When you are working on a tiling project, you have an array of the best options for tile adhesives. But one may wonder, can you use grout as tile adhesive? Let us find out if the grout is a good option for you as a tile adhesive.
You can apply grout as a tile adhesive, and we recommend using Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Mini Parts A&B when you want greater strength and bonding capabilities. It works well for a variety of projects both indoor and outdoor.
Key Features Of Grout That Make It A Great Adhesive
- A greater degree of waterproofing is achieved on the tile and the surface.
- Greater strength in bonding with tiles.
- Grout applications are very easy to maintain.
- Grout also includes all the properties of a grout sealer and thus is a very efficient adhesive.
- The color and overall hygiene of the tiles can be maintained when using grout.
When Should You Use Grout As An Adhesive?
Grout is a great option as an adhesive for small fixes or projects.
Though tile glue is a better option for gluing tile to the ground surface, it’s the best option when you want to fill the gaps between tiles, glue down small pieces of tile, or if you are looking for an affordable option.
It does give you more bang for your buck compared to tile glue adhesive.
When sanded down, grout makes a great choice for residential projects, big or small, and can be an affordable option as well compared to tile glue.
Though not many builders consider traditional grout, epoxy grout has gained popularity with residential projects as a high-performance grout and it’s mostly the adhesive used for its long-lasting results and stronger bonds.
Which Projects Work Best With Grout As A Tile Adhesive?
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Fountains
- Swimming pools
- Heavy traffic areas
- Common hall rooms
- Pathways
- Hot tubs
- Patios
- Steam rooms
Top Tips To Apply Grout On Tile
Applying tile adhesive and grout may seem intimidating but these top tips will help you make tile adhesion using grout a breeze –
1. The essential first step is to choose the best and right grout for your particular project. This can make or break your project, as every mortar is different, and thus choosing the right grout is an important step.
2. You can follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the chosen grout to make the perfect consistency for an even application on the tile surface. The amount of water is crucial when mixing mortar and can largely impact your efforts.
3. You can apply pre-mixed mortar evenly on the tile surface using a ladle/spade or a wooden/plastic spatula. Make sure the grout is spread evenly between and under the tiles to make sure and fill in the gaps.
4. It may set quickly so apply it to a small section at a time. It is also advisable to prepare a small mixture first and use it all before making the next batch. This is to save some effort by mixing grout in the correct consistency needed and no product is wasted in the process.
5. While it is still setting and the mortar is still wet, it is the best time to clean up. You can use a wet/damp cloth or a small amount of water to wipe/clean off the extra unsanded grout on new tiles. Once dried the grout cannot be cleaned up that easily.
6. To obtain uniform and clean grout streaks for your tiles, use a damp sponge to clean up.
7. Once completely dried, you can apply an even coat of acrylic sealer or hardener on the tiles on sanded grout to obtain a sheen finish, protect the tiles and also make them stain resistant.
8. It is very difficult or almost impossible to clean or make crisp lines with the tile mortar once dried, so all clean-up and grout lines should be made when the mortar is still wet.
9. Use of a wall tile primer can help before applying indoor & outdoor tiles and grout.
10. You can define the grout borders during the initial wash and use a soapy solution for the final wash post an hour of the initial wash.
Pros And Cons Of Using Grout As Tile Adhesive
Pros
- An affordable option for adhesive compared to epoxy tile adhesive.
- Easy to apply and is the preferred option for tiles.
- Provides visually appealing grout lines when done correctly.
- The bond is sturdy, and durable and lasts for years to come.
- Grout mixtures are easy to mix and use, similar to epoxy tile adhesive.
- Grout mixture if mixed extra, can be reused at a later time to secure your tiles.
Cons
- This may lead to uneven surfaces, so one should be careful when applying mortar on tiles and create a uniform grid.
- Clean-up should be quick before the binder fully dries up. Clean-up post-drying is almost impossible.
- Grout being porous, it can attract dirt/stains when wet. It also attracts some kind of mold and mildew over time.
Which Grout Can You Use As Tile Adhesive?
Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Mini Parts A&B
We have tried and tested Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Mini Parts A&B extensively and highly recommend this grout as a tile adhesive. It worked well with any project big or small. We used it to adhere the kitchen or bathroom tiles to the wall as well as in high-traffic areas and found it to be extremely durable and strong.
Quick Specs
- Material: Resin
- Compatible Surfaces: Tile, Stone, Ceramic, Glass
- Form: Powder
- Size: 1.1 pounds
- High-performance epoxy grout to fill gaps and gets the tiles to stay longer
- A strong bond between the tile and great for both indoor and outdoor projects
- Stain resistant
- High durability
- Provides color uniformity when applied on any type of flooring.
Pros
- A great choice for wet area applications
- Waterproof
- A much better choice in strength and durability compared to traditional mortar.
- An ideal choice for re-grouting applications
- Provides a visually appealing look with fine grout lines
- Affordable option compared to tile glue
Cons
- May be difficult to unbind once the bond is formed
- Surfaces may need to be cooler than room temperature before applying glue.
- Clean-up must be done when the grout is still wet.
Verdict
This epoxy grout is an affordable, quick, and best option as a tile adhesive. The need for resealing is very minimal and gives long-lasting results. The grout lines can be cleaned up well with a damp sponge and the product worked well when we used it to adhere to shower floors and fill the space between tiles.
It is easy to mix and measure and can be easily mixed using a kitchen spatula or spade. It is advised to apply grout when it is colder than room temperature for better strength and durability. Grout streaks can be cleaned up and made with the initial wash, and the final wash can be done after an hour with a soapy solution, scrub the tiles in a circular motion if you need to remove any leftover mortar.
Grouts are usually compatible with numerous substrates and tile types, so just follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply grout as an adhesive for your varied tiles.
The Different Types Of Grout
Epoxy Grout
Epoxy grout is gaining popularity for its higher strength and durability capabilities and can be used for filling gaps. It boasts greater water absorption and chemical resistance. It does not stain wall or floor very easily and when cleaned and maintained, they also do not lose their color.
It is quickly becoming the new standard in binders best used as an adhesive. It comes in a two-part composition that creates an epoxy resin grout out of the chemical reaction between the two components. The high-performance epoxy mortar provides better color consistency post-application and resistance to any effervescence found on tiles.
Single Component Grout
As the name suggests this grout is mainly made up of a single component and there is no chemical reaction between the substances. It is a urethane/silicone binder made out of resin. The many benefits of water-based acrylic glue are similar to epoxy grout and provide color consistency and act as a preventative measure, chemical, and stain resistant.
High-Performance Cement Grout
The traditional cement grout has now got upgraded and is now used extensively in bigger residential or commercial projects. It is added with polymers that are activated when mixed with water thus increasing their tensile strength multifold.
The water allows the chemical reaction to improve the tile’s water and abrasion resistance. It is considered to provide high strength, durability, and longer life than traditional cement binders to create a uniform look.
FAQS – Can You Use Grout As Tile Adhesive
Do you need to use a sealant when using grout as an adhesive on tile?
It is not mandatory to use a sealant every time, as some preferred grout like epoxy grout does have the properties of a grout sealer. Epoxy resin binders are also completely waterproof. A type of tile sealer is only needed when working with stone tiles.
Can grout be used in water-prone areas like bathrooms or swimming pools?
Absolutely, sanded grout is waterproof once set it is simple to use for any water-prone areas or common type of tile, like bathrooms or swimming pools. They also help prevent mold and mildew formations. The floor tiles or thin grout lines are easy to clean up and maintain. It is also a polymer mix thus making it waterproof and a good choice to attach tiles to the surface.
Is grout stain-resistant?
Grout is usually stain resistant and an adhesive that comes in a myriad of colors. Darker color binders are less prone to staining, but in general, grout is stain resistant which makes it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor environments. Any buildup can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth or a surface cleaner.
What is the purpose of using grout as a tile adhesive?
Grout can be used as a sticky adhesive in various applications and projects. It can also be used as a binder sealant to attach tiles together or to ground in addition to the right tile glue to match it to your tiles. This mortar is best for filling and can protect the tiles from wear and tear and other weather conditions.
Final Verdict – Can You Use Grout As Tile Adhesive?
We found that the grout used in the first step works best as a tile adhesive and recommend using Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Mini Parts A&B for any indoor or outdoor applications.
Grout has excellent durability and strength with low maintenance. If you want long-lasting results, definitely consider grout as a tile adhesive.
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