Starlike PRO vs Starlike EVO: What Changed and Which Epoxy Grout Should You Use?

Is Starlike PRO the Replacement for Starlike EVO?

For customers who previously used Starlike EVO and want to stay with Litokol's premium decorative epoxy grout system, Starlike PRO is the product they should now be looking at.

However, it is more accurate to think of PRO as the next generation of Starlike technology rather than an identical replacement for EVO.

Starlike EVO was a two component, acid resistant epoxy grout designed for installing and grouting ceramic tile, porcelain tile, mosaics, natural stone, and other tile materials. Starlike PRO takes that same high performance concept and advances it with what Litokol describes as a sixth generation decorative epoxy gel formula.

The result is a product that should feel familiar in purpose to experienced Starlike EVO customers while incorporating meaningful changes in formulation, color technology, workability, and available colors.

Starlike PRO vs Starlike EVO at a Glance

Both generations were engineered as premium epoxy products rather than conventional cement based grout. PRO's most noticeable changes are found in its formulation, workability, color technology, joint width capability, and new color selection.

What Stayed the Same From Starlike EVO to Starlike PRO?

If you were happy with EVO, the good news is that many of the characteristics that made Starlike popular remain central to PRO.

Both Are Premium Epoxy Grouts

Starlike PRO remains an epoxy based grout rather than moving to a traditional cement grout. That matters because epoxy grout behaves differently from standard cementitious grout when exposed to water, stains, cleaning products, and everyday wear.

Customers who chose EVO because they wanted a high performance grout system do not have to abandon that concept when moving to PRO.

Both Are Designed for Wet Areas

Bathrooms, showers, kitchen backsplashes, swimming pools, spas, and other moisture prone areas were important applications for Starlike EVO. Starlike PRO continues to be designed for demanding environments where water resistance and long term durability matter.

This makes PRO particularly attractive for shower tile, bathroom tile, pool tile, kitchen tile, mosaics, and other installations where homeowners want to reduce the maintenance concerns associated with conventional grout.

Both Offer Strong Stain and Chemical Resistance

Stain resistance was one of the major reasons customers chose Starlike EVO, and it remains one of the major benefits of Starlike PRO.

In kitchens, bathrooms, commercial spaces, and high use areas, this can be an important advantage. Because the grout is epoxy based rather than conventional cement grout, it is designed to resist absorption and staining while maintaining a more consistent appearance over time.

Both Can Be Used as Grout and an Adhesive

Starlike EVO could be used for both installation and grouting in appropriate applications. Starlike PRO retains this versatility and carries an R2T reactive adhesive classification in addition to its RG grout classification.

That makes Starlike especially useful for decorative mosaics and specialized installations where both bonding performance and finished grout appearance matter.

What Is Different About Starlike PRO?

The biggest difference is the formulation. Litokol identifies Starlike PRO as a sixth generation decorative epoxy gel developed with newer raw materials and colored quartz microsphere technology.

This is more than a cosmetic update.

1. Starlike PRO Uses a New Epoxy Gel Formula

Starlike EVO was already known for being easier to work with than many traditional epoxy grouts. PRO develops that idea further.

Litokol describes the PRO mixture as extremely creamy, light, easy to spread, and easier to clean during installation. For installers who associate epoxy grout with thick consistency and difficult cleanup, this is one of the most meaningful improvements.

That does not mean installation technique becomes unimportant. Epoxy grout still needs to be mixed, applied, washed, and cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions. Working in manageable areas and cleaning the tile surface at the proper time remain critical.

2. The Grout Joint Range Is Wider

Starlike EVO was designed for grout joints ranging from approximately 1 to 15 mm.

Starlike PRO expands the range to 1 to 20 mm.

For most residential tile installations this difference may not change how the product is used, but the wider range gives installers additional flexibility for decorative tile, natural stone, irregular materials, and installations with wider joints.

3. PRO Introduces Updated Colored Quartz Technology

Starlike has long used microsphere technology to achieve its characteristic smooth appearance and color performance.

PRO uses polymerized colored quartz microspheres. Litokol describes its Level 3 Color Quartz Microsphere technology as being designed to improve color fastness, uniformity, and long term color stability.

This is particularly important because grout is no longer treated as an afterthought in many tile designs. With mosaics, contrasting grout, geometric tile, glass tile, and decorative installations, the grout color can become a visible part of the design.

4. Starlike PRO Is Specifically Designed for UV Resistance

Litokol specifically identifies PRO as UV resistant in addition to being waterproof and stain resistant.

This characteristic is especially valuable for installations exposed to substantial natural light and for suitable exterior applications, including certain pool and outdoor tile installations.

5. The Color Palette Has Changed Significantly

This may be the biggest adjustment for longtime Starlike EVO customers.

Starlike PRO introduces an entirely new color palette inspired by natural materials, minerals, earth, stone, sand, clay, water, and other architectural colors.

That means you should not assume that an old Starlike EVO color number has a direct Starlike PRO equivalent.

Some PRO colors may look similar to former EVO colors, but similar does not mean identical.

Are Starlike PRO Colors the Same as Starlike EVO Colors?

No. Do not assume that a Starlike PRO color is exactly the same as an old Starlike EVO color.

This is one of the most important points for anyone trying to continue an existing installation.

PRO uses a new formulation and a new color palette. BELK Tile may identify certain PRO shades that are visually similar to former EVO colors to help customers narrow their choices, but these recommendations should be treated as comparisons rather than guaranteed color matches.

For example, BELK Tile identifies Starlike PRO 04 Pomice di Lipari as having a similar appearance to the former Starlike EVO 105 Bianco Titanio. They should not be considered identical colors.

Grout appearance can also change based on the surrounding tile, lighting, grout joint width, surface texture, installation conditions, and other materials in the room.

What If You Need to Match an Existing Starlike EVO Installation?

If you are repairing or extending an installation that already contains Starlike EVO, we recommend treating any PRO color as a new color selection rather than assuming it will disappear into the existing grout.

For a small repair surrounded by old EVO grout, even a very similar PRO shade may remain visible.

Whenever color matching is critical, compare physical material or an actual cured sample whenever possible rather than relying only on a computer screen or product photograph.

Is Starlike PRO Easier to Install Than Starlike EVO?

PRO was specifically engineered to improve spreadability and cleanup.

This does not turn epoxy grout into conventional cement grout, but the newer gel consistency is intended to make the installation experience easier.

Litokol describes Starlike PRO as creamy, light, and easy to spread and clean. The current technical specifications also list a pot life greater than 90 minutes under the stated testing conditions.

Actual working conditions matter. Temperature, surface conditions, tile type, the size of the installation area, and installer technique can all influence how quickly an epoxy grout needs to be applied and cleaned.

Installers should always follow the current Starlike PRO technical instructions rather than relying entirely on techniques they previously used with EVO.

Is Starlike PRO Waterproof?

Yes. Litokol identifies Starlike PRO as a waterproof decorative epoxy gel.

That is one reason it is well suited to showers, bathrooms, kitchens, pools, spas, and other wet environments when installed as part of a properly designed tile assembly.

There is an important distinction, however: waterproof grout does not replace the waterproofing system behind a shower or other wet area.

A shower still requires the proper substrate preparation, waterproofing membrane or approved waterproof assembly, movement joints, drainage, and installation procedures. Waterproof epoxy grout provides a highly moisture resistant finished joint, but it should not be considered the primary waterproofing layer of the assembly.

Does Starlike PRO Need to Be Sealed?

Starlike PRO itself does not require the routine penetrating grout sealer normally associated with cement based grout.

Its epoxy composition is one of the reasons homeowners choose it for areas where reducing ongoing grout maintenance is a priority.

Natural stone used alongside the grout may still require sealing depending on the stone. Always evaluate the requirements of the tile or stone separately from the grout.

Can Starlike PRO Be Used in Showers?

Yes. Starlike PRO is an excellent option for properly constructed tile showers.

Its waterproof, stain resistant, and chemically resistant characteristics make it especially appealing for shower walls, shower floors, niches, benches, and mosaic installations.

It can be paired with ceramic, porcelain, mosaics, marble, granite, and many natural stones, although testing is recommended with sensitive or porous materials.

Can Starlike PRO Be Used in Swimming Pools?

Yes, Starlike PRO is suitable for swimming pool and wet area applications when installed according to Litokol requirements.

Epoxy grout is particularly attractive around pools because the grout joints are regularly exposed to water and cleaning chemicals.

The current Litokol technical information calls for the required curing and commissioning period to be observed before putting a swimming pool into service. Always follow the current technical data sheet for installation temperatures, cure times, cleaning procedures, and pool startup.

Can Starlike PRO Be Used With Natural Stone?

Yes. Starlike PRO is designed for marble, granite, and natural stone in addition to ceramic, porcelain, mosaics, and large format slabs.

However, natural stone varies considerably in porosity, surface texture, resin content, finish, and sensitivity.

A test installation is recommended before grouting an entire surface, particularly with porous, textured, light colored, translucent, or highly sensitive stone.

Should Existing Starlike EVO Customers Switch to Starlike PRO?

For a new tile project, Starlike PRO is the logical choice for customers who previously preferred Starlike EVO and want to continue using Litokol's premium Starlike epoxy technology.

You retain the major reasons people chose EVO in the first place, including durability, stain resistance, moisture resistance, chemical resistance, decorative color, and premium epoxy performance, while gaining the benefits of Litokol's newer formulation.

The one area that deserves extra attention is color.

If you loved a particular EVO color, do not purchase a similarly named or visually similar PRO color assuming it will be identical. Treat PRO as a new palette, then select the closest color for your tile and overall design.

Which Is Better, Starlike PRO or Starlike EVO?

For a new installation today, we would choose Starlike PRO.

EVO earned a loyal following for good reason. It provided excellent stain resistance, durability, color performance, and epoxy protection while being easier to work with than many people expected from an epoxy grout.

PRO does not abandon those qualities. Instead, Litokol has advanced the Starlike platform with a sixth generation formula, updated microsphere technology, wider grout joint capability, UV resistance, improved application properties, and a new design focused color system.

For a customer who asks us, "I loved Starlike EVO. Am I going to be disappointed with Starlike PRO?" our answer is that PRO was designed as an evolution of the same premium Starlike concept rather than a move away from it.

How to Choose a Starlike PRO Color After Using Starlike EVO

Start with your tile rather than the old color number.

Determine whether you want the grout to blend with the tile, provide subtle definition, or create intentional contrast. From there, compare the new PRO palette with the actual tile under the lighting conditions where the material will be installed.

Choose a Similar Color for a Blended Look

A grout color close to the dominant tile color minimizes the visual appearance of the grout joints and allows the tile itself to become the focus.

Use Slight Contrast to Define the Pattern

This works particularly well with subway tile, hexagon tile, herringbone patterns, mosaics, and geometric designs where you want the installation pattern to remain visible without creating extreme contrast.

Use Strong Contrast as a Design Element

Dark grout with light tile or light grout with dark tile can make every grout joint part of the design. Starlike PRO's color stability is especially useful when the grout itself is intended to be noticeable.

Do Not Depend Solely on a Screen

Phones, computer monitors, photography, lighting, grout joint size, and neighboring materials can all influence the way a grout color appears.

If matching or precise color selection is important to the project, evaluating a physical sample is always preferable.

BELK Tile's Take on the Move From Starlike EVO to Starlike PRO

Starlike EVO developed a loyal following because it solved many of the problems people traditionally associate with grout. Customers liked its durability, resistance to staining, moisture performance, consistent color, and ability to maintain a clean appearance in demanding areas.

We understand why longtime EVO customers have questions now that they are encountering Starlike PRO instead.

The important thing to know is that Litokol has not abandoned the premium epoxy grout concept that made Starlike EVO popular. Starlike PRO moves that concept forward with newer gel technology, updated color technology, a wider joint range, UV resistance, improved workability, and a fresh color palette.

Our biggest advice is to approach the color selection as new. If you previously used an EVO shade you loved, BELK Tile can help identify PRO colors that are visually similar, but an approximate comparison should never be treated as a guaranteed exact match.

For a completely new installation, Starlike PRO gives homeowners, designers, contractors, and tile professionals a modern version of the premium Starlike epoxy grout system with more color and design possibilities than ever.

Shop Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout at BELK Tile

Explore the latest epoxy grout and tile grout options at BELK Tile, including the growing selection of Starlike PRO decorative epoxy grout colors.

If you are moving from a favorite Starlike EVO color and are unsure which Starlike PRO shade to choose, compare the available colors carefully and remember that a similar color is not necessarily an identical replacement.

BELK Tile works with homeowners, interior designers, builders, contractors, and tile professionals nationwide, and we are happy to help you narrow down the right grout for your tile project.