Choose the Right Grout Color
Grout color has a large impact on the aesthetic value of a tile or stone installation. Before grouting, it's essential to consider how the finished project will look. Without giving proper consideration to grout color, the tile installation will not have the appearance that you might desire.
Contents
Steps
- Decide what color tiles you are going to use. There are a wide range of tile materials and designs to choose from, each with its own characteristics and appearance. Do you want tiles with a solid color or printed patterns? Are they manufactured porcelain or ceramic, or are they natural stone? Are you using mosaic sheets with differently-colored tiles? Understanding the color composition of the tile that you choose will help you find the most complimentary grout.
- Decide If you want the grout to blend in with or stand out from the tiles. Each design option offers different advantages to the space and installation. However, if you have other surfaces in the room, consider their color and layout as well.
- If you want the grout to blend in with the tile so the tile pattern is less visible, choose a grout color that is close to the color of the tile. When grout and tile colors are similar, the installation has a more uniform, monolithic look. Grout joints are less visible from a distance, as are the edges of the tiles. Blending will only work if all of the tiles have a similar color. A blended look will require more maintenance, especially with lighter colors, to ensure that the installation maintains its uniform look.
- If you want the grout to stand out from the tile so the tile pattern is more visible, think of colors that contrast your tiles. Color discrepancies between tile and grout create a striking, patterned look. Grout joints and tile edges are more visible, and the tile layout pattern is more apparent. The greater the difference in grout and tile colors, the more noticeable the pattern will be. In many commercial kitchens, a darker grout is used to accent the tiles and reduce the appearance of stains.
- Install the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Tips
- When contrasting colors, make sure to pick colors that complement each other.
- Make sure that you can find a caulk that matches the color of your grout for use on movement joints and changes of plane. It's easier to match colors when selecting both products from the same manufacturer.
- Choose a grout with high color consistency, and mix according to the manufacturer's instructions. Improper mixing can lead to uneven color pigment distribution, which causes splotchy and inconsistently-colored grout lines.
- The closer the colors of grout and tile, the more uniform and monolithic the installation will look. If you want to highlight the tiles, pick a shade of grout that is different from the tile.
- Look for color cards from grout manufacturers - they're similar to paint swatches and will let you see (approximately) how the grout and tile colors compare and contrast against each other.
Warnings
- Grout typically takes several days to cure and set, so if you're concerned about the color right after the installation, give it time to obtain its final color.
- Sealers and admixes can change the color of the grout.
- Dirt can appear more easily on lighter-colored grouts. Make sure to clean the tile and grout to maintain the look of your installation.
- The color of the grout prior to installation, whether in powder or mixed form, is not the same as the color of the grout after it is installed and cured. There can be slight variances based on mixing methods and drying conditions.
