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

The material cost difference between sanded and unsanded grout is surprisingly small — typically only $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot for an Ottawa tile project. A 25-pound bag of quality sanded grout runs roughly $15 to $30 and covers 75 to 200 square feet depending on tile size and joint width. Unsanded grout costs about the same per bag but covers slightly less area because it is used in narrower joints that are more numerous relative to tile surface. For a typical Ottawa bathroom floor of 50 square feet, the grout material cost is roughly $8 to $20 regardless of type — a trivial difference in the context of a project that costs $500 to $2,000 for installation.

The choice between sanded and unsanded grout is not really about cost — it is about joint width and tile type. Sanded grout contains fine sand aggregate that provides body and strength, making it the correct choice for grout joints wider than 3 millimetres (one-eighth inch). The sand particles bridge the gap and prevent the grout from shrinking and cracking as it cures. Most floor tile installations, standard wall tile with visible grout lines, and any tile with a rustic or handmade look that requires wider spacing will use sanded grout.

Unsanded grout is a smooth, paste-like product designed for joints narrower than 3 millimetres. It is the standard choice for rectified (precision-cut) porcelain tile installed with minimal grout lines, polished marble and granite where sand particles could scratch the tile surface, and glass tile where sanded grout can scratch the reflective backing. Using sanded grout in narrow joints forces the sand particles against the tile edges, preventing proper compaction and leaving a rough, uneven finish. Using unsanded grout in wide joints leads to shrinkage cracks because the product lacks the structural filler needed to span the gap.

Labour cost is identical for both types — the installation technique is essentially the same, though unsanded grout is slightly easier to clean off tile surfaces during grouting because it does not contain abrasive particles.

There is a third option worth mentioning: epoxy grout, which costs significantly more at $3 to $6 per square foot for materials alone. Epoxy is waterproof, stain-proof, and never needs sealing, but it is a different product category entirely — not simply a premium version of cementitious grout. For Ottawa showers and kitchen backsplashes where moisture and staining are ongoing concerns, epoxy's higher upfront cost often pays for itself in eliminated maintenance.

Your tile installer will recommend the correct grout type based on your tile selection and joint width. The key takeaway is that choosing between sanded and unsanded should be a technical decision based on joint width and tile material, not a budget decision — the cost difference is negligible.

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