Grout for tiles

Tiled floorings are very comfortable, practical, look luxurious, and still serve a long time. But their laying is connected with the decision of various questions concerning account materials. For example, it will not be possible to create a really beautiful and durable coating if the trowel is not properly matched or completely absent. What it is and how to choose it - you will learn from this article.

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Why is the grouting needed?

Before you think about what grout to choose for a tile, you need to understand why it is needed at all. If you correctly define the goals and carefully consider the decorative design of the premises with such a finish, you will not have any difficulties when buying.

So, first of all, grout for the seams of tiles in the bathroom is needed in order to give the whole surface a complete and attractive appearance. Agree, if between the individual elements in a gentle shade and with an exquisite pattern will be seen a little aesthetic cement glue, the expected effectiveness you will not get.

But this appointment of such material is not limited. In addition to the decorative function, grouting for the tile gives the following result:

• prevents the development of fungi and mold, which is very important in conditions of constant moisture in the bathroom;
• strengthens the moisture resistance of the entire coating, in particular, prevents water from getting onto the adhesive substrate and all the finish lasts longer;
• helps protect individual elements from deformation;
• provides solidity and integrity of the surface, which is a good protection against debris, dust, dirt and makes it easier for you to care for the coating as a whole.

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How to choose the grout?

The assortment of materials of this type on the market is more than sufficient. Therefore, when choosing, one should be guided not only by the price category, but also by other important requirements.

The main criteria for choosing a grout are:

1. Assignment.
2. Mixture type.
3. Base base and component composition.
4. Shade of the material.

Important! A special attention should be paid to the reliability of the trademark. It will depend not only on the initial cost of the mixture, but also on its technical characteristics, durability and consumption.

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Types of grout in composition

Building mixtures of this type are based on one of the three basic components - cement, epoxy or silicone. To understand which grout for seams is right in your case, you just need to know about the pros and cons of each option.

Important! The answer to the question, grout for tiles in the bathroom - which one to choose, you need to take into account not only the type of the decorative material itself, but also the features of the operating conditions, the spatial location of the surface.

Cement

Cement mortar is a classic option. Their use does not cause any difficulties, since the technology is feasible even for the home master with minimal skills in performing such works.

Composition

Modern mortar for tiles of this type includes not only directly the cement base, but also auxiliary substances:

• color pigments;
• plasticizers;
• specialty additives, for example hydrophobic or reinforcing.

Types

The grout for joints in bathroom tiles is classified as follows:

• for wide joints, the size of which is 5 mm;
• for narrow - up to 5 mm respectively.

Important! The size of the seam usually depends on the size and method of laying the tile itself. To strengthen the wide seams, sand is also added to the mixture in various degrees of fractionality. This substance prevents the cracking of the mixture after setting and allows it to firmly hold the predetermined shape.

Another criterion for classification is the plasticity of the solution. Here the options are as follows:

• Elastic mixture - it is used in conditions of temperature difference, for example, for saunas or steam rooms or in premises with warm floors. Features of the solution allow it to stretch and shrink without breaking.
• Not elastic - they are used in standard conditions, where high loads of different nature are not expected.

According to the form of the cement grout for joints, tiles in the bathroom can be in the form:

• dry mix.
• of the finished solution.

Important! Dry mixes will cost you less, they are economical in consumption, and surpluses can be stored in dry form for longer. But ready-made solutions do not require additional manipulations to prepare the mixture and are very convenient to use, especially if there are no skills or special tools and it is necessary to complete all the work as quickly as possible.

Pros:

1. Low price.
2. Easy to use.
3. Rich choice of shades.
4. Versatile application.
5. High strength.

Cons:

1. Faster pollution.
2. May collapse earlier than expected due to very high humidity and frequent temperature changes.
3. Does not always withstand the impact of aggressive household chemicals.

Epoxy

Epoxy trowel for tiles will be more convenient if you want to finish the tiles of different surfaces - not only in the bathroom, but also in other rooms, as well as in open areas.

Composition

The basis of such material is necessarily present:

• composition of epoxy resins;
• hardener.

Important! Depending on the brand and product series, these joint grouts may include quartz particles and various additives. In the finished form, the mixture is rather viscous, and for its production it is necessary to mix the ingredients on their own. And this is an extra effort and a waste of time. Pros:

1. Long-term operation - up to 50 years.
2. Absolute resistance to moisture, aggressive chemistry.
3. High mechanical strength.
4. Resistance to original color.
5. Development of fungus and mold is excluded.

Cons:

1. High price.
2. The complexity of the application.

Important! In addition, it should be noted that such solutions after mixing are quite caustic. Therefore, they should only be used in personal protective equipment - a respirator, gloves.

Silicone

Silicone is today a universal material for performing various construction and repair works. Interesting in this respect are also grouts for seams. Completely replace the decorative grout such a sealant can not, so it is better to still use it as an auxiliary material to achieve a better result. Pros:

1. Wide palette of shades.
2. Antibacterial properties and reliable protection against fungus.
3. Elasticity and ease of use.
4. High moisture resistance threshold.

Cons:

1. Lower mechanical strength than cement and epoxy.
2. Risk of color burnout over time.
3. The expense-price ratio is not in favor of silicone.
4. Do not use on surfaces near which food or drinking water is stored.

Important! In addition to the component composition, specific recommendations for the intended use will be noted on the package. Pay attention to this inscription, since different mixtures are suitable for finishing floors, walls, facade or interior surfaces, including special solutions for a bath or a certain type of tile( artificial stone, granite).

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How to choose a grout for tiles in color?

Choose the right shade trowel for the tiles in the bathroom you will not be difficult if you consider such advice of builders and designers:

1. The main tone of the tile and grout must match.
2. To make the surface look interesting, and not boring, darken the shade with a putty on 1 tone darker, and light - 1 tone lighter.
3. To create a photo collage, a panel or a mosaic, give preference to a colorless fugue.
4. If you need to visually make the cover more holistic, take a light grout, if on the contrary - divide the elements, choose a dark one.
5. For floor tiles, use a mixture of a darker color, otherwise the joints will quickly get dirty.
6. If you create an original decorative covering from tiles of different colors, the grout should be the tone that prevails in the interior of the room.

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Popular manufacturers

The number of manufacturers of construction mixtures today is huge and inexperienced person it is difficult to understand which brand is trusted and which is not in demand. To facilitate the task and the trowel for the tiles was really high-quality, choose the products of one of the following brands:

1. Litokol( Italy) - one of the leaders of the world-class construction market. By right it occupies a solid niche of sales, has a wide range of goods for various purposes.
2. Ceresit( Henkel, Germany) - the most popular manufacturer of building mixtures for any purpose. It is this product is most often chosen by knowledgeable home masters and professional builders.
3. Knauf( Germany-Russia) - another trademark, there is no doubt about the quality of its products. On the market you can find goods of both Russian and German production, but the quality does not change from this, since the production takes place according to a single technology.
4. Kiilto( Finland) - an unequivocal plus mortar of this brand is in high ecological purity. The company pays much attention to the introduction of high-tech solutions without changing the price policy of its products.
5. Mapei( Italy) - its construction mixes have been popular for over 100 years, which causes a certain level of confidence. Prices are available for both wholesale buyers and ordinary consumers.
6. Unis( Russia) is one of the most enduring Russian brands, whose products enjoy stable demand in all countries on the territory of the CIS.
7. Atlas( Poland) is one of the 3 leaders of the European market of building mixtures. If you buy such material from the manufacturer, you will receive not only quality goods, but also free consultations on the execution of construction works of various directions.

We hope that you have now figured out what grout for the seams of tiles in the bathroom or other rooms you choose. Use it according to the technology offered by the manufacturer and the tile coating will please you with its attractiveness many years later.