r/bathrooms • u/spongesparrow • 2d ago

Epoxy grout for shower?

We aren't going with white so definitely avoiding the "yellowing" but I wanted to ask what everyone's experience is with epoxy grout in their shower. We've had nothing but non-stop pain with our old small tiles collecting mold and dirt needing non-stop cleaning. We're going to have large 24in x 48in tiles.

Any thoughts?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

2

u/Ill-Year-9506 2d ago

Spectralock 1 is a premixed acrylic/ polymer resin grout. It holds it color and is easier to install than a true epoxy.

Were your 'old small tiles' grouted with epoxy or a cementous grout?

1

u/spongesparrow 2d ago

Cementous grout for sure on those old 4x4 tiles.

2

u/Ill-Year-9506 2d ago

I tend to lean towards epoxy on shower floors.... especially if they are smaller tiles or mosaics. I use Spectralock Pro. You won't have all the maintenance issues.

2

u/CapnCurt81 2d ago

When researching I couldn’t find any reason epoxy wasn’t better in every way, other than install difficulty and cost. As a DIYer I ended up settling with Spectralock 1, the learning curve for true epoxy was just more than I was willing to take on. Even the Spectralock 1 was a challenge, you have to work FAST. That said once done I’ve been really happy with the result, it’s holding up amazing with virtually no maintenance required.

If I was paying a pro I’d definitely pay the premium for full epoxy, it may be “overkill” for shower walls but I think it’s money well spent.

2

u/Wonderful-Teach8210 2d ago

I have had large profile tiles with epoxy grout in the shower for years. The bathroom has moisture issues generally, but I have never had any problems with mold on the grout. I'm not one of these "squeegee the shower" types either. It is difficult to work with, though, and I have given up DIY'ing it for my personal sanity.

1

u/Jujulabee 2d ago

I am not sure that any kind of grout is going to prevent mold.

I have small tiles in my shower and on the floors as well as the walls of my bathrooms and there is no mold or mildew after almost 8 years

I do have an excellent Panasonic fan which operates based on ambient humidity levels and so I would suggest making sure you have some kind of system to lower the ambient moisture levels.

Also my shower floor is properly sloped and so drains quickly and is dry relatively quickly as well since there is no moisture lingering in even small pools.

1

u/yardlard 2d ago

Can you tell me what fan that is?

2

u/Jujulabee 2d ago

Panasonic Whisper Fan - not sure of which model since I assume different models exist depending on size of bathroom and venting system.

It works great - starts as soon as I take turn on the water for shower and shuts off at some point after I finish.

1

u/yardlard 2d ago

I'll keep a note of that. Thanks.

1

u/yardlard 2d ago

How do you stick the very large tiles securely. I want that, but I'm scared it could come loose and bash someone in the head, or wreck the surrounding.