Rating of the best mosaic grouts for 2022

To create a special original design in the room, mosaics are increasingly being used. Its modern assortment has grown so much that not every catalog is able to accommodate all possible variations. You can use this material both for living rooms, and for bathrooms and for bathrooms. However, in order for a mosaic panel to have a more attractive appearance after creating it, it is necessary to choose the proper grout (filler) for the joints. Recently, special fillers for seams have been very often used, which are able to give the entire assembled picture a complete look.

Features of mosaic grout

It is obtained by mixing a special powder with water and is used to seal the distances between the elements of the picture. At the same time, the entire image becomes smooth and acquires visual integrity. Among other things, with the help of this procedure, the bonding strength of individual chips-plates or large modules is increased. If the glue is only able to hold individual modules on the surface, then the grout holds them together. As a result, the application of the considered material pursues the following goals:

• Will not allow dirt and adverse weather conditions to compromise the overall integrity of the surface by reinforcing the bond while shading some colors;
• It has a practical application along with an aesthetic component - it is allowed to wash it, remove liquid, dust and dirt and other pollutants from it;
• In any form (a dry mix that needs to be diluted or a ready-made viscous substance), it is perfect for filling gaps between chips-plates.

It should be noted that the mosaic is characterized by the presence of large distances between the individual elements of the calculation, which will definitely require their filling. If these gaps are left unfilled, the whole picture will very quickly fall into disrepair. The application purpose of the placeholder would also be to:

• Organization of protection of a wall or floor base from moisture in specialized rooms (showers and bathrooms). If this is not done, then the fungus will soon begin to grow in the seams, which will be caused by the constant accumulation of dirt in these places;
• Masking irregularities, glue residues, seam chips and various layout defects;
• Additional surface decoration.

In any case, grouting will undoubtedly affect the durability of the mosaic cladding.

Requirements for fillers

The following basic requirements are imposed on the types of mixtures under consideration:

• After application, the filler should not crumble and crumble, respectively, only high-quality samples should be used, while at the same time observing the proportions recommended by the manufacturer when mixing the composition.
• The finished mixture should be in such a state that no smudges form after application to the seams. However, it is not recommended to use a solution that is too viscous, because it may be difficult to apply it to the base. However, modern grouts can retain elasticity even after hardening is completed, and they do not deform even when the chips-plates are shifted.
• The joints on the mosaic must be protected from contamination at all times to prevent the development of bacteria. Accordingly, a suitable filler must have high water repellency. This is especially true for the processing of floors and walls in bathrooms.

Before applying any placeholder, the following parameters must be considered:

• The degree of humidity in the treated room;
• Aggressiveness of the environment (presence of alkalis and acids on a permanent basis);
• Overall seam width;
• Color and average size of chips-plates.

Cement based grout

This is one of the most common filler options, characterized by simplicity and unnecessary exposure to chemical and mechanical degradation, along with poorly tolerated moisture. Nevertheless, if the seams of such a mixture dry out sufficiently, then they can be treated with a special impregnation (or polymer varnish), which neutralizes all harmful properties, providing optional protection. Such a solution is very easily kneaded on a latex basis by means of plasticizers, which will increase its hydrophobic qualities. Grout cement is supplied in powder form. Usually, cement aggregates are used at seams, whose width does not exceed 5 millimeters. The advantages of the described material include:

• Democratic cost (minimum price - 112 rubles per 2 kilograms);
• Ease of application;
• Elasticity and plasticity;
• The presence of a small amount of sand in the composition, which increases its strength.

Of the main disadvantages, it is possible to mention:

• Reduced moisture resistance;
• The porosity of the final result, which will cause dirt to accumulate;
• The presence of small grains of sand that will make it impossible to process mirror mosaics.

IMPORTANT! Professional craftsmen prefer to add an adhesion enhancing stabilizer to the composition, which immediately increases both strength and abrasion resistance.

Epoxy based grout

If we compare this type with cement, then it will obviously differ in too high a price (2000 rubles per 2 kilograms minimum).However, this minus is offset by increased quality - the seams will not fade over time, because the role of the dye in the composition is played by colored sand based on quartz, which is also a filler. The advantages of epoxy mortar include:

• Sufficient durability;
• High degree of moisture resistance;
• Immunity to sunlight;
• Resistant to dirt and water, as well as aggressive chemicals;
• Excellent wear resistance;
• No need to use separate plasticizers;
• Sufficient range of colors and shades.

It is worth noting that the epoxy solution dries too quickly, for which half an hour is enough. Accordingly, before the troweling process, a special cleaner should be prepared, through which it will be possible to remove traces of the solution in the future. Also, the masters recommend preparing such a mixture in small portions in order to have time to apply the grout before it dries in the pan. However, even a frozen similar composition can be washed off, but for this you will have to use special washing gels.

Furan grout

It is made on the basis of furan resins, which adds to its qualities high resistance to completely different external influences. A distinctive feature is the characteristic black color, which does not allow it to be used on light calculations. Also, the furan composition will require special treatment of the base surface with wax before applying the main filler. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of removing excess grout from the joints, which involves working in a very neat way. Only hot steam can be used as a leak remover.From this it is clear that this option is not a very popular filler among the general public, which indicates its preferred use exclusively by professionals.

Range of colors and shades

To give the mosaic composition a proper aesthetic appearance, if you want to simultaneously emphasize the advantages of the created layout, you need to take care of the appropriate color of the grout. For such a selection, you just need to follow a few simple tips:

• There is an unspoken rule, based on which, the grout should be a few tones darker than the main mosaic material. This is due to the fact that the seams get dirty much faster than chips-plates, and this will give the overall image a sloppy visual appearance.
• Very light colors should not be used on floors or kitchen walls.
• A colorless epoxy-based mixture can be the best solution for glass mosaics or photo panels. This type of suture filler will not contrast with the overall picture and will not distract attention.
• Before applying the mass to the seams, it is required to check its quality on a small area in order to evaluate the future result.

The modern market is able to offer many color schemes and shades of grout, two-component compositions are especially good in this regard. Also popular are monochrome, gold and dark shades. Still, do not forget that the filler for the seams is an auxiliary element of decor, and not the main one. It is intended only to emphasize the beauty of the lined drawing. If the consumer is still overcome by doubts about the color, then a transparent or white composition can become a universal solution, or the material is a tone lighter than the main elements.Moreover, in some cases, the use of a common style can become a bright and rich addition to the design.

Difficulties of choice

The choice of grout material must meet the following criteria:

• The type of premises used - in the classical sense, mosaics are often laid out in rooms with a high degree of humidity, where it is not possible to apply painting or wallpaper (saunas, swimming pools, bathrooms). However, the grout will look no less advantageous on the fireplace. Accordingly, the type of the selected material must be suitable in all respects for the object to be finished.
• Transparency - The material in question does not always have to be colored. Colorless options will be an excellent solution for mirror or marble calculations. But this alignment is more suitable for epoxy variations.
• Service life - two-component compositions in this matter are much inferior to universal ones. Within a few years, cement joints will require repair, and if you use an epoxy filler, then you can hope for decades of service.
• Manufacturer's brand - this point is important. The current market is overflowing with offers and each manufacturer is trying to announce an improved composition or a new color scheme. Before buying, it is highly recommended to read the reviews about the manufacturer, to correlate the indicators of its price and quality.
• Temperature is another important aspect. For example, in the summer it will be easier to apply epoxy material, because the procedure involves a minimum of actions due to the short polymerization process. In the cold period, it is better to use a cement type of grout.

IMPORTANT! If there is an aggressive environment or high humidity in the room, then an epoxy filler should be used to prevent the formation of fungus and mold, because. it has a long operational period and does not need frequent cosmetic refurbishment.

Design application of resin-based grout

As mentioned above, the color of the grout is of great importance for the overall mosaic picture. If you choose it incorrectly, then the interior will easily fade and look tasteless. Even the most expensive and stylish mosaic will very easily lose its attractiveness due to the inharmonious use of grouting material.

On the other hand, a properly selected shade allows you to immediately solve several issues. Firstly, by means of a filler with a suitable color, it is possible to successfully mask some defects and shortcomings that can be made during cladding. Secondly, it will also help to harmoniously emphasize the overall beauty of the interior.

However, if you do not comply with the parameters of the ratio of the brightness of chips-plates and seams, then you can get a nondescript and highly contrasting ornament. If you choose photo collages or mosaic panels that are fashionable today as an option for decorating a bathroom, then it is best to purchase a transparent grout for the joints. It can sometimes be very difficult to select perfectly matching shades. Be sure to check the grout before you start using it. And if it is difficult to choose a color with all the variety of shades for tiles and mosaics, choosing white will be a compromise, because. it is considered universal.

Rating of the best mosaic grouts for 2022

Budget segment

3rd place: "Art And Play epoxy chameleon 1 kg"

The material is intended for filling joints in wet areas: kitchen, hallway, bathroom and shower room. It is uncontested for use in a bath, hammam and pool bowl. Suitable for securely fixing the modular connection on the terrace or outdoor area. Works with seams with a width of 0.5 to 10 mm. It is possible to apply it on the floor covering equipped with the "warm floor" system. Can be used as a mosaic and tile adhesive. The package is two-component: component A + component B. The recommended cost for retail chains is 1424 rubles.

• Two-component composition;
• Processing of various seam gaps;
• Ability to work on flooring with "warm floor".

• Not detected.

2nd place: "LITOKOL EPOXYELITE E.11 Hazelnut 1 kg"

This is a two part acid resistant epoxy grout. Component A consists of a mixture of epoxy resins, silicon fillers and additives. Component B is a hardener. After mixing components A and B, a mixture is obtained that can be used as an adhesive for mosaic grouting of tile joints.
EpoxyElite complies with RG class, R2T.EPOXYELITE can be used for: indoor and outdoor works, vertical and horizontal surfaces, wet rooms, surfaces and joints with high requirements for chemical resistance to alkalis, acids and other aggressive substances. It can be used for food industry enterprises, terraces, balconies, plinths and facades of buildings, floors with water and electric heating. The recommended cost for retail chains is 1470 rubles.

• Compliance with European standards;
• Resistance to aggressive substances;
• Wide scope.

• Not detected.

1st place: "EPOXY DIAMOND FOR GLASS MOSAIC AND CERAMIC TILE"

This option is perfect for glass mosaics, ceramic tiles and stone, has a special base for tinting. Allows you to tint the desired color that is not in the main palette. High-quality joint filler is widely used both in domestic and mass finishing works. It perfectly fights against the appearance of fungus, mold and other alkaline manifestations on the seams. It is evenly applied to the seam, does not fall out and does not lose color during operation. The permissible joint width on a horizontal surface can be from 1 mm to 15 mm, on a vertical surface - from 1 mm to 6 mm. Use with a decorative metallized additive is allowed. Scope: for internal and external works (pools, car washes, shops of the food industry, shops of chemical production). The recommended cost for retail chains is 1687 rubles.

• Excellent value for money and quality;
• Possibility of own tinting;
• Large boundaries of allowable joint fillings.

• Not detected.

Middle price segment

3rd place: “KIPSI epoxy, two-component. Moisture resistant, acid-alkali resistant. 1 kg"

This sample is focused on carrying out internal and external works on vertical and horizontal surfaces, with a positive and negative angle of inclination.Perfect for walls and floors in a humid environment: kitchens, bathrooms, showers, baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks, saunas, hammams, fountains. In a chemical environment, it will show high resistance to alkalis, acids and other aggressive substances, it can be used in various industries, laboratories, freezers, car services, car washes, in containers and reservoirs. In the outdoor environment - it is possible to work on terraces, balconies, exploited roofs, entrance groups of buildings, basement floors. At objects with a high mechanical load: at airports, at railway stations, at metro stations, in commercial and shopping centers, in the kitchens of public catering establishments (restaurants, canteens, cafes). Suitable for the implementation of various design solutions - the manufacture of mosaic panels, decor and interior elements, kitchen worktops, lined with mosaics or tiles. The recommended cost for retail chains is 1782 rubles.

• Wide scope of application;
• Resistance to aggressive environments;
• Ability to work on sloped surfaces.

• Not detected.

2nd place: "Mapei "Ultracolor Plus" No. 61/2kg (Pomegranate), 2 kg"

It is a quick-setting, fast-drying, high-quality, non-efflorescence, modified polymer-modified grout for grouting joints with a width of 2 to 20 mm. Features a water-repellent Drop Effect and BioBlock anti-fungal barrier. Application area:
filling joints inside and outside the premises in floor and wall cladding with ceramic tiles of any type (single and double firing, clinker, porcelain stoneware, etc.), clay tiles, polished stone (natural stone, marble, granite, agglomerates, etc.), glass and marble mosaic.
Guarantees absolute color uniformity, does not form efflorescence on the surface, dries quickly and provides fast laying on floors and walls.
Special hydrophobic additives give the grout a water-repellent effect (Drop Effect), making the grout less prone to dirt and more durable. Ideal for grouting facades, balconies, terraces, swimming pools, bathrooms and kitchens. Specially designed for grouting floors in supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, airports and other public areas. The recommended cost for retail chains is 2262 rubles.

• Sufficient weight;
• Fast drying;
• Innovative technologies included.

• Not detected.

1st place: "LITOKOL STARLIKE DEFENDER EVO S.115 Grigio Seta S.115 Grigio Seta 1 kg"

It is the world's only antibacterial two-component epoxy that kills 99.9% of bacteria. It is acid-resistant, alkali-resistant composition suitable for processing tile joints with a width of 1 to 15 mm and used as an adhesive for all types of cladding and mosaics in rooms with high hygienic and sanitary requirements.The main properties are: the ability to destroy up to 99.9% of the main bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, etc.), persistent uniform color on all types of tiles, complete absence of cracks after curing, increased resistance to mechanical stress, increased resistance to abrasion. The recommended cost for retail chains is 2800 rubles.

• High-quality antibacterial action;
• Uniform and lasting color;
• Complete absence of cracks after solidification.

• A bit overpriced for such a small quantity.

Premium class

3rd place: "Kerakoll Fugalite Eco No. 6 08 BAHAMA BEIGE 3 kg"

This certified ceramized joint filler and adhesive, has high fluidity, is easy to wash off, has bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, is waterproof and non-staining, with increased chemical-mechanical strength, for joints from 0.5 to 10 mm, guarantees a continuous ceramic coating. The material is a liquid ceramic material for uniform and continuous seaming on all ceramic and glass claddings. Available in 3 color collections, 27 colors in total, creating space for creativity and the most original approach, creating an undeniable beauty of the premises. The recommended cost for retail chains is 9300 rubles.

• New extra-fine texture;
• Ideal mixture for gluing and stitching glass mosaics;
• Sufficiently large container.

• Too high price.

2nd place: "LITOKOL STARLIKE-5 2.5 kg"

Quite a good option for facing mosaics in rooms with various purposes. Laying is very simple, suitable for both separate joint grouting and continuous coating. The container is large enough. The recommended cost for retail chains is 12,800 rubles.

• Easy application;
• Various ways of applying layers;
• Innovative composition.

• High price.

1st place: "Mapei epoxy Kerapoxy CQ 132 Beige 3 kg"

A two-component epoxy mortar designed for filling joints indoors and outdoors with increased technical and mechanical loads: car washes, production shops, including food production. The recommended cost for retail chains is 13,029 rubles.

• Possibility of processing various surfaces;
• Bulk container;
• Neutral color.

• High price.

Conclusion

Mosaic is gaining more and more popularity among the range of finishing materials. It is beautiful and practical, and designers easily bring their ideas to life. But will the mosaic look organic and aesthetically pleasing if it largely depends on the type of grout chosen? Never forget that the operating environment of the surface remains an important criterion when choosing it. The influence of steam and moisture, sunlight, chemicals, mechanical stability, joint width, degree of grout adhesion are also taken into account.