James B. ParkerSo you have decided to install a pebble shower floor. Congratulations, you have chosen a natural, unique, and durable material for your flooring.
Your pebble shower flooring will depend strongly on your grout. The grout will affect your new floor’s look, finish, and waterproof capability.
This article will show you everything you need to know about grouting a pebble shower floor, including which type of grout to choose, how much you will need, and how to install it.
What Type of Grout to Use for a Pebble Shower Floor
Pebble shower flooring will require more grout than your typical tile installation. This makes the decision of which grout you choose more critical.
Regardless of the type of grout you choose for your river rock flooring, you must always follow the manufacturer’s directions and recommendations.
Epoxy Grout for a Pebble Shower Floor
Epoxy is a material that has been widely used for grout in many areas of both homes and businesses.
Epoxy grouts tend to be the most durable grout you can find on the market. This has made epoxy grout a popular choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and entryways.
In most cases, epoxy works well with ceramic and natural stone such as river rock. Epoxy grout is also easy to clean and does not require sealant after it is installed.
Epoxy grout does have some shortcomings. Epoxy grout can be costly and will likely be the most expensive grout available.
This grout is also known to come with installation issues you won’t find with the more standard concrete variety. You must mix epoxy precisely, or you will run into problems during the installation process.
Therefore the most durable grout comes at the cost of a challenging installation and more money.
Cement Grout for a Pebble Shower Floor
Cement grout is the most common and widely used grout in homes and bathrooms across the globe.
Cement grout is excellent for a DIY project as it is easy to work with and familiar to many people.
This grout is widely used because it is great for nearly any material and any situation, whether wet or dry.
Cement grout is an excellent choice for pebble stone flooring due to its versatility, ease of installation, and low cost.
Though cement grout is an excellent option for your river rock shower flooring, it is by no means a perfect material.
Cement grout can dry unevenly, which can cause some cosmetic issues such as inconsistent coloring. Cement grout is not as tough as epoxy and is more susceptible to chemicals, stains, and other damage. This grout will also require a sealant to serve as adequate waterproof shower flooring.
Sanded or Unsanded Grout for a Pebble Shower Floor
Sanded or unsanded grout is a specialty cement grout used for certain situations.
Sanded grout is defined as cement grout that has 1/8th of an inch of grit or more, while unsanded grout has a grit of 1/8th of an inch or less.
Unsanded grout is used when your grout joints are smaller than usual (1/6th to 1/8th of an inch), while sanded grout is made for grout joints that are irregularly large all the way up to one inch.
Besides their special designation and usage, both sanded, and unsanded grouts carry all the advantages and disadvantages of normal cement grout.
What Color Grout for a Pebble Shower Floor
When choosing between grout colors for a pebble shower floor, there are a few things to consider.
Darker-colored grouts will tend to make your pebbles pop more and stand out when using multicolored pebbles. One popular dark grout color is Raven.
But a darker colored grout may clash with the color of your walls. The color of your pebbles makes a difference. If you’re using only dark-colored stones, they will look better with lighter-colored grout.
When choosing a color for your grout, be mindful of the colors of your stones and the color of your walls.
A safe and stylish option would be to match the color of your grout with the color of your walls.
By simply taking a well-lit picture of your wall down to a hardware store, you can obtain a color match. This will give your floor a seamless look that will not clash with the rest of the room.
Do You Need to Seal Pebble Tile Before Grouting
Yes, sealing any natural stone such as river rock before you start grouting is required.
If you do not seal your pebble tile, the grout will stubbornly stick onto your stone becoming difficult to remove and can possibly even damage your stone.
Sealing before you begin the grouting process also gives you the added advantage of protecting your floor.
How Much Grout Do You Need for a Pebble Shower Floor
Pebble shower flooring has more crevasses than your typical tile flooring. Therefore it will require more grout than most shower floors. And the need for additional grout will add up quickly.
The general consensus for river rock flooring is two pounds of grout for each square foot of your shower’s floor space, with the average shower being 15 square feet, which would require 30 pounds of grout. These numbers will vary depending on the size of your shower.
Tools and Materials Required to Grout a Pebble Tile Shower Floor
- The Grout of your choice
- Grout Float
- Mortar
- Sealant
- Sponge
- Large Bucket
- Mortar Mixer
- Trowel
- Dry Cloths
How to Grout a Pebble Tile Shower Floor
- Set your stones on your floor in the pattern you desire.
- Use mortar to affix the stones to your flooring.
- After the mortar sets, use a sealant on your pebble flooring.
- Wait for your sealant to cure fully.
- Mix your grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Using a grout float apply the grout evenly across all crevasses.
- Continue applying grout until you are certain all space between the pebbles is covered.
- Wait around 30 minutes to allow your grout to partially dry.
- Using a wet sponge, begin removing excess grout.
- Repeat this process until the grout is at the height you prefer.
- Clean up and remove any excess grout on your walls or floor.
- Wait for the grout to fully dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Use a dry cloth to buff each stone for a finished, polished look.
