After preparing the ground, and choosing and laying your porcelain tiles, you’ll now be considering how to grout your porcelain pavers.
Essential for increasing the waterproofing of your patio, grouting improves the lifespan and appearance of your paved area.
But why do we grout tiles and how do we do it?
What size joints do I need for porcelain paving?
Joints are the lines that occur between tiles. These areas must be filled with grouting to protect the patio and extend its lifetime, and they can be filled with complimentary or contrasting grouts.
As long as you leave a minimum of 3mm for joints between porcelain pavers, the exact measurement is up to you.
This allows you to choose a design that works with your personal taste and is also cohesive with the rest of your outdoor space.
Leaving 3mm is essential, as it gives enough room for thermal expansion in the hotter months and stops contact pressure between slabs, which can result in:
- Spalling
- Shaling
- Chipping
Tile spacers can be used during grouting which speeds up the laying process and takes the guesswork out of it. These are normally plastic or wooden shapes that slot between tiles, ensuring they do not slide closer together as you proceed.
Typical joint spacing options include:
- 3mm
- 4mm
- 5mm
- 6mm
- 8mm
- 10mm
How do I grout porcelain paving?
As with most DIY, preparation is key and should result in a beautifully grouted patio or path that lasts for decades to come.
Prepare your grouting materials properly
Before you start, you should ensure your paving slabs are free of dirt and debris, your joints are dry, and you have everything you need.
Similarly, despite grouting being a messy job, the tools and buckets you use should be clean and dry. If they are contaminated by materials from previous jobs, this could prevent grout from setting properly, ruining your new patio.
Moreover, when mixing your grout, you should ensure you follow the instructions on the packet precisely, use clean water, and measure accurately. This will also mean that your grout can set properly.
Apply the grout for your porcelain paving
Before you start, make sure the joint is dry, so the grout adheres well.
- Slightly dampen the surface of the porcelain paving.
This will help you move the grout into the joint and prevent staining on the face of the tile from residual grout.
- Press the grout into the joint.
Use a rubber tile float to spread and press in the grout. These can be picked up at any hardware shop or online for less than £10 and will give a professional finish.
The grout should fill the joint, be smooth on top and look level.
- Push down excess grout, working along the line of the joint.
The short end of the rubber tile float is perfect for this part.
- Clean the face of the porcelain paving gently.
Remove excess from the face and edges of the tiles as you go but take care not to get water on the grout you just applied, as this will stop it from curing properly. A damp sponge is perfect for the job.
- Allow the grout to set and dry.
Water ingress from cleaning and rain can stop the grout from curing properly, so it is best to check on the grout after the curing time has been allotted, to make sure it has dried correctly.
The time it will take to cure will be detailed on the bag, so make sure you keep the bag until the patio is completely finished.
Contact the experts in porcelain paving
A properly installed and grouted porcelain patio can give your garden a much-needed makeover, for much less than you think.
With over 100 options of porcelain paving, Stone & Porcelain are sure to have the perfect vitrified porcelain tile for you.
Browse our full selection of porcelain paving, then choose the perfect grout to finish it off.
For more advice on porcelain paving or which grout is best for you, give our friendly local experts a call on 01744 304 545, or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.