Bathroom Tiling Grout

Question

Apologies for posting again, previous question failed to get moderated …

Looking to grout a small en-suite corner wall where the shower tray will be… any advice for the best / most suitable type of grout to use : Acrylic, epoxy or cement? Or any other alternative. Thanks in advance

Sergiusz · Accepted Answer

Mapei cement grout, particularly Ultracolor Plus, is highly regarded due to its durability, ease of application, and resistance to common issues like mold and efflorescence. It's a versatile choice for various tile types and applications, offering a range of colors and features for both aesthetics and functionality.

Dan · Answer

Best Grout Type for Shower Wall:
✔️ Epoxy Grout is generally the best option for this kind of area. Here’s why:

🟦 Epoxy Grout – Highly Recommended
Waterproof (not just water-resistant)

Resistant to staining, mold, and mildew

Extremely durable, doesn’t crack or shrink like cement-based grout

Great for constant wet areas, like inside a shower enclosure

Drawbacks:

Harder to work with (sets quickly, harder to clean off tiles during install)

More expensive than other types

You need to be neat and confident — or hire a tiler who's done epoxy grouting before

If it’s a small area and you want it to last for years without issues, epoxy is a solid choice.

🟨 Cement-Based Grout (Standard Grout) – Budget Option
Easy to use and widely available

Can be suitable if the area isn’t constantly soaked and you use a good sealer

Needs regular maintenance (re-sealing every 1–2 years)

More prone to cracking, absorbing water, and discoloration

If you go this route:

Choose a polymer-modified cement grout (more flexible, better adhesion)

Apply a grout sealer after curing

🟧 Acrylic Grout – Somewhere in Between
More flexible and water-resistant than cement

Easier to apply than epoxy

Not truly waterproof like epoxy

Good for semi-wet areas, but still not ideal for inside the shower tray zone

🧰 My Recommendation:
For inside or around the shower tray, especially near the bottom edge, epoxy grout is the best long-term choice.

Pair it with high-quality silicone sealant where the wall meets the shower tray (never grout this junction – use silicone).

Thomas · Answer

All depends on your budget. Epoxy is best..however can be tricky to clean off..

Stuart · Answer

Hi

We use epoxy as it seems to hold its colour a lot longer than other types.

John · Answer

Hi. Cement grout is the easiest to use and is most commonly used. Epoxy is a little harder to use. I would recommend cement based as it would be easiest to use. All dependent on skill set.

Farid · Answer

1. Epoxy Grout – Best for showers
	•	Pros: Extremely durable, waterproof, stain-resistant, and doesn’t crack or shrink. Ideal for wet areas like showers.
	•	Cons: More expensive, trickier to apply (sets quickly), and can be messy if you’re not used to it.

Best if you want long-term performance and don’t mind a bit of extra effort during application.

⸻

2. Cement-Based Grout (with additive/sealer)
	•	Pros: Cheap, easy to work with, widely available.
	•	Cons: Porous—needs sealing to prevent water and mildew issues. Can crack or shrink over time.
	•	Tip: Go for sanded if joints are >1/8” wide, unsanded if thinner.

Decent for budget jobs, but not ideal for constantly wet areas unless sealed really well.

⸻

3. Acrylic Grout
	•	Pros: More flexible than cement, easier than epoxy, mold/mildew resistant, good for wet areas.
	•	Cons: Not quite as tough or stain-proof as epoxy, and usually more expensive than cement.

Good middle ground—easier to apply than epoxy, better performance than plain cement.

Kai · Answer

Epoxy grout would be best as it seems to keep it’s colour more however it can be abit harder to clean off when applying.

Catalin · Answer

Epoxy Putty
100% Waterproof
Very Mold Resistant
Doesn't absorb dirt. Difficult to apply (especially for beginners). Expensive
Hardens quickly (you don't have much time for corrections)
Ideal for areas exposed to a lot of water, but a bit overkill for a small wall if you're inexperienced.
 Sanitary silicone (anti-mold) – MAIN RECOMMENDATION
Flexible (does not crack when the wall “works”)
100% waterproof
Specially made for the bathroom
This is the right solution for:
Corners (wall-to-wall)
Wall-to-shower tub joint
What to do specifically (correct setup)
For a job done by the book:
Joints between tiles → cement-based putty (or epoxy if you want top)
Corners + tub edge → sanitary silicone (NOT putty!)
The classic mistake
Many people put cement putty in the corners → in a few months:
crack
water gets in
mold appears
Corners should be flexible, not rigid.  I'll give you a professional tip
If you want it to come out perfect:
leave a small gap (2–3 mm)
apply silicone with a gun
level with your finger (with water + a little detergent)
Simple conclusion
DO NOT use only putty (cement or epoxy) in the corner
Use sanitary silicone for the corner and bathtub
If you want a “premium” job:
epoxy putty on the tiles
silicone in the corners

Trilok · Answer

For a shower wall, epoxy grout is the best choice — it's waterproof, durable, and mold-resistant. It’s harder to apply but worth it for long-term performance. Cement grout is cheaper but needs sealing. Acrylic is easier but less durable.

Bathroom Tiling Grout

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