The Short Answer
•Cement grout: Cheap, easy, fine for low-moisture interior floors. Must be sealed. Stains. Cracks.
•Epoxy grout: 4× the cost, 10× the performance. Stain-proof, color-stable, no sealing. The right choice for showers, kitchens, and commercial work.
Cement Grout: The Standard
Sanded and unsanded cement grout — Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA, Custom Building Products Polyblend, Laticrete PermaColor Select. The default for most jobs because it's cheap and forgiving.
Pros:
•$25–$35 per bag covers most residential jobs
•Easy to mix and apply
•Lots of color options
Cons:
•Must be sealed within 2–3 weeks and re-sealed annually
•Stains from coffee, wine, food, foot traffic
•Cracks when substrate moves
•Color cures lighter than the bag and can vary with mix water
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, low-traffic floors, exterior patios on stable substrate.
Epoxy Grout: The Upgrade
Laticrete SPECTRALOCK Pro, Mapei Kerapoxy CQ — true 3-part epoxy (resin + hardener + colored filler). Cures rock-hard, stain-proof, color-stable.
Pros:
•Stain-proof — coffee, wine, oil bead off
•Color-stable — no shading, no efflorescence
•No sealing ever required
•Chemical and acid resistant
•Lifetime warranty when properly installed
Cons:
•$100–$140 per kit (4× cement grout cost)
•Limited working time (about 60 minutes)
•Aggressive cleanup window — wash with water + Sulphate-Free clean while it's still soft
•Hot weather speeds cure time dramatically
•Color slightly less matte than cement (sometimes preferred, sometimes not)
Best for:
•Showers and tub surrounds
•Kitchen countertops and backsplashes
•Commercial kitchens and restrooms
•Pool decks and outdoor wet areas
•Any high-end install where stain-proof matters
The Real-World Cost Comparison
A 60 sq ft master bathroom:
| Grout Type | Material Cost | Labor (typical) | Annual Maintenance |
|---|
| Cement (Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA) | ~$60 | ~$240 | ~$30 sealer + 1 hr labor |
| Epoxy (Laticrete SPECTRALOCK Pro) | ~$240 | ~$360 | $0 |
| 5-year total | ~$450 | | ~$0 |
| ~$600 | | |
Epoxy costs about $150 more over 5 years and looks brand new the whole time. For a master bath you'll live with for 15+ years, it's an easy call.
Application Tips That Save the Job
Cement grout
•Mix to peanut butter consistency. Too wet weakens the bond.
•Pack joints fully with a rubber float, pulling diagonally to the joint line.
•Wait 10–15 minutes (until thumbprint stays), then wash with a damp sponge.
•Two sponge passes max. Third pass washes out color.
•Wait 72 hours before sealing.
Epoxy grout
•Premix the colored part-C filler thoroughly before adding A+B liquid.
•Pour and pack one section at a time — work fast, the clock starts immediately.
•First wash within 30 minutes with the Laticrete Sulphate-Free cleaner pad.
•Second wash within 60 minutes — gentle, plenty of water.
•Cheesecloth haze removal after 24 hours.
Catalog Products to Review
•Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA (40+ colors)
•Laticrete PermaColor Select (mix any color)
•Custom Building Products Polyblend Sanded and Unsanded
•Laticrete SPECTRALOCK Pro Premium epoxy grout (40+ colors)
•Mapei Kerapoxy CQ
•Color-matched silicone caulks (Mapesil T+, LATASIL) for change-of-plane joints
Pro Desk can match grout to tile, recommend color for your specific lighting, and size kit quantity to your sq ft. Stop in or call.
