Epoxy Grout vs Cement Grout: Which Is Right for Your Tiling Project?
If you're tiling a wet area (shower, splashback, pool surround), epoxy grout is the stronger pick because it's non-porous and doesn't need sealing. For dry, low-traffic spaces like hallways or feature walls, cement grout does the job well and costs a lot less upfront. The right call comes down to moisture exposure, budget, and how much long-term maintenance you're willing to take on.
At Surtec, we get asked about epoxy grout vs cement grout more than almost any other product question at the counter. Both do the same basic job of filling the joints between tiles, but they're built from different materials, behave differently once they're down, and suit different parts of a home or commercial fitout. Here's how we break it down for our customers.
What Is Cement Grout?
Cement grout is the traditional option, and it's what most Kiwi homes have used for decades. It's made from Portland cement, sand, and water-retention additives, mixed with water and trowelled into the joints, where it hardens through a curing process rather than a chemical reaction.
It's affordable, straightforward to apply, and forgiving for anyone tackling a tiling job for the first time. The trade-off is porosity. Even once fully cured, cement grout has a structure that lets in moisture, soap residue, and body oils over time, which is why grout in a shower often turns grey or patchy within a year or two if it isn't sealed properly.
What Is Epoxy Grout?
Epoxy grout takes a different approach entirely. It's a two-part resin system mixed with a filler powder rather than water, and it cures through a chemical reaction between the resin and hardener rather than by drying out.
The result is a dense, closed joint that doesn't absorb water or stain the way cement does. That's why epoxy tile grout is often the pick for wet areas, high-traffic floors, and commercial kitchens where hygiene and moisture resistance genuinely matter. Our Technokolla epoxy grout range is a popular choice with tilers working on bathrooms, splashbacks, and commercial spaces where standard cement won't hold up the same way.
Epoxy Grout vs Cement Grout: Key Differences
Once you line these two up side by side, the differences between epoxy and cement grout become pretty clear.
Water Resistance
This is where epoxy grout vs cement grout really comes down to one core fact. Cement grout is porous, so it soaks up water gradually and needs sealing to hold moisture at bay. Epoxy grout is close to non-absorbent straight out of the bucket, which makes it a genuinely waterproof grout option for showers, splashbacks, and pool surrounds.
Durability
Cement grout is rigid once cured, which makes it more prone to hairline cracking as tiles and substrates shift slightly over time. Epoxy has a touch of flex built in, so it copes better with the minor movement that's normal in most homes and commercial fitouts.
Stain Resistance
If you want stain-resistant grout, epoxy is the stronger performer. Grease, coffee, wine, and cleaning chemicals tend to sit on the surface rather than soaking in, so a quick wipe usually sorts it. Cement grout, being porous, can pick up staining that no amount of scrubbing will fully shift.
Maintenance
Cement grout needs sealing at installation and resealing every 12 to 24 months in wet areas to keep performing. Epoxy grout skips that step altogether, which is a genuine time saver for anyone who'd rather not think about grout maintenance again.
Application
Cement grout is easier to mix and apply, and there's more room for error, which suits DIY jobs. Epoxy sets faster and needs to go in in smaller sections with a bit more precision, so it's usually best left to an experienced tiler.
Cost
Epoxy grout costs more per kilogram than cement, sometimes several times over on paper. But once you add up sealing products and labour for cement over a decade in a wet area, the total cost gap narrows considerably, and epoxy can end up the more economical option long term.
When Should You Choose Cement Grout?
Cement grout still earns its place in plenty of jobs. For dry, low-traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, and feature walls, cement grout for tiles does the job well and keeps costs down. It's also the easier product for a first-time DIY tiler to work with confidently.
We stock a range of premium cement grout options built for standard residential tiling, giving you a reliable, budget-friendly finish for spaces that don't face constant moisture.
When Should You Choose Epoxy Grout?
Wet areas are where epoxy grout benefits become obvious fast. Shower grout, bathroom floors, kitchen splashbacks, and commercial kitchen or bathroom tiling all face daily exposure to water, grease, and cleaning chemicals, and epoxy handles all three without needing ongoing upkeep.
If you're specifying grout for bathrooms or a commercial fitout where hygiene standards matter, Technokolla epoxy grout is worth pairing with a proper waterproofing system underneath. A solid membrane and a non-porous grout together give you real long-term protection rather than relying on grout alone to keep water out.
| Factor | Cement Grout | Epoxy Grout |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Porous, absorbs moisture | Effectively waterproof grout |
| Stain resistance | Prone to staining over time | Strong resistance to grease and chemicals |
| Durability | Rigid, more prone to cracking | Slight flex, better with movement |
| Maintenance | Needs sealing every 12 to 24 months | No sealing required |
| Application | Easier for DIY | Best left to an experienced tiler |
| Cost | Lower upfront | Higher upfront, often cheaper long term |
| Best suited to | Dry areas, hallways, feature walls | Showers, kitchens, bathrooms, commercial spaces |
FAQs
What is epoxy grout?
Epoxy grout is a two-part resin grout that cures through a chemical reaction rather than drying out. It's dense, non-porous, and resistant to water, stains, and most household chemicals.
What is cement grout?
Cement grout is a mix of Portland cement, sand, and additives that hardens as it dries. It's the traditional grout used in most NZ homes and remains a solid, affordable choice for dry areas.
What's the difference between epoxy and cement grout?
The main difference between epoxy grout and cement grout comes down to porosity. Cement absorbs moisture and needs sealing, while epoxy is close to non-absorbent and doesn't need sealing at all.
Which grout lasts longer?
Epoxy grout typically lasts 20 years or more without needing replacement. Cement grout generally lasts 8 to 15 years in wet areas, depending on how consistently it's sealed.
Is epoxy grout waterproof?
Yes. Its resin composition means it doesn't absorb water the way cement grout does, making it a reliable waterproof grout for showers and other wet areas.
Is epoxy grout worth the extra cost?
For wet areas, yes. The upfront cost is higher, but zero sealing costs over the years often make it the more economical choice by the time a decade has passed.
Which grout is best for bathrooms?
Epoxy grout is generally the better choice for bathroom floors, shower walls, and splashbacks, since these areas face constant moisture and benefit most from a non-porous joint.
Which grout is easier to apply?
Cement grout is more forgiving to mix and apply, making it the friendlier option for DIY tilers. Epoxy sets faster and rewards careful, experienced application.
Can epoxy grout crack?
It's far less prone to cracking than cement grout, thanks to its slight flexibility, though no grout is entirely immune to movement in extreme cases.
Which grout is best for commercial spaces?
Epoxy grout is usually the preferred option for commercial kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic floors, where hygiene, chemical exposure, and durability all matter more than upfront cost.
Choosing the Right Grout for Your Space
At the end of the day, this isn't really an epoxy grout vs cement grout contest with one clear winner. It's about matching the grout to the job in front of you. Cement grout still makes sense for dry residential spaces where budget matters and moisture isn't a factor. Epoxy grout earns its higher price tag in bathrooms, kitchens, and commercial areas that face daily exposure to water and grease.
If you're planning the wider tiling system rather than just the grout, it's worth looking at how everything works together. Our tile adhesives and waterproofing systems are designed to pair well with either grout type, and if you're refreshing an existing cement-grouted surface, our Fila water-based sealers can help extend its life until you're ready for a full regrout.
Not sure which grout suits your specific project? Get in touch with our team, and we'll point you in the right direction.