Why We Need to Use Nonshrink Grout

The Nature of Cement

• Cement is the foundation element in grout, as well as in the thinset mortar which sticks the tiles to the floor. The natural curing process for cement includes shrinkage which, when used as a finish element, will result in cracks. For example, a typical slab of concrete will shrink 1/8 inch for every 10 linear feet of slab. If this were allowed to happen in grout joints, you would see large cracks forming all over the installation.

The Elements

• Seasonal movement affects all types of materials. In the warmer months, things expand, while in the winter months when the weather is cold, things contract. Normal nonmodified grout without polymers and latex additives has no protection against this expansion and contraction, which leads to excessive cracking during the cyclic periods of the year.

Structural Stability

• Grout also provides extra strength to a tile installation, helping to bind the tiles together and keep them in place. If the grout is allowed to crack out, that structural integrity is compromised, which can lead to tile failure if proper installation methods were not followed. Nonshrink grouts help provide extra support because they are designed to withstand the elements and add lasting strength to the installation.

Aesthetics

• No one likes cracked grout joints. They not only ruin the stability of the installation, but they are also an eyesore. On top of everything else, nonshrink grouts are vital to the overall aesthetics of an installation because they keep the tile job looking new year after year, crack-free and completely stable. Nonmodified grouts tend to crack out over a period of a year or two, leading to an installation that looks broken and unprofessional.