What Type Of Grout To Use In Swimming Pool Tile?

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

When you first get to an indoor pool, chances are that you already remember feeling the floor underneath your feet. Flooring tends to come in one of two “flavors:” tile and poured concrete. If you have a tile floor in your pool room, then you probably will have that tile expand into the pool itself. Making a tiled pool is no small matter, and if you’re ready to begin, it’s crucial to know the type of grout to use.

Adding tile to a pool means that you can typically choose between two different types of grout: Portland cement grout and epoxy grout. Epoxy grout is considered to be the better choice for waterproofing and small-scale items. However, if you are looking for an economical choice for large-scale pool tiling, a cement grout with a little sand works best.

Getting the right grout is a must for any kind of project that involves tiling. To make things a bit easier, we’re going to discuss the two most important types of grout for every pool person…

Do You a Need Pool, Spa, or Hot Tub Contractor?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

What Types Of Grout Are Used For Swimming Pool Tiling Projects?

Tiling up a swimming pool means that you have to choose a grout that is resilient…really resilient. You have to choose a type of grout that is remarkably waterproof and capable of handling long-term exposure to moisture. This leaves two primary types of grout that you can choose from:

  • Classic Portland Cement Grout. Most people who want to do large-scale tiling jobs tend to choose sanded Portland cement grout for their swimming pools. This type of cement is resilient and durable. While it’s not extremely waterproof, it is waterproof enough when treated with the right seal. Since it’s dirt cheap and grippy, you’ll get great results from this grout even when you’re on a shoestring budget.
  • Epoxy Grout. You might already know that epoxy grout is waterproof. This is the grout that most experts suggest for places like spas and bathrooms. It is designed to be waterproof, quick-drying, and capable of keeping mold at bay without a sealant. Because it is basically made for bath-related areas, it’s a bit pricier. This makes it a good choice for smaller projects.

When Should You Use Portland Cement Grout?

Portland cement grout is one of the older versions of pool tile grout, and it’s a good choice if you’re on a budget and are open to doing a little extra work. With that said, budget isn’t the only reason why you may want to try this one out. These perks suggest that you may want a cement grout pool.

  • You want to get some color in your grouting. Because it’s easy to dye, this is the best choice for people who want to have colored grout in their pool. Blue grout in a pool? Oh, my yes. If you were to choose epoxy, your color selection would be fairly limited.
  • You are going to be grouting tiles that are over 1/4 inch apart. This suggests that you should get a sanded grout. No epoxy grout is going to be able to offer that, so it’s an automatic win for Portland cement grout.
  • You’re doing a large-scale project and want to make sure that you finish it on budget. This is the most affordable choice, even when you factor in waterproofing grout sealant.

When Should You Consider Using Epoxy Grout?

Epoxy grout is one of the best types of grout for any project that involves moisture. That includes the tiling found at the bottom of a pool. The biggest draw to epoxy is also the most obvious: the material is naturally waterproof, which means that you don’t need a sealant to make sure that your grout will be able to withstand the rigors of being at the bottom of a pool.

Epoxy is a great choice for people who want to have an unsanded grout that will be gentle on marble or glass tiling. However, the big drawback here is that it’s far more expensive than standard Portland cement. As a result, this is often only used if you have a big budget for a pool or are simply outfitting a new jacuzzi-sized tub.

Can You Use A Normal Grout In A Swimming Pool?

Most people want to know if they can use old-school cement grout if they decide to tile up their swimming pool floors. Portland cement grout is normal grout. It’s actually the standard grout for almost every type of tiling job! So, the short answer is yes. You can use normal grout in a pool and still get decent results.

However, there are a couple of caveats.

If you choose to get a normal grout instead of epoxy, you are going to have to get a sealant that offers waterproofing as a perk. Ideally, you’ll spring for the good stuff and get a mildew-resistant sealer too. Once in a while, you may also have to touch up the sealant just to make sure everything is good.

Moreover, there’s another issue that you need to be aware of when it comes to “normal” grout: the lifespan. Epoxy grout has the benefit of being naturally resistant to water. Standard grout doesn’t, and sadly, sealant only goes so far. This means that you should expect to have repairs done on your pool sooner than you might think.

How Much Does Each Type Of Swimming Pool Grout Cost?

You are going to have to budget for your swimming pool grout. A large bag (50 to 75 pounds) of standard powdered Portland cement ground will cost between $10 to $20, depending on the brand and features. Epoxy grout, on the other hand, will cost between $80 to $150 per gallon depending on the brand and features they offer.

The stark price difference is one of the biggest reasons why people tend to choose cement grout that’s been augmented with additives. After all, using epoxy to tile a pool can potentially make the project thousands of dollars more expensive, depending on the size of the pool.

While epoxy is great to use, most people won’t find that price tag to be worth the perks. Properly apply grout to your pool to prevent leaks and keep your monthly cost to maintain a pool down.

Do You a Need Pool, Spa, or Hot Tub Contractor?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

Does epoxy grout ever crack?

One of the biggest reasons why epoxy grout is so popular is because it doesn’t crack, chip, or shrink. It is a highly flexible agent that’s both grippy and capable of working with temperature changes. Moreover, this is a type of grout that remains highly resistant to cleaning agents.The durability that epoxy offers is one of the biggest draws people have towards it. Though it’s not indestructible, we can honestly say that it is one of the better choices for areas that are damp or high-traffic as a result of these traits. If you have a pool, spa, bathroom, or kitchen project, you need to consider using epoxy.


Is epoxy grout easy to remove off tiling?

While epoxy comes with a slew of different perks, there is one major drawback to epoxy worth noting. It is very hard to get off tiling once it dries. In fact, even professional repairmen find it hard to get epoxy off tiling at times. In order to remove it, you often may need to use physical force alongside chemical agents. Even then, there’s no guarantee that you will be able to remove all of it.


How long does epoxy grout take to fully cure?

Epoxy grout will take between 24 to 36 hours to fully cure, depending on the grout thickness as well as the overall environment that it’s drying in. Most epoxies will be able to be “walkable” within four to six hours of their initial installation. To find out the specific details of the grout you bought, read the instructions that came with the package. You’ll be able to see everything in the documentation online if you can’t find it elsewhere.

Related Articles

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

More by Ossiana Tepfenhart

Next