Grout

Grout is a particularly fluid form of concrete used to fill gaps. It is used in construction to embed rebars in masonry walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete, fill voids, and seal joints such as those between tiles. Grout is generally a mixture of water, cement, sand, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill large spaces such as the cores of concrete blocks). Unlike other structural pastes such as plaster or joint compound, correctly-mixed and -applied grout forms a waterproof seal.

Although both are applied as a thick emulsion and harden over time, grout is distinguished from its close relative mortar by its viscosity; grout is thin so it flows readily into gaps, while mortar is thick enough to support not only its own weight, but also that of masonry placed on top of it.

Varieties

Grout varieties include tiling grout, flooring grout, resin grout, non-shrink grout, structural grout and thixotropic grout.

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 comes in sanded as well as unsanded varieties. The sanded variety contains finely ground silica sand; unsanded is finer and produces a non-gritty final surface. They are often enhanced with polymers and/ or latex.

Grout (disambiguation)

Grout is a construction material.

Grout may also refer to:

People

Grout (automobile)

Grout Brothers was a manufacturer of steam-powered automobiles in Orange, Massachusetts. The three brothers, Carl, Fred and C.B. were set up in business by their father William H., who had made sewing machines under the New Home name in partnership with Thomas H. White. The early cars were sold under the New Home name.

The Grout name debuted on autos in 1899.

History

In 1900, Grout offered a four-seat steam trap powered by a two-cylinder engine mounted under the seat. An enclosed body model followed in 1901. An unusual model was the 1903 Steam Tonneau, which was fitted with a cowcatcher at the front.

The 1904 Grout Touring Car was a touring car model. It could seat five passengers and sold for US$2000. The two-cylinder steam engine was mounted horizontally at the center of the car, with the boiler at the front under the typical touring car hood. This engine produced 12 hp (8.9 kW). The car weighed 2200 lb (998 kg).

In 1904, Grout introduced a range of conventional four-cylinder gasoline-engined cars, but by then the company had financial problems, and few were made. The last cars were made in 1912.