What is Grout?
To give your floors and walls a finished look along with strength, grout is a necessary substance to fill the void in the tiles or walls. It is usually a mixture of water, sand, cement, and construction chemicals.
Grouting does not only help in repairing and maintaining cracks in the concrete or fill the gaps in tiles but also enables waterproofing and gives a load-bearing capacity to the foundation.
Grout Mixture
When grout serves the purpose as desired, nobody pays much attention. But the grout deserves much more respect as the failure would lead to unwanted cracks and stains all over the luxurious tiles.
The key constituent for the perfect finish between tiles is the correct grout mixture. A good grout mixture spreads easily and generates even lines between the tiles which gives an ideal finishing touch.
The grout must be chosen between two categories: un-sanded and sanded grout. For the joints with a width of ⅛", un-sanded grout will be unchallenging as it will provide better fixing. The joints with the thickness of ⅛" to ½" sanded grout is the best deal as it prevents shrinkage. Grout that includes a fungicide is the finest option for the bathroom as it averts the growth of mold.
Types of grouts
Grout is an essential component to seal the seams and strengthen the foundations by preventing moisture. Various types of grouts are available for serving the purpose efficiently. Some of the most commonly used are:
1. Cementitious grouts
Using Portland cement as the major component, cementitious grouts are the traditional grouting material that is available in a range of colors to match the color of tiles.
2. Latex modified grout
Latex-modified grout is a mixture of acrylics and latex which prevents the water from being absorbed and enhances the color.
3. Epoxy grout
Worthy of the places which come in contact with water, epoxy grout is highly water-resistant. The strength of epoxy grout makes it durable and cost-effective.
4. Acrylic grout
With the feature of stain resistance, acrylic grout helps in retaining color and has high adhesive power.
5. Furan grout
Composed of polymers that are highly chemical resistant, furan grout is commonly used for grouting brick pavers and quarry tiles.
6. Polyester grout
One of the most cost-effective types of grout, polyester grout provides early strength to the foundation in limited space.
7. Non-shrink grout
Non-shrink grout has the property to harden very soon. After installation, the final volume of the grout is either greater or equal. It does not shrink after setting.
Grouting provides the necessary strength to the buildings. But proper research and guidance are very important before the application of grout. Proper maintenance of grouts is essential to enjoy its water-proofing quality by blocking the cracks and repairing them from time to time.
