Laticrete vs. Mapei Grout: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to installing tiles, grout offers numerous advantages. It keeps trash from getting under and between the tiles and improves the appearance of the tiles.

Additionally, grout increases the implanted tiles’ total strength. Nonetheless, grout can be advantageous. You should be aware that different grout products have different qualities.

Some are far superior than others. As a result, you need to be careful while selecting grout for your tile installation project.

Two of the most well-known producers of grout on the market are Mapei and Laticrete. Here is a thorough comparison of the two if you are having trouble deciding between them.

Laticrete Grout: What Is It?

Laticrete produces a range of grouts, such as epoxy, premixed, and cementitious grouts. The Spectralock epoxy grout is one of Laticrete’s products that has been in use for over ten years.

Laticrete grouts hold up well over time and are quite resilient. Both do-it-yourselfers and professional installers choose them.

Laticrete grouts come in 40 different hues since color is an important consideration when selecting a grout. This implies that you have many options and can be guaranteed to choose a hue that suits you.

Modern grout technology is used by Laticrete as a business to provide you with the greatest products. This brand’s grouts are known for their exceptional strength and color uniformity.

Latricete grout comes in a variety of forms. The Spectralock Dazzle, which sparkles in the dark, is one of my faves. All things considered, Laticrete produces high-quality grouts with remarkable properties.

Mapei Grout: What Is It?

After extensive laboratory testing, Mapei grouts were created. Compared to other brands, these grouts are reasonably durable and have a nice appearance.

Color availability is one area where Mapei outperforms other grout producers. There are forty-four distinct and varied hues to pick from.

The advent of a Mapei grouts app has simplified the process of choosing these colors.

Mapei grouts have a number of advantages. They are impervious to dirt and mold. According to the producers, these grouts are simple to use and have been designed to blend in with the newest ceramic tiles.

These grouts are water-repellent and have excellent performance. Without fear of water damage, you can use them in high-moisture locations like the kitchen or shower.

Similar to Laticrete, Mapei produces cementitious, epoxy, and polymer-modified cementitious mortar, among other types of grout. In addition to grout, Mapei produces sealants that prolong the grout’s adhesion to tiles.

In what ways do they differ?

Despite the fact that both businesses provide grout that is suitable for tile installation. Both the characteristics and the formulas are different.

• Color Selections

Laticrete Grout has done an excellent job of offering their customers 40 distinct color options.

Mapei has performed much better. There are 44 distinct hues available, and you may use an app to help you find the right one.

When selecting grout for tile installation, color is an important consideration. Additionally, since grout is difficult to install and remove, you must do it correctly the first time.

The majority of tile installers believe that Mapei provides a more accurate color match. If you want to utilize it as a backsplash, this should be your first option.

• Usability (installation and preparation)

One of the simplest grouts to create and apply over tiles is laticrete. It could seem tough to achieve perfect consistency with the various products after purchasing.

However, they will blend smoothly if you combine them properly and follow the manufacturer’s directions. In terms of installation, the grout will stick to the joints and lines flawlessly with just a good bit of elbow grease.

Installing Mapei grout can be challenging, particularly if you purchase their Flexcolor CQ. Mapei grouts have the drawback of having a high sand content, which makes it challenging to install them with a smooth finish.

Additionally, it should be noted that Mapei grout dries too quickly. You must be quick when installing. Otherwise, working on every tile will be difficult.

• Texture

Both during installation and after curing, laticrete has a fine texture. This is because very fine sand is also used.

The larger sand particles in mapei give it a rougher feel. Numerous people have voiced this complaint.

• Resistance to Stains

Laticrete grout performs better in terms of stain resistance. They won’t leave any stains behind and are readily cleaned when food particles, sauce, or oil are poured on them.

Conversely, Mapei provides a moderate level of stain resistance. Even after cleaning, stains like oil, sauce, and others are still visible. Given that Mapei grouts frequently have a sealer applied on top, this is somewhat unexpected.

What Similarities Do They Have?

There are several significant parallels between Mapei and Laticrete grouts, despite their many differences.

• Distinct Grout Types

Grouts from Mapei and Laticrete come in a variety of varieties. Both manufacturers offer premixed, cementitious, epoxy, and polymer-modified grouts.

Because there are so many grout options available, installers can select a formula that suits them and with which they are more familiar.

• Accessibility

Local hardware stores have both Mapei and Laticrete grout, depending on your preference.

As an alternative, you can purchase them online from well-known sites like Amazon. Laticrete and Mapei grouts are also available at large box retailers in your area.

• Grouts of Industry Quality

Professional tile installers around the world regard Laticrete and Mapei grouts as high-quality products. That way, you can be confident they’ll do a good job.

Laticrete Grout Benefits

• Laticrete grout can keep dirt, debris, and stones away from the tile joints without needing to be sealed. For optimal performance, the majority of Mapei grouts must be sealed.
• It has remarkable stain resistance. As a result, Laticrete grout requires less upkeep than Maapei grout.
• Laticrete grouts now have a non-sag composition that works well for floors and walls.
• Lattice is an excellent grout. It is robust and resilient to traffic and moisture exposure.
• Laticrete grout is simple to install. You must, however, adhere to the installation and preparation guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
• Microban antimicrobial protection is a component of Laticrete grout’s recipe to prevent mold growth.
• There are a number of intriguing finishes for laticrete grout, including one that glows in the dark.
• There are 40 color selections available to homeowners.

Laticrete Grout Drawbacks

• It costs more than other grouts and Mapei.
• Despite being simple to install, cleanup is a little time-consuming. To remove the remaining Laticrete grout from the tiles, you will need a lot of sponges and a good deal of elbow grease.

Benefits of Mapei Grout

• The color constancy of Mapei grout is the only characteristic that sets it apart. You can easily choose a color that matches your tiles out of the 44 available. Mapei has provided an app to facilitate the selection process.
• It is resistant to mold. Consequently, it can be used in places with a lot of dampness.
• Mapei grout is very long-lasting when done properly.
• The grout sets quickly. This speeds up installation. But depending on how you use it, this can actually be a boon.
• Joints ranging in length from 2 to 22 meters can be joined with mapei grout.

Mapei Grout Drawbacks

• It dries far too fast. Many people have expressed dissatisfaction over Mapei grouts drying too quickly. Mixing Mapei in smaller batches is a good tip. That will lessen the likelihood of waste.
• A sealant is necessary for certain of their grouts. More work is required.

Which is superior? Mapei Grout or Laticrete Grout

Laticrete is unquestionably the superior choice, despite the fact that both grout products have intriguing features, advantages, and disadvantages.

You can select from 40 different color matching when using Laticrete grout. It is simple to install and prepare. Laticrete grout has a smoother texture and performs better after installation.

Although Mapei grout is significantly less expensive and offers a wider variety of colors, its advantages cannot compare to those of Laticrete grout.