What is the price difference between sanded and unsanded grout for Ottawa tile projects?

The material cost difference between sanded and unsanded grout is minimal — typically $2 to $5 per bag, with unsanded grout often slightly cheaper — but the real cost consideration is when to use each type rather than which saves money on materials.

Why this matters in Ottawa: Grout type affects durability, aesthetics, and long-term maintenance costs in ways that far outweigh the small material price difference. In Ottawa's punishing freeze-thaw climate, especially in high-traffic areas like entryways and mudrooms where salt and moisture are relentless enemies of grout, choosing the right type and sealing it properly can save thousands in premature grout failure and replacement down the road.

Sanded cementitious grout is used for joint widths wider than 3 millimetres (one-eighth inch) — most floor tiles and larger wall tiles fall into this category. A typical 50-pound bag of sanded grout costs $15 to $25 and covers roughly 75 to 100 square feet depending on joint width and tile size. Unsanded grout is used for narrow joints under 3 millimetres — typically on polished marble, small mosaic tile, or wall applications where the grout line is intentionally tight. A 50-pound bag costs $12 to $20 and covers slightly more area. The labour cost for applying either type is essentially identical — what differs is material quantity (wider joints require more grout) and the substrate requirements.

Here's where the real distinction matters for Ottawa homes: sanded grout is porous and absolutely requires sealing with a quality grout sealer to resist staining, water infiltration, and salt damage. In Ottawa entryways and mudrooms, unsealed sanded grout will deteriorate visibly within a few winters as road salt and freeze-thaw cycling attack the cementitious binder. A two-coat grout sealer application costs $300 to $600 for a typical bathroom or $500 to $1,000 for a kitchen backsplash and requires resealing every one to two years in high-traffic areas. Epoxy grout eliminates this maintenance entirely — it is waterproof, stain-proof, and never needs sealing — but epoxy costs $40 to $60 per bag, requires specialized application technique, and is noticeably harder to work with than cementitious grout. For a typical bathroom, the material upgrade from sanded cementitious to epoxy might add $300 to $600 in material cost, but it pays for itself many times over in eliminated sealing and resealing labour over 20 years.

For Ottawa homeowners, my honest recommendation: use sanded grout in dry or lightly-trafficked areas (bedrooms, living rooms, dining room tile accents) and commit to sealing it annually. Use epoxy grout in showers, kitchens, and high-traffic entryways where the convenience of never sealing is worth the modest material premium. Use unsanded grout only when the joint is genuinely narrow (under 3 millimetres) or when working with polished stone where sanded grout could scratch the surface. The money spent on proper grout sealing or the upgrade to epoxy is always recovered through reduced maintenance hassle and longer grout life in Ottawa's climate.

If you are moving forward with a tile project that involves choosing grout type and sealing strategy, you can browse tile contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory — experienced installers in our network can provide specific sealing recommendations based on your exact tile application and traffic patterns.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• 613Bins