How to choose a grout color for the bathroom. How to choose the color of the grout of ceramic tiles. Choice of color depending on the color of the tile

Finishing wall or floor tiles is the best solution for rooms with high humidity and structures of buildings exposed to atmospheric phenomena. The prevailing majority of laying methods for such a finish provides for inter-tile seams. The integrity and aesthetics of the appearance depend on the quality of their grouting. How to make this or that choice of grout for tiles is revealed by the following text.

What is a grout and why is it needed?

Grout mixture - a homogeneous mass for filling the gaps between the elements of the finishing tile coating of walls, floors and other surfaces. Ready mixes or dry powder are available on the market. For the manufacture of grout, various bases are used. The properties and scope for finishing depend on them.

The need for grouting is due to the following:

Technological purpose. Preventing the penetration of moisture into the space between ceramic elements serves to prevent the physical destruction of the adhesive that secures the tile to the base.
hygienic function. Water-repellent properties do not allow excess moisture to linger at the joints, which prevents the development of fungal accumulations in the form of mold, and simplifies cleaning of surfaces.
aesthetic purpose. After grouting the joint spaces of porcelain stoneware, the finishing surface has a finished look. The ability to select colors and colors allows you to add original and unique notes to the interior.

Important! When choosing a grouting material, it is necessary to take into account the conditions for the further use of the premises (humidity, purpose), the appropriateness of the color, the properties of the mixture itself.

Types of grout for tiles

The construction market is filled with grouts for tiles from manufacturers from all over the world. They vary in composition in terms of price.

Cement

Cement grouts include mixtures with polymer and sand suspensions. They are recommended for use in grouting work from 4.0 to 6.0 mm. Additional filling with fine-grained sand makes it possible to seal wider joints. The positive qualities of the material include:

Elasticity during the laying period, which allows you to safely remove flaws.
Strength after drying.
Possibility of recovery in case of destruction during operation.
Undemanding to the experience of the master.
Affordable cost.

hygroscopicity;
drying shrinkage;
drying time;
poor color polish.

It is these qualities that limit the use of this grout in rooms with high humidity. The porous surface is able to absorb moisture and serves as an incubator for mold. But on the other hand, adding an antiseptic or latex to the mixture will solve the problem. If you plan to make a uniform background, to the question of which grout to choose for gray tiles, the answer is unequivocal - cement.

Epoxy

The choice of grout for tiles in the bathroom can stop at epoxy grouts. Their properties are defined chemical composition, including resins, hardener and fine-grained filler. It is positively characterized by the following qualities:

When grouting, they are elastic.
They form a waterproof surface without pores, dirt does not accumulate on it.
Range temperature conditions during operation it can fluctuate from -20.0 to +110.00С.
Wide range of color options (standard, neon, metallic, chameleon).
Manufacturer's warranty against abrasion and fading for at least 30.0 years.

Negative characteristics connect:

with a high rate of solidification of the finished mass;
high requirements for the experience of the master;
the need to quickly remove excess mass and correct flaws in the work;
high base cost.

Epoxy grouts are unpretentious to operating conditions. They can be used not only in sanitary facilities, but also in swimming pools, baths, showers, when cutting outdoor finishing tiles.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane-based grouts are distinguished by the possibility of using them in narrow joints from 1.0 mm. The composition is elastic, and after hardening it remains elastic, and if the tile begins to “play”, then it retains its original shape.

The positive aspects of the use of grout determine:

The elasticity of the composition, which allows filling thin seams.
The average hardening time allows you to take your time when grouting, carefully remove flaws.
Moisture repellent properties.
Greaseproof.
Ready to work without the need to mix components.

The negative properties include sensitivity to detergent compositions containing a chlorine component. But the ability to choose any color of the stitching more than covers this drawback. If the question arose what color of grout to choose, for example, for brown kitchen tiles, then you can experiment with small amounts of polyurethane grout.

Latex

Such mixtures are classified as the most elastic grout compositions. They allow filling joints up to 30.0 mm. This mixture is expensive. Based on the principles of economy, it is more often used to improve the properties of cement-based grout or top water-repellent and protective layers. The positive aspects of the application emphasize:

Exceptional plasticity of the mixture.
The density of the material and the elimination of cracking.
Ease of cleaning and the practical impossibility of the appearance of fungal deposits.
Wide selection of colors.

However, there are disadvantages:

high price;
the need to quickly clean the tiles from excess material - if you lose time on time, a hard-to-remove film forms on the surface;
restriction in use when cleaning the surface of steam-generating agents.

Attention! The properties of latex grouts allow them to be used to restore the seams of long-laid tiled floors. To do this, the inter-tile space is deepened with a special tool, the front surface is thoroughly cleaned, and, in accordance with the recommendations on the package, the seam is overwritten.

Furan

They are produced using the technology of mixtures based on epoxy. The composition includes resins, hardener and latex or Portland cement. Latest Components give the material plasticity and increase strength. The grouting technology with a furan mixture is similar to the procedure and conditions for working with epoxy compounds.

Benefits when using:

Water repellent properties.
The strength of the suture space.
Good mechanical resistance to aggressive media, including acids.
Insensitive to UV radiation.

The disadvantages include:

chemical activity, accompanied by the release of fumes harmful to human breathing;
recommendations for use in production areas or on the street;
limited quantity in the retail network, it is difficult to buy;
Edition in black only.

A wide selection of grout mixtures, as well as their availability, give reason to exclude this composition from the list considered when purchasing in the first place.

Appointment of compositions

Focusing on the properties of certain compositions, determine the validity of the use on tiled surfaces of different rooms:

If it is necessary to seal the seam on a limited dry section of the wall, partially closed by technical cabinets, for example, kitchen apron, choose a cement-based grout.
Rooms with high humidity (bathroom, sanitary facilities) require the use of moisture-resistant mixtures based on latex or polyurethane. If the tile is laid directly in the pool or shower, then the use of mold-resistant and dirt-repellent compounds with the same polyurethane or epoxy resins is justified.
The processing of joints on relatively “movable” tile surfaces, for example, the thermal expansion of the “Warm Floor” system, requires the use of elastic compounds - latex, polyurethane or furan based. But it should be remembered that the latter is not recommended for use in rooms with a predominant stay of people.
When carrying out troweling activities outside heated premises (“boar” on the street, technical buildings, a garage, etc.), climatic conditions and natural temperature differences should be taken into account. Solid grouts are unlikely to withstand load changes without failure, and ductile ones are expensive. The situation will be saved by their reasonable combination.

Attention! In order to avoid errors in the selection of grouting material for different conditions of use, you should spend time consulting with specialist tilers. In extreme cases, read the documentation for grout mixtures in detail, ask questions to the seller in the building supplies store, and then buy grout.

What grout color to choose?

Finishing tile manufacturers offer consumers today ready-made color combinations of products and grout. But they do not always correspond to the preferences of the owners of the premises. If you decide to independently choose a color for original design, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the generally accepted rules for selecting colors.

Contrast or soft transition

The color and shades of the inter-tile space are used to create a certain visual perception of the room as a whole. The main effects are achieved as follows:

the creation of a continuous surface is achieved by using a grout mixture of the same color as the tiled elements;
rooms become “warm” when using tiles and grout in dark colors (burgundy, green);
to emphasize the beautiful content or pattern on the tile, use contrasting colors of grout mixtures (white - black, purple - red);
to create a holistic composition of colored, bright elements, grout is selected to match the prevailing color, this helps to create a calm atmosphere in the room, for example, if the surface is green, then green;
if the tile is saturated with tones, and this makes the choice difficult, you can use a chameleon grout based on epoxy resin with the addition of glass, which will reflect the predominant color depending on the illumination of the room.

Attention! The purchase of grout should be taken care of at the stage of acquiring a tiled coating. To match the color in the store, you can use the color "fan", having previously laid out several tiles on the floor.

Experienced designers in the arsenal have ready-made forms of color combinations for rooms for various purposes. Attention to certain elements is accentuated by color, and visually “scatters” on small defects or minor objects. Some of their recommendations include:

Answering the frequently asked question about what color of grout to choose for white tiles, experts inform that the use of tiles and grouting material in light colors visually enlarges the room, the contrast of the grout or another color will not give such an effect.
The use of contrasting grouts with tiles white color will break the plane of the walls into separate elements, and with the exact selection of color, it will create a unique and pleasant interior.
A tile containing several colors is combined with a grout that repeats the color of the lightest tone. This solution is most relevant for small spaces.
If the interior contains a mosaic version of the tile, then the grout is used in calm tones (beige, gray).
The versatility of the white grout allows you to hide existing installation defects, draw attention or “blur” the boundaries of the tile. But the use for finishing floor tiles is not recommended for obvious reasons.
Horizontally laid tiles should be “embroidered” with a mixture in a tone or close to the color of the elements.
To avoid a chaotic appearance of the final result, it is not recommended to use more than three shades of tiles when laying. It is not allowed to use several colors of grouting material on one plane (for example: lilac and purple), unless this is the designer's decision.
When designing bathrooms and showers, the embroidery can be done in the colors of the main elements - this will add extravagance and look original, for example, under a tree. The grout for tiles in the bathroom, which one to choose, is determined by photos posted on construction and thematic sites.

Important! If the material of the required tones could not be found, then by mixing coloring compositions when preparing grout, you can achieve the result empirically.

The following video will tell you about the grout for tiles in the bathroom and which one to choose:

Self-selection of color

For self-selection of the shade of the grout material, the following is acquired:

colorless grout or white color;
colored pastes adapted to the grout base;
if it is impossible to use special pastes - gouache or watercolor.

You should not hope for a quick completion of this work - an independent selection of colors will take time and patience. By mixing the components in different proportions, preferably allowing sufficient time for drying, the desired result is experimentally achieved.

It should be borne in mind that it is necessary to select a color darker than planned, since complete drying will lighten it. It is imperative to carry out work in a small inseparable period of time, with prepared material for the entire grouting area. Otherwise, the probability of selecting the same color scheme is negligible.

Conclusion

Having become acquainted with the properties of grout mixtures on various bases, the conditions for their use and performance, the owner of the premises remains to choose the color of grout for tiles. Subsequently, do the work yourself or seek help from professional tilers, who will surely do the work well and quickly.

How does the seam between tiles an experienced master, presented in the following video:

Carrying out repairs in the apartment, each owner hopes that in this form the dwelling will stand for a very long time and you will not have to repeat all the work done in the near future. In order for these hopes to come true, it is necessary to approach the issue of repair responsibly, carefully selecting Construction Materials. At the same time, not only the quality of the materials, but also the right colors play a significant role.

Nowadays, few renovations are complete without tiling. Many refer to the choice of grout color rather superficially - they just buy the first one that comes across. Therefore, it often happens that an expensive tile completely loses its attractiveness from a combination with a poorly matched grout. So when creating individual design it is very important to pay due attention to this material.

Choice of grout color for tiles

The classic option is the selection of a color that is 1-2 tones different from the color of the tile. This jointing will provide maximum harmony. In order for future repairs to please the eye, you need to decide on your own color preferences.

The choice may also be influenced by the pattern on the tile and its structure. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is best to take a tile or part of it with you to the store and apply it to all grout samples.

Advice. Apply to all colors, not just to similar shades. Quite unexpectedly, you can find an interesting combination.

Not so long ago, a contrasting grout color has become popular. This method allows you to shade and emphasize the color and structure of the tile. The most common combinations are:

black - pearl;
beige - cocoa;
olive - graphite;
gray - mahogany.

The contrasting combination looks bold and spectacular, but there is a rather thin line in the selection, crossing which you can get ridiculous and disharmonious combinations.

Standard grout colors

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a grout. White color will suit any color of the tile in the event that it is a wall tile. It is always appropriate for light tones, and with dark ones it will create a good contrast. However, for grouting floor tiles, a white fugue will not work in any way, because after a while the color will turn into a dirty gray. But the gray color of the grout is suitable for the floor, no matter what shade of tiles you plan to put there.

Types of grout by composition

But choosing the right color is not always enough. It is necessary to pay attention to the composition and properties of the grout, because in different rooms there are various conditions. At the moment there are three main types of fugue:

cement based;
using epoxy resins;
silicone grout.

The most common at the moment are cement grouts. They have slight differences in composition, and depending on this, they are used for tiles of various colors and qualities. These grouts have a small color scheme and they don't tolerate water very well.

Cement grout for tiles

For different joint widths, different grouts must be used. So, the cement fugue for wide joints contains sand in its composition, which does not allow the cement to crack after drying, and retains its shape.

You can already buy such a fugue in ready-made in buckets or as a dry powder.

Fugue from plastic buckets can be used immediately, however, despite the ease of use, this also has its drawbacks: the mass dries out quickly enough, therefore it is necessary to use it all at once.

Grout in powder form must first be mixed with water or latex. The advantage of such a fugue is that you yourself determine the volume you need, and you do not have to worry that the contents will dry out.

TO virtues such a grout can be attributed:

low price;
ease of use;
universality;
strength.

Flaws:

collapses under the influence of household chemicals;
resistant to pollution.

Epoxy grout

Grouts using epoxy resins contain a hardener in their composition. This allows it to retain color for a long time and not be washed out by water. However, experience is required to apply such a grout, therefore, with ordinary apartment renovations they are not often used with their own hands.

Epoxy grout can be used in baths, swimming pools, as well as in places where tiles are often exposed to household chemicals: kitchen walls, countertops, laboratory rooms.

Such a fugue is sold in the form of two separately contained components:

epoxy resin filled with quartz sand;
hardener.

To work, you need to mix two components. At the output, we will get a viscous mixture, which is difficult to work with even for experienced craftsmen. However, the result will not upset you - epoxy grout can retain its appearance for several decades. It will not change color, brightness or structure.

Advantages such a fugue:

resistance to chemicals;
frost resistance;
water resistance;
invariance of a decorative look;
durability;
strength;
resistance to fungus and mold.

Flaws:

laboriousness;
high price.

Silicone grout

Silicone sealants have a huge variety of colors and you can choose such a grout for any type of tile, regardless of color and texture. Besides, this species grout has an antifungal composition and increased resistance to water, which makes it possible to widely use it in rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen, toilet, bathroom.

If the desired color is not available

Sometimes it happens that the store does not have the required color in stock, or you simply do not like the colors that exist in the standard offers of manufacturers. In this case, you can create suitable shade on one's own. This can be done in two ways: by mixing white grout with grout of a different color until the desired shade is obtained, or by using color.

Colors are sold at any building materials store. You can experiment with shades by adding different colors to the white grout until you achieve the desired result. The saturation of the color depends on the amount of color, and the shades are only on your imagination.

Primers and additives

Various primers and additives will be a good help. There are additives that make the grout from ordinary moisture or frost resistant, or give it anti-deformation and antifungal properties. In general, it adds to it the characteristics that you need.

If for some reason it is not possible to purchase a puffer with the desired properties, you can get them using special additives. For example, you need a tile putty suitable for underfloor heating, but the desired color with such properties is not available. This is where building chemicals come in handy.

Advice. It is worth remembering that when using a dry mix, after you fill it with water, it may seem to you that the color does not match the one you chose. Do not worry, after the grout dries - the desired color will return.

Experienced designers advise not to overdo it with the number of colors and adhere to the principle of "three-color". You can choose the grout to match the tile or the pattern applied to it, as well as to match the plumbing or furniture elements. But you should not use more than three colors in one room.

The choice of color depends entirely on your capabilities and preferences. We hope this article has helped you figure out how to choose the right color and what to look for when choosing a putty for tiles.

Do-it-yourself grouting: video

Grouting between tiles: photo

It happens that after the completion of facing work in an apartment or house, you remain dissatisfied with the result. It seems that the tile is beautiful, expensive, and perfectly matched to the interior. The build quality is also excellent. But still there is not enough harmony, the lining looks poor and dull. The reason may be the wrong choice of grout color - fugue.

The importance of choosing the right grout

When choosing a grout for filling joints between tiles, we usually start from several factors. First of all, you need to consider:

purpose of the premises;
its operational features;
temperature and humidity;
tile location;
level of load on the tile floor.

But choosing the right color is just as important. By playing on the ratio of shades of fugue and tiles, you can visually enlarge or reduce the room, make it lighter or shadier, regardless of the level of lighting. In addition, sometimes the right choice of shade is enough to give the room a certain style, almost without resorting to other design tricks.

By connecting your imagination and making a little effort, you can use a grout of several shades and multi-colored ceramic tiles create a real mosaic panel that will turn the room into a work of art. Some interior designers use this method as their "highlight".

The grout contrasts favorably with the tiles in the bathroom

Criterias of choice

In specialized stores and building supermarkets, you can find a fugue of any color and shade. Eyes run wide, and out of habit (and even more so without experience) it is difficult to choose exactly what you need. Therefore, heed the advice of experts and designers who have a few general rules for choosing the color of the grout for tile joints.

The right grout color will allow you to profitably beat the space

What color is more practical?

What do you think will happen to the tile joints in a room like a hallway if you grout them with white grout? Most likely, after a couple of days they will become dirty and turn gray. No need to make an elegant seam where it will definitely get dirty in a short time - in the corridors, at front door. And it looks ugly, and constantly correcting the situation is troublesome.

In public places, tiles, regardless of their color, are usually rubbed with a gray fugue. We recommend that you do the same if walking in shoes is supposed to be in your hallway and living room. Still, our streets are not perfectly clean, which is facilitated by the climate. Roughly speaking, if the grout has the color of domestic dirt, then it will always look like Finishing work ended just yesterday. Grout tones close to dark gray are ideal.

The same principle applies to the bathroom. It is undesirable to use easily soiled colors for the floor (beige, white, etc.). Seams are often dirty in places where water flows almost constantly - in the shower, along the side of the bathroom. If you still decide to give preference to light colors, choose an expensive high-quality fugue with waterproof properties. Additional processing of seams with a special composition in problem areas will not be superfluous.

Not a very good solution: white grout on the bathroom floor

Experts recommend using only modest, discreet tones in the kitchen. On them, fat droplets and other contaminants will not look catchy. A two-component fugue based on epoxy resin will go very well - it retains a presentable appearance for a long time.

Note! When you buy a high-quality, dense, water-repellent grout, you are free to choose the color you want. Such a fugue is almost not subject to pollution.

Choice for aesthetic reasons

Whatever color of tile grout you choose, its main purpose is to emphasize the beauty of ceramics or stone. Fugue is a frame finishing material, not a standalone element. Therefore, it is not recommended to choose a grout more than bright color than the main tone of the tile, otherwise the overall effect will not be as pleasant as you expected.

You don't like boring combinations and traditional solutions? Then try to apply the original design solutions. For example, it is now fashionable to use grout to match bathroom or kitchen accessories. The contrast between the fugue and the tiles is also welcome, and the combinations may not match in color even within the tint palette.

Color Gallery

White grout against a background of colored tiles Contrast of white grout and tiles in dark tones Darker grout for floor tiles Fugue in gray tones for a multi-colour composition Decorative grout with glitter in mosaic laying A well-chosen white grout on a tile of the same color creates the effect of a monolithic surface

Video about choosing a shade of grout for joints

Our tips are of a general nature, and guided by them, you can give the cladding an individual character and avoid common mistakes. Tell us in the comments about your experience in choosing the color of the grout. Good luck to you!

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 understand, let's turn to professionals and start with the most important thing - specifications, grouting functions and its main types. Grout - a colored or colorless mixture based on polymeric materials, cement, additives, which is used at the final stage of tiling processing to fill 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 turn Special attention on a tiled floor or furniture and decor elements in the room are more important for you, 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. think it all over possible options and imagine the finished interior.

· Take a sample of the tile you are grouting with to ensure the perfect match.

· Remember about fashion trends but follow 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 too dark colors of tiles and grout.

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 - light grout collects the tiled canvas together, and the dark one 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.

Almost every hardware store has 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 unique technical properties adapt to any color and type of tile, it is absolutely not noticeable. 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 is an ideal choice for multi-colored tile sheets

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 indoor work and have a very wide scope. They are simple and easy to apply, have a plastic homogeneous structure, do not scratch the tile sheet 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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For all questions contact by phone 8 916 663 16 57 Alexander

Grout is also the final part of the facing work, and the material used for this. Another term is fugue and, accordingly, jointing. The essence of the process is to fill the space between the tiles with an adhesive composition that hardens upon drying. The goal is to seal the masonry, give additional strength, aesthetic completeness. The fulfillment of all three points is real only if right choice fugues.

The area and conditions of application, properties depend on the type and composition of the grout. Even fugues of the same type, but with a different set of components, may not be suitable for the same work.

Cement based mixtures

These grouts are the most popular. In addition to cement, it contains polymer modifiers (plasticizers), pigments, additives to improve performance (setting time, for example). Grooves for joints from 6 mm and wider contain sand. Cement grouts are available in the form of powder or mastic. The latter are immediately ready for work, but after uncorking they live for a couple of hours, or even 40 minutes. Add a solvent to the dry mixture according to the instructions, most often water.

Important! The hardened cement-based grout has a porous structure, absorbs moisture, creating conditions for the appearance of mold in the bathroom. Not every fugue is suitable for a damp room, look for information on the packaging. It happens that the manufacturer recommends diluting the powder with latex instead of water to make the grout waterproof.

Depending on the brand and purpose, cement mixtures are used both inside and outside residential and industrial premises, where contact with aggressive substances is excluded, they are used when facing walls and floors with any type of tile, as well as glass mosaic. Such compounds have low elasticity, therefore, they are not suitable for expansion joints.

Expansion joints are called junctions different designs, experiencing multidirectional loads, for example, connecting a tiled floor to walls. The joints of plumbing fixtures with a tiled surface are also considered movable.

Cement fugues are applied with a rubber spatula, they fill the joints well. After setting, the stains are removed with a damp sponge, detergents and solvents are not needed.

pros:

the lowest price of all types of grouts;
ease of preparation, the presence of ready-made mixtures;
ease of use;
strength, wear resistance;
color variety;
non-yellowing white cement grout.

Minuses:

long hardening time (full - up to a week, technological passage is possible after 5-8 hours);
hygroscopicity;
drying shrinkage;
poor adhesion compared to other types of grouts;
lightens a little after drying.

Epoxy grout

The basis of this material is epoxy resin. To prepare the mixture, a hardener is required (included in the kit), therefore such fugues are called two-component. The composition may also include sand, pigment. There are epoxy grouts with phosphor that glow in the dark. After solidification, the material turns into a solid, durable polymer, which determines its properties.

Epoxy mixtures overwrite the seams in the rooms and outside, it can be used with any lining, including wood. It is possible to glue mosaic tiles directly on the fugue, while sealing the joints. The material is resistant to aggressive environments and moisture, does not emit hazardous substances, hygroscopicity is practically absent. These characteristics make it possible to use epoxy grout even when finishing potable water tanks.

Important! From the cured resin, toxins do not evaporate, however, during kneading and application, there is bad smell. It is unlikely to be emitted by useful substances, so the place of work must be ventilated.

Epoxy fugue with glitter.

Epoxy grout is applied only to a dry joint with a width of 1 to 15 mm, from which debris and dust are previously removed, and traces of cement from the tile. The viscosity of the mixture and the short working period - 40-90 minutes - complicate its use for inexperienced craftsmen. Frozen excess and stains are washed off with special solvents, but good masters manage without them.

pros:

elasticity;
moisture resistance;
resistance to temperature fluctuations;
shrinkage is less than that of cement mixtures;
preservation of the original shade;
a wide palette of colors;
aesthetics;
no pores, no antifungal treatment required.

Minuses:

price (on average, 5 times more expensive than cement grouts);
complexity of application;
laborious washing, requiring additional costs.

Polyurethane compounds

These are polymer-based compounds, but unlike epoxy, polyurethane is an elastomer. Such fugues are produced ready for use, unless coloring additives are added if desired. An opened jar can be stored for months without damage to the product if the lid is tightly closed and the recommended conditions are met. Technological passage is possible in a day, full setting occurs in about a week.

Polyurethane grout is used only for interior decoration residential premises. It fits under smooth tiles, fake diamond, glass. Not intended for porous and rough facing materials. High elasticity allows jointing masonry on movable bases, joints with plumbing. Joint width 1-6 mm, preparation requirements are the same as for epoxy. The composition is easily applied to walls and floors with a conventional tool, it penetrates well into the channels. The green beginner will cope with the work: while the mixture dries, it is really possible to correct the flaws. Divorces are removed with a special solvent.

In addition to the noted advantages, polyurethane grout has the following virtues:

water repellency - moisture that has fallen on the surface of the embroidered seam flows in drops;
strength is higher than that of cement analogues.

Minuses:

sensitivity to chlorine detergents up to the destruction of the grout;
the price is on average 50% ahead of epoxy mixtures.

Advice! When polyurethane grout has been stored in the store for a long time, some of the moisture can evaporate, to achieve a comfortable consistency, you can sprinkle it a little with water and mix it, just don't overdo it.

Silicone fugue - just a sealant

Silicone grout is similar in properties and composition to sealants, except that some proprietary anti-mold is added to it. The name was changed by crafty marketers in order to sell their product to people who started a bathroom renovation.

The entire area of \u200b\u200bthe tile is not jointed with silicone, movable joints are closed. The material should be chosen to interface the walls with the floor, which has heating, plumbing and tile joints. Sometimes applied in the corners, especially where the main wall is adjacent to the drywall box. When applying, it is important to have time to form a seam and remove excess, since the composition sets in 5-10 minutes, sticks firmly and becomes like rubber. After that, the sealant can only be scraped off. If there is no experience with silicone, it is worth sticking masking tape along the seam, then remove it before the composition hardens. Fresh grout is removed with acetone or alcohol.

Advice! When buying silicone fugue, do not leave the store without a gun to apply it. The sealant is easily squeezed out of small cartridges with a complete piston, but it is extremely difficult to remove it from a three-hundred-gram package without a tool.

Manufacturers of cement grouts produce almost everything in similar colors. silicone sealants so color matching shouldn't be a problem.

pros:

elasticity;
water resistance;
excellent adhesion;
no shrinkage.

Minuses:

fast drying makes application difficult;
grout is susceptible to mold and contamination.

Latex grouts

This type of grout refers to mixtures containing a latex additive. The basis of such mastics is cement. Liquid latex is an emulsion of natural or artificial rubber particles.

Latex gives cement plasticity, enhances water-repellent properties. The material is well dyed, retains color for a long time. The additive is also available separately, it is used to dilute dry mixes.

latex additive.

pros grout containing latex:

vibration resistant;
not afraid of temperature changes;
a large selection of colors;

Minuses:

stains are difficult to wash off due to the formation of a film;
seams must not be steam cleaned.

Furan mixture

This is one example of latex grout. The main component is furan resin, in addition to latex, Portland cement is also included. The fugue polymerizes when it hardens, visually and tactilely similar to epoxy, but surpasses it in characteristics, shows resistance to acids. True, in our case it does not matter: such a grout emits harmful substances, so it is used exclusively for finishing industrial facilities, and then in the open air. You won't find it in hardware stores.

Basics of color matching

A win-win solution is the use of white fugue or chameleon mixtures. They are suitable for any color of the cladding. The white finish visually highlights the tiled layout, its clear geometry, and the chameleon mix merges with the surface, creating a monolithic effect, though they are only available in epoxy. If you want to experiment, you need to select a shade, taking into account the rules below.

Advice! Do not decorate the entire area at once, test the combination of colors in a small area. Wait for the mastic to dry, because. she brightens up.

Top Producers

Popular grout manufacturers produce mixtures of all types and colors; it makes no sense to list the range. And considering that the fugues from the industry leaders are of the same quality, it is difficult to make a rating. It is better to talk about the nuances of products.

Under the Ceresit brand, a line of building mixtures is supplied by Henkel. A special component of the product is the anti-fungal additive MicroProtect, on the basis of which the CT 99 biocide concentrate is also produced. The company also advertises the Aquastatic effect, any Ceresit water-repellent mastic has it. But it's just the presence of latex.

The products of this Italian company also include anti-mold and waterproofs of their own design. A certain organic BioBlock additive that prevents the development of spores fights against fungi. Water drops from MAPEI grouts thanks to the Drop Effect technology.

LITOKOL is also from Italy. It has not been convicted of enriching the product with exclusive additives, but, among other things, it produces the popular IDROSTUK latex additive for mixing cement mixtures.

The Polish concern ATLAS announces three innovations in its reveals. COLOR PROTECT technology makes the color stable, protects against fading in the sun, and prevents pollution. Hydrophobicity provides EFEKT PERLENIA with some special molecules. Well, where without protection against the fungus, MYKO BARIERA is responsible for this.

Features of the tile must be considered

The selection of grout should take into account not only the operating conditions and the color of the tile, but also the material from which it is made, its texture.

Glass tiles or mosaics work best when framed with epoxy grout. Brilliant resin looks organic with glass, as if it becomes its continuation. In addition, as already mentioned, this grout can be used as a mosaic adhesive.

Mosaic with epoxy grouts.

If the tile is glossy or patterned, the best grout for it is one that won't damage the surface. Compositions with coarse fractions are not suitable here. Fugues based on finely ground cement, compounds with the addition of latex, polyurethane mastics are suitable.

Porous or rough ceramics - cement grout. Liquid mastics will be absorbed into the material, the consumption will exceed expectations. Removing leftovers will also become a problem. Hue is better to choose the tone, then appearance will not suffer from the penetration of pigment into the pores.

Four Ways to Calculate Flow

Mathematical

You need to know the dimensions of the tile - length (A), width (B), thickness (C) - and joint width (S). These data are substituted into the formula, where 1.6 is the average fugue density factor.

Flow=(A+B)xCxSx1.6/(AxB)

By simple calculations, the required amount of material in kilograms per square meter. It is better to add 5-10% to the obtained value.

table

You don’t need to remember the math, for the standard tile parameters, everything has already been calculated and entered in the table.

Experimental

This method is the most accurate. The joints of tiles adjacent to each other are filled around the entire perimeter with a small, precisely known amount of grout (100 g, for example). When all the material has been used up, the treated area is determined. The total quadrature is divided by the result obtained, then multiplied by the weight of the material used (0.1 kg in our case). The final figures will show the actual volume of the planned expense, because do not follow from the average, but from the actual fillability of the joints.