Faux Rock

[doe222]

Done it in the past. i used plaster of paris because of the dry time and i had some lying around. This time i want to make it more a permanent setup. In my experience with actually setting tile floors sanded grout is always preferd over unsanded due to the amount of strength it provides compared to the unsanded. Why is unsanded recomended over sanded grout? can anyone explain why people do not use sanded? is it because of the paint not being able to stick well?

 

[NeosMom]

I don't know about that recommendation, but when I was building my rock structure a lot of things I was reading were talking about putting sand into the final coating of grout to give more texture to the finished surface. Personally, I just used the cheap grout I got at Lowes and I had no trouble at all with my structure.

 

[doe222]

actually you spirnkle sand onto the second to last clear coat to give traction for your beardie if you do it on the grout the paint and the clear coat covers it and there was no point to adding the sand

 

[NeosMom]

Yeah, Doe... that sounds like what I read. Like I said, I didn't do that, so not completely sure. I had no problems with anything except cleaning my rock.

 

[doe222]

see i have 2 50lb bags of sanded grout lying around. im curious as to why unsanded is recomended. the only thing i can think of is the paint not being able to stick as well. if that is the case ill just lay down a quick coat of spray adhesive. anyone know why sanded is bad?

 

[NeosMom]

Look at it this way... why is sand bad for beardies? Because if they ingest too much it causes impactation. Other than that particular issue, beardies play in sand and some people even let them live on sand. So, sand is obviously not toxic to them. So, if it is in the grout, it's not going to hurt them. The only downside, I imagine, is if it makes the job of grouting more difficult. So, take a risk... Right? What do you really have to lose?

 

[doe222]

yea ill give it a shot. just wanted some input thats all.

 

[NeosMom]

I know what you mean. Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.