Tile Grout

Choosing the Right Grout for Your Tile

Grout does much more than fill the joints between tiles.

It affects the finished color, pattern and appearance of the installation, and the grout system you choose also determines how the material is mixed, installed, cleaned and maintained.

At BELK Tile, our two primary grout options are Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout and MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA.

They are both high-performance grout systems, but they are not the same type of product.

The first decision I would make is not color.

It is whether epoxy grout or a high-performance cement grout makes more sense for your project.

Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout vs MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA

Starlike PRO and MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA can both produce durable, color-consistent grout joints, but they get there using different technologies.

Starlike PRO is a two-component epoxy grout.

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA is a high-performance, rapid-setting cement grout.

That difference affects installation, stain resistance, water absorption, maintenance, working characteristics and price.

Neither choice needs to be treated as universally better.

The right grout depends on the tile, location, installer and performance you want from the finished installation.

Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout

Starlike PRO is Litokol's current generation decorative epoxy grout.

It uses a two-component epoxy system designed to create highly durable grout joints with very low water absorption and strong resistance to stains and chemicals.

One of the biggest reasons I recommend considering epoxy grout is maintenance.

Unlike conventional cement-based grout, properly installed Starlike PRO does not depend on routine penetrating grout sealer to provide its primary stain and moisture resistance.

That can make it especially attractive for demanding installations such as showers, kitchen backsplashes, bathroom floors, mosaics and appropriate swimming pool applications.

Starlike PRO also offers an extensive decorative color range, allowing the grout to become part of the tile design instead of simply disappearing between the tiles.

Browse Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout to compare available colors.

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA Grout

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA is a high-performance, rapid-setting cement grout.

FA stands for Fine Aggregate.

The formulation is designed to work across a broad range of grout-joint widths and tile applications while providing improved color consistency and performance compared with basic cement grout.

For customers and installers who prefer working with a cement-based grout rather than a two-component epoxy system, Ultracolor Plus FA provides a strong alternative.

It is available in a range of useful neutral colors, including Alabaster, Eggshell, Charcoal, Biscuit, Moonbeam, Warm Gray, Black, Frost, Avalanche, Bone, Pearl Gray, Silver, Light Almond and Mocha.

Browse MAPEI Grout to compare available colors.

Quick Comparison: Starlike PRO vs MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA

Choose Starlike PRO When:

You want the performance characteristics of an epoxy grout.

You want very low water absorption.

Stain and chemical resistance are particularly important.

You want to minimize dependence on routine penetrating grout sealer.

The installation is in a demanding wet or frequently cleaned environment and the product is approved for that application.

You want access to Starlike PRO's larger decorative color palette.

You are comfortable with the mixing, application and cleanup requirements of a two-component epoxy grout.

Choose MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA When:

You prefer a high-performance cement-based grout.

You want a product familiar to many professional tile installers.

Fast setting and rapid curing characteristics fit the project.

You need a versatile grout for an appropriate residential or commercial tile installation.

The available MAPEI colors work with your tile.

You do not need the particular performance characteristics of an epoxy grout.

Is Epoxy Grout Better Than Cement Grout?

Not automatically.

Epoxy grout offers significant performance advantages in certain installations, particularly where stain resistance, low water absorption and chemical resistance matter.

That does not mean every tile project requires epoxy.

A high-performance cement grout such as MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA can be an excellent choice for many installations.

Budget, installer experience, working time, tile material, joint dimensions, location and maintenance expectations should all be considered.

For a straightforward backsplash, either system may be appropriate.

For a demanding wet or frequently cleaned environment, the additional characteristics of epoxy may become more valuable.

The goal is to choose the grout system that fits the project rather than assuming the most expensive option is automatically necessary.

Grout Color Can Completely Change the Tile

Once you choose the grout system, color becomes the next major decision.

I generally think about grout color in three ways:

Match the tile.

Complement the tile.

Contrast with the tile.

Each approach creates a different result.

Matching Grout

A grout color close to the dominant tile color tends to make the installation appear more continuous.

This works especially well when you want the material itself to receive more attention than the grout pattern.

It can also soften highly geometric mosaics.

Complementary Grout

A complementary grout does not need to match the tile exactly.

A warm off-white grout can work with cream stone.

A soft gray can coordinate with white marble.

A greige can bridge warm and cool tones.

This is often the safest approach when you want the grout visible without making it the focal point.

Contrasting Grout

Contrasting grout emphasizes the shape and layout of the tile.

White subway tile with dark grout makes every rectangle visible.

Hexagon, penny round, herringbone and other mosaics become more graphic when the grout contrasts with the tile.

The stronger the contrast, the more precise the installation needs to be because grout lines become easier to see.

Grout for Mosaic Tile

Mosaic tile contains substantially more grout joints than many larger-format tiles.

That makes grout color and performance especially important.

With penny round, hexagon, basketweave, pebble and other mosaics, grout becomes a significant part of the visible surface.

I recommend selecting the grout at the same time as the mosaic rather than treating it as a final installation decision.

Browse mosaic tile to see how different shapes can interact with grout color.

Grout for Glass Tile

Glass tile deserves special attention because some glass is translucent or highly reflective.

Grout color and setting materials can influence the finished appearance.

Highly contrasting grout can make the shape of a glass mosaic much more pronounced.

A closer color match can produce a quieter surface.

Always verify grout compatibility with the particular glass tile, especially with delicate, translucent or specialty finishes.

Browse glass tile when planning a glass installation.

Grout for Marble and Natural Stone

Natural stone requires more caution.

Marble and other stones vary in porosity, surface finish and sensitivity.

Some grout products or pigments may affect certain stones.

Polished or delicate surfaces may also be vulnerable to scratching during installation or cleanup.

Testing the grout with the actual stone before completing the entire installation can be especially valuable.

Sealing requirements should also be determined according to the specific stone and grout system rather than assuming every natural stone installation needs the same procedure.

Browse natural stone tile for stone options.

Grout for Kitchen Backsplashes

Kitchen backsplashes are exposed to cooking residue, oils, food splatter and repeated cleaning.

That makes both grout color and maintenance worth considering.

Epoxy grout can be attractive when stain resistance and easier long-term maintenance are priorities.

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA provides a high-performance cement alternative for customers and installers who prefer that type of grout.

The right choice depends on the tile and your expectations for the installation.

Grout for Showers

A shower puts grout into a frequently wet environment.

That makes correct product selection and installation particularly important.

Starlike PRO's epoxy formulation offers very low water absorption, which can make it attractive for shower installations.

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA can also be used in appropriate shower applications according to its manufacturer's requirements.

There is one important point I don't want customers to misunderstand:

Grout does not waterproof a shower.

Neither epoxy grout nor cement grout replaces the properly designed waterproofing system behind the tile.

The shower needs to be waterproof before grout becomes part of the finished surface.

Grout for Shower Floors

Shower floors contain numerous joints, especially when mosaics are used.

The grout needs to be appropriate for the tile, joint size and wet environment.

Color also deserves attention because the grout can represent a significant percentage of the visible shower floor.

Do not choose grout solely because it is labeled for wet areas.

Make sure it is compatible with the actual tile and installation system.

Grout for Swimming Pools

Pool installations place grout in a much more demanding environment than a typical backsplash.

Permanent submersion, water chemistry and curing requirements all matter.

Starlike PRO can be used in appropriate submerged applications when installed and cured according to Litokol's requirements.

MAPEI products intended for submerged installations also need to be installed and cured according to their specific technical requirements.

Do not fill a pool based on a generic grout curing assumption.

Follow the required cure period for the exact grout system used.

Does Grout Need to Be Sealed?

This depends on the grout.

That is another major reason to distinguish between epoxy and cement-based systems.

Starlike PRO epoxy grout does not depend on routine penetrating grout sealer in the same way traditional cement grout can.

Cement-based grout products have their own maintenance and sealing characteristics.

Do not automatically apply a grout sealer simply because you have been told that "all grout needs sealing."

Follow the manufacturer's requirements for the actual grout product.

How Much Grout Do You Need?

Grout coverage depends on more than the square footage of the room.

Tile size, tile thickness, grout-joint width and grout-joint depth all affect consumption.

Mosaics generally use substantially more grout than large-format tile because they contain many more joints.

A 100-square-foot installation using large porcelain tile can therefore require a very different amount of grout from 100 square feet of penny-round mosaic.

Use the coverage information for the exact grout together with the actual tile dimensions and joint size.

Do Not Choose Grout Until You Know the Joint Size

Grout-joint width is part of product selection.

Different grout systems are designed for specific joint ranges.

Do not assume every grout is appropriate for every joint.

Check the manufacturer's technical data before purchasing the grout, especially with very narrow mosaic joints or unusually wide joints.

Test Grout Color With the Actual Tile

Online grout colors are useful for narrowing your choices, but screens are not reliable enough for final color decisions.

Lighting changes grout color.

The surrounding tile changes how you perceive it.

Warm indoor lighting can make the same grout look different from daylight.

I recommend comparing the grout color with an actual tile sample whenever the color relationship is important.

This is especially useful with marble, translucent glass and strongly contrasting grout designs.

Starlike PRO Replaced Starlike EVO

Customers who previously purchased Starlike EVO should know that Starlike PRO is the current generation of Litokol's decorative epoxy grout technology.

PRO should not be treated as EVO with a different label.

The formulation and color collection changed.

Some PRO colors have similar former EVO colors, but similar does not mean identical.

If you are trying to match an older installation, use BELK Tile's Starlike PRO Grout Color Chart and our Starlike PRO vs Starlike EVO guide before choosing a replacement color.

Installing Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout

Starlike PRO is a two-component epoxy system.

Parts A and B need to be mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and installation and cleanup need to occur within the product's working parameters.

Epoxy grout should not be approached exactly like conventional cement grout.

Have the tools and cleaning materials ready before mixing and work according to Litokol's current instructions.

Review BELK Tile's Starlike PRO Installation Instructions before beginning the installation.

Installing MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA

MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA is a rapid-setting cement grout and needs to be mixed, installed and cleaned according to MAPEI's current instructions.

Do not treat the water ratio or working time as something to adjust casually.

Rapid-setting grout rewards good preparation.

Have the tile joints prepared, tools ready and installation area planned before mixing.

Always follow the current technical instructions for the exact MAPEI product rather than relying on a generic grout recipe.

Shop Tile Grout at BELK Tile

BELK Tile offers two primary grout systems so you can choose according to the performance and installation characteristics your project requires.

Choose Starlike PRO Epoxy Grout when you want premium epoxy performance, very low water absorption, strong stain resistance and an extensive decorative color range.

Choose MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA Grout when you want a high-performance, rapid-setting cement grout with a practical selection of popular colors.

Choose the grout system first.

Then choose the color.

That order makes much more sense than falling in love with a grout color before determining whether the product itself is right for the installation.