Unsanded, sanded, or epoxy grout — chosen by joint width, surface, and how it is sold
Joint width picks the grout: unsanded for 1/16″–1/8″ (and glass/polished stone), sanded for 1/8″–1/2″, epoxy for wet or chemical areas. Cementitious grout is sold by weight and sealed; epoxy is sold by the kit and never sealed.
What this diagram shows
A guide to choosing grout type by joint width per ANSI A118.6. A joint-width scale from 1/16 to 1/2 inch maps each type to its rated window: unsanded is for narrow 1/16-to-1/8-inch joints only and shrink-cracks in anything wider; sanded covers 1/8 to 1/2 inch and is the floor-tile workhorse but its grit scratches polished marble and glass; epoxy per ANSI A118.3 spans the whole range, is stain- and chemical-proof, and never needs sealing. Cementitious grouts (sanded and unsanded) are sold by weight in 10-pound boxes or 25-pound bags and must be sealed after they cure; epoxy is sold by the kit or unit and is not sealed.
Grout Calculator
Calculate how much grout you need in bags, boxes, or epoxy units from your tile size, joint width, and area — TCNA/ANSI coverage formula. Free, no signup.
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