E2 By Pam Grout

[Leanne Wittlin]

Groutis a dense fluid that hardens used to fill gaps or as reinforcement in existing structures.[1] Grout is generally a mixture of water, cement, and sand, and is employed in pressure grouting, embedding rebar in masonry walls, connecting sections of precast concrete, filling voids, and sealing joints such as those between tiles. Common uses for grout in the household include filling in tiles of shower floors and kitchen tiles. It is often color tinted when it has to be kept visible and sometimes includes fine gravel when being used to fill large spaces (such as the cores of concrete blocks). Unlike other structural pastes such as plaster or joint compound, correctly mixed and applied grout forms a water-resistant seal.

Although both grout and its close relative mortar are applied as a thick suspension and harden over time, grout is distinguished[2] by its low viscosity and lack of lime (added to mortar for pliability); grout is thin so it flows readily into gaps, while mortar is thick enough to support not only its own weight, but also that of masonry placed above it.[1]

Grout varieties include tiling, flooring, resin, nonshrinking, structural, and thixotropic grouts.[3] The use of enhancing admixtures increases the quality of cement-based materials and leads to greater uniformity of hardened properties.[4]

Tiling grout is often used to fill the spaces between tiles or mosaics and to secure tile to its base. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae. Tiling grout is also cement-based, and is produced in sanded and unsanded varieties, which affects the strength, size, and appearance of the grout.[5] The sanded variety contains finely ground silica sand; unsanded is finer and produces a smoother final surface. They are often enhanced with polymers and/or latex.[6]

Structural grout is often used in reinforced masonry to fill voids in masonry housing reinforcing steel, securing the steel in place, and bonding it to the masonry.[2] Nonshrinking grout is used beneath metal bearing plates to ensure a consistent bearing surface between the plate and its substrate, which adds stability and allows for higher load transfers.[7]

From the different types of grout, a suitable one has to be chosen depending on the load. For example, a load up to 7.5 tons can be expected for a garage access [two-component pavement joint mortar (traffic load)], whereas a cobbled garden path is only designed for a pedestrian load [one-component pavement joint mortar (pedestrian load)]. Furthermore, various substructures determine whether the type of grout should be permanently permeable to water or waterproof, for example, by concrete subfloor.

PERMACOLOR Grout is a high-performance, fast-setting polymer-fortified grout that provides a tile grout joint that is dense and hard. PERMACOLOR Grout is color-consistent and features built-in Microban antimicrobial protection to keep the grout surface looking newer for longer.

Ultimate 6 Plus is a high-performance, polymer-modified, full coverage mortar with a unique combination of features that allow grouting in 6 hours while providing an extended open time. Ultimate 6 Plus significantly reduces the need for back buttering and has excepational non-sag / non-slump characteristics for wall and floor applications.

Product ID: TDS-454 Prism Single-Component Grout (SCG) is a professional grade premixed, efflorescence-free, and crack-resistant sanded grout. Its Single-Component formula is ready to use and is the easiest grout to install, regardless of the type of grout or experience level. It is color perfect, highly stain-resistant, and never requires sealing. Prism SCG can be installed on interior and most exterior tile, glass, and natural stone applications on walls, floors, and ceilings on commercial and residential projects. Its technologically advanced formulation provides extended open time and excellent cleanability along with built-in MicroBan antimicrobial product protection.

Chart for estimating purposes. Coverage may vary based on installation practices and jobsite conditions. For more tile and joint sizes, use the Material Calculator at CustomBuildingProducts.com or contact CUSTOM Technical Services at 800-282-8786.

AccuColor EFX Epoxy Special Effects Grout provides superior performance and unmatched design possibilities in one easy-to-use product. Dual purpose 100% solids epoxy grout and mortar is designed for tile and stone installations on floors, walls and countertops.

According to the Tile Council of North America, grout is a mixture of cement, aggregate, and other ingredients (like sand or water) that produces a water-resistant, dense, and uniformly-colored material that is commonly used for filling gaps or reinforcing existing structures.

There are two main families of grout: cementitious grout and chemical grout. Each grout family also has its own subtypes, like sanded and unsanded grout, but we will cover all these grout varietals in depth a little bit later on!

Like we mentioned above, one of the most common applications of grout is filling gaps and sealing joints, like the spaces between tiles. Grout fills in those gaps and prevents the tiles from moving over time or getting cracked along the edges.

Grout can also be used in pressure grouting, which is a process that pumps grout into soft soil or structural voids to strengthen and stabilize existing structures, or structures where the foundations have shifted.

Thanks to its sand, sanded grout is stronger and less likely to shrink after curing. Because of this, sanded grout is a great choice for filling larger joints, like those that are 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch or wider.

But those considering sanded grout should be warned: sanded grout contains abrasive particles, has a visible grit, and is porous. Because of this, sanded grout may attract dirt and it should not be used on easily scratched surfaces, like marble. To prevent absorption, sanded grout should also always be sealed after installation unless otherwise specified.

And polymer cement grouts can sometimes offer better color consistency than traditional cement grouts, and greater resistance to efflorescence (the salty, white residue that can appear on porous materials over time).

Epoxy grout is often the preferred choice for installing tiles in areas like showers or floors. Using epoxy grout in these areas gives the tiles added protection from any moisture that might be lurking under the tile.

Epoxy grout can also be harder to work with, and without expert knowledge can take more time to set up than regular, cement grout. This grout type may also be more difficult to shape and slope and can even slump in the joint as it cures.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of grout colors to choose from. Today, you can find a grout for pretty much every color in the rainbow and some manufacturers even offer custom coloring services for their grouts so you can find a shade that matches your vision.

Darker grout colors can create a more dramatic and contrasting look with lighter tiles. With cement grouts, dark colored grouts can become even darker over time especially in high-traffic areas, providing an even more distinctive look that may hide the telltale signs of time.

Certain installation situations are more likely to create haze than others. For example, grouting light-colored stone tile with dark grout is one instance where excessive hazing can occur because stone is porous and can easily absorb the excess residue from installation. Dark grout also contrasts the haze's white color, amplifying its appearance.

Like we mentioned earlier, grout locks the tiles in place and prevents the tiles from shifting over time. Another bonus? Grout also protects the edges of your tiles and keeps them from chipping easily.

588-10K is a hydraulic-cement-based, precision, non-shrink, load-bearing grout designed to transfer load effectively and safely, ensuring long service time of the grouted item. It is a non-corrosive, non-metallic, mineral-based precision grout, developed to have high initial and ultimate flexural and compressive strengths. It can be mixed quickly as needed on the jobsite. 588-10K offers exceptional workability and is easily placed by pouring or pumping. The product is designed to give non-shrink performance under various conditions for both interior and exterior applications.

588-10K is designed for precision grouting of machinery and equipment base plates, windmill turbines, generators, rolling mills, compressors, or similar types of machinery. 588-10K is also designed for grouting soleplates, bridge seats, precast columns and beams, steel column pads, precast beams, and segmental bridge construction. 588-10K can also be used for anchoring of guardrails, signposts, bridge seats, anchor bolts, guide wires, and dowels.

Grouting application shall be performed in accordance to American Concrete Institute (ACI) 351.1R: Grouting Between Foundations and Bases for Support of Equipment and Machinery and other applicable industry standard practices.

For starters, it eliminates a lot of time and effort spent measuring out your powder and liquid additive, stirring it together, and adjusting until you get the right consistency. Instead, you can just pop open a tub and get going.

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