Grout Grout Choice - Fugabella, Bal Absolute, Flowpoint?! - TilersForums.com

[ChilliBob]

Guys,
I'm unsure what grout to choose for our latest project and I'm hoping you can help.

We're having 20mm 400x600 porcelain tiles (which look more like sandstone- riven surface and edges etc) installed into a summerhouse (36sqm). It'll be used as a shed, gym, play room etc - so it'll see some abuse!

I was looking at non porus/impermeable solutions..so I could wipe the joints as I clean the tiles.

Flowpoint - looks great, but not sure how you'd use in a room you can't hose off!
Bal Absolute Epoxy - looks like it's one of these new epoxy grouts, could work?
Fugabella - Also looks non permiable - and just like normal grout?

When the tiles were installed for our patio and path they used some of this brush in stuff - which was a lovely buff/sand colour, being porous it's now a sort of mud colour, so, keen not to repeat and use something porous like this.

Any thoughts/recommendations much appreciated - the fit out is happening now so I need to make a decision quickly!

Cheers!

 

[ChilliBob]

Well Bal just called me back - seems Absolute isn't a contender - it can't be used over more than a 12mm depth.

 

[TKD Tiling]

Get an FL grout from Ardex

 

[ChilliBob]

Thanks for the reply Tom, looks like that's a waterproof one. Is that thought of as better than the Fugabella? - That's my current front runner

 

[TKD Tiling]

Thanks for the reply Tom, looks like that's a waterproof one. Is that thought of as better than the Fugabella? - That's my current front runner

The consistency is different. The FL Ardex is a gritty, heavy grout which is perfect for deep/wide joints on floors. Fugabella is a very decent grout, but it’s got a fine consistency so can shrink or sink with a deep/wide joint. Finer grouts can also leave wash marks caused by the sponge when washing.
Ardex and Fugabella are my two favourite grout brands to use… so you’re on the right track 👍🏻

 

[ChilliBob]

Thanks, that's great. From looking at videos it looked almost like Fugabella dries more like a silicon - i.e. with a plastic type of finish which you could wipe clean, but the Ardex more like a conventional grout?

These are the tiles with their fettled edges: Romeli Porcelain Paving - https://www.bradstone.com/romeli/ The Flowpoint would look decent, but can't exactly use that in a room with newly plastered walls!

Bit of a side point I suppose, but can grout be 'topped up' - if say it did shrink in a couple of places could a DIYer just mix up a small batch and add some to a couple of existing joints, or does it not work like that?!