Grouts for tile joints in the bath, recommendations and review

The most popular way to finish the walls in the bathroom is ceramic tiles or mosaics. This material is a good protection for the walls of the room from mold, dampness and other similar troubles. A good tile and a quality installation is not the whole job. Properly selected grout for tile joints in the bathroom will not only give the surface an aesthetic appearance, but will also become an additional shield from moisture.

How to choose the right grout

Before you buy such a building mixture, you should study all aspects of this issue. Grouts for ceramic tiles are: cement, silicone and resin-based (epoxy, furan). They differ in cost and performance. You can also purchase a special pencil for grouting. It is very convenient for mosaic processing.

Mostly in building stores they sell as many grouts as they like, for every taste: Ceresit CE 33, Vetonit, Eunice, Clinker, Quick-mix, Kiilto Saumalaasti and Mapei Ultracolor Plus. If you have never encountered such work before, then it is difficult to figure out what material and how much to choose. Moreover, Ceresit, Vetonit, Atlas produce different types of such compounds.

For example, you can choose a package of dry mix, which will still need to be diluted with liquid, or a solution that is already ready for use (it is usually sold in plastic buckets). When choosing in this case, you need to know which one will be during operation, since the finished mass is not stored for a long time. If you can’t use it in the near future, the solution will simply dry out, that is, it will no longer be suitable for work.

When choosing a grout, you should consider its following qualities:

• moisture resistance;
• shrinkage after drying;
• strength;
• adhesion level.

In addition, when giving preference to any Ceresit, Kiilto Saumalaasti, Eunice, Quick-mix, Vetonit or Clinker product, the size of the joints should be taken into account. For example, grout for wide joints should be with sand. Such a solution is not subject to large shrinkage; after drying, the seams will not crack.

When sealing between tile joints in corners or near plumbing, a substance containing silicone is the best option. Such a solution, in this case, will be the most acceptable, as it will become a reliable protection and hide existing defects after solidification.

Main characteristics of grouts

Each grouting solution has both advantages and disadvantages. And when choosing, the price-reliability ratio is of great importance. In any case, saving on grout for joints is not worth it. After all, everyone wants the result to be beautiful and of high quality, as this will ensure long-term operation of the wall covering and convenience during cleaning.

Among the whole variety of tile grouts, two main types can be distinguished - cement and epoxy.

Cement

If you decide to choose a mixture package Ceresit CE 33, Kiilto Saumalaasti, Vetonit, Eunice, Clinker, Quick-mix or Mapei Ultracolor Plus based on cement, you should give preference to a product that has good moisture-resistant characteristics. The usual cement composition on the water for the bathroom is not suitable, as it is capable of passing moisture after drying. You can, of course, cheat a little and use a special polymer varnish or a Dolphin type product to strengthen the seams. Impregnation with the Dolphin compound will create a strong protective ball. Moisture, falling on the varnish, will not be absorbed. In addition, the varnish will give the seams a beautiful glossy look. But on the floor, the seams are well protected by the Dolphin polymer mixture. You need to work with it, following the instructions on the product packaging.

Cement grout for joints

As a rule, a two-component grout is produced on the basis of Portland cement. For greater reliability, additives are included in the solution to improve the quality of inter-tile grouting.

Cement putties Ceresit CE 33, Quick-mix, Kiilto Saumalaasti, Yunis, Mapei Ultracolor Plus, Clinker are used when it is necessary to seal joints that are less than 0.5 cm in size. If the distance between tiles exceeds this value, it is better to choose a cement-sand mixture package . But in the process of finishing work there is a great opportunity to leave scratches on the tile. It is better suited for stone than tiles, mosaics or laminate.

To dilute the dry cement mass Ceresit CE 33, Clinker, Eunice, Kiilto Saumalaasti, Atlas or Mapei Ultracolor Plus, use a solvent, water or a latex plasticizer. For the bathroom, the second option is especially important, since such a synthetic material increases the level of adhesion of the mortar of concrete bases to ceramic tiles, increases protection against mold, fungi and other microorganisms, such a two-component mixture prevents shrinkage after drying. Similar mortar properties are also important for mosaic, laminate and stone.

Ready-made cement grouts are sold in plastic buckets of various sizes.

To give cement grout CE 33 or Kiilto Saumalaasti more protective qualities, it is worth covering the joints on the floor and on the walls with a special moisture-resistant impregnation. Such a solution is produced matte and glossy. Depending on which impregnation is chosen, you can completely change the shade of the grout. Glossy impregnation will make the seams brighter after drying, matte protection - the color of the grout will not change.

The advantages of cement grouts include:

• affordable price;
• when added to the composition of special polymers, it shows very high strength and reliability;
• if the composition contains Portland cement, then the material acquires high elastic qualities.

The disadvantages of cement-based grout are as follows:

• insufficiently high resistance to moisture;
• if chemicals are used to clean ceramic tiles or mosaics, the seams will gradually discolor;
• the material is not durable, the seams crack over time.

Epoxy

A good purchase for processing joints in the bathroom will be a two-component putty Ceresit, Vetonit, Atlas, Quick-mix, which are based on epoxy. Epoxy mixture is more expensive than cement and requires the purchase of additional chemicals and fixtures. But due to the fact that, in addition to the main component, the composition includes such additives as a hardener and a dye, the fugue acquires an increased density after drying, a beautiful appearance, resistance to moisture, and becomes heat-resistant. For such a grout, you do not need to use varnish. In addition, it is suitable for ceramic tiles, stone, porcelain stoneware and laminate.

Epoxy grout

Based on the fact that the epoxy putty of the firms Ceresit, Vetonit, Atlas has an increased viscosity, it is quite difficult to work with it. If it gets on the surface of the tile, laminate or is on the floor, it can only be removed with a chemical cleaner. Therefore, it is better to apply such a tool in the inter-tile space using a special bag (it resembles a confectionery bag, with a narrow end).

In addition, you need to work with it quickly, as it dries quickly. The resin-hardener compound is only usable for forty minutes. After that, the epoxy mixture becomes solid, it will no longer be possible to apply it even for stone, mosaic or laminate.

Advantages of epoxy grout:

• moisture resistant;
• easy cooking technology;
• creates a smooth surface;
• excellent performance;
• Resistant to chemical cleaners.

Epoxy grout for tiles is characterized by a viscous consistency. To fill it between tile seams, accuracy and a professional approach are required.

Material disadvantages:

• high price;
• requires the skills of such work;
• epoxy hardens quickly.

The most popular epoxy grouts are Ceresit, Vetonit, Atlas, Quick-mix products. They show excellent properties for both tiles, stone, mosaics and laminate.

Furan

A feature of this mixture is that in its structure, unlike other similar materials, there is no water. This is due to the fact that the composition of the furan resin includes furfuryl alcohol and potent furanol.

As a result of the combination of these components, grout for tiles in the bathroom acquires mega stable qualities. It is heat-resistant, dries quickly, is not affected not only by chemicals, but also by strong acids. It is suitable for both ceramic tiles and stone, laminate, concrete substrates.

However, it is more difficult to work with it than with other types of grouts. Before use, the edges of the ceramic tile are coated with paraffin, and after the application and hardening of the furan mixture, the particles on the tile are removed with hot air.

Such a putty is rarely used in bathroom decoration, not only because the processing of seams with it on the floor and walls is a very laborious process, but also because it is only available in black. Also not recommended for wood flooring.

Silicone

Elastic, waterproof and frost-resistant mortar provides excellent protection and tightness between tile joints. In addition, manufacturers produce a silicone mixture in a wide range of colors. Due to its hydrophobic properties, this moisture-resistant mass is perfect for wall decoration in the bathroom. But it is not heat resistant enough. It can be used to fill seams with a size of 0.2 to 0.7 cm.

Silicone polymer grout works well not only with tiles. The fugue is used for natural or artificial stone, on concrete bases. But it is not recommended to use for wooden, plastic or metal products, laminate. The composition is applied with a special device continuously, over the entire length, pressing into the seam. This guarantees the absence of voids at the joints, the strength and reliability of the structure, that is, high technical characteristics. Some of the most famous such grouts are Ceresit, Vetonit, Mapei Ultracolor Plus mixtures.

How to choose the right color

On sale there is a large range of colors of grout for ceramic tiles in the bathroom. Different types are produced by Ceresit, Clinker, Eunice, Vetonit. You can choose such a mixture based on your own preferences and the characteristics of the tiled walls. Study our recommendations to understand, and then you will be pleased with the appearance for a long time.

In addition to a variety of shades, manufacturers can add to the material:

• sparkling minerals;
• sequins;
• multi-colored decorative sand;
• gold dye;
• silver pigment.

Also, the grout can be completely colorless.

Grout colors

When choosing such a material for finishing the bathroom, the following factors should be considered:

• if you use dark grout for light tiles, the fugue will stand out, emphasizing the tile fragments. Therefore, choosing a similar composition, you should be completely sure that the tile lies perfectly even;
• if you treat the recesses with a white mixture, the seams will get dirty very quickly and lose their original appearance;
• transparent types of grouts are better suited for mosaics;
• in the case when the tiles are laid with some errors, a light shade of Mapei Ultracolor Plus mortar, Kiilto Saumalaasti, Eunice, Clinker, CE 33 or Atlas will be a good choice. It will hide irregularities, no matter what tile is laid;
• if several shades of tiles are used in the decoration of the walls of the bathroom, it would be more correct to choose a transparent material. Since this grout takes on the color of the rubbed product. A quality mixture of this plan is Ceresit CE 33, Quick-mix, Mapei Ultracolor Plus, Clinker.

A good option for quick grouting of wall mosaics is a special pencil.

Top Producers

The quality of grout for tiles in the bathroom not least depends on the manufacturer. When choosing such a material, it is better to give preference to a company that has only positively proven itself in the field of building mixtures. The technical characteristics of such products are always at the highest level.

The most popular tile grout manufacturers are:

• Ceresit CE 33 - 200 rubles (2 kg);
• Atlas - 104 rubles (2 kg);
• Weber Vetonit - 250 rubles (2 kg);
• Eunice Color - 200 rubles (2 kg);
• Kiilto Saumalaasti - 400 rubles (3 kg);
• Litochrome - 195 rubles (2kg);
• Quick-mix - 650 rubles (5 kg);
• Knauf - 270 rubles (5 kg);
• Mapei Ultracolor Plus - 250 rubles (2 kg).

Above is also the price segment of the most popular materials for grouting tiles between tile joints.

Some of the brands of grout

Grout for tiles can be prepared independently from gypsum. Gypsum mixture must be worked very quickly, as it dries instantly. Therefore, gypsum grout does not need to be done much. Better in small quantities. Before work, a primer is used. In addition to the fact that this impregnation will increase the adhesion of gypsum to the surface, the primer will protect against fungi and other microorganisms. It is convenient to work with gypsum fugue after adding slaked lime to it, thereby significantly improving its properties. The mixture will become like batter. Gypsum grout can be used on both walls and floors.

For reliability from fungal influences, it can be coated on top with a product such as Dolphin. The composition is not only a good protection against the harmful effects of moisture, the Dolphin retains a beautiful appearance of the seams. Although the process is simple, it also has its own peculiarities and nuances. Of course, it is quite possible to make such a finish on your own, but if you have never worked with such mixtures, it is better to entrust the matter to professionals who know what material and how much is needed to process the seams. This will not only save strength, nerves, time, but also provide a beautiful aesthetic appearance.