Editing Grout (section)

==Varieties==
Grout varieties include [[Tile|tiling]], [[flooring]], [[resin]], [[non-shrink grout|nonshrinking]], structural, and [[thixotropy|thixotropic]] grouts.<ref name="Home Reference 2019">{{cite news |url=https://homereference.net/types-of-grout/ |title=Types of Grout: Picking the Right Grout for Your Project |work=Home Reference |date=2019 |accessdate=2021-03-31 }}</ref> The use of enhancing admixtures increases the quality of cement-based materials and leads to greater uniformity of hardened properties.<ref name="Research Gate 2002">{{cite news |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285756799 |title=Influence of thixotropy on stability characteristics of cement grout and concrete |work=Research Gate |date=2002 |accessdate=2021-03-31 }}</ref>
 
Tiling grout is often used to fill the spaces between tiles or mosaics and to secure tile to its base. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the [[tesserae]]. Tiling grout is also cement-based, and is produced in sanded and unsanded varieties, which affects the strength, size, and appearance of the grout.<ref name="Portland Cement Association 1998">{{cite news |url=https://www.cement.org/docs/default-source/fc_mat-app_pdfs/masonry/is275-selecting-and-specifying-mortar-and-grout-for-unit-masonry.pdf |title=Selecting and Specifying Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry |work=Portland Cement Association |date=1998 |accessdate=2021-03-31 }}</ref> The sanded variety contains finely ground silica sand; unsanded is finer and produces a smoother final surface. They are often enhanced with polymers and/or [[latex]].<ref name="FCI Mag 2002-01-23">{{cite news |url=https://www.fcimag.com/articles/84093-polymer-thinsets-and-grout |title=Polymer Thinsets and Grout |work=FCI Mag |date=2002-01-23 |accessdate=2021-03-31 }}</ref>
 
Structural grout is often used in reinforced masonry to fill voids in masonry housing reinforcing steel, securing the steel in place, and bonding it to the masonry.<ref name=beall1/> Nonshrinking grout is used beneath metal bearing plates to ensure a consistent bearing surface between the plate and its substrate, which adds stability and allows for higher load transfers.<ref name="Outpost Construction">{{cite web |url=https://www.outpostcs.com/informationcenter/resources/1107-grout-or-general-purpose-non-shrink-grout |title=Grout or General Purpose Non Shrink Grout |accessdate=2021-03-31 }}</ref>
 
[[Portland cement]] is the most common cementing agent in grout. However, the utilization of [[thermoset polymer matrix]] grouts based on [[thermosetting polymer|thermosets]] such as [[Polyurethane|urethanes]] and [[Epoxy|epoxies]] are also popular.<ref name=":0">DM Harrison, The Grouting Handbook, A Step-by-Step Guide for Foundation Design and Machinery Installation, Elsevier Press, 2013, {{ISBN|978-0-12-416585-4}}</ref>
 
Portland cement-based grouts include different varieties depending on the particle size of the ground [[Clinker (cement)|clinker]] used to make the cement, with a standard size around 15 [[micron]]s, microfine from 6&ndash;10 microns, and ultrafine below 5 microns. Finer particle sizes let the grout penetrate more deeply into a fissure. Because these grouts depend on the presence of sand for their basic strength, they are often somewhat gritty when finally cured and hardened. 
 
From the different types of grout, a suitable one has to be chosen depending on the load. For example, a load up to 7.5 tons can be expected for a garage access [two-component pavement joint mortar (traffic load)], whereas a cobbled garden path is only designed for a pedestrian load [one-component pavement joint mortar (pedestrian load)]. Furthermore, various substructures determine whether the type of grout should be permanently permeable to water or waterproof, for example, by concrete subfloor.