Want that seamless, marble-like floor without the hefty renovation bill?
Marble gum grouting is a popular option for many homeowners who want to upgrade their existing homogeneous tiles without hacking everything out. It creates a smooth, uniform finish, and get rid of grout lines for a fuss-free grout maintainence.
For BTO homeowners looking to get more out of their original flooring, it could be worth considering.
In this guide, we’ll cover what marble gum grouting is, how much it costs, what to look for in a contractor, and how it compares with another popular solution, epoxy grouting.
Example of homogenous tiles marble gum grouting
In this project, Mr Wood Varnish worked on homogeneous tile flooring to improve its overall appearance through floor restoration. The before-and-after transformation shows how existing tiles can be improved without expensive re-tiling.
Project type: Landed house
Service: Homogenous tiles marble gum grouting and polishing
What is marble gum grouting?
Marble gum grouting is a flooring treatment that uses a coloured resin-based compound instead of the usual cement grouting to fill the tile joints. The floor is then levelled and polished to create a smooth, even, shiny finish with less visible/deep grout lines. The result? Mirror-like shine and less visible grout lines.
Why are homeowners choosing marble gum grouting?
- Get the Luxe, Marble-Like Look
Prominent grout lines can make a floor look busy and segmented. Marble gum grouting helps create a more seamless finish that works well with clean, contemporary interiors. It’s an option for homeowners who want a more polished look without replacing the entire floor. - Save on Unnecessary Re-Tiling
Why replace your entire floor if the existing tiles are still in good condition? Marble gum grouting works with suitable existing tiles, saving you the thousands of dollars and renovation mess, and long downtime of hacking, disposal and installing new flooring. - No dirty Grout
Those initial deep grout lines can be a pain to maintain, especially when dirt and grime build up over time. By filling the joints and creating a smooth, levelled surface, marble gum grouting makes maintaining your floors easier
What is the marble gum grouting process?
The process generally involves four steps.
Step 1: Remove existing grout
The existing grout is manually removed to prepare the joints for the new compound.
Step 2: Apply the marble gum
A custom-coloured marble gum compound is mixed to complement the existing tiles and applied to fill the joints. Colour matching and proper application are important for achieving a more uniform appearance.
Step 3: Levelling
The floor will be grinded to level the treated joints and address surface unevenness
Step 4: Polish & deep clean
The floor is polished to achieve a glossy sheen, and finally finished with a deep clean to remove all residue
It takes approximately 3–5 days for works, and is ready for usage immediate upon completion. (no downtime!)
What makes a good marble gum grouting contractor?
The quality and durability of the finish depend heavily on the workmanship and materials used.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Skilled Colour Matching
As marble gum grouting. The marble gum colour should complement your existing tiles. Poor colour matching can leave the joints standing out instead of blending into the floor. Ask to see completed projects. - Quality Materials
High quality marble gum compound will ensure more durable results. Always opt for contractors that use Italian grade products. - Industry standard equipment
Grinding and polishing require suitable machinery and the right technique. Incorrect equipment or poor handling can damage the tile surface or leave an uneven finish. - Honest expectations before work begins
A reliable contractor should be upfront about treatment limitations before starting. For example, vertical narrow surfaces such as skirting cannot be treated due to machinary limitations.
How much does marble gum grouting cost?
Cost varies based on vendor and area size (sqft). As an indicative market range, quotations may fall around S$3.50 – S$5.50 per sqft, inclusive of labour, materials, and equipment. For a 3-room BTO flat, a rough estimate is $1350.
How to maintain marble gum grouting?
Maintenance is simple:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove loose dirt and grit that can scratch the surface
- Mop with a PH-neutral floor cleaner
- Wipe up spills promptly to help prevent residue or staining
- Re-polishing may be required every 3-5 years, depending on your floor’s surface wear and tear
Marble gum grouting vs epoxy grouting: Which is better?
Another popular solution among BTO homeowners now is epoxy grouting – another type of compound formed by mixing a reactive resin with a hardener, commonly used for high moisture areas like kitchen and bathroom is epoxy grouting is extremely stain-resistant and waterproof.
The better choice depends on whether you’re looking to transform the overall appearance of your floor or improve the performance of the grout itself. Our take: If your goal is to get rid of grout lines, and achieve a seamless marble-like finish, marble gum grouting may be worth exploring. If your main concern is durabiilty of grout, epoxy grout may be more appropriate.
| Feature | Marble gum grouting | Epoxy grouting |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Fill tile joints and create a more seamless, polished appearance | Provide durable grout joints with good resistance to stains and moisture |
| Typical applications | Suitable for homogeneous tile floors, mainly living room & hallway | Suitable for all tiles, mainly high stain or moisture environments (eg. kitchen/ bathrooms) |
| Appearance | Seamless finish with no visible/deep grout lines | Defined grout joints, but close colour to tiles |
| Water- and Stain-resistance | Highly water- and stain-resistant | Waterproof and stain resistant |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean as seamless grout lines | Easy to clean as generally waterproof and stain resistant |
| Durability | Durable but require re-polishing every 3-5 years | Durable |
| Cost | Depends on floor area, tile suitability and grinding and polishing work | Depends on product, joint preparation and installation requirements |
Thinking of upgrading your BTO Floors?
We’re your one-stop solution to all your home improvement needs. Get us to help: Parquet sanding & varnish, Engineered wood polishing, Parquet repair, Outdoor deck varnishing, Marble polishing, marble gum grouting, homogenous tile polishing, and epoxy grouting.