Grouting patio tiles - instructions & important information
Choosing the right joint material
There is no single solution for grouting your patio slabs. Because which grout or which Joint material The exact amount you need depends on which patio slabs you have used (natural stone, paving stone, porcelain stoneware, etc.) and what effect you want in the end.
You can also use different methods get to your destination: There is loose and fixed grouting. Roughly speaking, they can be distinguished as follows: Loose jointing also uses loose jointing material (quartz sand, jointing sand, chippings), while solid jointing uses hardening, i.e. solid, jointing materials (e.g. paving joint mortar, epoxy resin).
Which of these methods you use for your joints depends on the width of your joints and the look you ultimately want.
| Note: If you fill the joints between your tiles or patio slabs with sand or chippings, these are usually already weather-resistant by nature. However, you should make sure that the paving joint mortar is suitable for outdoor use when grouting. |
From ants to slipping - reasons for grouting patio slabs
When laying patio slabs, a lot revolves around the Optics and the new design of the terrace created by the slabs. And this also includes the joints, as these can play an important visual role.
But there are other reasons for grouting patio slabs: On the one hand, joints provide more StabilityOn the other hand, they prevent the slabs on your patio from slipping. In addition, grouting can prevent insects from making themselves at home under your flagstones. And also the Weed growth can be inhibited become.
You have questions or are you still looking for the perfect patio slabs? Then take Contact us or take a look at our products and services. Natural stones to.
Grouting patio tiles - 3 methods
When laying your patio slabs, you can use three methods to fill the joints:
- Loose groutingwith sand or grit
- Solid groutingwith drainage joint, Grout, epoxy resin. This grouting material is solid but still permeable to water.
- No joint: Some slabs can also be laid without joints. However, this is rather rare.
1. loose jointing - joints made of sand
With this method, each joint is filled with grit or sand (usually quartz sand). Sand is a convincing joint material due to its Inviting, bright lookwhile chippings (e.g. basalt chippings) make the joints darker. In both cases, the Simple filling:
Here, the sand or chippings are simply spread over the patio surface and then swept into the joint. This process is repeated until the joints are completely filled and each joint looks even.
| Important: If you have used grouting crosses as a jointing aid when laying your patio slabs, you must of course remove them beforehand. As soon as you decide on a joint material, you should not only choose the right material, but also the right grain size. Suitable here means: suitable for the joint width. |
The surface of the patio is then compacted using a vibrating plate or a rubber mallet. For natural stone slabs, you should use a rubber mallet as the slabs are more sensitive. Hit the middle of the slabs with the hammer until they have sunk 3 - 5 mm.
| Important: Always check the position of the terrace slabs with a spirit level to ensure that they remain level with each other. |
You then need to apply sand or grit to the patio once again and pour water over it. Then sweep this mixture into the joints once again.
| Important: The mixture must be wet, but not too wet, so that the water does not wash out the grouting material. |
Advantages & disadvantages of loose jointing
Loose grouting of your natural stone, porcelain stoneware or similar tiles has advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Inexpensive | Only suitable for surfaces with low loads (sand has little supporting effect). |
Easy to implement | Weeds and ants cannot be completely prevented. |
If you not only grout your tiles loosely, but also lay them loosely, you can always replace broken tiles with ease. | Sand can be partially washed out over time (by rain, cleaning with a water hose, wind). Sweeping sand into the joints must therefore be repeated from time to time. |
Beautiful look | |
Elastic: The material compensates for weather-related stresses. | |
Different grain sizes possible. | |
Loose joints are permeable to water. |
Tools required
If you opt for loose jointing after laying your patio slabs, you also have another major advantage: you don't need Only a few tools. With a bucket for the quartzite sand or chippings, a broom and a rubber mallet, you are already well equipped.
Are you looking for the perfect patio slabs and want to know which material is best to fill your slab joints with? Take a look at our products Natural stone or take Contact us to us.
2. solid grouting - grouting with mortar & co.
With this method, the Preparation somewhat more complexYou must first clean and wet the patio well so that the grout adheres to each joint but not to the patio slabs. It is also best to clean your shoes before walking on the slabs.
If residue does remain on the tiles in the end, wait and see. This will usually come off on its own over time. If not, you can also use a special cleaner.
| Important: As the tiles are located outdoors, it is best to use a viscoplastic, frost-resistant, water-permeable material to fill the intermediate joints. |
You must mix the grout (or jointing material) with a drill after cleaning the decking according to the instructions on the packaging, but there are Also ready-to-use grout. You will need a water hose and a rubber squeegee to apply these.
It is best to work diagonally to the joint so that you do not sweep the grout out of the joint again.
| Tip: Have a second person help you. This person can spray the terrace with water while the joints are being filled to keep the grout wet. |
There is no need to compact the patio surface when firmly grouting with paving joint mortar or similar, as the material is self-compacting.
The final step here is to clean the patio: Sweep away any excess grout with a soft broom. Then stretch a film over the patio to protect it from dirt and rain and leave the surface to dry. Dry for about 24 hours. The foil should not rest on the terrace.
| Important: Wait approximately 7 days after grouting before placing any weight on the surface. |
Advantages & disadvantages of solid grouting
If you grout your porcelain stoneware, natural stone or similar tiles using this method (mortar & co.), there are the following advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Fills even small gaps well | Not elastic - risk of stress damage is higher |
Easy cleaning of the terrace | Very precise work required |
Solid curing, but joint sealant remains permeable to water | Grouting the tiles is more complicated and requires more tools |
Robust joints | |
Weed growth is almost completely inhibited and prevented | |
No insect collections under the terrace tiles |
Tools required
In contrast to loose joint filling, here you need more toolsA bucket, a trowel, a rubber squeegee/wiper and possibly a drill. You will also need water to mix the paving joint mortar and to keep the patio wet.
Mortar, epoxy resin or something else? We will be happy to advise you on which grouting materials are suitable for your patio slabs. Please contact Contact us to us. We would also be happy to show you our natural stone, porcelain stoneware and other products.
3. no joint
This is a rather rare method, but we would still like to mention it briefly.
If your terrace slabs have sawn edges, they can theoretically also be laid without intermediate joints - this is also called crunch or press embarrassed.
However, you should bear in mind that your slabs can always expand - for example due to natural, weather-related temperature fluctuations. This can cause the edges of your patio slabs to chip.
Grouting patio tiles - common mistakes
You can make a few mistakes not only when laying slabs and tiles, but also when filling in the patio joints. These include:
- Wrong filling material: Inelastic mortar in particular can become a problem in the long term, as it can break out quickly, meaning you have to keep refilling your joints.
- Mortar that does not match the stone: Not every mortar is suitable for every tile or slab. Therefore, always read the manufacturer's instructions or seek advice.
- Wrong grain size: Mortar & co. not only fill patio joints, but also provide stabilization. However, if the wrong grain size is selected, this stability is not guaranteed.
- Impatience: Paving joint mortar & co. need some time to harden 100%ig. If you walk on the surface too soon or clean it intensively, this can affect the result.
- No water permeability: If water cannot drain away from your tiles, frost damage can occur in winter. And water stains will also be visible for longer. You should therefore ensure water permeability when laying the tiles and filling the intermediate joints.
Grouting patio slabs - what else you should know
If you decide to lay your tiles without intermediate joints or lay the tiles firmly and also grout them, stress-related cracks may occur. We therefore always advise you to leave enough space between the joints when laying your products. Planning movement joints.
Another point is that you should use a rubber mallet instead of a vibratory plate or similar to compact your surface in private areas - if at all. Complex vibrating can lead to cracks and is not necessary in private areas.
And last but not least, we come to the load-bearing capacity of your new decking. Areas that are subject to a lot of traffic are naturally also subject to higher loads. This includes parking lots at shopping centers, but also a driveway leading to your garage. It is therefore important to choose a paving joint mortar that is suitable for the Load capacity specified by the manufacturer to pay attention.
Paving joint mortar, quartzite sand or a different jointing material - what suits my requirements and patio slabs? We will be happy to answer these and other questions! Simply contact Contact us to us.
