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Introduction to the Grout Sealers
If you’re in the market for a good grout sealer, you want to make sure that you choose the best quality grout sealer you can get. A grout sealer is exactly what it sounds like. It is a product that seals the grout on floor tiles, wall tiles, backsplashes and any other place tiles have been placed. Sealing this grout prevents oils, drinks, food spills and other things from seeping into the grout and discoloring it.
There are some considerations and information that you will need to learn to ensure that you understand the differences between the various types and brands of grout sealers. This knowledge will make the selection process much easier. Knowledge is key to being able to make an informed decision about the right grout sealer for your needs.
Top 10 Grout Sealers
| Rank | Picture | Sealer | Interior Protection (Years) | Exterior Protection (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Tuff Duck | 5 | 3 |
| 2 | 
|
Safecoat | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 
|
Black Diamond | 10 | 5 |
| 4 | 
|
Miracle | 20 | 5 |
| 5 | 
|
StoneTech | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 
|
Aqua Mix | 15 | 5 |
| 7 | 
|
Elmer’s | 5 | 2 |
| 8 | 
|
Mapei | 5 | 3 |
| 9 | 
|
Red Devil | 5 | 2 |
| 10 | 
|
Homax | 15 | 5 |
Tuff Duck Granite, Grout and Marble Sealer
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Tuff Duck’s grout sealer is a penetrating sealer that will not discolor the appearance of your grout or the stones either.
It has double the active ingredient than another famous and well known brand has which ensures plenty of protection and all with a single coat of sealer.
Tuff Duck sealer will seal your grout for 3-5 years depending on whether it is for indoor or outdoor surfaces. The non-acidic formula will cover as much as 800 sq ft of tile.
This product works on stones as well. It is a super strong stain protector for grout and stone as well.
It’s compatible with most stones including marble, slate, terrazzo, sandstone and other stones.
This strong grout sealer will protect your grout against all oil based and water based stains so your floors, counters, and walls stay looking beautiful.
Afm Safecoat Grout Sealer
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AFM Safecoat is a superior grout sealer that reacts with the grout and becomes part of it.
This increases the water resistance of the grout and minimizes any liquid from penetrating into the grout and staining it.
This washable surface remains clean and clear of stains and discolorations.
Safecoat is non-toxic, formaldehyde free and has no strong, chemical smell.
This quality grout sealer is the perfect protection for all your grout and provides a moisture resistant sealer for all porous grout as well as other stone surfaces.
It dries clear without any discoloration so your tile work is not affected or changed. It is easy to use and is cost effective as well.
Black Diamond UGS PT Ultimate Grout Sealer
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Black Diamond is a popular brand of premium grout sealer that is super easy to use.
It repels stains and penetrates deep inside the grout to prevent any oil or water based stain from getting in. This long lasting, invisible barrier makes cleaning the tiles much easier.
Another benefit to Black Diamond grout sealer is that it will restrict and inhibit the growth of mildew and mold which can easily happen in bathrooms without sealed tiles.
Replacing grout work is not an easy job. It’s messy and time consuming.
Black Diamond provides a method of easily protecting your grout work from things such as food, grease, drinks and other substances.
It is completely colorless and doesn’t contain any harmful solvents that can harm the grout. It is non-combustible and VOC compliant, so it can be used with any type of grout you are using. It is the perfect grout for kitchens and bathrooms. Each pint covers 200-500 inches per pint.
Grout Sealers Summary
Sealing your grout work with a quality grout sealer will prevent you from having to replace the grout in a year or less from stains that have seeped in. This clear sealer is easy to apply in most cases and repels oil based and water based stains that can mess up the look of grout work and make it look dirty and unattractive.
All three of the grout sealers that we have reviewed above are from reputable and well known manufacturers that are known for quality products. Each of them is easy to apply and provide a strong seal over all grout work that is super durable, long lasting and won’t affect the color of the grout work.
Learn more about grout sealers by reading the buyer’s guide below. This guide has been designed to provide you with the information you need to understand the different types of grout sealer and how to sort through the numerous choices and select the best one for your needs.
Unless you want to be removing and redoing grout often, it is important to choose a high quality grout sealer that will repel the oil and water based substances that can mess it up. This guide will help you do that.
Compare: The 10 Best Rated Grout Sealers
Tuff Duck View |
Safecoat View |
Black Diamond View |
Miracle View |
StoneTech View |
Aqua Mix View |
Elmer’s View |
Mapei View |
Red Devil View |
Homax View |
|
| Quantity (fl oz) |
22 | 32 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 6 | 8 | 5.5 | 4 |
| Application | Granite, Grout, Marble, Travertine, Limestone, Slate, Concrete |
Porous tile grout, cementitious surfaces |
Grout | Porous tile grout |
Porous tile grout, cementitious surfaces |
Stone, Tile, Grout |
Stone, Tile, Grout |
Ceramic, Mosaics |
Ceramic, Mosaics |
Stone, Tile, Grout |
| Interior Protection (years) |
5 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| Exterior Protection (years) |
3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Coverage Area (sq ft) |
800 | 100 | 500 | 1000 | 250 | 250 | 20 | 100 | 20 | 20 |
| Color | Clear | Clear | White | Clear | Clear | Clear | White | Light Almond |
White | White |
Grout Sealer Buyers Guide
Grout Sealer Categories
If you’ve never used grout sealer before you will more than likely not know a lot about them so you can confidently choose one that is good for your needs. There are hundreds of grout sealers on the market but all of the products will fall into one of three categories.
Coatings – A coating is the thin surface on the grout that protects it from oil, water or dirt getting from getting into the pores of the grout as well as protecting it from wear. It is usually more economical than a penetrable sealer. Some things to watch out for when using coatings include:
- They are not particularly eat to apply
- They wear out quickly and need to be reapplied often
- They can turn yellow if they are exposed to UV light.
- The removal process can damage grout since it has to be done often
- Some grout coatings don’t allow it to breathe which can result in moisture being trapped. If this happens, the grout can simply deteriorate.
There are two kinds of coatings that are available on the market
- Permanent – These coatings are extremely hard to remove. They are usually made of epoxies or polyurethanes or a similar material. They are almost impossible to remove so many contractors advise against using them for grout.
- Strippable – Strippable coatings can be easily removed from a grouts surface. They are usually made of acrylics, polyethylene and other types of polymers that are almost always water-based. You may see words like metal cross link, acrylic or high speed on the label of a strippable coating.
Penetrating Sealers – This product is made to penetrate the surface of the grout and deposit tiny particles that will protect the grout from many substances such as dirt, water and other things that can stain the grout. Penetrating sealers usually contain silicone, silane, siloxane or some other derivative of silicone. There are some things to look at when using penetrating sealers.
- The grout’s appearance will not be changed from use of this type of sealer
- Penetrating sealers will last years without any frequent application being necessary.
- They are not affected by UV light
- Some types of penetrating sealers may produce vapors that are flammable
- Some penetrating sealers are solvent based
- They are more expensive than coatings
There are two kinds of penetrating sealers that are available on the market
Coatings
A coating is a sacrificial protective layer that is on the surface of the grout. We have listed pros and cons of using coatings to help protect your grout.
The Advantages
- Initial application of the sealer is very low and it is usually the more economical choice.
- They are difficult to apply
- The coating will take most of the wear, preserving the grout, and may need to be replaced more often.
The Disadvantages
- Coatings will usually get marred and scuffed very easily because they are much softer than the grout. Re-application can fix worn out coatings so the grout underneath doesn’t become exposed to stains.
- There can be a buildup of coatings from reapplication that can cause an unattractive appearance.
- If the coating is not a good quality coating it can turn yellow and look very dull and dated. This happens often when the grout is exposed to UV light.
- It is necessary to strip the coatings often and reapply. The abrasives used when stripping the old coating off can cause damage to the grout.
- Depending on the coating, it’s possible that some may not allow the grout to breathe the way it should. When this happens, moisture can be trapped underneath the surface. This can lead to the grout falling apart underneath the coating.
Penetrating Sealers
Penetrating sealers or impregnators seep into the grout and build a protective layer that is part of the grout. It is much stronger than coatings and can be used in all areas where you have stone surfaces.
The Advantages
- Using penetrating sealers will not affect the appearance or cosmetic look of the grout.
- Penetrating sealers go beneath the surface of the grout and will last several years before it needs to be reapplied.
- This type of sealer is not going to be affected by UV light since they are where the light can’t penetrate making them good choices for use outdoors.
- Most of the penetrating sealers are hydrophobic but some can be oiliophobic
The Disadvantages
- Some penetrating sealers are solvent-based and produce flammable vapors that are very noxious.
- Penetrable sealers produce VOCs. There are some restrictions in certain states for their use.
- Penetrating sealers cost more than coatings do.
Color Sealing
This process seals the grout along with coloring it too. This option is the best choice to make if you want to change the color of your grout or if the existing grout is so stained that it can’t come clean.
Conclusion
Laying tile, regardless of where you put it, is a time intensive job that can take days and even weeks to complete. Once the tile is laid, you want to do everything you can to preserve the beauty of the grout so it looks as beautiful a month after it is laid as it does on day one. The best way to protect your grout is to purchase a quality grout sealer.
There are dozens of grout sealers on the market. They are not all created equal, there are definitely some that are better quality than others. When deciding on a grout sealer, it is important to ensure that you choose the right grout sealer for your needs.
With all of the choices available, you need to have the right information to make sure that the grout sealer your purchase works for the conditions your grout will be withstanding. If it is located in the kitchen, you will need a sealer that can resist grease and oil as well as water. If it is in the bathroom, water based or water repellant sealers will work just fine.
Match your grout sealer with your personal needs and you will have exactly the right sealer for the job. The information in this guide is designed to take the guesswork out of the equation and give you confidence in your decision. Knowing that the product you have purchased is a good quality one that will provide the results you want gives you peace of mind that you haven’t wasted your money.
If you still have questions, talking to the manufacturer can be a big help as well. All you will need to do is explain how you will be using the product and they can direct you to exactly the right choice.
SOURCE: https://thoroughlyreviewed.com/home-kitchen/best-grout-sealer/