sanded or non-sanded grout?

[gejohesch]

Hello! I have a largish (ca 50 sq m) floor surface to tile. I already have bought the tiles 45 x 45 cm. A small section has already been tiled years ago with similar tiles, the spacing between tiles is 4-5mm i.e. 1/6 - 1/5 inch. It's not perfectly regular as it was done by a local worker (typical "village-type" work!). , I don't want the new tiling to clash too much with the old one, so I'm opting for a spacing of 5 mm for my own work.

 

Now, the question is : which grout mortar am I going to use? Reading on the net, I hear loud and clear that for anything larger than 1/8 inch = 3 mm I should definitely use sanded grout. I have tiled a wall in the past with 2mm spacing with grout bought in a Dinasty Tiles shop, I'm 100% certain that was unsanded grout, it worked perfect. However, I'm not sure the shop has sanded grout. I cannot check because I'm outside Thailand just now.

 

Can anyone reassure me that Dinasty (or another shop) also has sanded grout?

 

My question may sound stupid, but I just read that "I was in India a few years back and they ONLY sell unsanded grout there". One never knows...

[Woof999]

Grout without sand in larger gaps will often crack. The sand makes the grout stronger and less likely to shrink - hence the lack of cracks.

 

Never heard of Dinasty, but the usual suspects such as Thai Watsadu, Home Pro or Boonthavorn (an often overlooked supplier) will have what you need.

[CharlieKo]

I think you might find that sanded grout is cement with more sand in it than used for mortar cement. probably very easy for make yourself. 

[gejohesch]

1 hour ago, Woof999 said:

Grout without sand in larger gaps will often crack. The sand makes the grout stronger and less likely to shrink - hence the lack of cracks.

 

Yes, I understand that, thanks! Hence my question : do I find sanded grout easily in Thailand? I will check with Home Pro, Pairat also in Khon Kaen.... Just that I would like to be reassured before getting back to Thailand!

Edited June 4, 2023 by gejohesch

[gejohesch]

1 hour ago, CharlieKo said:

I think you might find that sanded grout is cement with more sand in it than used for mortar cement. probably very easy for make yourself. 

I did a bit of reading and lots of people who seem to know what they're talking about strongly recommend not to make a mix myself, as that would throw off the aggregate - cement proportion of the initial product. Seems manufacturers have good reasons to make the mixes they market out with very specific proportions.

[Madgee]

webercolor plus (th.weber)

 

I came across this stuff by mistake a few months ago because I needed a blue colour grout! 5mm-20mm gaps.

[gejohesch]

1 hour ago, Madgee said:

webercolor plus (th.weber)

 

I came across this stuff by mistake a few months ago because I needed a blue colour grout! 5mm-20mm gaps.

Great, thanks! I see a few products for joints of 5 mms with Weber!