According to Wikepedia, grout “is a construction material used to fill voids, and seal joints between tiles. Grout is generally composed of a mixture of water, cement, sand, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill the cores of cement blocks). It is applied as a thick emulsion and hardens over time, much like its close relative mortar.
Main varieties include: tiling grout (either urethane, cement-based, or epoxy), flooring grout, resin grout, non-shrink grout, structural grout, and thixotropic grout.
Structural grout is used in reinforced masonry to fill voids in masonry housing reinforcing steel, securing the steel in place and bonding it to the masonry. Non-shrink grout is used beneath metal bearing plates to ensure a consistent bearing surface between the plate and its substrate.
Tiling grout is used to fill the spaces between tiles or mosaics, and is often used to secure tile to its base.”
As most of us are really only concerned with choosing a grout colour that complements our tile and décor, how do we discern between the various products and pricing now available?
Essentially you need to ask yourself some questions to determine the best grout for your application.
1) Is stain resistant very important? This applies in particular to counters, behind cooktops, shower floors, exterior porches and small mosaics where we highly recommend you consider an epoxy grout.
2) Is it a darker colour that you prefer? Again for colour consistency, an epoxy grout is a better choice or newer grouts like Laticrete’s Permacolor which are more colour consistent than cement based grouts.
3) is it a heavy traffic area? The heavier the traffic area, the more we recommend choosing a higher performance grouting compound that will stand up to stains, vibrations, and perform well in the long term.
Sure grouts can be touched up over the years by using a grout rake to clean out any loose or discolored grout, then re-fill the joints with new grout, but who really wishes to be doing this? An additional $10.00 - $70.00 now for a better quality grouting material, will give you easy to clean, durable tile joints for years. Yes, the installation of an epoxy grout is best done by a tile professional, and it takes slightly longer to apply and clean up, but the end results of colour consistency are well worth it and will last far longer than traditional grouts.
To provide specific insight, one manufacturer, Laticrete makes three different types of grout which we call standard, premium, and epoxy, the same applies to the other major grout manufacturers Mapei and Flextile:
A) Standard - Laticrete 1500 Sanded Grout is a premium, factory prepared grout designed to be mixed with water. It is formulated from a blend of high strength Portland cement, graded aggregates, polymers, and color-fast pigments and provides a grout joint that is dense, hard and durable. For grout joint widths of 1/16" (1.5 mm) up to 3/8" (9 mm). Designed for exterior and interior use - ideal for both heavy duty use outdoors and for long lasting beauty indoors. Available in a range of exciting colors that should satisfy even the most discriminating tastes.
B) Premium - LATICRETE® PermaColor™ is a high performance, fast setting grout that provides a grout joint that is dense and hard. LATICRETE PermaColor Grout is color consistent. Mix only with water, ideal For Floors and Walls (Joint Widths of 1/16–1/2" [1.5 to 12 mm]). It inhibits Mold and Mildew with Microban®, has improved Stain Resistance For a Cement Based Grout, and is suitable for both interior and Exterior Applications, Residential and Commercial use.
C) Epoxy - LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout which offers excellent color uniformity, durability, stain protection, and beautiful, full grout joints in an easy-to-use, non-sag formula. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications. It has improved non-sag formula for walls and floors, Uniform color—no blotchiness or shading and is easy to maintain, cleanable to the original color. It inhibits the growth of stain-causing mold and mildew in the grout joints with Microban® antimicrobial product protection, is Ideal for installations at wide temperature ranges, is Tough, durable, and crack resistant and outperforms cement based grout.
Gayle Baltjes-Chataway
Star Tile Centre
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