Home Improvement Interior Remodel Flooring & Stairs Tile

Sanded vs. Unsanded Tile Grout: Basics, Pros & Cons

Person adding grout to tile wall

The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

When purchasing grout, you have a choice between sanded vs. unsanded grout. Both grouts do have some overlapping uses. But your tile will look better if you can choose the best one for the job.

  • Sanded grout: Use sanded grout for grout lines over 1/8-inch width, as the fine sand in the grout provides a dense, tight, and stable lock.
  • Unsanded grout: Use unsanded grout for grout lines under 1/8-inch width, as the lack of sand allows the grout to pack better into thin seams. Use also for delicate tile surfaces that could be scratched with sanded grout.
Sanded vs Unsanded Grout

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Sanded Tile Grout

Sanded Grout closeup

 The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

Pros
  • Lower cost

  • Dense joints

  • More color choices

Cons
  • Can scratch surfaces

  • Poor for thin seams

  • Must be sealed

Sanded tile grout is a Portland cement-based grout with silica sand, inorganic aggregates, and chemicals.

For creating wider grout lines, sanded grout should be your primary choice for most tiling applications since the sand particles can lock each other to form a sturdy joint.

Sanded grout is less expensive than unsanded grout since sand is a cheaper filler than the polymers in unsanded grout.

Due to its porous nature, sanded grout, unless modified, must be sealed to prevent water from infiltrating the back of the tile and ruining the substrate. Seal with a pH-neutral, water-based, penetrating sealer.

Unsanded Tile Grout

Sanded grout example

The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

Pros
  • Best for vertical surfaces

  • Preserves sensitive tile surfaces

  • Grout sealing not required

Cons
  • More expensive

  • Fewer color choices

  • Slumps in wide seams

Unsanded grout, sometimes called non-sanded grout, is best for very thin grout lines ranging from 1/8-inch down to 1/16-inch. 

Unsanded grout is easier to work with than sanded grout on vertical surfaces such as tiled shower walls. The lack of silica aggregate filler in unsanded grout means that it works well with scratchable surfaces such as some ceramic, glass, metal, marble, or natural stone tiles.

Applications

Location Sanded Grout Unsanded Grout
Bathroom or kitchen floor Yes Yes
Rectified tile No Yes
Shower wall No Yes
Shower pan Yes Yes
Bathroom wall Yes Yes
Polished or honed stone No Yes

Sanded grout should be your default choice for general-use tiling, such as for flooring and walls. Sanded grout is widely available, has the greatest range of mixed color choices, and reduces grout shrinkage.

While you can use either sanded grout or unsanded grout for vertical tile such as bathroom or shower walls, unsanded grout provides a better working material. It sticks better to vertical surfaces with less of the slump associated with sanded grout. Due to unsanded grout's polymer content and extremely low porosity, it does not always need to be sealed.

Grout Widths

Sanded grout is best for grout lines ranging from 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch. Grout lines wider than 1/2-inch are impractical and will crack and become unstable. Because unsanded grout can also be used for 1/8-inch lines, between the two it is recommended that you use sanded grout.

Unsanded grout is best for grout lines as wide as 1/8-inch and down to 1/16-inch. The reason unsanded grout is used in this application is that sanded grout will not properly compact into thinner grout lines. Unsanded grout used in lines 1/8-inch or more will slump, crack, and otherwise not provide proper fill. 

Tile Surface Recommendations

Sanded grout is used for tile surfaces where the possibility of scratching from the sand content in the tile grout will not be a problem. This feature can be beneficial for do-it-yourselfers who are not confident about their grouting skills and may need to regrout at least one other time.

Unsanded grout is usually recommended for tile that is easily scratched, such as natural stone, glass, and certain porcelains and ceramics. In theory, the sand content in sanded tile grout may damage these surfaces.

Cost

Use sanded grout whenever cost is a critical factor, as unsanded grout is over twice as expensive as sanded grout.

Sanded grout is so inexpensive because sand is cheap and it forms the bulk of sanded tile grout. With unsanded grout, more expensive polymers must be added to form the content, significantly driving up the cost.

FAQ
  • Is unsanded grout easier or harder to clean than sanded grout?

    Sanded grout has a coarser texture, making it harder to clean. Its porousness allows it to collect grime and dirt. But, you can clean it with a brush, cleaning solutions, and perseverance.

  • Is it OK to use sanded grout in a shower?

    While you can use either sanded grout or unsanded grout for vertical tiles such as bathroom or shower walls, unsanded grout sticks better to vertical surfaces with less of the slump associated with sanded grout. Also, if you have a minimal width between each tile, you'll want to go with unsanded. But if you have greater than 1/8-inch between tiles, consider the sanded type.

  • What is the difference between curing times for sanded versus unsanded grouts?

    The drying time between sanded and unsanded grout is roughly the same. The time to cure is typically 72 hours. Wait longer before exposing it to moisture—seven days to be on the safe side.