News from the Block, Innovate Building Solutions Blog
News from the Block, Innovate Building Solutions Blog
Bathroom, Kitchen, Basement Design & Remodeling Ideas for the Nicest Home or Business on the Block
Bathroom, Kitchen, Basement Design & Remodeling Ideas for the Nicest Home or Business on the Block

I Hate Grout Joints in the Shower – Winning the Battle vs. Grout

 

 

Updated August 18, 2019

I wish I had a dollar for every homeowner who called complaining about the hassle of their tiled shower or bathtub. In most cases the problem is not the tile, it’s the nasty grout joints between the tile. Cleaning, scrubbing and getting on your hands and knees in a bathroom is no one’s idea of a good time! Regrouting and resealing the grout joints can temporarily “fix” the problem – but you will eventually end up with the same maintenance dilemma. The article below provides 5 strategies to help win the “battle of the grout joints.”

Strategy 1 – Grout free shower and tub wall panels

What better way to battle tile and grout joints them to blow them up completely. If you like the look of tile and stone consider what wouldn’t be smarter than use grout free shower wall panels which look exactly like tile and stone (without the joint)! This option provides a quality project with the look of having an actual grout joint without the maintenance. You can use these shower wall panels for senior housing or also as a tub surround in a single family rental.

Laminated shower and bathroom wall panels with a wood textured look in a contemporary bathroom| Innovate Building Solutions
Laminated shower and bathroom wall panels with a wood textured look in a contemporary bathroom

If you’re looking to do things ‘on the cheap, cheap’ acrylic or fiberglass can be your best options (although their molded appearance won’t look at good as the laminated shower panels mentioned above.

If you like a smooth surface options include contemporary high gloss panels, a traditional stone-looking line of PVC backed composite walls, a new natural looking shower wall panels made from a crushed stone with fiber strand reinforcement or even a smooth surfaced solid surface wall product can work.

Strategy 1 - Grout Free Shower Wall Panels Image 2 Veincut Biscuit 48 x 36 x 96

 

Strategy 2 – Linear Drains

You’re probably wondering what shower drains have to do with tile grout joints. Long linear drains allow for a uniform slope in a shower pan which can accommodate larger format tiles with small joints vs. the standard bases with small mosaic tiles and a large number of grout joints. These drains add style, reduce maintenance and also have the benefit of draining the water from the shower floor quicker.

Strategy 2 - Linear Drains 2012-07-18 10.07.06

Strategy 3 – Use better grout

Most tile showers and bathtubs use sanded grout which is readily available at your home center store and is easy to install and cost effective. The drawback to sanded grout is it requires resealing (which few people actually remember to do) and must be constantly cleaned – which is a huge pain.

One alternative is using a latex or modified epoxy grout. This product uses epoxy resins and silica filler and does a nice job resisting staining and is harder than sanded grout. I will tell you though from the perspective of the installation crews in our remodeling division they don’t like epoxy grout because it’s difficult to mix and the time to work the materials is short.

The second option is urethane grout. This product is available pre-mixed (no mixing challenge like epoxy grout) and does not need to be resealed. The drawbacks are urethane grout is about 3x more expensive than sanded grout and requires more time and patience to install (it will save maintenance costs and time in the long run).

Urethane grout in an 18 lb. bucket
Urethane grout in an 18 lb. bucket

Strategy 4 – Solid surface and cultured stone shower pans 

Tile shower pans (which are usually set in a mortar base, have grout joints between the tiles and are hand built at the site) not only take a lot of time to maintain – they are also known to be the source of leaks due to bad installations. Alternatives to the job site made tile bases include standard sizes pans made of fiberglass (the cheapest option but they are not known for durability) or acrylic bases (more expensive, but more reliable than fiberglass). For a higher end project solid surface shower pans or cultured stone shower bases are high quality, fully customizable, and are available in over 60 colors.

Shower Base Guide Download

Cultured stone shower base with stone shower walls | Innovate Building Solutions

 

Strategy 5 – Larger wall tiles with smaller joints (or larger looking wall tiles with no joints at all!) 

While 4” x 4” and 6” x 6” tiles might desired for a retro-style remodel they are not fashionable for today’s contemporary look. Large format tiles (8” x 16” units, 4” x 16” units for example) are the rage and can help in the battle vs. grout by having fewer grout joints. You can also make upkeep easier by using a darker colored grout.

Strategy 5 Large Format Tiles

 

You can also use this ‘large tile’ strategy effectively by using ‘large-looking’ shower wall panels which aren’t tile at all. If you look at these grout free wall panels below would you think they are tile? If you said yes they look tile you’d be correct. The cool thing is THEY ARE NOT TILE – they are laminated wall panels imported from Europe! So with this option there would be ZERO MAINTENANCE for you.

24 x 18 laminated shower wall panels in 2' x 8' sections used in a Mid Century Modern Bathroom remodel
24″ x 18″ design style laminated shower wall panels in made in simple to install 2′ x 8′ sections used in a Mid Century Modern Bathroom remodel

Conclusion

Have you used any of these 5 strategies to win the battle vs. grout joints? Please comment or call us on the numbers below to get assistance on your grout problems or a free estimate on remodeling products or services.

For nationwide material supply for the grout free shower wall panels and pans for a home call Innovate Building Solutions (877-668-5888). If you’re looking for wall panels for hotel showers or a bathtub surround for a vacation home rental call 888-467-7488. For regional installation and remodeling contact The Bath Doctor in Cleveland (216-531-6085), Columbus (614-252-7294) or a bathroom remodeling project in Cleveland contact Cleveland Design and Remodeling (216-658-1270).

If you’re a remodeler or builder and want practical advice on remodeling products, industry trends, marketing and sales tips to grow your business (and cut day to day hassles), start reading my newest blog – Innovate Builders Blog. It’s packed with ideas you can use now. Click here to Sign Up for the Innovate Builders Blog or call me at 888-467-7488 to inquire about being a shower wall panel dealer of the unique line of laminate wall panels.


Mike Foti

President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels

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