Why use grout for floor tiles?
Having decided on the need for repair work, we immediately ask ourselves, with what does this repair begin? However, few people think about what it should end. So, when tiling the floor with tiles, it closes the seams. This is a rather important stage of all the works, as well-made treatment of intertice joints allows to give the coating not only a more aesthetic appearance, but also to hide small defects and disadvantages of laying the facing material.
Responsible approach to the choice of grout, the correct use of it - all this makes it possible to make the floor surface more hermetic and hygienic, which is especially important in rooms with a high level of humidity. If you choose a poor quality trowelling compound or its absence, various small debris and dust will be clogged in the seams.
There is a great risk that after a while insects and harmful microorganisms will be introduced into them. In addition, even at normal moisture levels in joints that have not been treated with grout, mold can form. Direct entry of moisture in the gap significantly increases the likelihood of fungus.
Grout for floor tiles - determined with the composition
There are many different types of tile grout for sale on the market, but they are divided into two main types. The criterion of division in this case is the composition, so today you have to choose between cement and epoxy grout. Cement grouting is a dry mix, which must be diluted with water or liquid latex.
Of course, in construction stores there are already divorced compounds, but their price is an order of magnitude higher. The cement-based composition may contain sand. Typically, this grout is used for joints whose width exceeds 3 mm. Otherwise it is quite possible to do without trowelling without sand.
Compositions containing sand should not be used for joints between tiles, the surface of which is easily scratched!
Epoxy grout for floor tiles, unlike cement, is more resistant to moisture and household cleaners, is available in a wide range of colors. It is based on epoxy resins and hardeners, which make the trowels sturdy, resistant to environmental factors and durable. Moreover, the epoxy compound can retain its color for up to 50 years. It can be used for seams of a wide variety of widths, but it is an optimal variant for grouting slots, the width of which exceeds 5 mm.
Grout for tiles on the floor - choose the color
A badly chosen shade of grout can spoil you the whole picture of perfectly laid flooring, and a well-chosen color will make it even more attractive and interesting. Ideally, the grout for tiles on the floor is acquired in the tone of the tile, but this is probably not always, so you need to follow a number of rules.
So, if you choose a grout that is lighter than a tile, then all elements of the floor covering will merge into one. If the trowelling is darker than the tile, then it will stand out - you will get a clear geometry of your floor .This contrast is especially appropriate if your floor is decorated with tiles of small size or mosaic.
It is recommended to select a transparent grout for the photo-plate, which does not violate the integrity of the picture.
If among the existing variety of trowels you could not find the right one for you, you can safely purchase a gray color. It fits almost any floor tile. To avoid the appearance of mold, which does not paint seams, choose a moisture-resistant compound. In addition, today you can easily purchase protective agents for grouting. Due care will significantly prolong its service life and preserve the original color.