How to choose a grout for a tile: we compare cement and epoxy options. How to choose a grout color for a tile How to choose a grout for a tile in a bathroom

Carrying out repairs in the apartment, each owner hopes that in this form the dwelling will stand idle for a very long time and that it will not be necessary to repeat all the work done in a short time. In order for these hopes to be realized, it is necessary to approach the issue of repair responsibly, carefully selecting building materials. At the same time, not only the quality of the materials plays a significant role, but also the right colors.

Nowadays, few repairs do without laying tiles. Many people relate to the choice of grout color superficially - they just buy the first one they get. Therefore, it often happens that expensive tiles completely lose their attractiveness from a combination with a grout that is poorly selected in color. So when creating an individual design, it is very important to pay due attention to this material.

Tile grout color selection

A classic option is the selection of colors, which are 1-2 tones different from the color of the tile. Such a jointing will provide maximum harmony. In order for future repairs to please the eye, you need to decide on your own color preferences.

The choice on the tile and its structure can also influence the choice. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is best to take a tile or part of it with you to the store and apply it to all grout samples.

Tip. Apply to all colors, not just similar shades. Quite unexpectedly, you may find an interesting combination.

Not so long ago, the contrasting color of the grout became popular. This method allows you to shade and emphasize the color and structure of the tile. The most common combinations are:

• black - pearl;
• beige - cocoa;
• olive - graphite;
• gray is mahogany.

The contrasting combination looks bold and effective, but there is a rather thin line in the selection, stepping over which you can get ridiculous and disharmonious combinations.

Standard grout colors

There are several nuances that should be remembered when choosing a grout. White color is suitable for any color of the tile if it is a wall tile. It is always appropriate for light tones, and with dark tones it will create a good contrast. However, for the grouting of floor tiles, a white fugue does not fit in any way, because after a while the color will turn into dirty gray. But the gray color of the grout is suitable for the floor, regardless of what shade of the tile you plan to put there.

Types of grouting by composition

But choosing the right color is not always enough. It is necessary to pay attention to the composition and properties of the grout, because in different rooms there are different conditions. At the moment, there are three main types of fugue:

• on a cement basis;
• using epoxy resins;
• silicone grout.

The most common at the moment are cement grouts. They have slight differences in composition, and depending on this they are used for tiles of various colors and qualities. These grouts have a small color scheme and also do not tolerate water well.

Cement grout for tiles

For different widths of joints it is necessary to apply a different grout. So, a cement joint for wide joints in its composition contains sand, which does not allow cement to crack after drying, and retains its shape.

You can buy such a puffer already in finished form in buckets or in the form of a dry powder.

Fugue from plastic buckets can be used immediately, however, despite the ease of use, this also has its drawbacks: the mass dries quickly enough, so you need to use it all at once.

Powder grout must first be mixed with water or latex. The advantage of such a fugue is that you independently determine the volume you need, and you do not have to worry that the contents will dry out.

TO merits   such grout can be attributed to:

• low price;
• ease of use;
• universality;
• strength.

disadvantages:

• collapses under the influence of household chemicals;
• unstable to pollution.

Epoxy based grout

Epoxy grouts contain hardener in their composition. This allows her to maintain color for a long time and not be washed out by water. However, to apply such a grout, experience is required, therefore, with ordinary apartment repairs with their own hands they are not used so often.

Epoxy grout can be used in baths, pools, as well as in those places where tiles are often exposed to household chemicals: kitchen walls, countertops, laboratory rooms.

Such a fugue is sold in the form of two separately contained components:

• quartz sand filled epoxy;
• hardener.

To work, you need to mix two components. At the exit, we get a viscous mixture, which is difficult to work with even for experienced craftsmen. However, the result will not disappoint you - a grout of epoxy resins can maintain its appearance for several decades. It will not change color, nor brightness, nor structure.

Advantages   such a fugue:

• resistance to chemicals;
• frost resistance;
• water resistance;
• invariability of a decorative look;
• durability;
• strength;
• resistance to fungi and mold.

disadvantages:

• labor input;
• high price.

Silicone grout

Silicone sealants have a huge color variety and you can choose such a grout for any type of tile, regardless of color and texture. In addition, this type of grout has an antifungal composition and increased resistance to water, which makes it possible to widely use it in rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen, toilet, bathroom.

If there is no color needed

Sometimes it happens that the store does not have the required color, or you just don’t like the colors that exist in the standard offers of manufacturers. In this case, you can create a suitable shade yourself. This can be done in two ways: mixing a white grout with a grout of a different color until the desired shade is obtained, or use a color scheme.

Colors are sold in any building materials store. You can experiment with shades by adding different colors to the white grout until you achieve the desired result. The saturation of the color depends on the amount of color, and the shades only on your imagination.

Primers and additives

Various primers and additives will be of great help. There are additives that make grout of the usual moisture-resistant or frost-resistant, or give it anti-deformation and antifungal properties. In general, it adds the characteristics that you need.

If for some reason it is not possible to purchase a fugue with the desired properties, you can get them using special additives. For example, you need a putty for tiles suitable for underfloor heating, but you don’t have the right color with these properties. It is in such situations that building chemistry is useful.

Tip. It is worth remembering that when using a dry mixture, after you fill it with water, it may seem to you that the color does not match the one you selected. Do not worry, after the grout dries - the desired color will return.

Experienced designers advise not to overdo it with the number of colors and adhere to the principle of "three-color". You can choose a grout to match the tone of the tile or the pattern applied to it, as well as the tone of the plumbing or furniture elements. But you should not use more than three colors in one room.

The choice of color depends entirely on your capabilities and preferences. We hope this article helped you figure out how to choose the right color and what to look for when choosing a putty for a tile.

DIY grouting: video

Grouting between tiles: photo

Authentic elegance and beauty - as always hidden in simplicity. Simple things are always distinguished by their unique grace, are easily combined with other objects, do not lose their relevance, regardless of the trends of capricious fashion. All of these statements are true for white tile.

Finishing with white tiles is a classic and quite strict option, but at the same time versatile and boring. White tile always remains at the peak of demand in interior design and this is explained by the fact that a white background can easily be made bright by simply decorating it with colored or neutral elements. White color is perfectly combined with a variety of color shades.

But when choosing a white tile for finishing floors or a wall surface, the question often arises - how to choose the color    ceramic tiles of such a light shade? Should it match the color of the tiles, tone-on-tone, or is it better to choose a grout with a contrasting color? Is it possible to choose a dark grout under a white tile? We will try to answer all these questions in the following sections of the article.

Tips for choosing a grout color for white ceramic tiles.

So which grout to choose for the white tile? Traditionally, tile seams are either made strictly to the tone of the material, or the composition is selected for them as contrasting to the color of the tile. This rule is true regarding ceramic tiles of any color, and not just light colors.

It should be understood that the choice of grouting composition really should be as contrasting as possible, otherwise the seams will seem dirty and untidy. That is, with white tiles, it is categorically not recommended to use grouts in beige, cream or grayish tones.

Professionals use three variations of grouting material with white tile:

Compositions identical in shade to the tile itself;

Dark gray grout mixes;

The grout is dark.

Colored grout can also be in harmony with white tiles. However, this is a rather extravagant decision, because bright seams will be striking and at the same time highlight the slightest defects and irregularities in the laying of the material.

How to choose a grout for a tile by color, if you still decide to choose this bright option? One advice can be given: in this case, the seams of the coating should repeat the shade that is already found in the decoration of the room. For example, in harmony with the color of furniture or flooring.

What grout to choose for a white tile: dark or light?

Dark grouting under a white tile is an unambiguously practical option. Seams of a dark color will not lose their attractive appearance from time to time, you will not have to waste time regularly cleaning them from dust and dirt, and accordingly, all maintenance of the lined surface will be simplified.

If practicality interests you a little, and you think much more about the general aesthetics, then when choosing a grout color for a white tile, you should be guided by the following criteria:

Seams of contrasting color will favorably emphasize the originality of the laying of the material, focus on geometry;

With vertical tile laying, dark grout will help to make the room visually higher, but at the same time narrower. If you don’t need such an effect, then choose a tone-on-tone grouting material with tiles.

When choosing the color of the grouting material for the processing of light tile seams, be sure to consider the general stylistic orientation of the interior. A tandem of dark grout and white tile looks harsh and bold and therefore more suitable for cutting-edge styles.

There is one more rule of using black grout with white tiles - other elements of black color must be present in the interior. For classics, a harmonious combination of light tile and light grout is more appropriate.

The final step in facing the surface with tiles is grouting, today we’ll talk about choosing the color of grout between ceramic tiles. In practical terms, this ensures the prevention of moisture penetration under the tile, and also creates a shock-absorbing effect. The second important aspect is the decorative function, due to which a design created in a certain style is created.

It should be remembered that this final stage can best form the composition, but it can also lead to negative results. The correct choice of fugue is a rather difficult task, and the process of proper selection must be given special attention.

Optimum grout color

There are several criteria according to which you can plan the optimal choice of grout color. These include:

1. Accounting for the type of tile;
2. Consideration of where the tile is located;
3. Expected Result.

As for the color of the grout, depending on the type of tile accessories, in this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the mosaic, which is a very popular material when facing kitchen rooms, bathtubs. In most cases, the mosaic is represented by small tiles, which have various shades that create a certain pattern or an array of abstract shapes and figures.

A clear and finished pattern is also often found and is a common option. Such a variety determines the difficulty and scrupulousness in the selection of grout. When choosing a specific color of the fugue, a number of elements will appear much brighter, others may merge with the color of the grout, and in this situation, a violation of the integrity of the picture itself is often observed. In the process of selecting contrasting color options, the appearance of the mosaic can become rude.

Grout for mosaic

For the above reasons, for mosaics, as a rule, grouts based on cyclic ethers (epoxides) are used. Their shimmer can vary from golden to silver. There are also grouts that take the color of the tiles they come into contact with.

Correct selection of the color of the grout is very important, depending on the location of the tile, its place. Considering this issue, it is advisable to refer to the following example. To do this, it is enough to imagine that the floor is laid with white tiles or light enough.

When light or white fugue, which has a cement base, is used during grouting, they will very quickly lose their attractiveness, dirt penetration and blockage will be detrimental. And in this situation, there are a number of competent decisions, each of which depends on the initial conditions.

Smoothing color stability

If the price becomes the determining factor, it is recommended to opt for a gray cement-based grout. It will not result in discoloration during the operational period.

If the priority is the color, then it is advisable to select the appropriate shades. However, with this choice, the grout should not allow dirt and water to pass through. Epoxy grouts are often the best choice. And this already runs counter to a modest budget - their cost is high.

As an auxiliary option, it is possible to single out the use of cement-based grout: with the required shade and further processing of the seams by means of special impregnation, which will ensure the repulsion of dirt and water.

As for the selection of the grout color depending on the expected effect, in this case there are no difficulties. When it is required to achieve the effect of a complete coating, the grout is selected in accordance with the tone of the tile or slightly lighter. This will ensure that the seams are invisible.

If it is necessary to highlight and underline each tile, the grout is selected a couple of shades darker than the base color, which has the coating itself.

The choice of grout contrasting in color, which differs significantly from the base color, is a very experimental option. As well as the selection of a variety of contrasting shades to divide the surface into zones.

Universal color

Universal grout is white. As a rule, it is suitable for most types of wall tiles. Therefore, before rushing to pick up different shades for grouting, try using a white grout on a limited area, you may like this solution.

Before application

If you decide to update or replace the grout, try to carefully remove the old grout from the tile joints, the better this process goes, the better the final result. And yes, do this with extreme caution so as not to damage the tile edge, otherwise the question will be about re-sticking the tiles.

So, before making the final choice in favor of a particular grout, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages, to understand exactly how you want to see the final appearance of the interior as a result of cladding. The recommendations of a designer or a specialist in tile work will help to remove any doubts.

For seams.

This is an interesting but not an easy task. Indeed, the modern palette of grout colors includes dozens and hundreds of shades. And some manufacturers even offer compositions that can be tinted on their own.

In order not to get lost in the whole variety of design solutions for the color of tiles and grouts, you can remember the three basic principles of time-tested combinations. Here they are:

• universal white,
• tone upon tone
• game in contrast.

Universal white color grout for tiles

The easiest way to choose a grout color for a tile is to dwell on white.

White goes well with all colors, highlighting and emphasizing them. Whatever bright and outlandish tiles you choose, you can be sure that the white grout will definitely suit it.

The only situation when it’s better to pick up something darker is to seal the joints between the tiles laid on the floor. White grout on the floor will not withstand heavy use and will quickly lose its original appearance.

Tip

Doubt which grout color to choose? Choose white!

Tile grout

For colored tiles, a good solution is to select a colored grout to match the color of the tile itself.

The grout of the same color as the tile creates a visually uniform surface, and at the same time allows you to hide styling defects.

You can choose a grout for tile joints a tone or two lighter or darker. For light shades of the tile, dark shades of grout are suitable. And vice versa - on a dark tile light grout looks good. For example, blue grout for blue tiles. Or beige grout for brown tiles.

When choosing a tone-on-tone grout color, compare the tile with dried grout samples. After drying, the grout noticeably brightens.

Game in contrast

A non-standard and bold design move will be the choice of grout for tiles in a contrasting color. For example, a catchy combination of red tiles and black grout.

Those who are not strangers to risky experiments can try combining two-tone tile and grout palettes. Examples of contrast are the combination of purple and yellow, green and orange, red and blue.

Tip

When choosing contrasting colors for tiles and grouts, it is better to test their compatibility in advance so that the result looks really stylish.

What grout color to choose for ...

... white tiles?   The best options are white and contrasting black grout. But colored grouts can provide an interesting combination.

... brown tiles?   In addition to white and brown, yellow and black grout may look good.

... green tiles?   Orange or black grout will create a suitable contrast with the green tiles.

... black tiles?   Black tiles are combined with white or any color grout.

... red tiles?   Black, gray or blue grout will add brightness to the red tile finish.

... yellow tiles?   It is worth experimenting with grouts of brown, purple or black.

The main colors of the tiles and grout

Grout color

Brown

Orange

Turquoise

Violet

Tile color

Brown

Orange

Turquoise

Violet

How to get the desired grout color when tinting the grout

Self-tinting grout allows you to create your own original shade.

To do this, dye is added to the dry mixture of white or gray. The intensity of the tone is controlled by the amount of dye added to the grout. To obtain a pale tint, about 3 grams of dye per 1 kg of dry mixture is enough. For a saturated bright color, you can add 30 grams of color tint to 1 kilogram of dry grout.

It happens that after finishing the facing work in an apartment or house you are unsatisfied with the result. It seems that the tile is beautiful, expensive, and perfectly matched to the interior. The styling quality is also excellent. But still there is not enough harmony, the facing looks poor and dull. The reason may be the wrong choice of grout color - fugue.

The importance of choosing the right grout

When choosing a grout to fill the joints between the tiles, we usually start from several factors. First of all, you need to consider:

• purpose of the room;
• its operational features;
• temperature and humidity;
• tile layout;
• tile load level.

But choosing the right color is just as important. Having played the ratio of shades of fugue and tile, you can visually increase or decrease the room, make it lighter or shade regardless of the level of lighting. In addition, sometimes the right shade is enough to give the room a certain style, almost without resorting to other design tricks.

Having connected imagination and having applied a little effort, you can create a real mosaic panel with the help of grouting several shades and multi-colored ceramic tiles, which will turn the room into a work of art. Some interior designers use this method as their "highlight".

The grout contrasts favorably with the tiles in the bathroom

Criterias of choice

In specialized stores and construction supermarkets you can find puffer of any color and shade. Eyes run up, and with no habit (and even more so without experience) it is difficult to choose exactly what you need. Therefore, listen to the advice of specialists and designers who have several general rules for choosing the color of grout for tile joints.

Correctly selected grout color will allow to beat the space

Which color is more practical?

What do you think will happen to the seams of tiles in a room such as a hallway if you wipe them with a white fugue? Most likely, after a couple of days they will become contaminated and turn gray. There is no need to make an elegant seam where it is sure to get dirty in a short time - in the corridors, at the front door. And it looks ugly, and constantly correcting the situation is troublesome.

In public institutions, tiles, regardless of their color, are usually wiped with a gray fugue. We recommend that you do the same if walking in shoes is assumed in your hallway and living room. Still, our streets are not perfect cleanliness, which contributes to the climate. Roughly speaking, if the grout has the color of domestic dirt, then it will always look like it was finishing work only yesterday. Grouting tones close to dark gray is ideal.

The same principle applies to the bathroom. For floors, it is undesirable to use easily soiled colors (beige, white, etc.). Seams are often contaminated in places where water flows almost constantly - in the shower, along the side of the bathroom. If you still decide to give preference to light colors, choose an expensive high-quality fugue with waterproof properties. Additional processing of seams with a special composition in problem areas will not be superfluous.

Not quite a good solution: white grout on the bathroom floor

Experts recommend using only modest, discreet tones in the kitchen. On them, fat droplets and other impurities will not look catchy. A two-component fugue based on epoxy resin will go very well - it retains a presentable appearance for a long time.

Note! Buying a high-quality dense grout with water-repellent properties, you are free to choose the color as you wish. Such a fugue is almost not subject to pollution.

Aesthetic choice

Whatever color of the grout for the tile you choose, its main purpose is to emphasize the beauty of ceramics or stone. Fugue is a frame of a finishing material, but not an independent element. Therefore, it is not recommended to choose a grill of a brighter color than the main tone of the tile, otherwise the overall effect will not be as pleasant as you expected.

Don't you like boring combinations and traditional solutions? Then try to apply original design solutions. For example, it is now fashionable to use a grout to match the accessories of the bathroom or kitchen. The contrast between the fugue and the tile is also welcome, and the combinations may not match in color even within the tint palette.

Color Gallery

   White grout against colored tiles. Contrast of white grout and dark tiles. Darker grout for floor tiles. Gray fugue for multi-color composition. Decorative grout with spangles in mosaic style. Well-chosen white grout on tiles of the same color creates a monolithic effect. surface

Video about choosing a shade of grout for joints

Our tips are general in nature, and guided by them, you can give the cladding an individual character and prevent common mistakes. Tell us in the comments about your experience in choosing a grout color. Good luck to you!