When laying ceramic tiles, you will inevitably form seams in which moisture and dust will constantly accumulate. Over time, all this will negatively affect the condition of the facing material, leading to the appearance of an unpleasant odour and mould. To avoid such negative consequences, you will need tile grout. This particular substance protects the surface from contact and accumulation of dirt. In addition, bathroom grout plays a decorative role. There is a wide selection of such formulations on the market. What kind of grout for a shower stall is optimal? Let’s talk about this in our article today. Grouting Services Melbourne is your one-stop shop for all your tiling and grouting needs.
Types of grout for tiles
First, let’s define the types of tile grout. Conventionally, they can be divided into two main groups:
- cement;
- epoxy.
The first is a substance homogeneous in structure, suitable for all types of ceramics. Cement grout for tiled walls is easy to apply – even an inexperienced person can handle it. It is recommended for filling joints no more than 5 mm wide. If the distance between the tiles is more significant, use cement grout with sand. The disadvantages of this mixture include low resistance to household chemicals and moisture. To impart moisture resistance, cement grout is supplemented with latex plasticizer. Both ready-made mixes and dry powder are available for sale, which still need diluted.
Like any other object in the bathroom, the shower stall is under constant influence of moisture and temperature changes. It is washed with aggressive chemicals. Most tilers recommend using epoxy grout in this case. It has the necessary wear resistance and strength. The substance has a viscous consistency – working with it requires specific skills, so entrusting it to experienced specialists is better. Among the disadvantages, one can also mention the higher cost of a cement composition.
The main advantages of the epoxy mixture include:
- high resistance to mould and fungi;
- complete moisture resistance;
- attractive appearance, variety of colours;
- wide range of operating temperatures (up to +100 degrees);
- very long service life.
Separately, we note the possibility of using sealant as a grout for tiles. It is easy to find in almost any building supply and plumbing store. This product is moisture-resistant but is less durable, hard-wearing or robust than the epoxy mixture discussed above. It can be used in the joints between the sink and the bathtub. Due to its low resistance to bacteria and short service life, the sealant can only be considered as an additional product, but not as the main grout.
Which grout should I buy for tile joints?
If you don’t know what kind of grout to buy for tile joints, we recommend giving preference to an epoxy compound. This is the optimal solution for a modern bathroom. Whether you have a glass shower stall or a metal one, it doesn’t matter. Epoxy grout is a universal material that provides reliable and long-lasting protection against moisture, bacteria, fungi and other factors that destroy tiles. In the online store Plitka.kiev.ua, you will find the following mixtures of different colors:
- anthracite;
- beige-brown;
- beige-gray;
- beige;
- white;
- vanilla;
- blue;
- graphite;
- jasmine;
- yellow.
How much does grout cost for a bathroom?
Answering the question of how much bathroom grout costs is more complex. You need to know the product type, release form (powder or ready-made mixture), volume, and manufacturing company. For example, Mira grout will have one price, but products from another brand will be cheaper or more expensive. We recommend visiting the catalogue on the website of the online store Plitka.kiev.ua to explore the range of auxiliary products for ceramic tiles and make the right choice. Experienced and polite company managers will happily advise you over the phone.
