Epoxy grout for tile: appointment, especially types

Tile in the house - finishing material usual for rooms with high humidity, it is used for decoration of floors and walls in bathroom, the kitchen and hall. An important role in the formation of the final result and creating a durable decorative coating has not only a qualitative laying tilesBut finishing seams. Our review will talk about epoxy grout and cement its advantages over peers.

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1 Scope of the epoxy grout
2 Composition and main characteristics of epoxy grout
3 Pros and cons of grouting epoxy
4 Especially epoxy grout for tile Litokol
5 Especially epoxy grout for tiles Ceresit
6 The cement or epoxy grout - Comparison of the properties
7 Instructions for use epoxy grouts
- 7.1 What are the required tools
- 7.2 How to choose the color
- 7.3 How to mix two-component epoxy grout for tile
- 7.4 How to fill the seam
- 7.5 The wash epoxy grout from the tile
8 Where to buy epoxy grout for a tile - a review of average prices
9 Consumer reviews about epoxy grout for tile

Scope of the epoxy grout

In a life worthy of this material brings exposure to water, dirt, grease. Being inherently adhesive, epoxy grout can be a substitute for Typically, the compositions for styling tiles. It can act as an adhesive for mosaic on the cellulose, which is used for decoration pools.

The main advantage lies in its composition is almost instantaneous solidification, flexibility and the ability to securely fix tiles in position.

A wide range of color variations, decorative supplements in the form of sequins, a fluorescent dye, particles of gold have made this stuff so popular among designers. If you want to combine the tiles of several colors, or create panelThen use a transparent structure that reflects the color of the next parts and fully merged with the composition.

Composition and main characteristics of epoxy grout

It called two-component grout due to the fact that it is composed of a mixture of dry and liquid material with the hardener and resin inside. Color composition depends on the shade of the pigment and filler (gold, nacre, colorants). The main positive quality grout is its water resistance. On the joint surface is formed in the water droplet. Another nuance, compared with cement compositions is fragmentary delete it from the seam will not work - the composition is so grasped that you can only remove it with tiles.

Pros and cons of grouting epoxy

As with any material, epoxy-based grout has the positive and negative properties.

pros	Minuses
Long service life (at least 50 years).	High price.
High strength.	Complex dismantling.
The color does not fade even under direct sunlight.	Working with epoxy grout requires skills to work with staff and tools.
The composition does not lose its properties under conditions of temperature fluctuations, low (up to -20 ° C) and high (+ 100 ° C) temperatures.
It does not shrink and does not crack.	Because of the presence resin as part of the solution hardens almost instantly.
Not afraid of the impact of alkalis, acids and other corrosive chemicals.
Joint compound -gipoallergenny and environmentally friendly.	Additional costs associated with the acquisition of washing to remove the dried composition from the tile surface.
Seams are easy to care for.

Especially epoxy grout for tile Litokol

Grout Litokol from the Italian manufacturer known for high quality. Translated from the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone", as the name itself translates as "Stone glue". Indeed, it can be safely used as an adhesive for finishing walls and floor tiles.

The bicomponent material comprises a mixture of the catalyst composition and ingredients, the binding of these components and imparts ductility. Surface Litokol mixture becomes so strong that it is impossible to scratch. Can be used for both internal and external works with stone tiles, ceramic tiles, marble, mosaics and other materials. The composition of this brand has a wide range of textures and colors, including gold-plated and metallic options. Luminescent filler creates space flicker effect.

Especially epoxy grout for tiles Ceresit

A two-component grout Ceresit CE 79 Ultra Pox, unlike other compositions of this mark, for processing a certain width joints, universal and can be applied at any seams. It is resistant to abrasion, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, not afraid of the impact of chemicals in detergents. The undoubted advantage is the wide color range of compositions, allowing to choose the hue for a particular tile colors. Lack, which according to many is the fact that the material often changes color when dry, and sometimes differs significantly from the declared on the packaging. It is desirable to be able to test a sample of the store, where the mixture is purchased.

The cement or epoxy grout - Comparison of the properties

What to choose grout - cement or epoxy, everyone decides for himself, given the material with which to work, and working conditions.

The cement mixture	epoxy mixture
This is a classic composition, based on finely ground cement, Pigments, plasticizers and additives, which in the operating state is provided by adding water to the dry mix. Sometimes use latex water based.	Due to the content in the epoxy resin additives, quartz sand and hardener, the strength of this mixture above. In the process of preparing a dense, elastic working solution is mixed with an epoxy resin hardener.
The solution is easy to use, even without the skill, you can get a great result at the output.	To work with such a composition requires certain skills as a ready solution is a more viscous and difficult to work with him longer.
To work with the wide joints a traditional formulation is sand, and the wider the seam, the larger must be the sand granules.	Epoxy grout is best to use where grout can not cope with their tasks under difficult operating conditions - in the pool, the laboratory on kitchen apron and working countertopWho are exposed to grease, moisture and dirt.
Material sold as a dry mix or a ready to use solution. The latter can not be stored after opening the package and must be used immediately.	Such smoothing is not afraid of exposure to chemical reagents, fungus or mold, it is durable and has a high decorative effect by adding sequins. Brightness of the color is maintained for decades.
With the tile surface is removed using a wet foam floats.
Powdered cement grout profitable to buy at a large amount of work.	Remove excess from the tile surfaces must be during the day, and later do not work. Used to remove the hardened mixture specific stripper, which can be purchased at the hardware store.
Material cost is low, the shade is easy to pick up a color tile as a wide range of fairly.
When exposed to household chemicals and pollutants over time such grout is destroyed.	Among the shortcomings noted the high cost of the material and the complexity of working with him.

Trowel cement mixture is discharged in dry form and packed in packets

Instructions for use epoxy grouts

Once the tile is fixed to the wall, proceed to grouting. This work requires special attention - with quality finishing tile joints can disguise flaws committed to fix the tiles to protect and improve the tiles decorative trim.

What are the required tools

Before you get started, you need to prepare the instrument:

Spatula - rubber.
Containers for dilution of a small amount of solution.
To remove the grout from the tile surface can use grater with hard synthetic felt or double-sided sponge.
Capacity for clean water.
Clean cloth.
In order to wash during work sponge or grater used soap or laundry detergent.
To remove the dried solution in the store you can buy a special stripper.

Means for removing the frozen composition

How to choose the color

It is not enough to lay the beautiful tiles - the appearance of the room, his visual completeness depend on the correct color grout. There are several options for creating an optical effect when combined tile and grout, which designers are divided into three categories. Choosing one of them, you can significantly ease the process of acquiring certain color grout.

Alternatively, when the composition of the color chosen under the shade of mosaic

With grout can create the illusion of a single surface. To this end, the composition of the color should match the shade tile. This effect makes it possible to visually enlarge the space, which is especially important for small on floor space.

Using a contrasting shade of grout, you can emphasize and highlight the tile elements. This is particularly relevant in the case of tiles original form or bright color. If the pick trowel mixture by one of the shades on a hot plate with a pattern, then we obtain an organic composition with integral unobtrusive designation form and shade elements. In this case, the atmosphere interior It will be calm.

The contrasting design for a bright mosaic

Sequins flicker creates a pleasant and decorative coating increase

To create a uniform surface composition in the selected mosaic tone

How to mix two-component epoxy grout for tile

Mix the required amount of the composition difficult. Below are given instructions on how to do it on the example of grout Litokol Starlike.

Illustration	Description
	Tools and materials required to perform the work.
	The package contains the instructions for use, the resin and hardener components to tint.
	net capacitance must be used to prepare a working composition. Weighing components suitable household electronic scales.
	Mixing grout components Litokol Starlike - 100: 8.
	The mixture was thoroughly stirred until the uniform, scraping the sides both of capacitance composition component.

How to fill the seam

Below is a brief guide on working with epoxy grout.

Illustration	Description
	If you work in a room bathroom, first grout is applied to the seam concealed hatch.
	The seam between tiles fill the entire depth.
	Damp sponge must be combined zamylit remains of grout and form joint concavity using a synthetic sponge side.
	Thereafter, necessary to make the surface clean with a cellulose sponge side. Then it is necessary to change the water and perform the finish sweep tile.
	The result will be smooth and clean tile seam.
	Before you begin to grout the tiles on the walls, put plastic on the floor so it did not get the composition.
	Before you start the tile surface is cleaned of dust and dirt with a damp sponge.
	The composition is applied using floats.
	We have to work without distraction, considering that after about 45 minutes the composition begins to set, and it will be difficult to remove from the tile surface. Recommended for working rubber spatula, with which to fill the joints get easier and faster.
	With combined sponge formed seam and operate tiles clean synthetic its side. Water to clean the tiles need to be replaced more frequently. To improve the cleaning effect it is possible to add special cleaning composition Litonet.
	After soaping is necessary to change the water and perform the finish tile purification by hand cellulosic sponge.
	After 12 hours with means Litonet Gel or diluted with water Litonet produce final cleaning tiles. This will prevent the formation of fatty whitish plaque after 24 hours.
	Cleaner wash water.
	Work is done.

Details on the implementation of work on the grouting between the tiles in the bathroom to tell the video:

The wash epoxy grout from the tile

One of the most common mistakes when working with epoxy grout is delayed or substandard removing residues from the surface of the mixture tiles.

Illustration	Description
	After one day after application of the epoxy composition on the tile surface, a white plaque does not flushable.
	Remove the frozen layer is possible by means of a special composition, which is sold in DIY stores.
	The concentrated composition is poured into a container.
	Thick layer of the composition is applied using a brush directly on the synthetic one portion which is to be cleaned. Acted to the composition, it is left for 15 minutes.
	After 15 minutes, the composition of brushes using abrasive sponge, performing circular movements.
	Using a damp cloth perform final clean surface.

On yet another method of cleaning tiles tell the video:

Where to buy epoxy grout for a tile - a review of average prices

Price epoxy grout for a tile is higher than that of cement mortar, but it is justified by the durable service life and a decorative seam produced.

Illustration	Name	Weight, kg	Average cost (as of April 2018), rub.
	Litokol Litochrom Starlike	2,5	2300
	Litokol Litochrom Starlike	5	3700
	Mapei Kerapoxy	10	4631
	Mapei Kerapoxy	5	2504
	Mapei Kerapoxy	2	1346
	Mapei Kerapoxy Design	3	2600

Related article:

To apply a variety of cladding tiles for the bathroom. Photography, design and ideas of the individual models, tile selection criteria, the nuances of self-styling and expert advice - you will find our publication.

Consumer reviews about epoxy grout for tile

In favor of the epoxy grout say many consumer reviews. Here are just some of them.

Review Litochrom Starlike:
More on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_2830398.html

Another review of Litochrom Starlike:
More on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5758484.html

Review of epoxy grout brand Mapey:
More on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_4313975.html

Talk about the sequence of working with epoxy grout tile video instructions: