HIGH PERFORMANCE GROUT--- How Does It Hold Up Over Time???

High performance grout i.e. Custom's Prism, TEC Power Grout, Laticrete Permacolor, can have properties that include stain resistance, color consistency, and rapid curing. But, are we sacrificing durability? This video uses three examples to show how these high performance grouts can rub out easily especially when they are wet.

[X.Tile-DFW]

Great video, this is something I’ve been very interested in lately. I just used prism the other day and checked the hardness with my knife in a spot that didn’t matter and it was soft and flakey. I’ve been using polyblend lately which is Portland cement based and cures rock hard. The color consistency will never be perfect no matter how careful you are with it, but functionality comes first.

[spbygga]

"Mortar should never be stronger than the bricks" - I would think the same would apply for tile and grout. If it is too hard/brittle any deflection in the floor will cause it to crack.

[gonza]

I used prism grout on my new install do you recommend sealer, if so which one?

[InheritVocs]

Over the years I’ve used (in order) customs, tec, Bostik, Laticrete perma color. That’s in order of all standard grouts. I’ve also used Laticrete spectralock (the hardest but epoxy) Bostik tru color-urethane, lately it’s been 50/50 with tec power grout and Laticrete permacolor plus. Both are great! Going to try my first bath with -Laticrete spectralock pro this week!

[ThielTube]

having the "hardest" grout isnt what you want.. you want a grout that will flex with slight movement and with heating and cooling/expansion and contraction. That way you dont have cracks form on your grout lines, this is also why you always use a high performance penetrating sealer on all grout, you should never have water absorbing into your grout after its fully cured

[justinofboulder]

Had a few issues with "high Performance" Power grout. started using a scale to weigh my power to water ratio (since you never mix the entire bag at once) and all my problems went away. I always keep a paper cup full from each job (letting it cure in the cup) so I can check it for hardness for several days afterward. Powergrout and Prism are my current choces for any joint larger than 1/16. FA plus is my preference for 1/16th joints

[TileCoach]

Can you guess which one was the softest (the brown one)?

[jlpeterson]

So, I installed Laticrete's new Spectraloc1 pre-mixed grout that has epoxy like properties. My rep gave me a gallon to use in my own house to test. This stuff gets crazy hard. Normally I wouldn't like a pre-mixed but this grout has epoxy like properties and performance. It's quite amazing stuff. Hopefully you can get your rep to trial you a gallon to test out. I'd love to see a video from you.

[sean_sumthin]

PRISIM grout has given the best results in my experience. Please test and display its benefits based on the manufacturer description

[MrNeptunebob]

Would a "traditional" ground like was used in the past be a better choice? Is there a traditional grout available today?

[smellysam]

Not a pro builder (anymore), and I have been using Mapei Ultracolor for years with no issues - both for shops and my personal projects - no issues if the tile is set right. Here in Flanders, it is a bit the professional's choice.
In my now job on ships, we use epoxy based grout, so I give it a go in my bathroom. When dry it is both slightly elastic and water repellent, impressed.

[kayjayhoz]

Have TEC power grout in my bathroom floor and shower walls. The tub is acrylic. Only 2 years old after a bathroom remodel. The grout comes our extremely easy cleaning with a bristle brush and accumulates mold and mildew with ease. There are several areas of missing grout. It looks terrible and will not last as there is no way it is durable over time. How can I fix this? Clean, fill in the grout, and use a clear seal??? Is another option to clean, fill in grout, and then use a premixed grout like Fusion Pro instead of a sealer? I have had a few grout repair companies look at the problem with a few different options. I am just a homeowner trying to fix this problem and not sure what plan of action to take. Makes me want the old fiberglass tub/shower back! Your Tile Coach Channel has really educated me on all things grout! Any help or input is appreciated.

[shawnmitcham]

Great video man. I like the way you think and approach this how you do. I really like the Coke v Pepsi challenge aspect of this one. Very interested in the 'reveal' video if it's coming.

[Odb]

This is crazy to me. Does the bag say it's not for use in wet areas?

[wendellperkins]

Does the width of the grout line affect it's adhesion to the tile or affect cracking?

[scorpio]

Very interesting. I look forward to seeing how the various products compare.

[dorothylowe]

My acrylic grout in my shower had become smushy…the tile installer is willing to fix it. He’s not seen this before. What should we/I do?

[Techy]

By far an epoxy grout is harder than a cement grout. Laticrete makes it as well as other brands. Thanks for the videos. I just happen to have experience with epoxy products. They are a little different than cement products but super strong, good adhesion, and dries harder than a rock. Maybe do a comparison. I was using latapoxy 310 stone adhesive to put on some vertical stones today and it’s an excellent product. I just did some research and found laticrete has a new grout called spectralock 1 and it meets the same standard as epoxy grout. It's a premixed single part grout. Would like to see you test it. I’m going to try it on the stones I just expoxied on.

[MAGAMAN]

I have been using polyblend unsanded grout for my floors and it seems like it is staying pretty soft even after several months.

[anonymacusy]

Hi Isaac, did you try Keracolor with Grout Maximizer, both from MAPEI?