Grouting sand set pool deck large format 2cm thick porcelain?

[Oikos]

Hi Everyone, I’m new hear but noticed a thread from a few years back Katodude posted about his progress grouting sand set travertine on his pool deck. He had the grout job done and it rained soon after. The thread ended after that and the results of the effort ended. If you’re still out there Katodude or if anyone else has experience with attempting to grout sandset large format 2cm porcelain paver tiles, I would love some feedback. My tiles are pretty stable but too much maintenance using the polymeric sand and keeping it looking good.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Let’s see what @Katodude says.

 

[lakeboater]

See my post, Pool Renovation in SW Florida. My contractor grouted the 16" x 32" pavers. This was completed in May 2024 and I have a few places of cracking grout, but I liked the look better than polymeric sand. There is no looking back now, so I'll have to deal with the cracking in the years to come.

 

[Oikos]

See my post, Pool Renovation in SW Florida. My contractor grouted the 16" x 32" pavers. This was completed in May 2024 and I have a few places of cracking grout, but I liked the look better than polymeric sand. There is no looking back now, so I'll have to deal with the cracking in the years to come.

Thanks lakeboater,
Your feedback is encouraging. I’m in Fort Myers and have 2’ x 3’ tiles. They have been great. They were put in last April and I wanted to get a summer rain season behind me to insure any settling that needed to occur would be revealed. There were a few places that needed to be leveled out a little so now the deck is flat and should be solid. I think I’m going to go for the grouting process next. The ants and grass sprouting is a pain. Has the grout kept the grass and ants away for you?

 

[Katodude]

It’s not perfect but it’s way better than polymeric sand or just sand between the tiles. I would make sure most of your settling has occurred. There are sections where I have had to re grout it as there was cracking.

For the most part this has eliminated the weeds growing between the pavers. It still happens but much less.

Overall I dont regret doing it.

 

[Oikos]

My tile installer said he’s seen some people use some sort of flexible caulk instead of sand or grout. He is looking into it more for me. Anyone out there tried that on sand set large format pool deck tiles successfully?

 

[Katodude]

Not that I know of, but please report back how it works. Sounds like it might be a better solution.