Universal way to decorate various surfaces - laying of ceramics, artificial or natural stone tiles. In order for the surface of the surface to look as attractive as possible, the finish finish of the seams is required using the grout. The choice of such a material should be approached as responsibly as to the acquisition of the main facing material. Therefore, before choosing a grout, read the main criteria for the purchase and characteristics of varieties.

Why apply grouting?

In addition to topifying the facing decor, the grout performs a protective function. The main functions of it are as follows:

• prevents the appearance of mold and fungus;
• serves as a water-repellent barrier;
• gives interputric seams elegant appearance;
• protects individual fragments of deformation tiles;
• gives the integrity of the entire formed coating.

Important! If after laying the tile does not use the grout, then in the future it can adversely affect the appearance of the facing. Over time, garbage, dust, can accumulate in the interpatch seams, can settle a large colonies of small insects. As a result of a constant accumulation of moisture on the walls and intercutric seams, fungal appears.

How to choose a grout?

To determine with the choice of a suitable grouting to you, and the same emphasizes the attractiveness of the coating, without spoiling a general type of surface, pay attention to such criteria:

1. Color material.
2. Purpose.
3. View of a grout mixture.
4. Components of the composition.
5. Manufacturer.

Important! Note that only with the right solution to the question, which grouting for the tile to choose, you will be able to achieve an intended effect when decorative decoration in your own home.

What are the types of grouts?

The current range of this material is characterized by a fairly wide line of products of various brands. For the convenience of choice, all of them are determined in three main types:

1. Cement grout.
2. Epoxy.
3. Silicone sealant.

Important! To quickly determine which grouting to choose, be sure to consider all the features of the location of the surface, its type and intended operating conditions.

Cement clamp

Cement formulations are the easiest type of grout, which is easy to complete the completion of cladding even the most inexperienced builder.

The composition of this type of material includes the following components:

• small-shaped cement;
• color pigment;
• plasticizer;
• other additives whose action is aimed at improving certain technical specifications.

Varieties of cement rates

For appointment and composition, cement grouts are:

• for wide seams - more than 5 mm;
• for narrow seams - less than 5 mm.

Important! The main difference is the size of the granules of the source materials to create a grout. The wider you make seam, the larger the size of the grains that are part of the mixture. In the grout for wide seams, sand is used as an additional component. This additive does not allow the material to crack and helps firmly hold the specified form.

Also cement grouts are divided into:

1. Elastic. They are designed for temperature difference, under the influence of which the grout is compressed either stretching. Elastic cement grouts are often used on external facades, on "warm" floors, in parilots and saunas.
2. Neelastic. Their use is rational under normal operating conditions, without elevated loads.

In a specialized construction store, you will be selected between the two types of cement thump material:

1. Mixes in the form of dry powder. The material is packaged into paper bags or bags. The mixture will be necessary to prepare from the water and the powder itself and bring to the desired consistency with thorough stirring. Such mixtures are very economical in use with a small amount of work, since the remnants of the unused powder are stored for a long time and can be used even in several years.
2. Ready solutions. This type of cement grout is very convenient to use, as it can be applied immediately after purchase without additional preparation of the kneading. The only condition is that it is necessary to accurately calculate the pre-desired amount, since this material requires complete use. Otherwise, the residues of the mixture will soon harder and become unsuitable for further major work.

Important! If you decide which grout to choose for the bathroom from the line of cement mixtures, pay attention to the compositions with additional plasticizers and other components that contribute to the increase in the resistance of the mixture to the constant impact of moisture.

Advantages of cement rates

• affordable price;
• ease and ease of use;
• wide color palette;
• versatility;
• high level of strength.

disadvantages

• instability to high humidity;
• the destruction of the structure under the influence of household chemicals;
• quickly exposed pollution.

Epoxy clamp

Unlike cement, epoxy grout has a more extensive circle of use.

Due to its resistance to the constant influence of moisture, household chemicals, acids, epoxy putting becomes indispensable when the surfaces of the following structures are subsequent:

• pool;
• sauna;
• laboratory;
• kitchen apron;
• countertops.

The composition of epoxy grout has two main components:

• hardener;
• epoxy resin;
• various additional additions and fillers from quartz sand.
  Important! The process of using epoxy is rather difficult due to its viscous composition. To obtain a working mixture, a hardener and epoxy resin are connected, which are separately packaged, and are thoroughly mixed, resulting in a dense pulling mass. In addition, during operation with epoxy grout, be sure to use a mask to protect the respiratory tract.

Advantages

• durability of operation - up to 40-50 years;
• waterproof;
• resistance to the effects of household chemical and cleaning agents;
• high resistance to mechanical damage;
• increased level of strength;
• color resistance;
• does not allow the appearance of fungus and mold.

Important! The palette of shades of epoxy grout is diverse due to various additives. For example, in its composition there may be sequins of gold, silver, bronze, pearlescent or metal colors. Therefore, the selection of the shade of the grouts of this type under your tile will not be difficult.

disadvantages

• relatively high price;
• difficulty in use.

Silicone sealant

It often its purpose is directed to the sealing of butt, angular and deformed seams. To fully replace the decorative grout Silicone sealant is not capable, but in combination with it contributes to the formation of the maximum strong coating.

The main advantages of silicone sealant

• a wide color palette;
• moisture resistance;
• antifungal effect;
• elasticity.

disadvantages

• low resistance to mechanical damage;
• changing the color after a while, in particular, yellowing;
• high value in relation to the consumption of material;
• unacceptable application next to storage places food and drinking water.

How to choose the grout color?

With the selection of the color of "Mazas" for the seams you will not have any problems if you carefully read the following rules:

• For an attractive appearance of the facing, choose the grout to tone tile.
• For dark colors of the tile, select the grout on the tone is darker, and for light shades - brighter.
• If you decide to make a photo-collage wall or make an outdoor panel from a mosaic, an ideal in this case will be a colorless fugue.
• The lighter grout is designed to combine the fragments of the tile, and the dark shade on the contrary disjects the picture, giving it the contrast.

• Light grout in color tile visually makes a small room more spacious.
• For walls, the win-win option is a white fugue, regardless of the color of the tile.
• If a tile of several colors was used for finishing, then the seams are grouting with the color that most prevails in the interior. The same principle can be attributed to the decision of the issue, what to choose a mosaic grout.
• It is not recommended to rub the seams of the floor tile with a light tint, since after a while it will be polluted and will become "spotted", depending on the distribution of dirt.

How to choose a grout for destination?

Depending on the place of cladding work, select the grout that most meets the specified requirements for strength and resistance to the effects of different nature.

There are the following categories of material:

• for grouting facade tiles;
• for internal works;
• for floors;
• for walls;
• under a specific view of the room, for example, bathroom;
• for decorations from tile of certain materials - the stone of natural and artificial, ceramics, porcelain stoneware, glass.

To correctly pick up the grout, follow these characteristics:

• strength;
• moisture resistance;
• frost resistance;
• elasticity.

What manufacturer to give preference?

Today there are a huge number of companies in the market that specialize in the manufacture of building materials. Therefore, in order for you to bring you the desired result, we recommend purchasing products from those manufacturers who have proven well for a long time:

1. Litokol (Italy). This brand is widely known in the global market. The wide range of high-class products for the implementation of a variety of construction works, including stamps of seams when laying the tile, provides constant demand of consumers, both professionals and those who do not have special skills in this direction.
2. Ceresit (Henkel, Germany). The company leader of construction mixtures and solutions whose activities have been carried out for more than 100 years. Consistently high quality, variety of materials in each category, ease of use - the guarantee of the popularity of this brand.
3. Knauf (Germany-Russia). The leading representative of the European brand, which deserved special attention among its consumers due to the extensive range of "dry" finishing materials. All products are not imported from other countries, and is manufactured at the factories directly in Russia. The distinguishing nuance of the activity of this company is that it not only sells its products, but also consults and learning the implementation of various construction work. This approach makes it possible not to doubt the correct application and obtaining a really high-quality result.
4. Kiilto (Finland). The company is famous for the development of a wide range of high-tech, environmentally friendly, building products that do not constitute a danger to the consumer and do not harm the environment.
5. Mapei (Italy). Another brand that favorably distinguishes a very long period of activity - about 100 years. Development of construction chemistry covers all possible directions, so it is not difficult to choose a complex of materials to fully implement the project, while the price of goods is particularly available not only for wholesale buyers, but also for a regular consumer.
6. Unis. The leading manufacturer of building mixes in the CIS countries, which loved the consumer for the excellent value ratio of the price-quality. The company provides a large range of products, in the list of which you will certainly find what you need.
7. Atlas (Poland). Included in the top three largest European manufacturers of building mixtures. The company's policy is similar to the Knauf brand - representatives of this organization exclusively professionals in the construction sector, which, when purchasing, give free consultations in various directions, including design, design of architecture, technology for performing certain works.

Video

Browse the video in which the cooking technology is clearly shown so that you do not have any unexplained issues when performing work.

Conclusion

Pushing the seams, like the laying of the tile, a rather painstaking and long-term process that needs a neat and attentive approach. To achieve reliable protection against moisture and dirt penetration, choose high quality grout. Be sure to make it competently combined with the color of the tile and the interior as a whole. Adhering to all the above rules, you will certainly achieve an excellent result.