoxy Grout

Pros:

  • Waterproof: Epoxy grout is incredibly resistant to moisture, making it the ideal choice for areas exposed to water, such as showers and pools.
  • Stain-resistant: Epoxy grout doesn’t absorb liquids like traditional cement-based grout, so it’s highly resistant to stains, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Durability: Once cured, epoxy grout is incredibly strong, resistant to cracks, and suitable for both interior and exterior applications.

Cons:

  • Higher cost: Epoxy grout is more expensive than sanded or unsanded grout, so it might not be the best choice for large-scale projects.
  • Difficult application: Installing epoxy grout can be challenging, requiring a skilled hand and careful timing, as it tends to set quickly.
  • Limited colour choices: Epoxy grout may not offer as wide a variety of colours as other types, limiting your design options.

Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor spaces, and areas prone to moisture and stains.

Furan Grout

Pros:

  • Chemical resistance: Furan grout is highly resistant to chemicals, making it a preferred choice for industrial or commercial settings where exposure to harsh substances is common.
  • Durability: Like epoxy, furan grout is extremely strong and durable, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Cons:

  • Complex installation: Furan grout is notoriously difficult to install and requires professional application due to its precise mixing and handling needs.
  • Limited use in residential projects: Because of its industrial nature, furan grout is rarely used in homes and is better suited to commercial or specialised applications.

Best for: Commercial kitchens, laboratories, and industrial spaces exposed to chemicals.

Choosing the Right Grout for Your Project

The type of grout you choose should depend on the specific needs of your tile project. Here are some key considerations to help you make the right choice:

  • Tile material: If you’re working with delicate tiles like marble or polished ceramics, opt for unsanded grout to avoid scratching the surface. For tougher materials like porcelain or natural stone, sanded grout is usually the best option.
  • Grout line width: For grout lines wider than 1/8 inch, sanded grout provides the strength and durability needed to fill the gaps. For narrower lines, unsanded grout will give you a smooth and seamless finish.
  • Moisture exposure: Areas like showers, pools, and kitchens benefit from epoxy grout’s waterproof and stain-resistant properties. While it’s more expensive, the long-term durability makes it a worthwhile investment in these moisture-prone spaces.
  • Level of foot traffic: High-traffic areas like floors and entryways need a durable grout that can withstand wear and tear. Sanded grout or epoxy grout is ideal for these spaces.

Lastly, maintaining your grout over time is essential to ensure its longevity and aesthetic appeal. Regular cleaning and sealing (for cement-based grouts) are crucial, and if your grout ever needs refreshing, you can rely on a tile and grout cleaning service to restore its original look and keep your tiles in pristine condition.

Choosing the right grout for your project may seem overwhelming, but with careful consideration of your tile material, joint size, and the environment, you’ll achieve a long-lasting and beautiful result.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

How To Combine Astrology With Self-Care Rituals To Enhance Daily Living

mm

Published

on

Self-care looks different for everyone. And it could look different day by day. Sometimes you just need meditation or journaling or a grounding ritual. Sometimes you need movement. Sometimes you need more rest. Have you ever wondered why it’s different day-by-day and why you can’t seem to “stick” to something?

Most of us know something about Western astrology, but have you ever heard of Vedic astrology (Jyotish)? Vedic astrology focuses on your moon sign (which may differ from your Western astrological chart), planetary transits, and Dasha period. These three areas shape how you feel, act, and process emotions every day. 

The time management app align27 doesn’t just focus on your typical horoscope. It gives you a personalized Vedic birth chart and a daily favorability forecast based on planetary influences. It uses a simple yet powerful stoplight system — green for favorable times, yellow for neutral, and red for moments when it’s best to slow down — to help you navigate each day with intention.

Why Vedic astrology and self-care go hand in hand

Ever have days where everything flows effortlessly and others where nothing seems to go right? That’s not random — it’s the influence of the planets at play. Vedic astrology teaches that planetary transits and periods, and the Moon’s placement each day all impact your energy. 

By understanding these influences, align27 customizes your self-care rituals to work with the planetary energies rather than against them. The result? A self-care routine that feels more natural, restorative, and in harmony with your personal astrology. 

How to align self-care with align27

1. Follow your moon sign for emotional well-being

In Vedic astrology, your Moon sign reveals how you process emotions, handle stress, and recharge. The align27 app provides real-time insights into your Moon sign’s current state, helping you plan self-care that supports your well-being.

  • Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): align27 will highlight action-oriented times, which are perfect for movement-based self-care like yoga, walking, or a workout.
  • Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Your best self-care moments often fall during grounding planetary periods. The align27 app helps you time activities like cooking, gardening, or Ayurvedic oil massages.
  • Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Mental stimulation is key for you. Use align27’s favorable green time slots to plan journaling, reading, or creative work.
  • Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Emotional balance is crucial; align27 suggests introspective yellow periods during which self-care like meditation, breathwork, or music therapy can help you reset.

By checking your daily Moon sign insights in align27, you can sync your self-care with your emotional energy instead of forcing routines that don’t feel right.

2. Sync with planetary transits for daily rituals

Planetary movements in Vedic astrology directly influence your daily energy. Instead of following the same self-care routine every day, use the align27 app to check which planets are strongest and which ones need balancing.

  • Green periods: Ideal for action — schedule workouts, deep work, or personal projects. 
  • Yellow periods: Best for reflection — meditation, light reading, or connecting with loved ones.
  • Red periods: Time to pause — prioritize self-care, avoid big decisions, and rest.

For example:

  • If align27 shows a red period under Mercury’s influence, it’s a sign to unplug from tech and practice silence (Mauna) instead.
  • A green period during a Moon transit suggests a great time for emotional processing through journaling or spiritual rituals.
  • If Saturn is active, align27 might recommend structured self-care, like a disciplined yoga practice or fasting.

The daily timing feature of align27 takes the guesswork out of self-care, helping you plan around when the universe is actually working with you, not against you.

3. Use your Venus sign for beauty and self-love rituals

In Vedic astrology, Venus (Shukra) represents luxury, pleasure, and how you experience beauty. But your Venus sign in your birth chart tells you what kind of self-care truly nourishes your soul.

  • Venus in Fire Signs: You love bold, energizing self-care. Ayurvedic herbal treatments, bright colors, and invigorating scents like sandalwood or saffron uplift your energy.
  • Venus in Earth Signs: You prefer high-quality, natural self-care. Organic skincare, silk bedding, and nourishing food rituals align with your Venus energy.
  • Venus in Air Signs: You thrive on social and intellectual beauty. Try mantra recitation, decorating your space with art, or engaging in deep conversations.
  • Venus in Water Signs: You need emotionally fulfilling self-care. Essential oil baths, soft textures, and music therapy create a calming atmosphere.

4. Strengthen your planetary weaknesses through rituals

Each planet in your birth chart has strengths and weaknesses based on its placement. You can balance planetary imbalances through specific self-care rituals:

  • Weakened moon? Drink warm milk with cardamom, wear white, and meditate under the full Moon.
  • Struggling with Rahu energy? Reduce digital distractions, light camphor, and chant “Om Rahave Namah.”
  • Mars overactivity? Avoid spicy food, practice slow yoga, and wear cool colors like blue or white.

The align27 app personalizes these remedies based on your birth chart and daily planetary shifts.

Align your self-care with the stars

When you integrate Vedic astrology into your self-care routine, you’re not just following trends but tuning into the ancient wisdom of timing and energy alignment. Instead of forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all self-care plan, you can create rituals that genuinely support you based on the cosmic influences at play.

With tools like align27, you can easily track your best days for rest, action, and reflection — making self-care effortless and aligned with the universe. Because taking care of yourself isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for you, at the right time. 

Continue Reading

Trending