Grout
Grout fills joints between tiles after fixing. Rigid grout for field joints; flexible sealant at movement joints and internal corners per AS 3958:2023.
Ask Chalkline about this →Grout is the filler material applied to the joints between tiles after the adhesive has cured. It seals the tile installation against water ingress, supports the tile edges, and provides the finished appearance of the tile surface.
Two categories apply in residential work:
- Cement-based grout: the most common type; available in sanded (for joints wider than approximately 3 mm) and unsanded (for narrow joints and polished tile faces that can scratch). Colour-matched to the tile or specified as a feature.
- Epoxy grout: two-part system used in high-moisture or chemical-exposure areas (commercial kitchens, pool surrounds). More durable and stain-resistant than cement-based, but harder to install and more expensive.
Under AS 3958:2023, internal corners, change-of-plane joints, and joints around penetrations (pipe collars, floor wastes) must be filled with flexible sealant, not rigid grout. Rigid grout in these locations cracks under thermal and structural movement and becomes a maintenance defect.
Also known as: tile grout, grout joint.
Category: Materials.
Related
See also
Last updated: 2026-05-10. Verified: 2026-05-10. Quarterly review for currency.