Moisture-resistant grout for outdoor work. Granite work. How to fill the seams of paving slabs

Granite is a unique building material used for laying floors, arranging flights of stairs, wall cladding, etc. Its popularity is due to its outstanding properties: aesthetic appeal, strength, frost resistance. Laying granite requires certain knowledge and skills.

Facade cladding

Granite laying technology includes several ways: depending on where the material is used - inside or outside the room, when facing walls or floors. The most time-consuming process is facing the outer walls.
First, granite is a heavy material, and not everyone will or can withstand its weight. And, secondly, due to changes in external temperatures, the facing material either expands or narrows. Moreover, this happens before the wall and the mortar that attaches the stone to it heat up or cool down.
Therefore, outdoor installation technology, especially when facing walls, involves labor-intensive and rather expensive methods: on metal fasteners, pre-mounted frame. There is a wall clips method, when 20-25 wire staples per m2 are inserted into the notches on granite tiles and the wall, made with a segment disk at an angle of 45 degrees, which are filled with mortar. Granite is placed on the mortar in such a way that with the help of brackets, the wall and stone are a single whole. The cost of work can reach up to 4000 rubles. per m2.

Grout for granite

It is clear that the price of laying granite indoors will be much lower, because temperature fluctuations that destroy the masonry are not expected. And technologies are used more simple - using a cement-sand mortar or special adhesives. The cost of work in this case will be from 2500 rubles / m2.
Approximately the same prices for laying stone on the floor, since its methodology is similar. As in the previous case, there is one prerequisite: the surface must be perfectly flat, which is achieved by pre-filling the screed. So, the cost of laying on the floor is from 2400 to 3000 rubles per square meter - depending on the size of the granite slab.

The price of laying stairs with granite (stone is also used in this capacity) depends on the width of the balusters. On average, the cost of such work is estimated at 2.5 thousand rubles. per running metre.

For finishing granite masonry, grout for marble and granite is used. There are many varieties on the market. Some are frost-resistant (grout for granite for outdoor work), others are designed for interior work. All of them have one thing in common: the absence of an abrasive effect and the ability to retain color and strength characteristics in joints up to 5 mm wide.
The table below shows prices in Moscow.

granite laying prices

Types of work Price (rub/m2) Notes
Laying of granite paving stones 1600
Laying granite outside (walls) 2800
Cladding of internal walls from 2000 Depending on the height of the wall and the dimensions of the slabs
Installation of stairs from 2500 Price per linear meter
Laying skirting around the perimeter of the floor 1100 Price per linear meter

Grout for joints on marble and granite Lugato Marmor + Granit Fugenmertel (Lugato Marble + Granite Fugenmertel)

DESCRIPTION:
Special mortar for grouting natural stone floors with a joint width of up to 5 mm. The quality of the CG 1 mortar complies with the European standard EN 13888.
Special grout for joints on all natural stone surfaces: quartz-free, does not cause scratches on sensitive surfaces.
Color resistant, water and frost resistant. Seam width up to 5 mm. The shade matches the shade of silicone for marble and granite.
Attention:
When used on chipboard, balconies, heated screeds and facades, add a liquid synthetic additive to the grout (FLEX-FUGE) to make it flexible and water-repellent.

COLORS: anthracite, beige, dark grey, silver grey, white.

TECHNICAL DATA:
Consumption, efficiency, depending on the size of the tile and the width of the joint
Size Seam widthConsumptionEfficiency5 kg of material
30.5 x 30.5 x 0.8 cm2 mm. 0.15 kg/m2 approx. 33 m2
30.5 x 30.5 x 1 cm2 mm. 0.25 kg/m2 approx. 20 m2
30.5 x 30.5 x 1 cm4 mmca. 0.45 kg/m2ca. 11 m2
40 x 40 x 1 cm4 mm. 0.40 kg/m2 approx. 12.5 m2
30.5 x 61 x 1 cm4 mm. 0.25 kg/m2 approx. 20 m2
Pot life of the prepared mixture in a container: 1-2 hours.
Working temperature: 5-30 °C.
Time after which you can walk on the base: in a day.
Elastic grouting: after 3 days with silicone for marble and granite.
Ingredients: standard cement, calcite fillers, pigments, quality organics and stabilizers.
Ecology: without quartz flour and fibers. Contains little chromate according to TRGS 613. GISCODE ZP1.

APPLICATION:
For grouting marble and natural stone floors, also on sensitive ceramic substrates.
For indoor and outdoor use, including underwater.
For grouting joints between floor and wall tiles on stressed substrates with the addition of a liquid synthetic additive to the grout, e.g. on chipboard, balconies,
on heated screeds, facades, showers and baths.

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION:
General: allow the tile adhesive to cure for 3 hours before grouting.
Joint structure: clean, evenly damp, uniform depth.
Seam preparation: remove any adhesive that has entered the seams.

ATTENTION:
The difference in the shades indicated on the label and the cured mortar is due to the printing technique.
Differences can arise, for example, as a result of processing, different absorbency of tiles and substrates.
In this we do not give any guarantee.
When using an anthracite-coloured grout, a trial grouting is recommended, as the pigments may transfer to the tiles.
When working on absorbent substrates, additionally moisten the solution after a day.
The use of a liquid synthetic additive to the 'FLEX-FUGE' mortar does not replace the need for waterproofing under tiles, eg shower and bath waterproofing (DUSCHABDICHTUNG).
With the right to change color shades.

PACKAGING: bag 5 kg.

SHELF LIFE: in original packing about 18 months. Store in a dry place.

When laying street tiles, the seams are filled with a special grout, which has not only a decorative value, but also protects the material from destruction. The functional significance lies in the fact that it prevents the ingress of water between the plates, which means it eliminates many damages when glaciation begins under the influence of low temperatures. Frost-resistant grout for outdoor work can be of several types on a cement, epoxy, polyurethane base. Their cost can vary significantly.

As a grout for street tiles, ordinary sand mixed with water is often used, which is compacted in several layers. However, this protection is not the most reliable. Moisture in any case will contribute to damage to tiles and tiles, therefore, for quality, it is necessary to use compositions specially designed for this. They tightly insulate the seams and withstand low temperatures, preventing the material from freezing from the inside.

What composition options can be used for laying on the street:

• Cement dry (gray and colored).
• Resin (epoxy and furan).
• Silicone (ready-made fugues, sealants).
• Latex.

In addition to the main professional tools, some craftsmen use the same sand for homework, as well as putty, cement, and a primer. Handy options may be suitable for small areas, there is a risk that something will not go according to plan and such a home remedy will not justify itself. However, with a skillful approach, they help to save a lot.

based on cement

There are two standard mixtures:

• Based on Portland cement.
• Based on sand with Portland cement.

Conventional grout is a mixture of cement with various additives that improve the properties of the material, which gives it a comfortable consistency and slows down drying. Such a mixture is usually diluted in liquid or liquid latex. It is suitable for seams up to 5 mm, which must be specified in the instructions for each product.

Sand grout is suitable when you need to cover joints larger than 5 mm. It comes in different grain sizes, and the larger the seam, the larger the particles you need to choose. The color scheme is limited - white and gray.

Such options can be used for grouting tiles with and without enamel. However, it is better not to use the sandy composition for surfaces that are easy to mechanically damage, because this will certainly spoil the appearance. The good news is that there are separate compositions for each type of tile, and you can find the perfect option.

Sand grout can be prepared independently. This is a laborious process, but anyone can try. Portland cement and auxiliary components are used for a seam up to 2 mm, from 2 mm - part of Portland cement and part of sand, 3-12 mm - sand, for cracks from 9 mm it is better to use universal sand.

The cement type is more often used in home repairs on terraces in pools, on balconies. Popular manufacturers are Litokol, Mapei, Ceresit.

Reference! When laying clinker and concrete tiles, cement mixtures are most suitable, since identical surfaces adhere better to each other, which will increase strength and prevent damage due to freezing.

Frost-resistant cement compositions withstand very low temperatures. They are suitable for residents of the Far North, where the temperature in winter drops to -50 degrees.

Based on epoxy and furan resin

Epoxy additionally contain dyes and a hardener, which makes the cracks resistant to mechanical factors and frost. Previously, they were used only for production facilities due to their high cost and the complexity of working with them. However, two-component compositions appeared, which became easier and more economical to work with, because they began to be used for many outdoor works and home interiors.

Furan-based grouts are most resistant to strong acids and other chemical irritants. In their composition, they do not contain water at all. However, they are difficult to work with. Before work, you need to apply wax to the entire tile, which is then removed with hot steam. In addition, it is available exclusively in black.

Furan grouts have the same disadvantages as epoxy grouts. They are difficult to use at home, so they are purchased for industrial work. All of them are presented in black, so you don’t have to choose. The advantages will be resistance to aggressive agents and high strength. However, they have a high price.

There are also compositions with various additives to improve quality:

• with Portland cement.
• With liquid latex.

Compositions on furan resin are more often used in industrial premises. For home tiles, it is not suitable. It is better to give preference to cement.

latex

Latex - modern compositions, characterized by a wide range of colors and high resistance to moisture. They are more expensive than cement, but also give a better result.

Silicone

Silicone-based polymer grouts are best applied when the tile is in direct contact with water. They easily adhere to different materials, are highly elastic and can cover seams up to 7 mm deep. They can process seams between mosaics, ceramic tiles, stone. But it is better not to combine them with wooden and metal surfaces.

The advantages of silicone grout for outdoor use are elasticity and resistance to moisture. One of the disadvantages is poor adhesion to individual materials.

Other options - improvised means

When for various reasons it is not possible to use a professional tool, you can use the proven methods of self-preparation of grout. Frost-resistant formulations are expensive, because their proper manufacture at home has a significant advantage.

What are the ways to prepare grout yourself:

1. Make a cement-sand mixture, which will require only sand, water and cement. It is necessary to prepare a part of brand cement from five and three parts of quartz sand.
2. Cement-based putty mixture and primer are mixed.

When preparing the first option, you first need to sift the sand so that there are no impurities and seals. It is necessary to dilute the composition carefully, making it liquid so that it is easy to apply. For large volumes of work, you should use a grater with a rubber nozzle, for small areas, a spatula with a rubber base is suitable. If a specific color is required, the appropriate pigment can be purchased at any hardware store.

For high-quality mixing of the second option, you need to choose a plastic or metal container. For kneading, you should use a construction mixer, but you can make a convenient fixture with a conventional drill. It is necessary to dilute the composition with a gradual increase in the primer, until a sour cream consistency is obtained.

The second option has a significant disadvantage - it does not withstand high temperatures and below 30 degrees. You will also need to purchase the necessary color pigment, since the primer is usually white and gray.

Application features

To work together with a two-component composition, you will need to purchase a cleanser to remove material residues, plaque and sagging. Everyone can work with silicone and cement grout without problems, but epoxy requires special skills and it is better to invite a master. Without work experience, there is a high risk of errors that will become factors in obtaining rough seams with sagging.

The applied composition is elastic and not so easy to level with a spatula. For this purpose, it is better to use a sponge. Epoxy-based grout has a rough surface, as it includes sand fractions. Particles can be large and small, which you need to pay attention to when buying.

Color solution

Color pigments can be added to the formulations on their own, however, as a result, the color may turn out to be dull and not meet the requirements. In this case, you can buy grout of the desired color from hundreds of different options. Professional compositions are colored evenly and are many times superior to materials prepared by hand.

The choice of color is usually presented as a sticker fan on shop windows. Small sticks can be taken and compared with tiles. At the same time, there are different colored grouts - cement (including with additives) and epoxy.

You can choose a grout with effects. However, this solution is only available for epoxy. They are more expensive, but they look really attractive. The simplest pearlescent color is achieved by mixing ordinary grout with a pearlescent additive. You can also get unusual gold and glow-in-the-dark solutions.

• They do not absorb moisture, they do not allow liquid to access the inner layers, which eliminates the appearance of fungus and mold.
• Resistant to aggressive environments, which means that they can be used in any industry where contact with chemicals is possible.
• Withstand different temperatures, frost-resistant, they can be safely used on the street, without fear that cracks will appear in hot or frosty weather.
• Elastic, they can be used for complex bases of various designs, including those that are subject to deformation.
• They do not fade and retain their color for a long time, which means that in a few years they will look the same as on the first day.

Disadvantages:

• Relatively high price, it is uneconomical to use them for bulky household work.
• It is difficult to work with them without special skills, therefore, with a high probability, you will have to turn to the master, which will hit your wallet even harder.
• It is impractical, requires special preservation, and if it is left in a container for a while, it will dry out and become unsuitable for further use, it will no longer be possible to dilute it after that.

• The most economical option for homework. The cost of a good composition starts on average from 700 rubles per bag of 25 kilograms.
• It is easy to work with it, everyone will be able to cope with the application and subsequent processing, you do not need to hire a professional. The good news is that even hardened grout can be re-diluted and applied without loss of quality.
• It is easily replaced, even after 15 years it can be easily removed and another composition applied.

Disadvantages:

• It can crack, which means that dirt and liquid will penetrate into the cracks, which will shorten the service life, mold can also appear.
• Even more expensive grout with additives has a disadvantage in absorbing moisture. Often such compounds are advertised as frost-resistant and moisture-resistant, but practice shows that cement grout cannot stop liquid from entering the base.
• Such a grout cannot be used under conditions of exposure to aggressive factors; under the action of caustic substances, chemicals, acids, it collapses. It is categorically not used in industries (in stores, in industrial factories and plants), when there is a high probability of contact with chemical agents.

Frost-resistant tile grout for outdoor use is suitable for certain surfaces. Color matters a lot. For example, when processing a mosaic, the shade of the composition can significantly affect the perception of the overall picture. The mixture will show through the transparent elements. Therefore, for a mosaic, a translucent composition would be the best option. Epoxy resin is suitable for this parameter.

The choice is also influenced by the features of the edges of the tiles. Seamless is laid at a small distance from each other, for aged ones a larger seam is required. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the gap width allowed for a particular type of grout. From the whole variety, you can choose compositions for seams 1-15 mm, 3-15 mm, 3-6 mm, 1-2 mm and other options.

You need to look at the surface of the tile. If it is covered with various patterns, has irregularities, roughness, then it is better to check with the manufacturer what kind of grout to use so as not to damage the decorative elements. Some compounds can certainly harm such a tile, causing it to lose its appearance.

To be sure of the reliability, quality and durability of the composition, it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer. Today, grouts from well-known companies Ceresit, Atlas, Mapei, Sopro are the most popular.

Ceresit

An advanced company that produces a wide variety of construction tools and materials. It has been operating since 1898, and during all this time it has proven itself from the best side. From the manufacturer you can buy grouts for different purposes, narrow and wide joints, with resistance to frost and moisture. The company also produces two-component products with water-repellent and antibacterial action.

Atlas

The largest company producing finishing mixtures and building materials. Started its activity in 1991. Grouts from the manufacturer are presented in different variations, including epoxy and cement with various additives. They have their own developments, which allows them to produce frost-resistant products with an antibacterial effect.

sopro

The German company has a century-old history and presents various grout options for external work. Produces epoxy and cement compositions of different shades with the addition of sparkles. Also from the company you can purchase quick-drying mixtures and special devices for easy removal of old material and fugue residues.

The use of grout for outdoor work (2 videos)

Types and application of frost-resistant grout (21 photos)

Grout and grout mixes are building materials designed to bring facing work to perfection. They perform both aesthetic and practical functions.

Varieties of grout compositions

Modern grout for joints can have a cement and epoxy base. Products of the first group are distinguished by their lower cost, which explains their wide popularity. When using these materials, you can not save - the seams should be filled in excess so that no cracks and gaps remain.

If desired, a cement-based grout mixture can be used with one's own hands, without recourse to specialists. To do this, you need to prepare a solution of the required consistency, and the work itself should be done with glasses and a respirator that will protect the body from harmful volatile compounds.

Epoxy materials are sold ready-to-use. They are highly flexible and therefore easy to apply. The compositions will be a great solution for beginners to use. Their main disadvantage is their high cost compared to cement-based counterparts.

The choice of grout for difficult operating conditions

Particular care should be taken to choose the grout for filling the joints, which will fit in the bathroom. This is a special room that is faced with sudden temperature changes, as well as high humidity. The best solution would be a grout containing epoxy resins. This material does not absorb moisture and is highly adhesive. Therefore, it can be used for tiling, which is laid on the walls and bottom of pools, for finishing facades and cladding the interiors of public spaces.

Epoxy grouts have a high curing speed, so you need to work with them quickly. It is noteworthy that the material retains its original color for decades. It is sold ready to use.

How to choose grout

There are recommendations from experts who will help you choose the best grouting agent. For example, for a floor, it is preferable to choose a material with a darker shade than that of a tile. It is better not to use light colors - over time, due to exposure to pollution, they will darken and lose their aesthetic appeal.

It is preferable to purchase grout from well-known brands. They differ not only in excellent appearance, but also in excellent operational parameters. For example, they may contain substances that prevent the formation of fungus and mold. Our catalog includes products from the following brands:

We offer quality grout for joints at an affordable price. You are invited to visit one of our offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where you can experience the widest range of products live. At the same time, delivery is carried out throughout Russia: to St. Petersburg and other cities of the country. Call! We will provide detailed information about each product and help you choose the best option for your purposes!