Table Of Contents
- 1 Best Grout Sealer Reviews For 2021
- 1.1 Click here to jump to the best grout sealers information table.
- 1.2 The Best Grout Sealers/Sealants – Information Table
- 1.3 Grout Sealers Choice The Best Grout Sealer
- 1.4 Grout Sealer Question – When Do I Use A Grout Sealer?
- 1.5 Grout Sealer Question – What Is A Grout Sealer/Grout Sealant?
- 1.6 What Is A Grout Sealer In Layman’s Terms:
- 1.7 How Do I Use A Grout Sealer/Grout Sealant?
- 1.8 How To Apply Grout Sealer In 3 Quick Steps:
- 1.8.1 Grout Sealer
- 1.8.2 Grout Sealer F.A.Q – Grout Sealer Help
- 1.8.2.1 Grout Sealer Question: What is the best product to protect grout?
- 1.8.2.2 Grout Sealant Question: Can I Grout Stone Tile With Epoxy Grout? Will The Grout/Tile Sealer Protect It?
- 1.8.2.3 Question: How do you seal porcelain tiles?
- 1.8.2.4 best grout sealers Question: How long do you have to wait to seal grout?
- 1.8.2.5 Grout Sealant Question: What is the best grout sealer to use on shower floors?
- 1.8.2.6 Grout Sealant Question: How long does grout sealer take to dry?
- 1.8.2.7 Question: How often do I need to apply grout sealer?
- 1.9 Best Grout Sealer Conclusion
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Best Grout Sealer Reviews For 2021
Sealer Buyer’s Guide + Review
My choice of grout sealers is the Sealer’s Choice Gold By Aqua Mix
It’s a professional grade grout sealant that not only offers excellent stain protection, it works great in showers thanks to it’s breathable qualities. Natural look, simple to apply and up to 15 years protection on all grout and natural tile. Can’t beat it! (Pretty competitive price too.)
This review of the best grout sealers for 2021 is designed to help you select the right sealer products for your application. (Plus show you the lowest’s online prices ;-))
If you are looking for the best tile sealers – click here
Click here to jump to the best grout sealers information table.
The trouble you may find is due to the popularity of grout sealants. They are the best solution to maintaining the look of grout – making them most misunderstood and difficult to buy tiling items.
From penetrating sealers to solvent or water-based formula products, the mumbo-jumbo gets more confusing the more you read about them.
Luckily, your favorite tiling site has got your back again and I will teach you everything you need to know about the best grout sealers and which one you require for your sealing work!
Let’s seal some grout!
The Best Grout Sealers/Sealants – Information Table
| Name | Type | Rating | Use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aqua X Grout Sealer | Penetrating | 5 | Grout In All Areas - Commercial or Residential Use | Check Price |
Miracle Sealants - Porous Plus Sealer | Penetrating | 4.5 | Ideal for porous surfaces like sanded grout and travertine etc | Check Price |
Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold | Penetrating | 4 | Ideal for sealing natural tiles & grout in one go. | Check Price |
Tuff Duck granite grout Grout Sealer | Penetrating | 4 | Ideal for grout, marble, granite and slate. | Check Price |
Professional Tiler’s Pick ✓
I’ve trusted this sealant for over a decade in my professional work. Grout, tiles, whatever it is, I seal first with Sealer’s Choice Gold.
1. The Best Grout Sealer : AQUA Mix
The best grout sealer providing full surface protection is Sealer’s Choice Gold by Aqua Mix.
It is a low odor, high yield penetrating grout sealers suitable for:
• All Types of Grout (excluding Epoxy grout)
If your seeking out a grout sealer and don’t have time to research every single sealant to find one that’ll work for you – this one is for you.
It’s a professional product with the easy-of-use of a DIYer solution you’ll find at the local hardware store. Make sealer’s Choice, your choice.
My name is Carl and I have been tiling professionally for over 20 years in both the USA and England.
In that time I have sealed my fair share of grout, stone, cement tiles and I’ve used some great and some not-so-great sealants in that time.
Today, I want to pass on my experience with these grout sealers products so that you can make the right and proper decision when selecting one for your project.
Grout Sealers Choice
The Best Grout Sealer
Every sealer is made for a different purpose and can affect the end result. Penetrating sealers are generally more useful for grouting protection.
Below you will find the best 3 overall sealing solutions from leading brands like Miracle Sealants, Aqua Mix and Black Diamond. These grout sealers that can be applied for most situations and expected results.
QUICK TIP: When we say “Grout Sealer” it’s the general term for a sealer that works on both grout and tiles. If you want a specific tile sealer, check out my best tile sealer review.
Best Sealer For Sealing Tiles & Grout
This sealant is great for those wanting to seal natural tiles and grout at the same time. It penetrates the surface and does not effect the natural finish of tiles or grout.
1. Best Tile & Grout Sealer:
Aqua Mix – Sealer’s Choice Gold
The Sealer’s Choice Gold is my go-to tile and grout solution for most everyday job’s as it provides a natural, non-sheen look to natural stone and grout that doesn’t affect the final finish of the surface.
It is an impregnating sealer also, making it suitable to seal and protect ALL natural stone from oil and water based stains making it ideal for all areas of the home, from food preparation to bathrooms and shower floors.
Its also has a water-base formula which provides less harsh odor and VOC’s over solvent-based products. There really is no surprise why its called “sealer’s choice”, its a very quality product.
Pro's
- Natural grout look with no extra sheen
- No color change in grout or darker shades
- Suitable for all types of Natural Tile + Grout
- Excellent grout sealer coverage
- Penetrate’s dense, low porosity materials
- Protect’s against all stains
- Suitable for Exterior/Interior Surfaces and Grout
Con's
- Higher Price Than Common Grout Sealers
- Requires multiple coats for best protection
Best Sealer For Porous Surfaces
This sealer from Miracle Sealants is great for porous tiles like marble and sealing large amounts of cement grout like in a stone/pebble shower floor
2. Best Porous Sealer:
Miracle Sealants – Porous Plus Sealer
This formulation allows the stain fighting component to remain close to the surface of the tile/grout allowing maximum protection of permeable surfaces. Its a proper heavy duty solution for shower floors and high traffic areas that lasts a long time. Works great on porous grout lines!
Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus also provides a natural look without added gloss and adds a non-slip property to the surface, making it great for outdoor areas where safety is a concern.
U.V and weather resistance ✅
Pro's
- Natural grout look with no extra sheen
- Ideal for porous natural stone and gritty grout.
- Excellent grout sealer coverage
- Suitable for food areas
- Protect’s against all grout stains
Con's
• Can discolor some marble surfaces
• Strong Odor
Best Grout Sealant For Showers
This is a modern and feature packed grout sealer that is perfect for wet areas like showers.
3. Best Grout Sealer:
Black Diamond Coatings – Aqua-X Grout Sealer
Aqua-X is a new product that has already made an excellent name for itself in the short time that has been on the market with their excellent products.
Black Diamond Coatings have outdone themselves by providing an affordable grout sealing solution that is packed full of features.
It’s application is very easy, has no VOC‘s or foul odors thanks to its water-based formula. It performed well in my stand-alone review of it, preventing staining from wine and cooking oil!
Did I mention it has mold and mildew inhibitors that prevent nasties growing on your grout? Any moisture will still be able to evaporate as well, so no odors will ruin your beautiful wet room.
The water beading effect is very impressive as well, water simply doesn’t stick to the grout.
Pro's
- Natural look with no extra sheen
- Grout sealer doesn’t change the color in grout or turn it a darker shade
- Industry leading sealer coverage
- Protect’s against all grout stains
- Added Mold + Mildew Inhibitors to keep grout clean
- Very easy to apply – the grout sealer goes on milky and dries clear
Con's
- Grout sealer requires 2 or 3 coats for best performance (especially with porous grout).
Best Sealer For Marble Surfaces
Tuff Duck granite grout takes the guess work out of sealing marble tiles and kitchen counters with this non-acidic penetrating sealer.
4. Best Natural Tile Sealer:
Tuff Duck Granite Grout Sealer
Tuff Duck granite excels at sealing granite, grout and marble tiles and countertops without affecting the natural color or leaving an undesired gloss coat on top of it. It has a high yield that covers many square feet however make sure to apply multiple coats for it to last a long time.
On top of being able to work on all natural stones and tile, it can also be used on concrete and various forms of unsealed tiles like terra cotta and terrazo.
Pro's
- Great protection for Marble + Granite
- Wide variety of applications
- Cheaper than other sealers
Con's
- Doesn’t penetrate as well as other sealers
- Longer application time
- Low Coverage
- Can’t be used on cement
Grout Sealer Question – When Do I Use A Grout Sealer?
On a normal porcelain tile used in interior surfaces, that job is taken care of by the glaze, or that beautiful shiny part on the tile surface that is the pattern.
Your grout and marble, however, are not impervious to water, mold & mildew and the worst of them all – red wine!
The same applies to all natural stones like granite, sandstone, white marble, travertine. Its best to get them sealed with a quality natural tile sealer before any work is done.
These natural tiles are penetrable by nature and do not come sealed from the factory. Meaning that they 100% require some sort of sealing prior to installation in order to prevent any adhesive staining, discoloration and dust build-up on the tile surface that will occur during tiling.
So to translate this into terms you want to hear:
If you are installing natural stone surfaces or counters in your home, you require a quality sealant for protection against any oil and water based stains. A sealant product will also save time with easy cleaning and maintain the finish of your expensive stone.
To achieve a natural look: Use Aqua Mix Sealer’s Gold
To achieve an enhanced color, always wet look: Use Miracle Sealants Seal & Enhance
If you did not use Epoxy Grout in your tiling installation and are wanting to maintain the look of your grout color, prevent mold & mildew build-up and make tile maintenance a breeze, then you require a grout sealer.
Grout Sealer Question – What Is A Grout Sealer/Grout Sealant?
A grout sealer is best described as a water or solvent based solution that is designed to create a protective surface coating between grout and external dirt, stains and liquids. This provides full stain protection on the grout joints.
This is achieved by using polymerized silicone resins and additional polymers that penetrate the absorptive surface of grout and marble and create a barrier against external forces while still allowing the natural color and texture of the protected surface to show through.
The water or solvent that carries this resin is there so you can easily apply the grout sealer and allow for penetration of the surface and all of its numerous cores. With time, the carrying agent evaporates into the air and leaves only the resin behind.
“This is why multiple coats of a grout sealer are needed; because one coat of grout sealer is not enough to fully cover an area and create a thick enough layer that will endure living conditions and stains as the protective agent is diluted with the liquid based carrier.”
What Is A Grout Sealer In Layman’s Terms:
A grout sealer is the best solution against grout joints staining in interior surfaces and outdoors. It is a magical liquid that enters grout and protects them against everything. It goes on wet and dries up and your grout is sealed.
How Do I Use A Grout Sealer/Grout Sealant?
Depending on the scale of work you can either use a mini paint roller for sealing tiles or a sponge pad and a specialized grout sealant applicator bottle for grout sealing. A soft haired paint brush can also be used. I found the paint roller to be the best grout sealer applicator.
If you are wanting to seal old grout or tiles, you will need to thoroughly clean them first with a brush and cleaning solution. Oil, dirt and stains will need to be removed first.
Grout-Eez is one of those miracle products on the market that combined with a proper scrubbing brush, will clean your aging grout and get it ready for sealing.
Its a nice alternative to heavy duty grout cleaners like acid that are difficult and dangerous to use.
Remember to always do a spot-check first to ensure no undesired changes occur on your surfaces.
Once cleaned, its best to give at least 12 hours for everything to be fully dried.
How To Apply Grout Sealer In 3 Quick Steps:
Step 1: Apply your chosen product that best fits your needs to the surface using your applicator of choice. Remember to buy enough to cover the needed square feet of your installation. Aim to go in one direction only to remove smudge marks and build-up of product. Try to cover 100% of the surface. Remember to apply a thin coat and avoid vapors due to the toxicity of these products.
Step 2: Allow the product to sit on the grout for at least 5 minutes and then use a clean rag to buff away any excess left on the tiles. If you are sealing stone, you will likely skip this step as the sealer would have fully penetrated the surface. (Make sure your product is a suitable granite, grout and marble sealer.)
Step 3: It’s best waiting at least 30 minutes and apply a second coat of sealer on the surface. After the second coat, wait for 2 hours and test if water penetrates the surface. It should bead up and not soak into the tile/grout. If it does, you may apply further coats untill desired result is achieved.
Alternatively, you can view the video below from the makers of Aquamix grout sealers.
Grout Sealer
How Does A Grout Sealer Benefit Me?
Deciding on sealing your tiles and/grout will only give you benefits with little/no drawbacks. Some benefits include:
• Best Grout Stain Resistance & Protection
• Easier Grout Maintenance – Less Cleaning
• Enhanced color (on natural tiles)
• Higher degree of Waterproofing
• More hygenic wet areas. (Germs can’t grow on the grout.)
Grout Sealer F.A.Q – Grout Sealer Help
If your question is not answered, you may leave a comment below! I’ll answer it to the best of my knowledge and your question might be featured in an updated version of this Grout Sealer Buyer’s Guide 🙂
Answer: No, it is not necessary if you don’t want the extra protection. Your grouting will still carry out it’s duty but it will be more susceptible to staining, loose color uniformity and be harder to clean as a result. If you want to make sure you have the best quality tile finish with full surface protection, apply grout sealers after installation.
Also, if you have epoxy grout, sealing is not necessary, nor is it recommended to even attempt this. Epoxy is nearly 100% waterproof and can not absorb any kind of grout sealers.
Grout Sealer Question: What is the best product to protect grout?
Answer: The best product is AQUA-X Grout Sealer. It effectively penetrates all types of grouting and applies a protective film over it that stops staining and helps retain the grouts color.
For more pervious grouts or large sections of grouted areas like a pebbled shower floor, your best bet is a heavy duty grout solution like Porous Plus Sealer by Miracle Solutions is the best grout sealant for the job. It excels at protecting highly porous materials with its resin that remains close to the surface, battling stains before they penetrate the pores.
Grout Sealant Question: Can I Grout Stone Tile With Epoxy Grout? Will The Grout/Tile Sealer Protect It?
Answer: Generally, the answer is no. All stone tile are created/treated differently and have various degrees of porosity and inherent protection.. Highly pervious types always requires additional protection as it may absorb the epoxy resin through the edges of the stone, leaving a picture frame effect where the outer edges are darker. This color change is irremediable and will stay there for the life of the tile. If you want to use epoxy on natural tile, its best that you apply a grout and marble sealer on all sides of the tile before installation and test it first before proceeding. Without prior testing, you may end up with a multi-thousand dollar tile installation that is ruined forever. A solvent based product will generally provide more protection over a water-based sealer as well.
Question: Should sanded grout be sealed?
Answer: Yes, it is best practice to add protection and seal all types of grout as it is highly porous and allows water to penetrate it. Especially if you are wanting to retain the color and prevent mold and mildew building, you should be sealing sanded grout with a quality water-based sealer that is formulated for sanded grouts and is safe to use. Sealer’s Gold Choice by Aqua Mix or AQUA-X Grout Sealer are both suitable to seal sanded grout and two of the best grout sealers available.
Question: How do you seal porcelain tiles?
Answer: Porcelain tile does not require additional protection from sealing as they come with a factory glaze that is 99.9% waterproof and don’t allow water or anything to penetrate it. In terms of no water absorption, porcelain tiles are the best.
There are, however, some forms of unsealed porcelain tiles that could benefit from a light coat of a tile sealer. These tiles are very rare and you’ll be warned of this from the tile seller upon purchase. Its best to ask the salesperson while buying your tiles if you are unsure.
best grout sealers Question: How long do you have to wait to seal grout?
Answer: The best practice is make sure the new tile grout has cured for at least 48 to 72 hours before sealing. This is to ensure the grout reaches full strength and is fully dry. Old grout installations should be cleaned thoroughly before sealing and surfaces inspected for any cracking, or loose areas before applying a sealer.
Grout Sealant Question: What is the best grout sealer to use on shower floors?
Answer: The best grout sealer product to use on shower floors is AQUA-X Grout Sealer. It is a high quality, penetrating sealer that will provide protection by repelling and beading up water on all surfaces. Sealing a shower and shower floor is recommended and best practice as it will ensure the grouting will retain its color and allow for much easier cleaning over the long-term.
Grout Sealant Question: How long does grout sealer take to dry?
Answer: Grout sealer takes 24 hours to dry, cure properly and provide surfaces protection. If you are using grout sealer in a shower, it is best to wait longer (36 hours) to ensure it has dried out properly in all sections of the shower. For best results, check the label on the product you are using.
Question: How often do I need to apply grout sealer?
Answer: A grout sealer provides the best results and surface protection when applied once a year to tiles and grout in high traffic areas like showers and kitchens. This is to ensure an even coat is present in the surface at all times and no patches of dirty grouting appear over time.
While manufacturers claim their products can last up to 10 years, the reality is once a year at least. Reapplying once a year will ensure the best results.
Best Grout Sealer Conclusion
Overall, the Sealer’s Choice Gold solution by Aqua Mix was the best all-round sealer for granite, grout and marble plus everything in between. It offers a great range of features in a very easy to apply solution.
Since trying out Aqua Mix’s premium tile grout sealers over a decade ago, it’s hands down my favorite and one I will recommend to future clients and readers of this website. It’s so easy to use and provides an excellent result.
It is a tad more expensive over regular sealers however in this game, you get what you pay for. A cheap product will require more coats and deliver a lesser degree of protection. A few pennies saved today will cost more in maintenance in the long run. Just use the best and ignore the rest.
Hats off to Aqua Mix and their range of tiling protection products, Sealer’s Choice is an excellent leader in the market.
Hi Carl, thanks for the easy to follow guide on grout sealers. I have purchased some patterned cement tiles for my patio and was told I need to seal them. Would the Aquamix sealers gold be alright to use on them? Im sure you have said that you can but i’d like to be sure. Thank you.
Hi Susan,
Yes, the Aqua Mix Sealer’s Gold Choice is a suitable sealer for those types of tiles. You can also use it to seal your grout after the job is done if you wish. Remember that this is a natural look sealer that won’t leave a sheen on the tile, for that type of tile, I reckon it’s ideal.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the guide! I used the Sealer’s Choice Gold in my bathroom and its looking great 🙂
Hi Rosie,
I’m really happy to hear the Aquamix Grout sealer did the trick for you! Enjoy your fully sealed bathroom!
Best grout sealant review out there, thanks!
Hi James,
Thanks so much buddy, really appreciate it 🙂 Hope my guide helped you out.
the aquax grout sealer is the best best best! 😀 like really! I applied this grout sealer in my pebble shower floor and it’s made cleaning it so easy! Water and dirt just slide off! The grout sealer stuck to the pebbles and the grout and just seems to work. Glad I listened to you Carl, thank you.
Hello Carl, Thanks for this review. I’m moving into a new place and want to seal the grout in the bathrooms and kitchen (walls and floors). How can I tell if epoxy grout was used in any of these areas?
Hi Anita,
Thank you for reading and enjoying the review!
Hmm, now that is a very good question!
Epoxy grout usually looks very, very smooth. Some would say it almost looks like plastic.
Take a good look at it, if you can see fine grains in the grout, that would indicate that it is regular grout and not epoxy.
I think the best way to tell whether you have epoxy grout is to drip some water on the grout and see if the water gets absorbed into the grout. If you have epoxy grout, the water should remain on top of the grout and not sink in. If the water sinks in and the grout appears darker – you have regular grout that can be sealed.
I hope that helps! Please let me know if you need any further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Carl.
Good afternoon Carl, thank you for all the information on aqua mix sealer. I just put in a Glazzio glass tile backlsplash, with a sanded grout, and I think Aqua mix will be Good what do you think. Thank you for your knowledge.
angela
Hi Angela,
Beautiful choice for your splashback!
Yes, Aqua Mix Grout Sealer’s Choice Gold will work well in that area, especially in a high use area like the kitchen. When applying the sealer, be sure to wipe away any excess with a wet rag to avoid it leaving marks on your glass. Other than that, it should be easy.
All the best,
Carl.