Ah, the age old conflict you’ve never heard of: whether to use grout or caulk on shower corners. Obscure though it may be, this sticky debate has been ongoing for scores of years, and it’s taken quite seriously by anyone who’s ever grappled with tile installation. Today we’ll be exploring which water-resistant sealant the Tile Council of North America recommends, whether that matters, and whether to use grout or caulk when installing your GoShelf corner shower shelf!

Grout or Caulk? The Tile Council of North America Weighs In!

When the conflict surrounding shower corner sealant was brought to the attention of the Tile Council of North America, they released the following formal statement:

“Technically, anywhere there is a change in substrate or backing surface such as the joint between walls and floor and wall joint, caulk should be used in place of grout since these surfaces move independently of each other.”

According to the TCNA, caulk’s flexible nature makes it the ideal choice for use in corners because it joins separate walls that may move apart from one another over time. 

Is Anybody Listening?

When it comes to everyday tile installation, many seem to prefer grout in shower corners, disregarding the advice of the TCNA. In most practical situations, it seems to be a matter of preference to shower tile installers. But be warned: If the walls making up your shower should shift excessively, you may end up wishing you had used caulk instead of grout.

Installing A GoShelf In Your Shower Corners: Grout Or Caulk?

Deciding whether to use grout or caulk when installing your GoShelf corner shower shelf is a bit of a different matter. We normally suggest that you stick with the sealant that’s already in your shower corner. For instance, if your shower corner tiles are sealed with grout, use grout when installing your GoShelf. The same applies with caulk. 

Of course, if you’re struggling with any aspect of installing your GoShelf, just follow this link to our detailed installation guide — we even have a video! And if you don’t have a GoShelf corner shower shelf yet, there’s no time like the present. Join the ranks of our many satisfied customers — get a GoShelf today!