How to Properly Choose Grout | Tiling Tips with TEC

[Music] as the tile setting business continues to grow basic knowledge about different types of grout is critical to do the job right the first time by the end of this video you will have a good overview of four different grout Technologies available cement Advanced performance epoxy and premixed grout and when to use them over the years grout has improved dramatically originally there was only cement-based grout then in the' 40s furan grouts and epoxy emolion grouts were introduced they provided advantages you couldn't find with traditional cement-based grouts for example furan grouts provide chemical resistance whereas epoxy Emulsion grouts can act not only as a grout but also as a setting mortar fast forward to the present workers have a variety of grouts available beginning with cement-based grouts to premixed grouts each grout has its own distinct advantages depending on installation requirements with so many choices it's hard to know which grout is the right one for the job not choosing the correct grout May contribute to an installation failure on the flip side when you get it done right with the correct products and technique you reap the benefits of a successful installation let's break down what you need to know about four different types of grouts out there the first one is cement grout keep in mind there are two kinds sanded grout and unsanded grout let's start with sanded grout this type of grout is used when joints are 1/8 in or wider be careful using sanded grouts on sensitive finishes such as glazed ceramic tiles glass metal marble polished stone and a glomerate tiles the reason sanded grout May scratch stain or damage these types of surfaces if the tile is questionable test a small area to find out if sanded grout will work with your tile if scratching or damaging of the tile occurs UNS sanded grout should be used unsanded grout is used when filling joints up to 1/8 in wide do not use on joints larger than that because it might shrink and cause cracking because of the lack of sand also known as aggregate in the grout cement grout has been and continues to be recommended for most residential applications including kitchens bathrooms and other living areas for commercial installations it is commonly used in offices retail stores and shopping malls most cement grouts can be mixed with a grout additive to provide benefits such as stain resistance and durability for hi traic floor areas and exterior walls or floors let's move on to Advanced performance modified grouts these are cement-based grouts many of which are formulated with calcium aluminate what makes them unique is they have advanced formulas that provide many of the benefits of epoxy with the easy application and cleanup of traditional cement-based grout stain resistance strength and durability are already built into the product and don't require a separate grout additive to achieve these benefits these grouts are best used in demanding environments where color consistency and durability are important hi trffic residential and Commercial floors or exterior walls and Floors next there's epoxy grout it's made up of epoxy resin and hardener portions often it has a coarse silica filler environments that are exposed to harsh acids and cleaners call for epoxy grout because it provides chemical resistance High bond strength durability and improved stain resistance because of these qualities it's the best choice for heavy commercial environments like commercial kitchens Hospital operating and emergency rooms and Laboratories epoxy grout has different installation techniques and cleanup than cement grout for a successful installation make sure to follow manufacturer's recommended installation instructions and finally there's premixed grouts also known as single component grouts it's one part and ready to use all you have to do is open the paale stir and start grouting all premixed grouts are polymer resin or urethane based the benefits include resistance to stains cracks and shrinking although they can be used in many applications that cement-based grouts are they should be given strong consideration where color consistency is important this includes residential countertops and back back spashes kitchens and many bathroom walls and Floors some higher performing premixed grouts are even recommended for exterior or commercial applications many of these materials require thorough cleaning prior to initial cure as always read the product label before using it to understand suitability for various environments and application instructions over the years we've seen major grout advances and because of the many grout options out there it's important to know the differences between grouts doing this helps you select the proper grout for the job remember to always check with the manufacturer and follow the instructions a successful tile installation means a happy building owner but when a grout job fails everyone notices people depend on you to get it done right and the foundation of getting it right the first time is understanding which type of grout to use to achieve the performance of the desired installation while an architect or building owner may have a preferred grout it's important to know what's available to you that might better meet the needs of a specific job visit the national tile contractors Association at ti-n [Music] [Music]

Channel: TECInstallationSystems

Views: 170,339

Keywords: tecspecialty, tecinstallationsystems, groutoptions, groutcolors, coloredgrout, floorgrout, groutingfloortiles, bestgrout, choosinggroutcolor

Id: C9jgUPF0meE

Length: 5min 56sec (356 seconds)

Published: Thu Jul 28 2016