Grout Floats

Grout Floats for Tile: Rubber, Epoxy and Soft Floats

Pro grout floats from Marshalltown, Barwalt, Raimondi, DTA, Cortag, Rubi and BIHUI. Hard rubber for sanded grout, soft floats for delicate tile, and epoxy floats for SpectraLOCK and other epoxy grouts.

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How to choose a grout float

A grout float packs grout into the joints and strips the excess off the tile face. The right float depends on the grout you're using, the tile surface, and the size of the job.

Float typeBest forGood picks
Hard or firm rubberSanded cement grout, floors, wide jointsMarshalltown Grout Floats, DTA Pro Solid Rubber, Cortag Rubber Float
Soft or extra-soft rubberUnsanded grout, glass and polished tile, textured surfacesBarwalt Mega Soft, Barwalt Ultrasoft, Marshalltown DuraSoft
Epoxy floatEpoxy and urethane groutsRaimondi Epoxy Float, BIHUI Premium Epoxy Float
Tapered or angled edgeCorners, tight spots, packing jointsDTA V-Rubber Tapered, Raimondi Smart Float
Small floatsBacksplashes, niches, repairsBIHUI 5" Rubber Float
Sponge floatsCleanup and shaping joints after groutingRubi Sponge Float Pro, BIHUI Sponge Float

Rubber hardness matters

Firm rubber drives sanded grout deep into the joint and cuts the excess off cleanly, which makes it the workhorse for floors. Soft rubber flexes over uneven and textured tile and is gentler on glass, polished stone and glossy surfaces that can scratch. Epoxy floats use a stiffer, slicker face so sticky epoxy grout releases from the float instead of dragging out of the joint.

How to use a grout float

  1. Load the joints with the float held at about 45 degrees, pushing grout diagonally across the joints.
  2. Pack it in with a second diagonal pass so the joints are full with no voids.
  3. Strip the excess with the float held nearly upright (about 90 degrees), again moving diagonally so the edge doesn't pull grout out of the joints.
  4. Clean up with a damp sponge or sponge float once the grout firms up.

The real installer debate: one float or several?

The one-float camp runs a medium rubber float for everything. Less to clean, less to carry, and it handles most cement grout on most tile.

The specialist camp keeps a firm float for floors, a soft float for walls and glass, and a dedicated epoxy float. They say the right float saves time on cleanup and avoids scratched tile and pulled joints.

Where it lands: one good rubber float covers most cement grout jobs. Add a dedicated epoxy float the first time you grout with epoxy. It makes a bigger difference than any other float upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

What is a grout float used for? Pressing grout into tile joints and removing the excess from the tile face. Read our full guide: what is a grout float.

Can I use a regular float for epoxy grout? You can, but an epoxy float spreads and releases epoxy much more easily and is easier to clean.

What size grout float do I need? A standard 4" x 9-1/2" to 10" float covers most work. Use a small float for backsplashes, niches and tight areas.

How do I clean a grout float? Rinse it in clean water before the grout sets. Dried cement grout is hard to remove, and dried epoxy usually ruins the face.

Shop every grout float above, plus grout and thinset, grout sponges and cleanup tools and grout cleaners. Pro pricing, fast shipping, and a team that grouts tile every day and can help you pick the right float.

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