Best Grout for Florida Showers: Sanded vs. Epoxy Grout

If you're planning a tile shower, the grout you choose matters almost as much as the tile itself. Florida's humidity and our year-round shower usage put grout to the test daily, and picking the wrong type can mean mildew stains, cracking, and re-grouting within a few years. Here's what homeowners in Orlando, Windermere, and Winter Garden need to know before they pick a grout for a new or remodeled shower.

Sanded grout: the standard choice for wider joints

Sanded grout is the traditional option for joints wider than about 1/8 inch, which is common with larger format tile or natural stone. It's affordable, easy to work with, and holds up well structurally because the sand adds strength and reduces shrinkage as it cures.

The downside in a humid climate is porosity. Standard sanded grout is cement-based, meaning it absorbs moisture and can harbor mildew in a shower environment unless it's sealed properly and resealed on a regular schedule. If you go this route, plan on sealing it after installation and reapplying sealer periodically to keep water and soap scum from soaking in.

Unsanded grout: better for narrow joints, same moisture concerns

Unsanded grout is used for tight joints, typically under 1/8 inch, and is common with polished stone or glass tile where sand could scratch the surface. It's smoother and easier to apply in thin lines, but it shares the same cement-based porosity issue as sanded grout.

Because unsanded grout has less structural bulk, it can also be more prone to cracking in larger joints if it's used where it shouldn't be. For most standard shower tile installations, sanded grout is the more practical and durable option; unsanded is really a specialty product for close-set tile.

Epoxy grout: the best performer in humid, high-moisture areas

Epoxy grout is a different animal entirely. Instead of cement, it uses epoxy resins and hardeners, which makes it essentially non-porous once cured. That means no sealing, dramatically better resistance to mildew and staining, and much better durability against the constant moisture cycle inside a shower.

The trade-offs are real, though. Epoxy grout costs more than cement-based grout, it's harder to work with because it sets up faster and requires more skill to apply cleanly, and colors can be more limited depending on the manufacturer. For a shower that gets heavy daily use, especially in a humid climate like ours, the extra upfront cost and installation difficulty usually pay off in far less maintenance and a much longer-lasting finish.

What actually matters most: proper installation

Grout type matters, but installation quality matters more. Grout that's mixed incorrectly, applied too thin, or not cured properly will fail regardless of whether it's sanded, unsanded, or epoxy. Proper joint width, consistent depth, and adequate cure time before the shower is used all affect how long the grout lasts, and these details depend on the installer, not just the product.

Ventilation also plays a bigger role than most homeowners expect. A shower with a working exhaust fan that actually vents outside, not just into the attic, will keep grout drier between uses and extend its life no matter which type you choose.

Our honest recommendation: if you're doing a full bathroom renovation and want the lowest long-term maintenance, epoxy grout is worth the extra cost, especially on shower floors and corners where water sits longest. If budget is tighter, well-sealed sanded grout with a disciplined resealing schedule is a solid, proven choice. Either way, ask your contractor what grout they're using and why before the tile goes up, not after.