[syearsl]

Hi there - just laid new tile in my kitchen and did some grouting the other day. (used porcelain 12x12 tiles, 3/8 inch joints) One box of grout did half my kitchen and we stopped there. It's time to finish the job and we just realized we used non-sanded grout! I understand this is a big mistake with that sized joints. my questions: can i use sanded for the other half and then just go over the non-sanded with sanded and leave it at that? Or can I just keep with the non-sanded and finish the room that way? My knees, neck and back are just recovering from the pain of the first half of the job, and I really really do not want to rip it out and start over. I would appreciate advice. Thanks!

 

[Happybg81]

Don't know if it's wrong to use non sanded or not, I'll let the experts weigh in on that. But, in a remodel of the kitchen in my former house, I used non sanded on the floor with same size gaps. I had no issues with it in the 9 years I lived there after doing it, and the new owners haven't touched it. Only thing I noticed was it looked dirty a lot faster.

 

[syearsl]

Well, that's good to hear! Thanks

 

[Happybg81]

No problem.

 

[Bud Cline]

Grout joints of 3/8" and wider are generally grouted with sanded grout because the sand offers "bulk" and less shrinkage.

Using unsanded grout in joints wider than 1/8" isn't recommended but since it is done now I would continue with unsanded to finish. It isn't a major deal.

You may be noticing some shrinkage and even some cracks developing with the unsanded. If small shrinkage cracks do develop you can go over them with more unsanded grout to fill in the cracks.

In the future the rule of thumb is:
Grout joints 1/8" and smaller use unsanded grout.
Grout joints 1/8" and larger use sanded grout.
The 1/8" wide joint can go either way.

 

[syearsl]

Great, thank you. It even says the joint size on the box, too. I guess i missed it, although I don't know how. appreciate the help!