Best Grout for Your Shower [2024 Review]

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As you look to make over your bathroom, one of your bigger projects will be to grout the shower walls and floor. To make easy work out of this home improvement project, I have reviewed some of the best grout for shower​s. You’ll find some of the top grout available on the market in this review to help you narrow down which one is right for you.

​My Shower Tile Grout Reviews

The following reviews will help you select a grout for your shower that will perform to your expectations. I’ve looked at some of the best tile grouts the market has to offer and provided you my overview. This is what I like best or least. You can get started on your shower remodel by choosing the best shower grout your tile work needs, without having to deal with loose shower tile later on.

Note that there are different types of grout. The main composition I have reviewed below is based around cement and epoxy grout. Consider which of these will work best based on your needs.

Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Tile Grout

The Laticrete SpectraLOCK Premium Tile Grout is a waterproof epoxy grout designed to resist staining in your shower. Like many epoxy grouts, this one is relatively easy to mix. You can use epoxy grout in ceramic, glass, and stone tile work. It comes in a variety of colors, too.

You can use this epoxy grout in interior and exterior shower floors as well as walls. It also works well for re-grouting when necessary. Epoxy grout is waterproof and has strong adhesion. It is also a very durable tile grout as it helps prevent mildew from forming.

As great as I found the Laticrete Pro tile epoxy grout to be, it wasn’t without some downfalls. It is a more expensive epoxy grout and does require several steps to complete the mixing process. Unfortunately, this epoxy grout does not come with the Part C active agent which is required to mix it.

This would require you to make an additional purchase. However, epoxy grout has an appealing appearance and is a high-quality grout that many approve of. The best epoxy grout is also extremely reliable and also stainproof.

​Perma Waterproof Non-Shrinking Tile Grout

The Perma Tile Grout is a cement-based grout that comes in a 5 lb. package and which has a fine consistency to it. This cement-based grout is ideal for showers because it has waterproof and water sealing properties.

This is a traditional cement-based grout that you can add color to. Like many other cement-based grouts, it’s easy to mix and doesn’t require the need to add a sealant after you are completed with the tile work. The 5 lb. package can grout approximately 40 square feet. It is also very easy to clean up by using only a damp cloth.

As much as this cement-based grout impresses with its simple to use and mix application, I found it to be on the expensive side when compared with other grout.

Grout Pen Large White

Last but not least, is Grout Pen Large White. This tub applicator allows you to apply grout without the worry of shrinking or cracking. It is water, as well as mildew resistant, and is also non-toxic. This grout comes in a white color and is made of acrylic latex.

The tub size for Grout Pen Large White is 2 oz. The perfect application for this grout is shower repairs as you only have to remove a portion of the existing grout for it to adhere. Just use the tub applicator to apply or use your finger as necessary. Clean up is a breeze with only a damp cloth needed. Dry time is 12 hours.

The Grout Pen Large White offers a non-sanded finish and can enhance the look of your ​bathroom without the need to mix grout to apply it.

The main drawback of this grout is it only comes in one color – white. This limits your choices and would require you to ​do the entire shower surface in a single color in order to prevent mismatching. But, it is so simple to use that grouting ​your shower shouldn’t take long at all.

Custom PMG165QT 1-Quart Simple Premium Grout

The ​Custom PMG165QT 1-Quart Simple Premium Grout is a premixed type of grout, ready-to-apply tile grout that can be used the moment you purchase it. It offers plenty of advantages such as stain resistance and resistance to cracking and shrinking.

This grout is perfect for re-grouting and can be used with joint sizes that range from 1/16 to ½ inch. There is no need to mix this grout, and it is a mess-free product that is easy to use. It can be used to lay mosaic, quarry, porcelain, stone, marble, and granite tiles on walls, floors, and surrounds.

You’ll find this tile grout is water-resistant and can easily be applied over any grout to give you a finished look. The coverage of the package is 34 square feet.

I did find, however, that this grout can, unfortunately, stain porous stone. This may ruin the look of your tile if it is porous. It may not be the best tile grout with this type of application. Scratching can also occur on soft surfaces. I did find that this grout is simple to use if you have the right tile material for its application.

Red Devil 0425 Pre-Mixed Squeeze Grout

The ultimate in ease, the Red Devil Pre-Mixed Grout Squeeze makes putting grout in super easy and simple. This pre mixed tube comes ready to go, with no prep are messy assembly required. Acrylic based, this grout comes in white and made for use on both ceramic and mosaic tile.

There are quite a few convenience upsides. This Red Devil grout is VOC compliant and super simple to clean up with water. If you already have a finished look to your shower tile, this can be great for occasional touch ups.

You would never want to use this for a big project, but its great to have on hand to repair cracks, chips, and areas where the grout has become damaged.

Important ​Grout Considerations for Your Shower

As you get ready to tile your shower, there are some important factors to consider before you buy the grout. Keeping these things in mind can save you time. It can also help you find the ​right grout type and brand for the job.

Obviously, before beginning this project, you have a fresh clean base to start with and that all previous mortar or adhesive has been removed. Once this part is good, you can now proceed with your application.

Premixed vs Regular Grout for Showers

Depending on how your grout is used, you have the option of a premixed grout vs regular grout. Premixed grouts come ready to use. You won’t need to mix or add an active agent that often times you have to buy separately. This can save you time as you prep the area for grout. Keep in mind it does not always provide the appearance you can achieve with regular grout.

Regular powdered grout, as opposed to premixed grout, needs to be mixed with water first. Because of the highly porous nature of the powder and water combination, this type of grout usually needs to have a sealant involved in the installation process as well.

One of the definite benefits of premixed grout is that as long as you purchase the same brand and type, the color should be the same in every package. When you have to mix powdered grout, sometimes the coloring can come out differently from batch to batch.

The shelf life of unused premixed grout is approximately two years, while powdered grout will last much longer. If you are planning on multiple projects spanning over a few years, such as adding a new shower or replacing existing grout in the showers in the house, regular grout may be increasingly more efficient.

Premixed shower grout value a little more. If you’re new to using grout, I recommend buying the premixed kind. If you are familiar with mixing your own grout, need to store it a little longer, or have the patience to get the color right with every batch, regular powdered grout might be a better choice. In the right hands, regular grout for your shower can end up looking better than premixed grout.

A large bag of unmixed sanded grout

Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout for Shower Walls

What’s the difference between sanded and unsanded grout? Like the name, sand is what holds together sanded grout. Small particles of sand stay in place while the grout cures, which provides better stability, cracking-resistance and less shrinkage. You can find many brands of sanded grout at home improvement stores.

On the other hand, unsanded grout provides a smoother texture since it doesn’t have any sand. This type of grout can be more expensive because they use polymers instead of sand for bonding.

Unsanded should be your choice for shower grout. In addition to the smoother texture, it also sticks better on vertical surfaces, like shower walls, due to the absence of sand.

Sanded grout is more durable than unsanded, but when considering that a shower wall does not have any pressure on it from foot traffic, this should not be a concern. The best grout option for your shower is probably unsanded, unless you have an unusual situation.

​Mold and Mildew Resistant Grout

Shower tile constantly has water on it, so the best grout for your shower HAS to resist mold and mildew. Finding a mold-resistant grout is relatively easy – almost all products are designed for use in the shower come with this feature.

You want to check how the grout is used to ensure it has mold and mildew resistance before you make your purchase. Double-checking to verify will save you a lot of headaches down the road, and you will need to ​re-do your tile-cutting and customization process with your heavy-duty tile saw all over again ​should the grout be ruined.

Waterproof Epoxy Grout

​It goes without saying that epoxy grouts for your shower floors and walls ​must be a waterproof grout. Once again, this sounds obvious, but it is vital to double-check. Follow this ​rule especially if you’re thinking about tiling your bathtub.

​Waterproof epoxy grout is an ideal solution for the shower. It has such a high resistance to moisture and looks as pristine as the day you installed it over the life of your tile work. Epoxy grouts don’t use Portland cement or water in the mixing process, and have a different chemical makeup than other grouts

If you are using cement grout in the shower, you will need to add a membrane to avoid water from seeping through the concrete into the walls. The two main types of waterproof membrane are pre-cut sheets and liquid membranes. Sheet membranes are easier as a concept, but liquid membranes leave a higher tolerance for beginner mistakes.

Grout Sealing

After applying your epoxy grout to your ​walls and ​floors, you will need to add a sealant to protect it. Some grout offers a sealant that eliminates this step, saving you time on your remodeling process. The best epoxy grout is one way to make sure you are sealing epoxy grouts without the need for an additional sealant.

Concrete grout in the shower will always require a sealant, and this should be re-applied every few years. You will have to choose between penetrating sealers and membrane grout sealers. Each has their positives and negatives, but penetrating sealers work better in areas with a lot of dampness.

Close up of tiling a shower wall

​Grout Colors

Matching your grout to your tile work is essential to get the look you are going for in your shower. Most grout comes in a variety of color options or allows you to add pigment to get the color choice you are most interested in using. Keep in mind a light grout tends to get dirty and may not be the​ right product for your walls or floors unless you want to paint your tile the same muddy color for a solid color all throughout.

Each grout product has its own curing time that you need to adhere to before you can begin using your shower. Some offer 12 hours curing times while others are as quick as four hours. Make sure you read the fine print, so you know exactly how long your grout needs to cure.

​Caring for Your Shower Grout

Typically, showers are high-use areas, getting used frequently. Both shower tile and grout needs to be able to withstand heavy use, and it also needs to withstand frequent cleaning. Subsequently, this means that the grout you select will have to stand up to the cleaning products that you use to clean the shower.

Old grout starts to take on a dull and weathered look and feel. Not to mention, old grout can start to chip and take on moisture.

The best shower cleaner for mold and mildew might do harm to your grout. Check your go-to cleaner and see it is safe to use on the grout you plan on using. Occasionally, the cleaner will contain a chemical that will eat away at the grout.

If this is the case, you have a choice: use the grout you selected and find a new cleaner. Or, stick with your cleaner, and find a grout that is made to resist the chemical. The first option is generally easier. 

shower tiles wet with grout for bathroom tile

I also recommend picking up the best mop for tile floors with grout. A mop that is specifically designed to clean your shower floor will take care of your grout. 

How To Grout | DIY for Beginners

Conclusion

My decision was an easy one as I highly recommend the Laticrete Premium Tile Grout as the best epoxy grout for your floors and walls. This shower tile epoxy grout has everything you need to get started right away. I like the fact you don’t need a sealant product to cure it, and it gets our vote for best grout to use in your shower.

That doesn’t mean that the other products in this review are less effective. The products I review all do a great job making your walls look shiny and clean as when they were new, they also help keep them that way. All these are available online and offline and, hopefully, after reading this review, you’ll be able to choose the best one for your bathroom.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!