Should you Grout Vinyl Tiles? Tips, Pros & Cons

Grouted vinyl tiles are made to give the appearance of ceramic tiles. But they are much lighter, slimmer, and even cheaper than the ceramic tiles. They can also be installed anywhere in the house, but should I grout vinyl tiles?

Grouting tiles comes with many benefits. It is recommended to do so since it might absorb water, stains, and even bacteria if you don’t seal your grout. Sealing the grout will also assist in prolonging the appearance, texture, and consistency of the grout.

Many people often ask themselves this question when planning on buying vinyl tiles, should we use grouted vinyl tiles or not? You are in the right place as we will be looking at the tips, pros & cons of grouted vinyl tiles.

Should I seal grout before removing haze?

 You might think the work is done after installing the tiles and applying grout, but no, the work is not done yet. Before we answer if we should seal grout before removing haze, it is vital to understand what grouting is.

What is grouting? Grouting is the process of filling in the spaces between tiles. Most grouts come in powder form, but it is not rare to find some in pre-mixed containers. Either way, it is advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on correctly mixing the grout.

The simple answer to whether we should seal grout before removing haze is, yes! It is recommended to do so since it might absorb water, stains, and even bacteria if you don’t seal your grout. Sealing the grout will also assist in prolonging the appearance, texture, and consistency of the grout.  

A great way to seal the grout is by adding a grout sealer.

Pros of Grouting Tiles

There are numerous benefits of grouted vinyl tiles ranging from its wide range of styles to its durability. Below are some of the benefits of grouted vinyl tiles;

1. Easy to install.

When compared to other products, vinyl tiles are quite simpler to install.  In the past, vinyl tiles were only sold as wide, cumbersome sheets. Today’s planks and tiles are quite simple to install without hammering or sawing.  

But if you wish to grout your tiles, you can still do so right away after installation without waiting for the mortar to dry up.

2. It is simple to shape the vinyl tile.

When using vinyl tiles, you do not need complicated tools such as the tile cutter or even the wet saw to cut and shape the vinyl. You can use the household’s readily available tools, such as the kitchen shears or even the utility knife to shape the tiles.

3. You can easily take care of the vinyl tiles.

This is ideal for those who do not have the time to clean and maintain. You can take care of it by sweeping dust and dirt with a floor brush. You can then use a mop to clean. The mop should be damp to clean the spots, which are sticky and also to clean spills.

So long as the grout has been properly sealed, you can use a damp mop without any problems. You can use rugs to prevent damages to the tiles. It is also advisable to put the protective tips on the bottom of furniture legs so that the tiles are not damaged when moving furniture.

4. Vinyl tiles can be laid on top of existing tiles.

This helps save time, and you won’t have to go through the inconvenience of removing the old flooring. This can be possible if the previous flooring is clean and in good condition.

5. It is not easy for it to break.

That’s one of the benefits of vinyl tiles and why they are trendy in the market. You could drop anything hard on it, such as a cooking pan, and it won’t crack, unlike the standard tiles.

6. Comfortable and durable.

Vinyl tiles have soft surfaces; hence it is comfortable on the feet. It is also warm during the cold seasons. They are also very durable.

Cons of Grouting Tiles

Grouted Vinyl tiles also have their disadvantages. Below are some of them;

1. Might cost more than what was anticipated.

Even though Vinyl tile is considerably cheaper as compared to stone or even hardwood, for you to purchase the highest end products, you may have to spend more than what you expected initially.

2. Quite tricky to adjust once they are placed.

This is because of the self-adhesive backing on the grouted tiles. They are difficult to adjust once they are laid hence the vital need for proper installation during the first time.

Tips when Grouting Vinyl Tiles

Grouting, if done correctly, can make all the difference to your tiling job. It will give your vinyl tiles a sophisticated look, and also give it a ceramic-like look.

Here we will look at the tips that when applied, will make your tiles surfaces lasts longer;

• Clean the joints– you can clean the joints using a knife or a blade to remove any build-up. Cleaning the joints will ensure that grout has enough space to occupy the joints for much stronger bonds.
• Choose the right type of vinyl tiles– not all vinyl tiles are suitable for grouting. If you want to grout your vinyl tile floor, buy tiles that are made specifically for grouted edges.
• Choose the right type of grout – there are mainly two types of grout- sanded and unsanded. Choose the one that suits your needs.
• Get the mixing right – the entire process will be much easier if you get the mixing part right. Do not mix too much grout at the same time.
• Work in sections – this is a useful tip, more so if you are a beginner. It is always a good idea to work in small parts at a time.
• Use the correct cleaning tools on the tiles – you can use vinegar or even baking soda cleaning agent to remove the haze after the grout has dried up.
• Leave the grout to dry for 24 hours – this is because if you walk on freshly grouted tiles, the grout will not cure properly.

Conclusion

It is quite easy to install grouted vinyl tiles by yourself, but you might need a professional’s help if the floor size is quite large. In as much as they are appealing to the eye and are cost-effective, they should be handled with great care to last for long.