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Concrete & Masonryaka: non-shrink groutaka: cementitious groutaka: tile grout

Grout

In Plain English

A cement-based material used to fill gaps — between tiles, masonry joints, or under equipment base plates.

Definition

A cementitious mixture of cement, water, and sometimes sand, used to fill joints in masonry, anchor bolts, and post-installed hardware, or to create a bearing surface under base plates and equipment. Non-shrink grout is used where dimensional stability is critical, such as under structural column base plates. In tile work, grout fills the joints between tiles.

Why It Matters in Bidding

Grout shows up in multiple trade packages masonry cell fill, base-plate setting, anchor and dowel embedment, and tile so the estimator must assign each use to the right sub and product to avoid double-counting or gaps. Specifying non-shrink grout where dimensional stability matters, like under column base plates, is critical because a substitution can compromise structural bearing.

Example

On a steel-framed building, the estimator confirms the structural spec requires non-shrink grout under every column base plate and prices the bagged product, mixing labor, and dry-pack placement in the steel-erection scope.

Related Terms

Masonry UnitPortland CementRebar

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on use: masonry grout is taken off by cubic yard of cells or bond beams filled, base-plate grout by the count and footprint of plates, and tile grout by coverage rates from the manufacturer. Estimators match each application to its product type and the responsible trade to keep quantities and pricing accurate.
Non-shrink grout maintains its volume as it cures, so it is specified where a stable bearing surface is critical, such as under structural column base plates and machinery. Estimators watch for it in structural notes because it costs more than standard grout, and substituting a shrinking product can void the load-bearing connection.
It varies by application. The mason typically grouts masonry cells, the steel erector or concrete sub often handles base-plate grouting, and the tile sub carries tile grout. Estimators clarify these assignments during scope review so grout is neither dropped between trades nor priced twice across the bid packages.

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