At first glance, choosing a grout for filling joints between tiles is a simple and quick task. Manufacturers do everything to make the whole process seem easy, but in any case, you will have to perform some steps yourself. Every surface, room, environment, color design- these are the nuances about strength, moisture resistance, acceptable temperature conditions, external qualities and much more. Professional advice will help you make decisions on these issues. Before buying and making a mortar, take into account the characteristics of the tile and the width of the seams - to select the material itself and calculate the required mass. It is better to entrust the above tasks to the master, but the basic knowledge is enough for independent work. The finishing result will embody the final appearance of the surfaces. Grout is used for cladding facades, bathroom and kitchen walls, as well as industrial premises, pool walls.
Tile grout is a composition for finishing joints. The multicomponent mixture includes mineral foundations, pigments of natural origin and modifying agents. Regulators include additives to protect against low temperatures, increase plasticity, prevent cracking of the top layer, and others. important qualities. The functionality is divided into two components: protective and decorative. The functions of multi-purpose protection are waterproofing of the ends and protection from the adverse effects of the external environment, primarily temperature contrasts. Grout as a decorating element forms the aesthetic appearance of the composition, creates a complete picture. The composition is used to complement the tint range of tiles or color contrast. As a result, several additional design solutions appear.
The main types are cement and epoxy aggregates, however, the following are also common on the farm:
Cement mixes perfectly showed themselves in everyday life. Their properties are regulated with the help of sand - ready-made mixtures differ significantly according to the application. Solutions are used for seams of small, medium and large widths. The color palette of cement mixtures is also diverse. However, the effect of water on the grout leads to the formation of browning, as well as mold and mildew. Epoxy mixtures are durable and resistant to adverse conditions such as pollution and high humidity. The material does not tolerate extreme temperatures well. However, it guarantees absolute protection against the penetration and influence of water. Due to their basis, latex fugues are in demand on external surfaces subject to increased mechanical stress. Furan grouts provide a high-strength joint, but lack decorative properties.
In this case, in addition to the cement itself, sand is sometimes used. For resistance to moisture and frost, additional components are used. Cement grouts are excellent as a composite for 5mm and narrower joints. To fill wide gaps, fugues with sand additives are used. Cement grouts are easy to use, because they are easily divorced and do not have a harmful effect on the tile. The surface of the hardened material, in turn, is resistant to mechanical stress. A cement-based mix is a good option for domestic applications. In addition, the color palette is represented by many options. The disadvantage of solutions is the vulnerability to moisture. Therefore, antiseptic treatment is required. If you have any doubts when choosing a grout, then it is better to stop at a gray or beige aggregate.
Such placeholders appeared relatively recently. Epoxy grouts withstand mechanical stress better than many other options. Distinctive features material are also absolute vapor and water tightness and chemical inertness. The recommended environment of application - quickly polluted places - boiler rooms, garages. At the same time, grouts show themselves no worse in conditions of constant exposure to water and various biological factors - in laundries, showers, pools. There will be no mold or fungus. Epoxy mass prevents the formation of plaque and repainting, without loss of properties due to the influence of detergents, oils and ultraviolet radiation. All these advantages, however, will not protect against high and low temperatures. Grouts of some brands withstand conditions from -20 to +100 ° C.
Important! Epoxy grout is also used as an adhesive.
Polyurethane-based grout is an aqueous dispersion of resins. The material is designed to form hydrophobic seams. Some modifications are combined with natural stone, and not only with tiles or porcelain stoneware, however, with a joint width of not more than 6 mm. Polyurethane material is used for places with a high level of vibration. The resulting seam is also resistant to minor deformations of the tile itself. The product is sold ready for use, and its residues can be easily removed from surfaces. The color of the grout remains unchanged. Variations of polyurethane fillers have such qualities as self-levelling, fire resistance, elasticity, fluidity, etc. The composition of the mixtures includes polyurethane polymers and hardeners. The components of a part of the polyurethane line have an irritating effect on the human body.
Fugues diluted with latex are more elastic. Great plasticity contributes to the filling of the entire seam, including microscopic recesses - cracks and voids will not appear in the masonry. The structure of the latex mixture resists moisture. The compressive and bending strength of such aggregates is higher than that of conventional cement aggregates. Due to these qualities, they are used to fill seams several centimeters wide. Portability of different temperature conditions allows you to use the material on open balconies and a heated field. Fillers change color due to exposure to cleaning agents, despite the fact that they retain it for a long time in principle. Latex is used between tiles and on wood. A high adhesion rate makes it possible to use latex aggregates for facade finishing. The components of the mixtures affect a person to a lesser extent than polyurethane.
Furan resin grouts are mostly black in color, therefore they are used in commercial, warehouse and industrial premises. In terms of performance and chemical properties, they are similar to epoxy and cement aggregates, and occupy a middle position between them. Due to the extremely high adhesiveness, application to the surface is accompanied by difficulties. It is necessary to wipe the remaining traces as soon as possible, and the tile itself must be pre-treated with wax or another fat-containing substance. Furan fillers are a durable and inexpensive material, and the aforementioned adhesion allows you to interact with any building materials in a quality manner. Furan seams are characterized by high strength, resistance to sunlight and acidic environments. The main problems are the limited range of colors and difficulties in finishing work.
The material is used on walls, floors, facades, in wet rooms and on various objects in open space. For each application, the companies have provided the optimal chemical composition. At home, 2 types of mixtures are mainly exploited: cement-based and using epoxy resin. The first option is the most widely used and available, the second one is needed in a chemically active environment and is valuable for its qualities that are important for design techniques. Another significant point is the gap between the masonry elements. The wider it is, the more pronounced adhesive ability will be required, and the larger fractions. The structure of the tile also introduces its own limitations in the selection of aggregates. Too active or inert solution is unacceptable for this or that tile. The shade of the grout is also important - the design of the room depends on it. The key value is given to the parameter of lightness/darkness. Sales consultants for outlets they will tell you how to choose a grout for a particular type of tile.
The correct choice of filler is associated with such additional nuances:
Studying the characteristics of the compositions will help you choose perfect option for works. For relatively dry places like kitchen splashbacks, walls in the bathroom and toilet, simple cement aggregates are also suitable. Grouts with greater resistance, such as polyurethane and latex, are used in conditions of high humidity. For showers and pools, dirt-repellent fugues with mold resistance are needed - epoxy and polyurethane. Consider the features of the lining. Coatings on vibrating or uneven substrates require flexible composites such as furan, polyurethane and latex. Grouts with special properties are needed for unheated rooms, street finishes and hot floors. You will need options that can withstand frequent temperature fluctuations and thermal expansion. In this case, aggregates with a rigid structure will not work.
This indicator is indicated on the packages: the minimum and maximum values. It remains only to compare the recommendations of different manufacturers. Grouts without mineral substances are suitable for bottlenecks - 1-3 mm. Fine sand fractions are suitable for grouting joints as small as 6 mm. Large grooves up to 2 cm thick are rubbed with either elastic mixtures or plasticized cement compositions. Medium and coarse sand products are also suitable, but careful control over the proportion of water and dry mixture is required. The thicker the composition, the better. Some of the owners make a mistake: allocate as little distance as possible to the seams. Because of this, high-quality filling of voids is not always possible. A similar result threatens the ingress of water inside and the deterioration of the lining, possibly even the destruction of the coating. If the seams are already made too narrow, a sealant will be needed.
Grout is combined not only with surface features and external conditions, but also with the structure of the tile. For the reason that the filler will actively interact with the ends of the tile. Products with a porous structure or expressive texture are not customary to rub with highly fluid solutions - otherwise they will leave in excess. Yes, and cleaning the tiles will then take more time. Cement-sand options in this case are optimal. Glass tiles and mosaics are designed to be grouted with decorative epoxy compounds. Solutions with abrasives such as sand should not be used on tiles with a glazed glossy surface or expensive decor. Polyurethane grouts, latex and mixtures with fine cement are appropriate. Almost any type of fugue is suitable for tile boar, but for outdoor work, as a rule, coarse-grained is chosen.
A good choice of color is important for the interior. A beautiful grout diversifies even monotonous masonry. Manufacturers make ordinary mixtures, and options with rich color and decorative effects. You should know the basic nuances of using a shade of grout. For example, light colors unite drawings on different blocks into one composition. Dark colors will accentuate the placeholder and bring out the texture. Color contrast will highlight each tile as a separate "brick". Monochromatic tiles are decorated with deep-colored grout and decorative inserts of the same properties, preferably in one tone. Fugue under the "chameleon" is ideally combined with multi-colored panels. Metallic color is used in a luxurious interior. The brightness of the finish will enhance the contrasting grout. As for the gaps on the floor, it is better to close them with a dark filler, because any decorating effect will be spoiled by dirt.
It is not easy to imagine exactly how the grout and tile will look together. Samples at retail outlets make this task easier. It is also advisable to examine the interior options in the images on the Internet and in catalogs. For example, in the case of a finish that does not match in color, a fugue in several shades looks normal. Similar tones for monotonous seams and coatings create beautiful transitions, softening the situation. Such an atmosphere will allow you to calm down and relax, which is important for the bathroom. Grouting in one tone with masonry will allow you to arrange the composition laid down during finishing in one piece. White grout on the same finish is ideal for cramped rooms. Combining more saturated colors will make the room warmer. The contrast between the aggregate and the tiling highlights the different features of the space. Similar techniques are used to express classic design solutions.
If you lay tiles of several shades with drawings, then it will not be so easy to combine lines: both with one-color grout and with several options. Accurate weighted decisions will be needed. This kind of "ensemble" has another drawback: the lack of a sense of a single plane. However, the diversity of the gamut itself is worth such an experiment. Often used a combination of red and white. Patterned, striped and painted "inclusions" are added to them. The design of the room will be in the spirit of color harmony. If you select a multi-colored version of a more regular pattern, then with the help of grout you can achieve an increase in color perception. Different shades of fugue and tiles in a monotonous design - an option for lovers of minimalism and the unity of space. A good solution for bathrooms of any size. In addition, a lot of time will be saved on repairs.
Several shades of color in one place - a guarantee of comfort and tranquility. From the colors it is better to choose shades of blue or green, because these palettes are filled with beautiful soft tones. Green is combined with light green, turquoise, mint and herbal flowers. Sky blue, indigo, light purple are added to blue. Smoothly iridescent color is a stylish technique in modern design. The bathroom, among other things, is not a place for expression. Wet colors associated with nature and vegetation are mainly used here. It is necessary to overwrite the tile with a light composition with a darker tile. The discrepancy in brightness in the opposite direction is a difficult idea to implement. It will be easier to make a mistake in the choice then. As for tiles, the best option is a coating with a pattern that focuses on the material of manufacture.
The maximum possible similarity in color provides a number of advantages. The design then becomes concise, the space becomes voluminous and unobtrusive. At the same time, the decorative function is shifted to small patterns, drawings on separate squares and a panel - to white, for example, there is a strip with flowers. A bright room will visually enlarge the space, and with a light frieze it can be rounded and softened. Other vertical surfaces do not have to match the color of the walls, and the flooring is made darker anyway. Any joints of different colors are sealed with a lighter grout. The room may be dark - then the grout is selected a few tones lighter. The contrast will not be noticeable even up close. dark interior intended for specific purposes - the expression of style or following fashion trends.
The color of the grout should be appropriately different if two colors of tiles are used for the top and bottom of the room.
Options for contrasting design (the first color is dominant, the second is grout):
Contrast is justified when using deep colors. It is desirable that the seams are narrow, and the tiles are large, or vice versa - the gaps are the same for small tiles. Contrast basically means the predominance of a darker color, along with the presence of light objects in the interior. Since the appliances in the bathroom are mostly light - a white bathtub and a washbasin, there are almost always opportunities for implementing contrasting cladding. The most traditional example of contrast is black plus white. The palette needs to be supplemented with details inherent in luxurious performance: expensive lamps, moldings, silk. If the black tone spoils the mood, you may like a different color set. It goes well with white rich blue color. With it, many different topics are implemented. Classic design is also a pair of brown and white.
First of all, we take into account the dimensions of the products. For example, tiles of the same size are width, length and thickness. We determine the ideal width of the tile joint - at the discretion. We take into account the parameters for an area of 1 square. meter. The indicators can be put into one formula for subsequent multiplication by the standard grout density - 1.8 kg / dm³. We change the last parameter as needed in any of the directions (the optimal value depends, among other things, on the width of the seam). In theory, several patterns work: less tile area - more grout, more tile thickness - more grout, relief shape of the tile - more, wider seam - again more. The consumption indicated by the manufacturers is calculated for tiles of standard sizes. In practice, the calculation has to be done independently. In the formula itself, indicators of the complexity of the surface to be treated, cuts to pipes, corners, uneven tiles are missing.
These should include:
The first brand, Ceresit is one of the world market leaders. Henkel, the manufacturer of Ceresit mixtures, has a policy of affordable prices and manufactures products for any type of traditional ceramic tile. At the same time, the color palette has about 60 shades. Another manufacturer of grouts is Mapei, an Italian brand of household and construction chemicals. The company produces raw materials in different price categories, including finishing materials for designer interiors/exteriors. Mapei grouts for places with high humidity quickly come to readiness, and two days after surface treatment, water can be started. The compositions of the Finnish manufacturer Kiilto are suitable for independent work without the help of a master. Mixtures can be prepared and applied without any difficulty. Polish aggregates Atlas correspond to the main goal of the manufacturer - to produce universal products. Litocol from Italy, in turn, focuses on decorative properties solutions combined with high quality.
Wall cladding has always received a lot of attention. This is one of the components of the interior, in addition to furniture. Grout on the walls is part of the overall design, so you should thoroughly prepare for the selection, preparation and application of the mortar. Even before laying the tiles, they study the parameters - to calculate the amount of grout. In addition to mass, the volume of the solution is also important - the result of the work is associated with the correctly selected density of the material. Manufacturers make mixtures for different cases- decoration of unremarkable household premises, kitchens and bathrooms, luxurious interior, facades, in any price category. The right purchase is possible after taking into account the factors of moisture resistance, tolerance to different temperatures and aesthetics. It is necessary to determine the optimal shade of the grout - the tiles are ideally darker than the gaps. After all calculations, a solution is prepared. In the work you will need a spatula and a porous sponge. At the end, each tile is carefully cleaned.
What grout to choose? -Everyone who has ever dealt with tiles knows that the final one hundred diya its processing is the filling of seams. Grout for joints is needed and its necessity is beyond doubt, but what it should be, how to choose the color of grout for tiles, how often it will have to be updated - all these questions do not have unambiguous answers. To figure it out, let's turn to professionals and start with the most important thing - technical characteristics, grout functions and its main types. Grout - a colored or colorless mixture based on polymer materials, cement, additives, which is used at the final stage of processing the tiled coating to fill the joints.
GROUT SELECTION -To choose a grout color for tiles, you need to know what design techniques exist. There are two main options: play in contrast or match the grout exactly to the color of the tile, but there are many more intermediate options to choose from. From whether you want to pay special attention to the tiling or for you furniture is more important and decorative elements in the room, the choice of grout color depends. If the tile is not the main thing that you want to emphasize in the interior, match the grout tone-on-tone to the color of the tile or choose a colorless option. If your goal is to play in contrast, shade the tile, beat some object in the room, take a bright contrasting grout.
A specialist should deal with the selection of contrasting grouts, since there are a lot of pitfalls here. If you are used to trusting only your taste, use our tips:
CHOOSE THE COLOR OF THE GROUT CORRECTLY
· In no case do not rush to buy. Consider all possible options and imagine the finished interior.
· Take a sample of the tile you are grouting with to ensure the perfect match.
· Be aware of fashion trends, but be guided by your own taste. Fashion passes, but style remains.
· It is worth buying several grouts in a small volume in order to experiment what color you get after complete drying.
· Small rooms are not intended for color experiments and are too dark colors tiles and grouts.
Before grouting the seams on the tiles - Choose several grouts for multi-colored tiles, remember that not all colors blend equally well. There are win-win color combinations that will look harmonious in the interior. But by combining several incompatible shades, you can spoil the overall impression of the design of the room, even if everything else is done flawlessly.
The combination of red tiles and white grout looks very harmonious if the tile is perfectly even.
Consult with professionals before combining several grouts of different colors. Remember that contrast grout is used only for rooms with perfect tiling. The slightest flaws will become apparent if you use a contrasting grout color.
When choosing between light and dark grout, give preference to a lighter option. This choice will make the room visually more spacious and harmonious.
Bright colored tiles and white grout look stylish in spacious rooms
White grout will freshen up any color of tile, but is not recommended for flooring.
Such aggressively stylish combinations of grout and tiles give the room extravagance.
White tiles and grout yellow color- a surprisingly organic and win-win combination that makes the room feel like home
Designers consider beige and chocolate, olive and graphite, pearl, pink and red with gray to be successful combinations. The room looks very fresh with white tiles and yellow grout. In such a bathroom it is always sunny and light!
If you are a conservative person and experimenting is not in your rules, try to choose a grout as close as possible to the color of the tile. If the grout will be used for the floor, feel free to take a darker version, about one or two tones, and if for walls - one or two tones lighter.
Professionals advise:
· Buy grout along with tiles to find a beautiful combination.
· Try applying some grout to the tile and let it dry - that's what the final shade of the grout will be.
· For multi-colored tiles, choose either a universal colorless grout, or the color of the grout that prevails in the tile.
· To a plain tile, you can choose a contrasting grout color or tone-on-tone.
· For a bright mosaic tile, you can choose a colorless option so as not to oversaturate the tiled canvas with colors, and for a plain one - a contrasting shade to make the main tone more bright.
· Remember - a light grout collects the tiled canvas together, and a dark grout divides it into separate fragments.
· For small rooms, light colors are preferable, for large ones, dark ones.
· Light gray and light beige grouts are suitable for almost any color of tile.
· Do not use white or black grout on the floor. Both types of grout get dirty too quickly.
The choice of grout should be conscious.
Don't take what you don't like, even if you don't have time to carefully select, because the right shade of grout will improve the overall perception of the room, and the wrong color will give the interior a feeling of slovenliness and chaos.
If you doubt your taste, find a collection of tiles with ready-made grout options or ask a sales assistant for help.
In almost every hardware store there are layouts with examples of grouts that can be combined with ceramic tiles of any color
MOSAIC GROUT - If you do not assign an aesthetic function to the grout, but use it exclusively to fill tile joints and prevent fungus and mold, take a universal colorless grout. The basis for the manufacture of this grouting material is a colorless epoxy resin. Glass, which is also included in its composition, provides a light-absorbing "invisible" effect. Thanks to its unique technical properties, it can be adjusted to any color and type of tile and is completely invisible. The cost of such a grout is slightly higher than usual, but the performance characteristics are pleasantly surprising. Chameleon grout, as it is also called, is easy to use, resistant to mechanical damage and chemical attack, has an antimicrobial effect and can be used even for fragile, non-standard types of tiles. It is ideally combined with mosaic tiles and a variety of tiled panels.
Colored crystal grout - perfect choice for multi-colored tiles
Colorless grout blends wonderfully with colored and plain mosaic tiles
Let's summarize the information received by watching a thematic video, where a specialist will tell you how to choose the color of the grout. Masters do not recommend choosing grout for the floor from tiles, in the kitchen to match the color of the wallpaper in the corridor. The right decision is to choose the color of the grout under the main color of the material where the grout is made.
Choose a manufacturer
Having decided on the required grout color, you should also pay attention to the manufacturer. After all, the grout mixture is primarily the protection of the room from moisture, and the tile joints from the appearance of bacteria and mold.
Almost all manufacturers promise us such protection, but should they be trusted? Ceresit and Atlas are considered the main and most popular manufacturers of grout mixtures. Each of these brands has its own advantages and disadvantages.
German Ceresit tile grout is used for interior and exterior work, for any tile sheets and is characterized as moisture-resistant, environmentally friendly, resistant to mechanical damage, adverse environmental influences. They are easy to use and harden quickly during use.
Grout mixtures of the Polish company Atlas can also be used for both outdoor and internal works and have a very wide range of applications. They are simple and easy to apply, have a plastic homogeneous structure, do not scratch the tiled canvas during operation, are resistant to mechanical damage and can be used for joints up to 0.6 cm.
If your tile joints are larger than 0.6 cm, take Kesto cement-based Finnish grouts. For reliable protection of the facing coating from moisture, Italian grouts from the company Mapei, Litokol with polymers. So, you have chosen a manufacturer, what else to look for when buying a grout?
on color;
· for the expiration date;
· on consumer reviews;
· on the complexity of use;
· resistance to moisture, mechanical stress;
· on the bridge.
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You can choose any grout for tiles by color. With its help, it turns out to give the finishing touch the finishing touch, create a single composition from disparate tiled elements and achieve a harmonious and neat design.
A few basic rules that are taken into account when choosing:
Due to well-chosen color combinations, you can get three options for effects:
The photo shows a bathroom interior with contrasting grout for wall and floor tiles.
Currently, there are collections of tiled models that already have a tint putty solution. Most often, such a color palette is particularly original, for example, black finishes are complemented by a pearl-white fugue, beige - with grout in chocolate tones, and olive - in graphite.
For classic white tiling, you can choose a contrasting black or brown grout. No less bold and spectacular look is the combination with red, burgundy fugue, as well as combinations with pastel peach, mint, pink, blue or blue grout. Beige tile goes well with neutral chocolate, gray, milky tones or darker puffer black.
The photo shows a white wall tiled finish with a fugue of blue color.
Light blue tile finishes can be accentuated with white, yellow or dark blue.
Pictured is a bathroom with tiled walls blue color with white grout.
Brown ceramic products, will harmoniously complement light beige, white or plain brown putty, and a combination with yellow or black fugue will also look quite interesting. The borders of the lining are blue, the grout will outline in creamy brown, gray, white, azure blue, fiery red, orange, yellow or blue.
For black finishes, it is better to choose pearl white, mother-of-pearl, beige, red or yellow putty. Such a monochromatic combination is used very carefully and is not suitable for decorating small rooms.
The photo shows a combination of white grout with gray tile trim in the bathroom interior.
For a calm and harmonious look, a gray tiled finish with seams made in white, dark or light gray colors will be appropriate; you can add originality to the setting using dark red, dark blue, blue, yellow, purple, lilac, pink and coral colors. .
The photo shows the interior of a modern kitchen with a working area decorated with black tiles with white grout.
For light-colored wood tiles, you can choose gray, beige, sand or milky putty, cladding with imitation of dark wood, such as wenge, is perfectly combined with seams made in light shades.
Marbled products look harmonious with joints that have black, dark gray, white and even reddish tones. To maintain the interesting texture of the brick finish, special compositions with small fractions are selected.
The most commonly used color combinations.
A dark grout composition looks especially advantageous in combination with contrasting white tiles or mosaics, which allows you to achieve a simple, but at the same time quite effective and elegant design solution. However, this option is appropriate only in the case of a perfectly even and accurate application of tiles on a plane.
The photo shows a white tiled cladding with black grout on the wall in the interior of the kitchen.
The black and white combination is classic, strict and sophisticated. In addition, using this technique, you can visually enlarge the room.
Snow-white putty is a versatile option that harmoniously combines with both contrasting dark and calm light tile finishes. This design always has a very beautiful and neat appearance and is perfect for any interior.
The photo shows white grout in combination with yellow diamond-shaped tiles in the design of the working area in the kitchen.
Also, the white fugue is an ideal binder when using multi-colored tile material.
The photo shows a kitchen apron, lined with glossy tiles, a black boar with white grout.
White finishes with color joints or fugue in two or more shades look dynamic, creative, give the interior a special uniqueness and set a certain mood. For example, yellow putty can fill the room with warmth and make it more sunny, while green and turquoise grout can significantly refresh the atmosphere.
When using a gray finish with a contrasting black fugue, it turns out to divide the plane into separate segments and thereby achieve a rather original effect that perfectly complements a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe interior.
Options for color combinations in rooms for various purposes.
In a given room, tile is a particularly favorite design decision in the design of the working area with a kitchen apron. As a joint filler, a moisture and vapor-tight epoxy fugue is chosen, which may differ in the most unexpected color solution. Also, this grout composition is often supplemented with shiny components and glitters, which allow to achieve an interesting effect in the form of silver, gold, metal or bronze joints.
Pictured is a kitchen with a tiled work area brown shade with white fugue.
Putty for joints, not only gives the cladding a complete and integral appearance, but also prevents moisture and dirt from getting under the tile, which in the future does not contribute to the appearance of mold. Depending on the design of the bathroom, the fugue can have any color scheme or, due to special additives, be distinguished by a pearl-pearl luster, sparkling and glowing in the dark.
The photo shows a bathroom interior with blue tiles in combination with a golden shade fugue.
In the hallway, putty is mainly used for the floor, which is often laid out with porcelain stoneware. Here you should select compositions in non-marking gray, black or brown tones, since light seams get dirty quickly enough.
When choosing a grout for tile joints, it is important to take into account not only its constituent components, but also the tint range, due to which it turns out to give the formed plane, integrity, completeness and special harmony.
Tile is a piece finishing material, the lining of which causes a completely natural formation of seams.
A standard fugue, or tile grout, allows you to independently seal all tile joints, which helps to obtain an aesthetic and solid coating in rooms for various purposes.
The right choice is extremely important and helps not only to independently obtain a decorative aesthetic coating when decorating the surface with tiles or, but also helps to correct some defects in case of insufficient quality laying of elements.
Tile grout can be cement type or based on reliable epoxy resins, depending on the composition of the material and the purpose of the application.
If necessary, cement grouts already fully prepared at the factory are used, the cost of which is much higher than undiluted compositions.
Most domestic and foreign manufacturers of cement grouts use Portland cement as the basis, but quality characteristics fugues are directly dependent on the additives or fillers included in the mixture, with the exception of the base component.
To date, three main types of cement grouts are widely used, presented:
The use of cement-polymer and cement-sand fugues is relevant when making joints, the width of which is 0.4-0.6 cm. If there is a mineral aggregate in the composition, the grout allows you to close up a wider and more voluminous space. The advantages of such compositions include strength, ease of preparation and self-application, not too fast solidification and the ability to correct any flaws, maintainability and affordable price. However, cement mixtures are able to absorb moisture and shrink noticeably during the drying process, harden for too long and are presented with a poor color range.
Modern epoxy grouts are represented by resins and special hardeners, which allows you to get a fugue with maximum strength and resistance to almost any mechanical stress.
The cost of such compounds is higher, but the epoxy fugue is the only choice, if necessary, to perform work in shopping malls or shops, as well as in public and socially significant places.
This type of material is not too easy to work with, therefore it is used mainly by specialists.
The limitation for the use of epoxy fugue is the insignificant thickness of the seam, which does not exceed 5 mm.
The advantages of the epoxy composition are represented by elasticity and absolute water resistance, the formation of a smooth surface without the presence of pores, resistance to detergents and abrasives, resistance to deformation during strong temperature changes. The surface does not fade or crack, and the compositions are presented in a very rich color and tint range, including neon and luminescent mixtures, as well as fugue metallics and fugue chameleons.
The main disadvantages of epoxy fugue are the difficulty of applying it and hardening too quickly, a rather high price and a certain difficulty in removing the dried composition from the tiled surface.
Grout mixtures formed on the basis of cement, fillers from marble chips and sand fine fraction with color pigments and polymer additives, are affordable and have good water-repellent properties. More complex in composition, epoxy grouts are represented by two components that determine the quality of the fugue.
The first substance is a color mixture based on quartz sand or a colored inert translucent filler. The second part of the fugue composition in the form of a resin hardener or catalyst elements is responsible for the hardening of the composition, due to which epoxy grouts are classified as high-quality "reactive" mixtures with practically no restrictions on use.
The grouting process
The exceptional adhesion properties of the reactive grout make it suitable for use as a tile adhesive even in saunas or swimming pools. Such mixtures are marked "R2T", are widely used as a joint sealant and for gluing tile sides, with the formation of an aesthetic and monolithic surface with a long service life. Thus, it is epoxy grouts that are currently preferred, do not fade or fade, allow you to get an absolutely waterproof joint space.
If there is no need to obtain a waterproof surface, and there is also no experience in applying a fugue, then preference should be given to easy-to-use and affordable cement grouts.
It directly depends on how correctly the color is chosen or the shade of the grout is chosen. general form decoration and aesthetics of the room, decorated with tiles or ceramic tiles.
There are several basic options for choosing the color of the grout mixture:
It should also be remembered that tiles and grout in light colors contribute to the connection of all elements of the composition and the visual expansion of the room, and dark tiles and seams can visually make the space more compact. The use of dark grout on light tiles divides the cladding into several segments, effectively emphasizing only specific interior areas.
White fugue is great for finishing any shade, helps to emphasize or mask the boundaries between individual segments, but needs regular and thorough maintenance.
Tiled and is a very aesthetic, reliable and durable finishing material, but only on condition correct grouting suture space. In the bathroom, a well-chosen grout prevents water from getting under the finish, giving the surface a finished and very beautiful appearance.
Experienced tilers recommend giving preference to modern epoxy grouts for the bathroom, which, unlike the cement composition, do not collapse under external adverse influences and are sufficiently resistant to dirt. However, for grouting floor tiles, cement fugues, which are easy to apply on their own and are affordable to the average consumer, may well be used.
Processing seams with colored grout
When using cement grouts in rooms with high humidity, it is recommended to purchase special water repellents that give the treated surfaces water-repellent qualities.
To date, the leading countries producing grouts are represented by Russia, Italy, Poland and Germany. Affordable grout mixes differ in color and complexity of self-application, but qualified professionals and ordinary users prefer the popular MAPEI brand and Ultracolor Plus grout, created according to the most modern technologies. This fugue is widely used in sealing tile joints when performing floor and wall cladding, in the organization of interior and exterior work.
The price of grout compositions depends on several factors:
It will be quite expensive to purchase a modern high-quality furan grout, a kilogram package of which costs about 1200-1300 rubles.
The most popular grouts on the domestic market are mixtures produced by the manufacturers Ceresit, Atla, Weber Vetonit, Unis, Litochrome and Knauf.
According to experts, for sealing very narrow gaps, it is advisable to give preference to plastic grouts without the presence of mineral fillers in the composition, and joints up to 0.6 cm are best filled with fugues with fine sand. Too wide joint space must be sealed with an elastic fugue or plasticized cement grouts with a special coarse-grained filler in the composition.
So, you have chosen tiles for the floor and walls, carried out its installation. Congratulations. This stage has been successfully completed. But there is still a lot of work to be done. It's time to move on to the jointing process or, as it is called in another way, the grouting process. It is he who allows you to qualitatively and quickly mask small defects that were made during installation.
This raises a significant and important question: how to choose a grout for tiles and is this stage really necessary?
Seam filling
The tightness and hygiene of the surface mainly depends on the choice of grout, especially its color and the properties that it provides, as well as a job well done by grouters. If you don’t use grout at all, then in addition to getting debris and dust into the cracks, small insects can settle there.
At the same time, there is an even greater likelihood of the appearance of a fungus when moisture gets on non-jointed seams. Therefore, the question: which grout to choose for tiles - always remains open. There is simply no way without her!
The grout mixture is a homogeneous colored mass on a cement or polymer basis. This is the main material for grouting joints between tiles. The grout itself tends to convey an artistic effect and a finished look to the surface. Also, when changing its color, it is possible to change the type of facing surface.
The grout mixture itself is an excellent obstacle to getting into the seam between the tiles not only harmful moisture, but also dust, debris, and other foreign objects.
Types of grouts
Before determining how to work with these mixtures, you need to start the process of choosing a grout for tiles: cement or epoxy (one or two composite). Epoxy grouts are designed more for bathrooms, pools and rooms with high humidity. But since they cost pretty decent money, and the majority of consumers are unaware of their existence, grouting is done with cement-based dry mixes.
At the same time, which grout is better, everyone decides for himself. Here, rather, what matters is how convenient it is for you personally to use this or that mixture.
When choosing, first of all, you need to be guided by the purpose and type of grout.
Latex, varnishes, impregnations and cement are usually included in quality products. After reviewing the characteristics of the material you like, you need to determine whether it is optimal for your case.
Sand can also be added to grouts based on cement mixtures. It is needed for seams that are more than three millimeters wide. Seams with a smaller width do not need to add sand to the mixture. At the same time, in the instructions, the manufacturer himself indicates the purpose of his fugue for a certain seam width. Consequently, which grout to choose for the floor can be determined by knowing the final thickness of the seam.
Also, some types of grout from these two types can be used for both coated and unenamelled tiles.
But you should be careful, because you can not use grout on surfaces that are easily scratched, such as marble tiles.
Do not forget about the properties of cement grout, which has its drawbacks, such as insufficient resistance to moisture from cleaning products.
In addition, there is another significant drawback: the color range of these types of grout is very poor. Predominantly, the composition based on the cement mixture is white or gray. At the same time, epoxy resin and hardener are often part of epoxy grout. But chemical attack and mechanical damage for these materials are quite well tolerated, so the seams are more stable in the end.
One of the leading benefits is that epoxy grouts tend to retain their color for up to fifty years. That's why they cost more compared to their counterparts. But this fugue is characterized by a specific structure, therefore only specialists who have the skills to work with viscous materials work with it.
Epoxy grout is used when a seam is made thicker than six millimeters. If the seams on the tile have a width less than the specified distance, then it does not make sense to use it, since, due to its density, it simply cannot penetrate into such narrow gaps.
In hardware stores, it is possible to purchase grouts with the addition of latex. But after the work done, it will be necessary to apply a special moisture-resistant varnish on their surface, which is designed specifically for grouting. With it, it will acquire greater moisture resistance and, importantly, it retains color much longer.
With the correct and consistent choice of the color of the seam, it is possible to provide the tiled surface in the most beautiful form, indicating all the qualities and advantages, as well as hiding minor flaws during the laying of tiles. But the choice of color depends not only on your personal preferences. There are a number of other factors that significantly affect the final result, such as, for example, the color of other elements of the room.
The most classic is the solution in which the fugue is bought in accordance with the darkest shade of the tile color, but in no case darker. You can do the opposite, that is, we choose the lightest shade of the tile and take the grout of the same shade.
How to choose the color of the grout depends on the specific case and the personal taste of the buyer. It is important to know when choosing a color a small but essential rule:
If the grout has a light shade, then visually the tiles on the surface will merge. If vice versa - dark shade in relation to the tile, then get ready for a clear and sharp geometric pattern of the entire surface.
It is the latter method that is great for small tiles. It also goes well with mosaics. Mosaic panels and photo tiles need to match the color to match with the cladding, but an even better way out of this situation would be to purchase an ordinary transparent colorless fugue.
If your choice fell on an overly contrasting grout, then you definitely need to check if it will paint over the tile. Therefore, in any case, you need to wait for the moment when the grout dries, since it tends to change color. If, after drying, the grout is stained, then at best it should be discarded, or simply use a special liquid filler, which is needed to open the tile before the jointing process itself.
If you get lost in the forest of colors and shades and can’t decide, then without hesitation, give preference to a white fugue. It fits most existing tiles without any problems. And we should not forget that it must be moisture resistant in wet rooms.
It is worth noting that white grout is not suitable for floors, since very soon it will look dirty and not presentable. In this case, we recommend using a grout that is close in color to cement.
And it is best to consult with the seller in the hardware store about which grout to choose for the floor. Also, do not forget about brown and gray shades.
Before choosing a particular grout, you should answer some questions. For example: how well this grout absorbs moisture, the level of its strength and water resistance, the level of adhesion to the base, the level of shrinkage of the mixture upon drying. Which grout to choose for the bathroom, you can basically find out by answering the above questions. You can directly ask the seller who will help you choose the mixture for. The term of high-quality operation of a tiled covering depends on this choice.
When carrying out facing work, in addition to tiles, it is equally important to choose the right grout. It gives the coating additional properties that improve its performance. Let's try to figure out what to pay attention to.
The service life of the lined surface also depends on the correct choice.
Grout is an essential element of the cladding. Ready-made mixtures are sold in the form of powder or mastic. They also produce grout on their own, using cement and improvised materials.
Finishing tile seams - a mandatory stage of work
If you're renovating a bathroom and deciding which grout to choose for your tile, consider where it's going to be used: in the shower area or in the distance, on walls or floors. In some cases, several types of mixtures will be needed, since special expensive compounds are needed in an area that is often in contact with water, but it makes no sense to use them at a distance.
The defining feature by which the choice of grouts is made is the combination of material with lining by tone. Let's highlight several design directions:
Design Options
Choosing a shade of grout is difficult, but this will limit the range of potential products to a narrow range.
Seam processing various options mixtures
It is mainly necessary to choose from the first three varieties. In the bathroom, latex mastics will be optimal. If you have a shower stall with a drain on the floor, then give preference to epoxy resin.
In the bathroom, the main criterion is the ability to withstand constant changes in humidity levels. The usual fugue crumbles over time, especially if low-quality cement was used for it. Latex additives prevent such degradation and repel moisture.
If you need water resistance, use mixtures based on liquid glass or epoxy resins.
Also, when choosing a grout, pay attention to the possibility of cleaning the seams. Please note that resin materials are washed and cleaned with hard brushes, and this option is not suitable with cement mixtures, although they accumulate dirt much faster.
Budget type fugue
Epoxy grout is considered the best, but with its cost and complexity of application, the latex mixture is a competitor. When buying, pay attention to the reputation of the manufacturer and composition. Components must be of proper quality.
Epoxy mix - the best option for ceramic tiles in the bathroom
Regardless of which grout is considered the best, performance deteriorates if the expiration date has passed, usually it is 6 months. If the storage conditions are not observed, dry mixtures crumple, and the finished mastic hardens and loses its plasticity.
Properly selected grout improves the appearance of the tile, the seams acquire a complete look and additional characteristics(waterproof and antibacterial). Which grout is better in one case or another depends on the specific conditions of the bathroom.
During the installation of tiles in the bathroom, you will notice how seams form between the finishing material. And this is not a sign of poor work, such a problem occurs even if the tile is professionally laid. But it is not just possible to fight it, and it is necessary. Otherwise, all the dirt and bad bacteria will accumulate in these places. This can be avoided by using a moisture resistant grout.
Moisture-resistant grout for joints is environmentally friendly pure material, which is presented in the form of dry building mix. It can be cement, epoxy, and each of the above options does an excellent job of sealing. Grouting is necessary not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to ensure that the surface on which the tiles are laid out is frequent, without mold and fungi.
Moisture-resistant cement-based grout is in great demand due to its low price. The composition contains not only cement, but also inorganic pigments, additives to improve the properties of the mixture and plasticizers. It is very simple to use them, so even an amateur can cope with this task.
Everything based on cement is divided into two types - for sealing joints from and to 5 mm. On sale you can see dry and ready-made sealants. The latter cannot boast of their practicality, because over time, the grout changes its properties.
In the photo - cement grout for tiles in the bathroom
The advantages of cement grout include: ease of preparation and use, resistance to frost and affordable price. Of the minuses, one can single out the inability to withstand aggressive liquids and moisture, mechanical phenomena and not a wide selection of shades.
In the manufacture of this type of moisture-resistant grout, a resin was used that contains a hardener and fillers. They are necessary to obtain the desired shade. They are used when touching seams not only for bathtubs, but also for kitchens and underfloor heating. Grout has a high viscosity, ease of use.
In the photo - epoxy grout for tiles in the bathroom
And after grouting, the seam is smooth and elastic. Epoxy mixture is used in a room where there is high humidity.
The advantages of the material include:
As for the cons, epoxy sealant is very expensive. This is the only minus of the material.
Silicone waterproof grout is an elastic material that has the properties of stretching and compressing. And thanks to this, flexibility and plasticity are achieved. Silicone-based sealant can be used at home, when the amount of work is small. The material is sold in tubes and cartridges.
In the photo - silicone grout for tiles in the bathroom
The advantages include: high adhesion, resistance to water, ease of application and a wide range of shades. The disadvantages of the material include the short service life of the grout.
There are several types of seams in the bathroom, between which you need to lay a protective sealant.
Conventionally, they are divided into 3 types:
When choosing a moisture-resistant sealant for the bathroom, the following parameters must be taken into account:
When buying a waterproof sealant for grouting, you must also consider the shade. It must match color scheme in the interior and the color of the tiles. Today, this should not be a problem, since waterproof grouts are present in a wide range regarding color design.
Which is the best, this article will help you understand.
But how can you replace the grout on the tiles in the bathroom and is it possible to do it yourself and how, this will help you understand
But how it is used and where exactly the ceresit ce 33 grout is used can be seen in the photo in this
The process of applying waterproof grout is simple and fast. When performing these works, it is necessary to use rubber gloves, goggles and a respirator.
The procedure is as follows:
On the video, the procedure for grouting tiles in the bathroom:
But how ceresit ce 40 grout is used and where exactly it can be used can be seen in the photo in this
What reviews about Diamond epoxy grout exist and how positive they are, you can find out if you go
But what kind of grout for stone for outdoor work exists and how you can use it, this one will help you understand
The service life of a tile is largely determined by the manufacturer. When choosing a grout, you should pay attention to trusted manufacturers. Today, the following manufacturers of waterproof grout for the seam between tiles in the bathroom remain the most popular:
Moisture-resistant grout for joints between tiles in the bathroom is a necessary material, with which you can get high-quality sealing of the seam. You can buy a mixture based on silicone, cement and epoxy. Each type of product differs in color, composition and consistency.
As has been known for more than four hundred years, there is no more suitable material for finishing and cladding walls in service rooms, and not only in rooms, both in terms of performance and external aesthetic appearance than ceramic tiles. And today the choice on the market is so extensive that everyone will definitely choose for himself exactly what he would like. However, whatever one may say, in addition to choosing a tile that is suitable in color, size, design, and so on, you will have to acquire a lot of a wide variety of accessories, in the manner of tile adhesive, and so on. Moisture-resistant grout in the bathroom, chosen according to the correct parameters, is also very important, as it not only creates an externally attractive appearance of the joint between tiles, but also prevents moisture from getting there, thus preventing premature deformation and other things of your entire finish.
Of course, it is tile that is the most popular and sought-after material on modern market facing materials and there are quite objective reasons for this. Firstly, it washes well, secondly, it does not allow endless colonies of bacteria and fungi to multiply, thirdly, it does not burn, does not emit aldehydes into the air, and it is also durable and reliable, as well as durable and simply aesthetically beautiful, which today should not be discounted at all.
However, when choosing a tile for their own kitchen or another room, many do not even realize that they should immediately take care of the question of which grout for tiles in the bathroom is better, and indeed, they vaguely imagine what it is, in fact, and for what specifically. intended. It is worth dealing with all such issues immediately, so that later there is no confusion and misunderstanding, since the right choice of such a grout can affect how satisfied you are with the repair, as well as how long the room can last until the next major perturbation.
Worth understanding
High-quality and properly selected grout for the bath will help not only make the inter-tile space look beautiful, but also protect the tile from quick spoilage, and also help to smooth out all the irregularities of the walls, laying imperfections and so on.
For a better understanding, it’s worth figuring out what function this kind of grout performs, why you actually have to buy it, and isn’t it better to save money and do without this seemingly superfluous material. There are two main reasons why the purchase of grout becomes absolutely necessary.
The quality of the grout itself is also extremely important, that is, the material must necessarily have a number of certain properties and qualities, which should never be neglected. If you do not take into account all this, then there will be little sense from mashing with low-quality mass, so it’s worth sitting down and sorting it out before buying a product in a store, without even understanding how to choose it correctly. The set of qualities that the best grout for tiles in the bathroom should have is quite simple:
When choosing which grout is best for the bathroom, it is imperative to understand that overly cheap materials are also likely to be of the least quality. It is better to buy more expensive grout in a company store, and even one for which there is an appropriate certification, than to take a container of unknown origin from a tray on the market.
When, in essence, the purpose, and therefore, according to the requirements, everything is more or less clear, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main selection criteria as well. The key point here will be the type and type of grout, which should be selected individually in each case. There are several main types, it will not be so difficult to navigate among them, especially if you delve into the essence of materials and their properties.
The most common on the market can be safely called a grout, which is made on the basis of Portland cement familiar to us, which already has quite high performance, but to give special properties, other components, minerals, plasticizers and so on are usually added to the composition. Moreover, cement-based grouts are recommended for sealing only those joints between tiles that are small in area. If the seams are more than four to five millimeters wide, it is worth adding ordinary washed river sand to the cement mortar. Moreover, grouts of such a plan can be sold in the form of a loose dry mixture, which. You need to breed on your own, or maybe in a ready-made, pre-diluted form.
In addition to plasticizers, antiseptic agents, impregnations, etc., are also added to the grout, which prevent the appearance of fungus. Moreover, impregnations of this kind can be glossy and matte. This will not affect the “speed” at all, but the external visual effect will be completely different. However, there are also disadvantages, the main of which is the lack of ability to repel moisture. Among other things, the range of colors of this type of grout is quite small, you will have to be content with gray-stormy and white shades.
The second option is more win-win, and this is grout for the bathroom, kitchen and wherever else. As is clear from the original name, the basis of the composition of such a material is epoxy resin, the amazing qualities of which are already well known to modern consumers. Moreover, in this kind of grout, a pigment-dye of any color can be easily added, as well as hardeners, which make the resin hard and monolithic after complete drying. Moreover, the real advantages of such a grout are simply a colossal amount:
It is clear that it will be more difficult to work with such a grout, because it is very thick and viscous in consistency, and if it gets on the surface of the tile and hardens, then it will have to be torn off exclusively with special chemicals, corrosive and dangerous. That is why a special bag was invented for applying such a grout, similar to a culinary one, through which cooks decorate cakes and salads. However, if you have no or little experience in dealing with such things, it is worth inviting a real specialist himself, so as not to bite your elbows.
To finally understand, it is worth saying that there are also other types of grouts, for example, furan, which also has the property, like epoxy, to harden, that is, to undergo the polymerization process without the participation of an external heater. However, it can, and it's great to warm up, and its shades can be exceptionally dark. That is why such material is used in apartments extremely rarely.
Another popular move is the use of high-quality silicone sealant for grouting between tiles in the bathroom, pantry, kitchen, and so on. A similar sealant is sold in convenient tubes, tubes and special containers for a gun, which are a pleasure to use. True, the cost of such a material is not comparable with either epoxy mixtures, and even more so with cement mortars, so using it will lead to very significant costs, and there is not so much sense from this, except that it is transparent and does not allow moisture to pass through, with which the "epoxy" can cope with a bang.
With properties and qualities, everything seems to have fallen into place, so you should definitely pay attention to the assortment offered by a wide variety of manufacturers on the market. Due to the huge competition, now you can find thousands of commodity items that do not differ much in composition and properties, but are called differently. Let's see which manufacturers have become the undisputed leaders in the construction market, thanks to their high-quality products and high reliability.
It is clear that everyone who started the repair, first of all, will be interested in the color of the tile, its combination with furniture, accessories, household appliances, as well as other elements of the overall design. However, for some reason, people think about the color of the grout in the very last place, although this is also important, because one wrong stroke can ruin the result of your titanic labors. Therefore, you should not allow such annoying oversights, but immediately familiarize yourself with the main recommendations and advice given by experts.
Worth remembering
If you choose grout tones darker than tiles, then each tile will be visually separated from each other. If you want to make a solid, kind of monolithic space, then you should choose a lighter, white grout.
Please note that for flooring it is better to choose a grout of darker shades, so that from frequent washing she did not become faded and inexpressive. It is clear that there is no completely universal grout, but it is believed that light gray, as well as white, will suit almost everything.
No matter how expensive the tiles in the bathroom or in the kitchen are, but without grouting, they will look inferior. The decorative effect is not the only thing for which the joints between the tiles are rubbed. Which grout is better, and what should be chosen for tiles in different rooms - look for answers to your questions below!
The fugue, also known as grout, is a special material that fills the voids between individual tiles, in other words, the seams. Putty or ordinary cement-sand mortar will not work in this case - the floor covering is subjected to constant loads, moisture and household chemicals. Here you need to choose only special grout compositions. They perform not only a decorative role, but also protect the space between the tiles from debris and dust. The durability of a floor covering, made in accordance with all the rules, increases many times in comparison with tiles, the seams of which, for some reason, they forgot to wipe. In addition, competent selection of grout and skillful use will mask defects.
All types of grouts can be divided into two groups:
In no case do not look for a replacement for the fugue among other building materials, even if they are left in excess after the repair work in the apartment. For example, homegrown craftsmen very often use silicone sealant as a grout - a tool with a completely different purpose. The sealant is simply not adapted to the tests that the tiled fugue has to withstand.
If you decide to do the laying work yourself, we recommend choosing cement grouts. It's simple - working with them is easy even without special skills. Cement grouts, as the name implies, consist of extremely finely ground cement, as well as various additives, plasticizers and pigments that improve the quality of the material.
Cement grouts can be selected both in ready-made form and in the form of a dry powder, which must be dissolved in water or a special latex base. Plus, the finished grout in the absence of any kneading manipulations - I opened the bucket, collected the mixture on a spatula and began to seal the seams. That's just the composition must be used entirely in one approach - after air has entered the sealed container, the grout will begin to harden inexorably. The exact shelf life of the composition after depressurization is indicated on the package - on average it is 3-6 days.
Most often, builders buy dry powders - it is much easier to store them and at any time you can knead the required volume. The main thing is to provide right conditions storage. Finely ground cement is very sensitive to moisture - even humid air can cause the composition to harden. A mixture that has turned into one piece of hardened cement is no longer suitable for its intended use - even if you manage to crush it and dilute it with water, such a grout will be very short-lived.
For seams up to 5 mm, craftsmen use standard compositions, where cement and plasticizers play the main role, which prevent cracking. But for wider joints, there are special grouts, which include sand of different fractions. The wider the space between the tiles, the larger the fraction should be. The grains of sand also prevent the cement from cracking.
Cement grouts are easy to pick up, they are versatile, but short-lived. Constant exposure to household chemicals leads to the rapid destruction of the compositions. In addition, rough seams eventually fill with fine dust, which "paints" the grout in a dirty color. Every housewife faces this problem - against the background of clean tiles, dirty gray seams look depressing. They can only be washed with hot steam or very hard friction.
But you can do it differently - instead of crawling on the floor on your knees with every cleaning, we will do it only once, but thoroughly. You will need a narrow paint brush (according to the width of the seam) and a clear polyurethane varnish. This composition dries quickly, but has an unpleasant odor, so buy a good respirator and send your family to relatives for a couple of days. It is better to apply at least two coats of varnish on tile joints. Try not to walk on the tile - it will be clearly visible in the light. Keep a rag with you to wipe off any stray brushstrokes past the seam. You will be happy with the result!
We recommend working with your hands, not with a spatula, especially if you are new to this business. The fingers are the most sensitive instrument, and epoxy material rather difficult to handle. Epoxy grout is very viscous, which makes it difficult to apply. Yes, and the price of the material is an order of magnitude higher. By rubbing the seams with your fingers, you will significantly reduce material consumption and reduce the amount of unnecessary pollution. True, on large volumes of work you will have to forget about this advice and return to the spatula - the fingers simply cannot withstand such a load.
Why is epoxy so good? It is good, first of all, with high strength after solidification. Epoxy resin, which is part of the grout, after hardening is able to withstand constant exposure to moisture, household chemicals and even acids without consequences. That is why such compounds are recommended for use on kitchen aprons, in pools and even in laboratories.
In addition to epoxy, the grout contains fine quartz sand and hardeners. As a rule, manufacturers offer components separately - they must be mixed together to obtain a working composition. The result is an elastic mass of sufficiently high density. As already mentioned, working with this mass is one "pleasure", but you can be sure of the quality of work. Epoxy compounds retain their original appearance for several decades! The seams are not clogged with fine dust and do not lose color, mold and fungus have no chance to take root between the tiles.
Please note that the hardened grout is very difficult to wipe off the tiles, so the surface should be cleaned immediately after grouting.
The building materials market has recently replenished with grouts based on furan resin. They have increased resistance to aggressive substances and have high strength. But it is unlikely that such tests will fall on the tiles in your house. In addition, these compounds are very difficult to work with - it is extremely problematic to wipe off the stains of this grout in unnecessary places. That is why the tiles are waxed before grouting, and the seams are sealed very carefully.
Having dealt with all the characteristics different formulations, every buyer is sure to be stuck on choosing a color. Cement compositions can be painted in any color and shade - just add a little ordinary gouache to the grout mixture and mix everything thoroughly. However, do not rush to do a large batch at once - it is better to experiment on a small amount. When the color of the grout is visually in harmony with the tile, apply the composition to several joints and wait until it dries. The intensity of the color often changes as it dries, and the shade you like may evaporate with the liquid. If you really find fault, then do not forget to evaluate the color of the dried grout in different lighting conditions.
Color spectrum epoxy grout limited to ready-made proposals - colored quartz sand gives color to the composition. However, this does not prevent you from choosing interesting solutions. Glitter grouts are especially popular, transparent formulations and mixtures painted to look like bronze or silver.
If you still can’t decide on a choice, stop at win-win options. For walls it is white, and for the floor - any dark shade that matches the color of the tiles. The main thing is not to confuse - white on the floor will very quickly turn into dirty gray.
