Tiles are the go-to material used in modern-day home construction to beautify the space. However, no matter how elegant the tile application looks, poorly filled grout can totally ruin the room’s aesthetic appeal.
So, it’s crucial to select the best tile joint filler or grouting material that keeps up with the attractiveness of the tiles. When you look up the market, you can find some of the best tile joint fillers, and epoxy tile joint filler tops the list. Indeed, it’s a superior choice.
What is Epoxy Joint Filler for Tiles?
Epoxy tile joint filler is a grouting material that is made up of two components: epoxy resin and hardener. These components give it certain advantages that make it a good choice for filling gaps and joints between tiles.
Epoxy Grout Vs Cement Grout
Epoxy grout is a mixture of two parts; one resin and the other a hardener that dries into a more
resistant and durable material than traditional grouts. Unlike traditional grouts, epoxy is more resistant to stains in comparison to cement grout, which is composed of a cementitious powder mixture.
Epoxy grout is highly durable and nearly impervious to staining. Regular cement grout is not impermeable, unlike epoxy grout, it can absorb water and discolor readily when wet. it readily absorbs stains, as anybody who has scrubbed grout will confirm.
Epoxy grout installation has quite a different process to installing or laying than cement grout, cement grout is less expensive than epoxy grout and it is more prone to cracking than Epoxy grout.
What exactly is grout, and how is epoxy grout different?
Traditional tile grout is made from a cement-based mix. It’s not waterproof and actually absorbs water when it becomes wet. It also absorbs stains easily, as anyone who has scrubbed grout will attest to.
Epoxy grout, on the other hand, is made of epoxy resins combined with a filler powder. This makes epoxy grout waterproof and almost completely resistant to stains. Furthermore the durability of epoxy grouts makes it the ideal choice for splash backs, floors and high-traffic areas.
Advantages of Epoxy Grout for Tile Durability
- Superior Strength and Durability: Epoxy grout is considered to be one of the strongest and, at the same time, one of the most durable grouts available on the market. Epoxy grout is a two part composition in which one part is epoxy resin and the other is a hardener that is used to cure the epoxy resin. This composition provides epoxy grout with much higher crack, stain, and chemical resistance to allow your tiles to stay beautiful and intact for a long time.
- Enhanced Stain Resistance: Floors which are used frequently for instance in the kitchen or the bathroom are easily stained by spills and dirt. The epoxy grout creates a layer that seals off the seepage of stains into the grout lines, making it easier to clean the floor. Using epoxy grout, you do not have to bother how the joints will discolor or how long it will take to clean stains on the bathroom surface.
- Reduced Water Absorption: Cementitious grouts which were mainly used previously have been known to be absorptive and this has caused some issues such as trickle, mold, and mildew. The epoxy grout is made from epoxy resins and does not have a high absorption rate of water and thus will not cause damage through water ingress. The use of epoxy grout will also offer you the opportunity to always have a clean and hygienic tiled area.
- Flexibility And Crack Resistance: Tiles are subjected to constant stress and movement due to temperature fluctuations and structural changes. The material must be able to resist the movements of the panels without cracking or crumbling, which can be achieved with epoxy grout due to its flexibility. This flexibility also guarantees that the grout remains set and wanting, thus enhancing the physical stability of your tiled surfaces.
Epoxy Grout Tiles Drawbacks
Epoxy grout is more difficult to apply than traditional grout. It takes longer to apply and sets quickly, so must be applied in stages. Tiles must also be cleaned thoroughly before applying epoxy grout. Epoxy can discolour porous surfaces, such as natural stone, so these surfaces should be sealed prior to grouting, and an epoxy grout sealer can be used to finish the job.
What does the Epoxy Grout Material look like?
Epoxy can also have a slightly plastic look to it, compared to the textured cement look of regular grout. Any epoxy residue left on tiles will have a glossy sheen to it, so must be cleaned thoroughly immediately after application. Due to its sheen, epoxy grout is also less forgiving and highlights imperfections in your tiling.
Epoxy Grout Cost
Grout epoxy also comes with a much higher price tag — expect to pay three to five times more than standard cement grout for your product. The extra time to apply epoxy and clean thoroughly afterwards also adds to the bottom line, making this grout a considerably larger investment.
Grout, without the scrubbing. Despite some of its drawbacks, epoxy grout is a fabulous solution for splashbacks, wet areas and areas that experience high levels of traffic. We always opt for epoxy grout if installing a mosaic tile splashback behind a kitchen cooktop, or when installing light-coloured or white floor tiles in high traffic areas.