Marble Gum Grout: What It Is and Why It’s a Wallet-Friendly Floor Hack

Marble-like floors for less.

Ever heard of marble gum grout? This flooring treatment has been around for a while, but it’s making a resurgence among homeowners not just for its luxe, marble-like appearance but also the fuss-free grout maintenance it promises.

Though regular grout protects your tiles from damage and prevents dirt from getting in between and under tiles, the grout lines themselves are not impervious to dirt and mould/mildew build-up; cleaning residue and soap scum can get into them too – which is where marble gum grout comes to the rescue.

So what is marble gum grout, and how does it spruce up your home while helping with your grout woes? We did a deep-dive so you can make a more informed decision!

1. What exactly is marble gum grout?

We’d argue that marble gum ‘grout’ is a bit of a misnomer, since it isn’t really grout at all: compared to traditional cement grout which is filled into joints, it’s a polymer-based compound that is applied like a sealant.

The reason it’s associated with grout is that it’s used in place of regular grout to transform your regular tiled flooring into an elegant and seamless marble-like surface.

2. Why are homeowners opting for marble gum grout?

You might’ve (unknowingly) seen marble gum grout while scrolling through your social media timelines, or when you pay visits to friends and family.

While it’s been around for a few years, it seems to be making a resurgence – and considering its two key benefits, it’s not difficult to understand why.

For one, you get a seamless, polished marble-like look for less with barely – if not at all – visible grout lines, which many homeowners have said makes their spaces look bigger and brighter, especially in large areas like the living room.

The second is that with the grout lines all sealed up, you won’t have to spend hours scrubbing the dirt and grime out. Since marble gum grout is highly durable and resistant to wear and tear, they are less prone to chipping and discolouration, which makes your floor maintenance so much easier.

For those of you who opted in for the Optional Component Scheme (OCS) – or your home is a PPVC flat – applying marble gum grout is a cost-effective way of ‘upgrading’ the default OCS tiles without removing and replacing them.

3. How is marble gum grout applied?

You might be wondering how the marble gum grouting process works.

We can break it down into four steps:

1. Removing existing grout from your grout lines

2. Filling the lines with marble gum glue, which is usually hand mixed to get a colour that perfectly matches your tiles

3. Floor grinding to remove imperfections and unevenness in your tiles

4. To finish it off, floor polishing to achieve the iconic glossy and smooth marble gum finish

Typically, this can all be done in about two to three days, but ultimately depends on factors like the space and the types of tiles being worked on.

While the process seems simple enough in writing, there are certain things you should look out for right after the application. One of those is uneven texture or air bubbles, which could be a result of improper application.

Some homeowners have also encountered damage to their vinyl skirting during the marble gum grouting process for their tiles: if you’re similarly using vinyl for your floor skirting, do look out for scratches and make sure the skirting silicone is intact.

You may also need to request touch-ups if there are gaps that were missed out.

If you encounter any of these issues, raise your concerns with your contractor/interior designer or the vendor you engaged.

4. Can you use marble gum grout on any type of flooring?

As a rule of thumb, marble gum grout is most suitable for unglazed homogenous tiles that are at least half-bodied, if not full-bodied.

“Full-bodied” means that the tile has a consistent composition from the surface and all throughout its body, while “half-bodied” means the same composition only runs from the top until the midsection of the tile.

Since homogeneous tiles have a consistent look and are made of the same material, they provide the ideal surface for the smooth, polished marble gum look.

Unglazed tiles are more porous, which allows for better adhesion of the marble gum grout for a longer-lasting finish.

Other types of tiles like glazed porcelain or ceramic tiles may be possible, but you would need to consult your contractor/interior designer and keep in mind that the final result might not turn out as it does with unglazed homogenous tiles.

5. How much does marble gum grout cost?

The cost of marble gum grout varies depending on the vendor and the condition of your floor tiles, but a rough range could be anywhere between $2 to $4 per square foot (inclusive of labour).

Based on this, applying marble gum to a 4-room BTO living room (including the walkway, if applicable) could cost between $800 and $1,300.

6. How to maintain marble gum grout

For maintaining marble gum grout, you can stick to your regular cleaning routine like sweeping and vacuuming to rid your home of dust and dirt.

When you mop, make sure to use mild detergents without harsh chemicals since acidic cleaners can damage the finish. Avoid any abrasive scrubbing as well.

7. Marble gum grout vs epoxy grout: what is the difference?

Besides marble gum grout, another material that’s buzzing among homeowners is epoxy grout.

While marble grout is more about polishing regular tiles to get a marble-like look (along with the added benefits of easier-to-maintain flooring), epoxy grout is actually a type of grout that is known for being waterproof and stain-resistant.

Here’s a summary of their differences:

8. How to decide if marble gum grout is right for you

Still unsure about investing in marble gum grout for your home? Start by first considering whether you’re a fan of its glossy, high-end finish; while it’ll look great in sleek, modern-luxe interiors, it might not fit well with certain interior themes that favour a matte look.

Since it’s waterproof and stain-resistant, maintaining your floors will be much much easier in the long run – you won’t have to worry about those tough-to-remove dark spots in your grout lines (yikes!)

On the other hand, marble gum grouting is not a one-time investment – since the shine will wear off eventually, you’ll have to get it repolished. You also need to have suitable tiles, since some surfaces could result in a subpar finish.

One last thing to think about: safety. Considering that the glossy surface can get slippery when wet, it may not be suitable for young children, elderly family members or anyone more prone to slips/falls.

Before you go all in, be sure to speak to a professional like your interior designer to find out what’s best for your home and your family’s needs. If you need help finding one, just let us know your requirements below and we’ll link you up with interior design firms – for free!

Want to find out more about other buzzing home features or trends? Let us know in the comments down below! 👇