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Ardex FG 8: A Technical Overview
Ardex FG 8 is a high-performance, flexible cement-based grout engineered for Australian tiling professionals who require a flawless finish. Specifically designed for joints from 1mm to 8mm, it is polymer-fortified to provide improved flexibility, significantly reducing the likelihood of cracking from minor substrate movement. Its formulation ensures a smooth, flush joint that is easy to clean and reduces trapped dirt, making it ideal for modern rectified-edge tiles. For lasting results in wet areas, Ardex FG 8 contains Ardex Grout Shield, an integrated mould inhibitor and water repellent that improves hygiene and maintains appearance.
>20 MPa
Compressive strength after 28 days, ensuring a hard-wearing, durable joint that resists wear and tear in high-traffic areas.
Core Features & Specifications
- Flexible Joint Width: Ideal for tight, modern joints from 1mm up to 8mm, providing versatility for a wide range of tile types.
- Polymer Fortified: Enhanced flexibility accommodates minor structural movement, making it a reliable choice for timber floors and minimising the risk of hairline cracks.
- Mould & Water Resistance: Contains ARDEX Grout Shield to actively combat mould growth and repel water, ensuring a cleaner, more hygienic finish in wet areas.
- Superior Colour Integrity: Formulated to produce strong, uniform colour while reducing the potential for efflorescence, delivering a consistent, professional finish.
- Smooth, Easy-Clean Finish: The fine formula allows for a flush joint profile that reduces dirt build-up and is exceptionally easy to clean off during application.
- Low VOC Formula: With extremely low VOC content (1g/L), it meets Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Green Star requirements.
The Ardex FG 8 Advantage for Tilers
- Reliability: The polymer-modified, crack-resistant formula means you do the job once and do it right, preventing frustrating and costly callbacks.
- Professional Performance: Deliver the sharp, premium finish your clients expect, especially with rectified tiles, thanks to its smooth consistency and stable colour.
- Innovation: Integrated Ardex Grout Shield technology provides a modern solution for hygiene and longevity, giving you a competitive edge for bathroom and kitchen projects.
Proactive Troubleshooting for Tilers
Scenario: Hairline Cracks Appearing in Grout Joints
Potential Outcome: Unsightly cracks compromise the aesthetic and water resistance of the tiling job, leading to callbacks and the risk of future water damage, especially over substrates with minor movement like timber.
Adheseal Best Practice: Ardex FG 8 is already polymer-fortified for excellent flexibility. To guarantee performance over timber floors or other high-movement substrates, always mix it with diluted ARDEX Grout Booster (80% Booster to 20% water). This provides maximum flexibility to accommodate movement and ensures a crack-free, reliable finish.
Applications in Practice: Tiler & Waterproofer Scenarios
For Tilers (Installer): Achieving a Perfect Finish with Rectified Porcelain Tiles
The Tiler's Challenge
Rectified tiles feature sharp, precise edges that highlight every imperfection. Standard grouts can appear coarse, create pinholes, or be difficult to clean, compromising the high-end look.
The Adheseal Solution
Ardex FG 8's super-fine, smooth formula is engineered to produce a flush, dense joint that complements the clean lines of rectified tiles. Its creamy workability allows for precise application and fast, smear-free cleanup, ensuring a flawless finish that reflects true craftsmanship.
Best Practice Note
After compacting the grout, allow it to firm up slightly before the initial clean. Use a high-quality, dense sponge with minimal water to avoid pulling grout from the tight joints.
For Waterproofers (System Specifier): Ensuring a Hygienic Grout System in a Shower
The Waterproofer's Challenge
Showers and wet areas are high-humidity zones where mould and mildew thrive on grout surfaces, leading to discolouration, poor hygiene, and eventual breakdown of the grout system.
The Adheseal Solution
Specifying Ardex FG 8 provides an active defence against mould. It contains ARDEX Grout Shield, a powerful, integrated mould inhibitor and water repellent. This technology ensures the grout remains clean and hygienic, protecting the appearance and integrity of the entire tiling system for the long term.
Best Practice Note
To maximise the performance of the Grout Shield, ensure good ventilation in the wet area post-installation. This allows the grout to cure fully and enhances its long-term mould-resisting capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ardex FG 8 'flexible'?
Ardex FG 8 is polymer-fortified, which means it has special additives blended with the cement. This gives the cured grout improved adhesive strength and the ability to tolerate minor shrinking, expansion, and vibration from the substrate without cracking. This is critical for installations over timber or underfloor heating.
Can I use Ardex FG 8 for joints wider than 8mm?
No, Ardex FG 8 is specifically formulated for joints from 1mm to 8mm wide. For joints wider than 8mm, you should use a wide-joint grout like Ardex WJ50, which is engineered to be stable in larger gaps without shrinking or cracking.
How does the ARDEX Grout Shield work?
ARDEX Grout Shield is an advanced additive integrated directly into the grout powder. It actively inhibits the growth of mould and mildew on the grout surface and makes the grout water-repellent. This is a huge benefit for tilers working in wet areas like bathrooms, as it ensures a more hygienic and visually appealing finish that lasts.
Do I need to seal this grout?
Due to the built-in ARDEX Grout Shield, Ardex FG 8 is already water-repellent and mould-resistant, so sealing is not always necessary for performance. However, applying a penetrating sealer after it has fully cured (usually after 7 days) can provide additional stain protection in high-use areas like kitchen splashbacks.
What's the right mix when using it over a timber floor?
For timber floors, you must use ARDEX Grout Booster to increase flexibility. The correct mixing procedure is to first dilute the Grout Booster with water at a ratio of 80% Booster to 20% water. Then, mix your Ardex FG 8 powder with this diluted liquid at a ratio of approximately 4.4L per 20kg bag.
Applications & Benefits
| Application / Use Case | Key Benefit | Primary Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Rectified & Polished Porcelain Tiling | Fine, smooth texture allows for a flush joint that complements modern tile finishes and reduces trapped dirt. | Tilers |
| Bathroom, Kitchen & Laundry Wet Areas | Contains ARDEX Grout Shield for built-in mould resistance and water repellency, improving long-term hygiene and appearance. | Tilers, Waterproofers |
| Tiling over Timber Floors (with Grout Booster) | Polymer-fortified formula provides superior flexibility to accommodate minor substrate movement and prevent cracking. | Tilers |
| General Wall & Floor Tiling | Excellent workability and easy cleanup speeds up the grouting process, while uniform colour ensures a professional result. | Tilers |
Applying Ardex FG 8: Pro Steps for a Flawless Finish
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Step 1: Joint Preparation
Before mixing, ensure all tile joints are clean, dry, and free from dust, adhesive residue, and any other contaminants. Crucially, all tile spacers must be removed. Check that the tile adhesive has set firmly.
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Step 2: Mixing
Add the Ardex FG 8 powder to clean water in a clean container. For a 20kg bag, use approximately 4.2 litres of water. Using a mechanical stirrer, mix thoroughly until a lump-free, creamy paste is formed.
Pro Tip: Mixing to a consistent, paste-like mortar is key to achieving the smooth finish and uniform colour. Avoid adding extra water once mixing is complete. -
Step 3: Application & Compaction
Using a high-quality rubber float, work the grout into the joints, applying pressure to ensure they are completely filled and compacted. Move the float diagonally across the tiles to minimise the amount of residue left on the tile face.
Timing: The mixed grout has a pot life of approximately 1 hour. Only mix an amount you can comfortably use within this timeframe. -
Step 4: Cleanup & Curing
Allow the grout to firm up in the joints. Then, use a damp, dense sponge to clean the tile surface, again moving diagonally. Use minimal water to avoid discolouration. Once the grout has hardened, any remaining haze can be polished off with a clean, dry cloth. The area can be opened to light traffic after approximately 24 hours.
Limitations & Safety
Product Limitations
Designed for joints between 1mm and 8mm wide only. Do not use for wider joints.
For applications requiring high chemical resistance (e.g., commercial kitchens, industrial areas), use a designated Ardex epoxy grout.
For swimming pools, only Ardex FG 8 White (200) mixed with diluted ARDEX Grout Booster is to be used. Full cure time is 21 days before chemical balancing.
Porous, absorbent, or textured tiles (e.g., terracotta) should be sealed before grouting to prevent potential staining. Always test on an off-cut first.
Safety & Handling Requirements
Personal Protective Equipment
This product contains cement. Always wear protective gloves, safety glasses with side shields, and a P2-rated dust mask when handling and mixing the powder to prevent skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
Ventilation Requirements
Mix and apply in a well-ventilated area to minimise inhalation of dust. Avoid working in enclosed, unventilated spaces.
Emergency First Aid
Eyes:
Rinse cautiously with running water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin:
Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water. If skin irritation or a rash occurs, get medical advice.
Inhaled:
Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Call a doctor if you feel unwell.
Swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting. Rinse mouth and seek medical advice. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (AUS).
Grouting & Tile Preparation Guide
Porcelain, Ceramic & Quarry Tiles
Surface Preparation
Ensure all joints are clean, dry, and free from loose debris, excess adhesive, and bedding mortar. All tile spacers must be removed. These tile types typically do not require special preparation, but ensure the tile face is clean before you begin.
Natural Stone, Slate & Terrazcotta
Surface Preparation
These materials can be porous and prone to staining. It is strongly recommended to seal porous tiles with an appropriate sealer *before* grouting. Always conduct a small test on a spare tile to ensure the grout does not cause discolouration and is easy to clean off the surface.
Glass Mosaics & Textured Tiles
Pre-Application Check
Before full application, perform a test patch to confirm ease of cleaning. Ensure the smooth grout can be wiped clean from textured surfaces without leaving residue. The fine consistency of Ardex FG 8 is generally well-suited for delicate glass surfaces.
Timber Floors & Swimming Pools
System Requirement
For these demanding applications, mixing with water is not sufficient. You must mix Ardex FG 8 powder with diluted ARDEX Grout Booster (80% Booster, 20% water). For pools, use Ardex FG 8 White (No. 200) only for guaranteed performance and chemical resistance.
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