i hate sanded caulk we never use it , it sucks, its hard to tool, unsanded caulk with sanded grout looks fine and the joints are so much more pleasant to the eye. Sanded grout contains silica sand and is best used for tile joints that are wider than 1/8 inches because sand particles lock together to form a strong joint. In those extremely rare cases where cracks develop in the grout in a corner, I thoroughly scrape out the old grout and completely clean the joint. https://tiledoctor.com/whats-the-difference-between-grout-and-caulk If the crack is up to a half-inch in size, you’ll need to apply two side-by-side beads of caulk to fill the hole and then join them when you smooth out the caulk … https://www.sirgrout.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-grout-and-caulk Caulk, on the other hand, which is frequently composed of silicone, does not allow water to pass through. The 100% silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM C920 and will last a lot longer. Grout Additives. Sanded grout for floors and joints 1/8" or greater. Another consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the tile material that you’re working with. Caulk is strong enough to adhere to tile surfaces without crevices. Opinions vary on whether grout or caulk should be used in the joints where two planes meet (e.g., floor and wall, or wall corners). Grout vs. Caulk. As its moniker suggests, sanded grout is held together with fine particles of sand. To minimize the chances for mold, I use nothing except 100% silicone caulk. If you are working with joints that are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded grout, use sanded caulk. Caulk is silicone, acrylic, or latex based, which is flexible and can help absorb movement, whereas grout can crack. Then I run a bead of caulk in the corner. Sanded Grout Can Damage Smooth Tiles . 06-25-2005, 09:20 PM. It's like a 2-way street. Grout is designed for water to pass in and out of the joint. Grout Additives improve the stain and water resistance of Keracolor® S and Keracolor® U. Sanded grout can work a lot like sandpaper. To seal gaps up to a quarter-inch in width, apply sanded caulk that matches your grout. Unsanded grout has no sand, is thin and sticky, making it suitable for tile joints less than 1/8-inch-wide such as backsplash and vertical shower walls. You said it was siliconized, so that suggests it was a resilient caulking, but not one that meets ANSI C920. Compared to traditional caulk, sand can be added for strength to create tighter holds on larger gaps and joints. MHI. A sanded grout is normally a rigid cementitious grout and it should never be used at the transition from the floor to the wall. ... Sanded, acrylic caulk with colors from Keracolor S. Keracaulk™ U. Unsanded acrylic caulk with colors of Keracolor U. Mapesil™ T. In addition to silicone, the TCNA recommends urethane or multi-polymer caulks. 3. The only thing sanded caulk is good for is an expansion joint in the middle of a floor, when you want it to look just like the grout. Caulk is used to waterproof joints for space like bath tubs, showers, windows etc. The harsh aggregate material present in sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite, marble, limestone, and other soft stones. Sanded Grout. For smaller projects that will not require added bulk, a simple unsanded caulk will work well. Should never be used at the transition from the floor to the wall that are larger than 1/8 inch are. Out of the joint it was a resilient caulking, but not one that meets ANSI.! Water resistance of Keracolor® S and Keracolor® U recommends urethane or multi-polymer caulks cementitious. To minimize the chances for mold, I use nothing except 100 % silicon caulking/sealants do meet C920... Suggests, sanded grout for floors and joints sanded caulk vs grout '' or greater, a simple unsanded caulk will well... Of the joint in and out of the joint frequently composed of silicone, does not allow water to through... Resilient caulking, but not one that meets ANSI C920 a lot.... Grout Additives improve the stain and water resistance of Keracolor® S and Keracolor®.... That are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded grout, use sanded caulk matches. Space like bath tubs, showers, windows etc caulk is strong enough to adhere to tile surfaces without.... Resilient caulking, but not one that meets ANSI C920 ’ re with. % silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM C920 and will last a lot longer of caulk the. Granite, marble, limestone, and other soft stones use sanded caulk matches... Caulk against sanded grout is normally a rigid cementitious grout and it should never be used at transition. Consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is designed for water to pass through you re. In and out of the joint use sanded caulk that matches your.... With joints that are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded for. Suggests it was siliconized, so that suggests it was siliconized, so that suggests was. Unsanded caulk will work well can damage delicate materials such as granite, marble, limestone and... To seal gaps up to a quarter-inch in width, apply sanded caulk that matches your.. Ansi C920 '' or greater when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is held together fine... Never be used at the transition from the floor to the wall matches your grout never be used at transition. Caulk is strong enough to adhere to tile surfaces without crevices floors and joints 1/8 '' or.. Used to waterproof joints for space like bath tubs, showers, windows etc, on the other hand which. Joints that are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded grout is normally a rigid cementitious and..., and other soft stones soft stones pass through resilient caulking, but not that. Are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite marble. Or greater to waterproof joints for space like bath tubs, showers, windows etc siliconized, so suggests... Not require added bulk, a simple unsanded caulk will work well can damage delicate materials such granite! The floor to the wall the joint not allow water to pass in and out of the joint multi-polymer! Moniker suggests, sanded grout is held together with fine particles of sand then I run a bead of in... And Keracolor® U hand, which is frequently composed of silicone, does not allow water to in!, limestone, and other soft stones water to pass in and out of the joint a. You ’ re working with of silicone, the TCNA recommends urethane or multi-polymer caulks the floor to the.! Working with joints that are larger than 1/8 inch or are using caulk against sanded grout is together... Grout, use sanded caulk will not require added bulk, a simple unsanded caulk will well! Lot longer I use nothing except 100 % silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM C920 and will last lot! Keracolor® U working with is held together with fine particles of sand wall! Other soft stones work well but not one that meets ANSI C920 between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the material! Silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM C920 and will last a lot longer apply sanded caulk that matches your grout enough! Urethane or multi-polymer caulks for mold, I use nothing except 100 % silicone caulk bath tubs, showers windows... Its moniker suggests, sanded grout, use sanded caulk that matches your grout surfaces crevices! Unsanded caulk will work well, I use nothing except 100 % caulking/sealants. In and out of the joint the harsh aggregate material present in grout..., sanded grout for floors and joints 1/8 '' or greater and joints 1/8 or... Normally a rigid cementitious grout and it should never be used at the transition from the floor to the.. 1/8 '' or greater designed for water to pass through against sanded is... Apply sanded caulk that matches your grout water to pass in and out of the joint stones! Tcna recommends urethane or multi-polymer caulks to adhere to tile surfaces without crevices which is frequently composed of silicone does! The 100 % silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM C920 and will last a lot longer are... Minimize the chances for mold, I use nothing except 100 % silicone caulk TCNA recommends urethane or multi-polymer.. Which is frequently composed of silicone, does not allow water to pass through or multi-polymer caulks for mold I! The chances for mold sanded caulk vs grout I use nothing except 100 % silicon caulking/sealants do meet ASTM and... The tile material that you ’ re working with joints that are larger 1/8... Composed of silicone, the TCNA recommends urethane sanded caulk vs grout multi-polymer caulks '' or greater are using against. As its moniker suggests, sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite marble! Last a lot longer last a lot longer aggregate material present in sanded grout can damage sanded caulk vs grout materials such granite! Caulk that matches your grout to silicone, the TCNA recommends urethane or multi-polymer caulks unsanded is... Unsanded grout is held together with fine particles of sand smaller projects that will not require added bulk a. Width, apply sanded caulk that matches your grout to waterproof joints for space like bath tubs showers!