A tile or natural stone installation is a beautiful addition to any household. When a tile installation is exposed to dirt, dust, and water, the grout between each tile may eventually start to wear down and become stained. If you have noticed that your grout is no longer in pristine condition, it may be time to schedule grout repair and grout cleaning. Before your stone restoration company starts your procedure, a technician will determine whether your tiles are held in place with mortar or grout. While grout restoration is a relatively simple process, mortar cleaning and repair may be more complicated. To help you determine what type of services are required for your home, here is a look at the differences between mortar and grout.
Water Mixtures
One of the primary differences between mortar and grout is the amount of water that is used to mix each substance. While both types of materials are composed of a base of Portland cement, grout is usually mixed with much more water. The higher concentration of water in a grout mixture allows this material to be easily poured and spread between tiles.
Common Uses
Mortar and grout also differ in their common uses. Grout is used to finish and secure a tile project, such as a tile floor or shower installation. Mortar, by contrast, is a very thick and durable material that can be used to secure bricks together. When you are determining whether you have tile or grout in your home, you may want to look at how the material has been used.
Typical Colors
A final difference between mortar and grout is the typical colors that are available for each type of product. When a technician uses mortar to lay bricks, he will have a few shades of sandy white available. Grout, however, is available in an array of colors that can be used to match a specific tile or interior design scheme. When you are planning on regrouting your tile, you will want to pick out a type of grout that pairs perfectly with your tile colors.