Tile Shower Floor Grout Or Caulk

If mold gets into that space it can cause damage to your subfloor.

Tile shower floor grout or caulk.

Or where the edge of a tile meets the wall. Though grout is more porous than caulk it s best for tiled shower walls and floors. On one hand there is little chance for movement around the base of a properly installed tile shower floor. An area of controversy has always been whether to caulk or grout around the base of a tile shower floor.

Since you are joining two different materials together you should use caulk in the space where the floor tile and tub meet. Caulk is impermeable meaning it won t let in water. This is largely because of the way grout binds with backer board the concrete material placed behind tiles. Where grout is just good for bonding together tile caulk is good for creating a seal between multiple materials say between glass tiles and a porcelain tub.

The vast majority of showers that i ve tiled have had no problems when i use grout in the corners. A properly installed tile shower should always have a 6 inch lip liner going up around base of the shower walls. Tom meehan a second generation tile installer and co author of working with tile who lives and works in harwich mass responds. Doing so protects against moisture related issues and common expansion cracking associated with these areas.

In addition to caulking shower fixtures experienced tile setters caulk in all changes in planes in showers including corners surface edges and wall to floor intersections.