The process of sealing joints between laid tiles is called grouting. It is made with the aim of sealing, providing additional strength and obtaining a beautiful finished surface. Any materials used for this are called the same word - grout. In practice, a large number of mixtures are used, which are different in composition, purpose, characteristics and color shades.
Types of grouts, their pros and cons
According to the type of the main component in the finished mixture, there are five types of grouting materials:
- cement;
- epoxy;
- polyurethane;
- silicone;
- latex.
It is the basic basis that determines the possibility of application under certain conditions, technical properties, material cost and other factors that determine the choice of grout for tiles.
Portland cement based
As the traditional and most affordable material, cement joint grouts are the most popular. In addition to high-quality light cement, they contain coloring pigments and special additives to improve properties. Fine sand is mixed in the mixture for joints with a width of more than 5 mm.
Available in the form of dry mixes or ready-to-use mastics. The material prepared at the factory is of high quality, but, after opening the container, it should be used within an hour or two. After this, the material will harden. Water or another solvent must be added to the mastic, as indicated in the instructions.
Some cement-based grouts have a porous structure after hardening. Therefore, not every material of this type can be used in rooms with high humidity. To give waterproof qualities, liquid latex can be used instead of water to dilute the dry mix.
To the main the benefits should include:
- low cost;
- simple cooking procedure;
- high strength and wear resistance;
- wide palette with sustainable color retention;
- simple technology for filling seams.
TO disadvantages experts include:
- long setting process;
- the presence of shrinkage after complete drying;
- ability to absorb moisture;
- insufficient adhesion.
The prepared cement mixtures are applied with a rubber spatula, kneading the solution into the joint. The resulting stains are easily cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge, without the use of solvents or detergents.
Epoxy Grouts
To prepare these grout mixtures, an epoxy resin and a hardener are used. Fine sand and a coloring pigment are added to the resin, which can sometimes be replaced by a phosphor glowing in the dark. After bonding with the hardener, the resin solidifies and becomes a solid and durable polymer.
Epoxy grouts can be used with any kind of tile and other types of cladding when performing external or internal works. Mosaic materials can be glued directly to the resin, while simultaneously filling the joints between the trim elements. The material is highly resistant to moisture and aggressive environments, is absolutely safe for human health. Epoxy grout is impervious to water.
The main virtues epoxy mixtures
- increased elasticity;
- moisture resistance and water tightness;
- immunity to temperature extremes;
- minimal shrinkage after solidification;
- sustainable color retention;
- lack of porosity.
Cons smaller, but they, nevertheless, are:
- high price;
- sophisticated use technology;
- the use of special tools for finishing stripping.
Application of the finished composition only on dry, clean joints, without residual adhesive and debris. Hardening of the laid mass occurs in 40-60 minutes.
Based on polyurethane
Polyurethane grouts, as in the previous case, are made on the basis of polymers, but are included in the category of especially plastic and viscous elastomers. They are sold only in a ready-to-use form, however, they allow the addition of coloring pigments to change color.
Polyurethane-based grouting materials are used for grouting only on smooth tiles or glass, and only inside dry living quarters. High ductility allows the use of such grouts to fill deformation and conditionally movable joints. The maximum joint width is 6 mm.
In addition to the already mentioned ductility, the main virtues polyurethane are water repellent and higher than cement, the strength of the material.
Such polymer compositions do not allow the use of detergents with a chlorine content and are very expensive.
Silicone grout
These mixtures are the most common sealants in their composition, in which they added color pigment and, possibly, additives against the formation of mold and fungus. The material is recommended for sealing joints of floor coverings with walls and expansion joints in warm floors.
The hardened sealant resembles a firmly adhered rubber, which after hardening is very difficult to remove. Curing of the composition can occur in 5-10 minutes. Therefore, in the absence of sufficient practical skills, it is recommended to stick a masking tape along the seam being processed to protect against accidental contamination of the tile surface.
In list pluses can be called:
- extremely high elasticity;
- excellent adhesion;
- water tightness;
- lack of shrinkage.
Significant disadvantages can be considered very fast drying, complicating the work process, and susceptibility to mold.
Latex materials
According to the composition of the components, these grouts are prepared on the basis of cement with the addition of liquid latex, which is an emulsion of artificial rubber particles.
It gives the cement mortar plasticity and water-repellent properties, solving the question of which grout to choose for tiles in the bathroom. Latex grouts are well stained and retain color for a long time. In addition, liquid latex is sold separately to dilute dry cement mixtures.
Benefits:
- affordable cost;
- resistance to joint mobility and vibration;
- wide range of operating temperatures;
- a wide variety of colors.
Disadvantage there is a difficulty in the subsequent removal of places of accidental pollution and stains on the tile.
Criterias of choice
The choice of material for grouting tile joints should be dependent on the purpose of the premises, operational loads, moisture, and other negative factors. It is very important to choose the right color that matches the style of the tile and emphasizes the beauty of the masonry.
In addition to operating conditions and color shade, when determining which grout for a tile is better, one should not forget about the surface texture. For glass or mosaic, epoxy resins are best suited as shiny materials. On smooth tiled surfaces with a pattern, it is recommended to use latex or polyurethane compounds. Colored cement grout is well suited to porous or rough surfaces.
Which is better to choose
When buying grouting material for tiles, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the room. In most cases, manufacturers indicate acceptable operating conditions on the product packaging. Therefore, carefully read this information.
For living rooms, corridors and kitchens inexpensive cement mixes are quite normal. But in bathroom, shower or bath epoxy or latex compounds must be used, even despite the high cost.
For tiled cladding and footpaths frost-resistant material should be bought, and elastic compounds for expansion joints and expansion joints.
How to choose color tiles
The color palette of grouting materials on sale is wide, and therefore there is always the opportunity to choose a grout color for tiles and a wide variety of design solutions.
Snow White suitable not only for white tiles, but also any other, as it is considered universal and can be combined with any tile coating.
If you choose a trowel, matching in color with the color of the tile, then this will create a visual effect of the expansion of space. However, it should be noted that most of the mixtures lighten slightly after drying and this method is well used for beige tiles.
Application contrasting shade sharply highlight all the elements of the masonry and emphasize its beauty. This option is best used for custom or bright ceramics.
Epoxy resins with silver, gold or bronze sequins able to originally diversify the tiled surface, enhancing the overall perception. At the same time, the main color of the grout can be any, but the presence of brilliant glitters will make it unusual.
Polymer Compounds with the addition of phosphors they look normal under normal lighting, but with the onset of darkness or in dim light, the seams begin to glow a bluish tint.
The color of the tile grout for floors and walls should be chosen in different ways. White material on the floor after a certain time will still turn gray. Therefore, it is better to immediately use the appropriate shade. But for walls your imagination is not limited.
Popular manufacturers
The study of consumer demand identified the best grouting mixtures represented by such brands as:
- Ceresit from Henkel;
- MAPEI - Italy;
- LITOKOL - Italy;
- ATLAS - Poland;
- Sopro - Germany.
The cost of materials depends on the grout base and other components included in its composition.