One of the most common questions I hear from customers starting a porcelain patio project is: “What’s the best grout to use with porcelain paving?” It’s a good question—and an important one. Porcelain is known for being low-maintenance, but the wrong jointing product can quickly spoil the look or longevity of your patio.
In this blog, I’ll explain what to look for in a quality porcelain paving grout, why preparation is just as important as the grout itself, and how we protect and finish porcelain jobs here at Macclandscapes using products like ProJoint Pre-Grout™ Stone & Porcelain Paving Sealer.
Why Porcelain Needs the Right Grout
Porcelain paving is incredibly popular right now, and with good reason. It’s:
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Slip-resistant
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Frost-proof
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Colour-stable
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Easy to clean
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Long-lasting
But while the slabs themselves are tough, the grout between them can be a weak point if you don’t use the right product or method.
Porcelain paving is non-porous and has very low water absorption. That’s great for durability—but it also means that many traditional jointing compounds don’t bond properly or can stain the surface. We’ve seen jobs where poor prep has left a hazy film, discoloured joints, or patchy finishes across newly laid patios.
That’s why it’s so important to use a grout made for porcelain, and to prep the surface properly before you start.
What Makes a Good Porcelain Paving Grout?
Here at Macclandscapes, we look for several things when choosing a jointing product for porcelain paving jobs:
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Non-staining formula – Porcelain tiles can show marks easily
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Strong bonding – The grout must stick properly in narrow joints
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Flexible – To handle weather changes and movement
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Resin-based or polymer-enhanced – Ideal for non-porous materials
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Fine-textured – To suit narrow joints, often only 3–5mm wide
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Resistant to frost, pressure washing, and weed growth
A lot of products will say they’re suitable for porcelain—but unless they meet all the above, we tend to avoid them.
Why We Recommend ProJoint Pre-Grout™ Sealer
One of the most important steps before grouting porcelain is surface protection. That’s where ProJoint Pre-Grout™ Stone & Porcelain Paving Sealer comes in. This product isn’t a grout itself—it’s a pre-grout treatment that makes applying the grout much cleaner, easier, and safer for the tiles.
Here’s what it does:
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Creates an invisible protective layer over the porcelain
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Prevents resin sheen and grout haze from sticking to the surface
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Reduces cleaning time after grouting
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Protects the paving from stains during and after installation
We apply this product to every porcelain job before jointing—and often again after grouting, once everything’s cured, to seal and protect the finish.
It’s water-based, quick to apply, and works on both textured porcelain and natural stone. That flexibility is really handy, especially on mixed-material patios.
How to Use the Pre-Grout Sealer
If you’re doing your own porcelain paving or just want to understand the process better, here’s how we apply the sealer step by step:
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Ensure the paving is clean and dry – Remove any dust or residues
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Shake the bottle well – Always mix it before use
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Apply with a roller or sprayer – Make sure the entire surface is covered evenly
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Allow to dry for 1–2 hours – It dries fast, but don’t grout until it’s fully dry
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Grout as normal – Using a compatible product from the ProJoint range
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Optional second coat after grouting – For added protection once the joints have cured
The coverage is excellent—up to 30m² per litre on porcelain—which makes it good value for money.
Choosing the Right Grout to Pair with It
Once the surface is sealed, we typically use resin-based grouts like ProJoint RapidFlow or ProJoint Porcelain Grout. These are specifically made for smooth, non-porous tiles and give a neat, professional finish.
Most of these grouts:
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Can be brushed or squeegeed in
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Come in modern colours (like mid grey, buff, or basalt)
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Are UV-stable and water-resistant
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Set quickly—usually within 24 hours
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Can handle narrow joint widths as small as 3mm
When combined with the Pre-Grout Sealer, they glide into the joints cleanly without clinging to the paving face.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Porcelain Grouting
We’ve fixed our fair share of DIY paving jobs over the years, and most of the problems with porcelain grouting come from one of these issues:
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Not sealing before grouting – Leads to resin haze or staining
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Using standard cement grout – Doesn’t bond well and can crack
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Overwashing the joints – Weakens the grout and causes patchiness
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Grouting in very hot or wet conditions – Affects curing and finish
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Not cleaning excess quickly – Leaves visible marks that are hard to remove later
That’s why we always emphasise preparation. With the right setup, the job goes smoothly—and looks far better when finished.
When Should You Grout Porcelain Paving?
We aim to grout porcelain paving:
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On a dry, mild day (ideally between 10–20°C)
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At least 24 hours after laying the slabs
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Only once the bedding mortar has fully set
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With the pre-grout sealer applied and dried
If rain is forecast, it’s best to wait. Even the best porcelain paving grout can fail if it’s rained on before it sets properly.
Why Trust Macclandscapes for Porcelain Work?
We’ve completed dozens of porcelain paving projects across Macclesfield and Cheshire, from small garden seating areas to full wrap-around patios. Our customers often choose porcelain for its clean finish, durability, and minimal maintenance. But it’s also more technical to install correctly—especially when it comes to jointing.
That’s why we always use professional-grade products like the ProJoint Pre-Grout™ Stone & Porcelain Paving Sealer. It’s part of our process to make sure every job looks clean, lasts long, and stays stain-free.
Check out some of our recent work here using our instagram and facebook links.
If you want help with laying, sealing, or finishing your paving, we’re always happy to offer advice. You can contact us here to arrange a free quote or ask us anything about your project.