Grout color for brown tiles. How to choose grout color for tiles? Grout for ceramic tiles. Epoxy tile grout

Grout for tiles (fugue) is a mixture designed to fill the joints between tiles. It makes the flooring or wall cladding more expressive, gives them a complete look. But the value of the grout is not limited to the aesthetic function, it prevents the penetration of moisture, debris, insects into the seams.

If the joints are grouted after the tiles have been laid, the coating will last longer and the atmosphere in the room will be healthier, since the tightness of the joints prevents the appearance of mold. But in order for the coating to please the eye, and the grout to fully fulfill its functional purpose, you need to choose it correctly.

Fugues for tiles can be divided into 2 large groups:

  • Cement, based on Portland cement
  • Synthetic, resin, furan or epoxy

Grouts on cement base contain various additives, plasticizers, sometimes dyes. A separate subcategory is grouting compounds containing sand.

Typically, cement grouts are dry mixes that are diluted with water or liquid latex before use. There are also ready-to-use formulations packaged in plastic buckets. Distinctive features cement grouts - good strength characteristics, plasticity, ease of use, a satisfactory level of moisture resistance.

Epoxy grouts may contain latex, portland cement and other additives, including coloring pigments, as a filler is used quartz sand. These are two-component mixtures, immediately before use, the resin with additives is mixed with a hardener.

Epoxy grouts are distinguished by durability, resistance to mechanical stress and chemically active substances, and water resistance. But they are much more expensive and more difficult to use than cement, so they are not so in demand. Furan resin grouts have the best performance characteristics, but they are used exclusively in industrial facilities, and not in everyday life.

Also, silicone sealants and sealants are used to fill the joints between the tiles. Their main purpose is to seal joints between tiles and furniture, plumbing, joints between different floor coverings, for example,. It is not recommended to completely replace the grout with a sealant. it is not durable enough.

Grouts for different tiles

When choosing a grout for tile joints, it is necessary to take into account a number of characteristics of the tile itself:

  • surface texture
  • Tile edge features
  • Purpose - floor or wall

For standard tiles powdered mixtures of finely ground cement are best suited. If the tile has a porous or embossed surface (clinker, terracotta), use ready-to-eat liquid formulations undesirable, they will clog pores and irregularities.

Tip: When sealing joints between tiles with a porous or embossed texture, it is better not to dilute the mixture to a creamy consistency, but to clog the joints with a semi-dry composition and moisten with water from a spray bottle, it is easier to avoid contamination.

Enameled, gilded, and marble tiles can be damaged by abrasive sand particles, so its joints can only be jointed with cement mixtures. For glass mosaics, transparent epoxy-based compounds are preferable.

When laying tiles with perfectly even edges, very narrow seams are formed, and the more errors in the geometry of the tile, the wider they turn out. Seams up to 4 mm can be filled with cement grout, wider - cement-sand. Moreover, the wider the seam, the larger the fraction should be sand. In the description of the grout, there is usually always an indication of the width of the grout for which it can be used.

For floor and wall tiles you can use the same grout, but if the fugue is selected exclusively for floor covering, preferably compositions with improved strength characteristics. It should also be borne in mind that the floor is more susceptible to pollution, which means that the grout should be non-marking.

Selection according to the purpose of the room


Facing tiles most often used in the bathroom and in the kitchen, but it is also possible to lay it in living rooms, on the balcony. In private houses, tiles are widely used in the interior of home pools and saunas. When choosing a grout for tiles, you need to consider the features of the room:

  • Humidity level
  • Temperature regime
  • Risk of coating contact with aggressive substances

In most cases, cement-based grouts are sufficient for domestic needs; for rooms with a high level of humidity, you need to use ready-made moisture-resistant compounds or dilute the cement mixture with liquid latex. Fugues based on epoxy resin can be recommended for such objects:

  • Apron and work zone on the kitchen
  • Home swimming pool, sauna
  • Unheated rooms and outdoor areas

Tip: you can improve the water-repellent characteristics of cement grout by using a special impregnation - a water repellent or polymer varnish.

Grout color

Colored grout can both harmoniously complement the tile, shading and emphasizing its beauty, and spoil the impression, so color selection should be taken seriously.

Synthetic grouts are distinguished by a rich range of colors, among them there are compositions with sparkles. Cementitious grouts can also contain a coloring pigment, but white and gray fugues are more common. This is the most versatile, neutral solution, choosing such a grout, you can not be afraid of an unsuccessful color combination.

Just remember that white grout is suitable for wall tiles, it will get dirty very quickly on the floor, so for floor tiles you need to choose gray color. If colored grout is used, dark tones are preferable for flooring.

When choosing a colored grout, you should be guided by the following principles:

  • If you want to create the effect of a monolithic coating, the grout must match the color of the tile.
  • To unite a group of tiles in one area, a light grout is used, as close as possible to the color of the tile, to separate areas - dark
  • When using tiles different colors grout is selected to match the darkest or lightest tone. It is also acceptable to use grout of different colors in different areas.
  • The seams between plain tiles can be filled with a grout of a contrasting color or a few tones darker (lighter) than the tiles. An interesting solution - the selection of grout to match the furniture
  • When using mosaics of different colors, the seams must be filled with a grout of a neutral, discreet tone.
  • For glass mosaic panels, a transparent or glitter epoxy grout is suitable.

Important! The grout may change color after drying, so it is recommended to test it on a small area, especially if it contrasts with the color of the tile.

And one more nuance that should be considered when choosing a grout is the qualifications of the contractor. If you are planning or in the kitchen and do the grouting yourself, it is better to use cement-based compounds.

The use of epoxy grouts requires the involvement of professionals, in the process of preparing a two-component mixture, you must strictly follow the instructions, and its application is quite difficult. Ready formulations have a limited lifetime after opening the package, so that the entire amount of work must be done as quickly as possible. If you lack skills and dexterity, it is better to use a dry mix and dilute it in portions.

Outcome

Grout for tiles must be selected in such a way that it completely fills the tile joints and does not harm the surface of the tile. The moisture resistance of the grout must correspond to the level of humidity in the room, for unheated premises and exterior finishes need frost-resistant compounds. The possibility of exposure to chemicals and active substances on the seams should also be taken into account.

Colored grouts should be used with caution, the safest option is white or gray. Finally, you should not save on grouting, it is better to use cheaper tiles and high-quality fugue, but not vice versa.

Video

Principles for choosing a grout in accordance with the color of the tile

Grout (fugue) is a homogeneous mixture for filling the empty space between the tiles. House insects, dust, dirt, debris, moisture, fungi, mold will not be able to get into the joints if they are rubbed with grout. Also, the grout mixture gives completeness, aesthetics.

It is based on cement or polymers, with and without pigmentation. Grouts are matte, glossy, semi-gloss.
A high-quality fugue must meet the requirements not only for color, but also for moisture resistance, water resistance, environmental friendliness, durability, and ease of maintenance. Most grouts meet all of the above characteristics. The approach to choosing a grout is based on the humidity of the room, the temperature regime, the frequency of operation of the room, the load on the tile, color preferences and etc.
Despite the fact that the grout is not the main element of interior reproduction, it certainly has a significant impact on the overall appearance.
Carefully made and selected grout will play an important role.
Some people do not attach importance to grouting, they are dismissive of this. As a result, improperly selected grout can ruin the entire interior. Poorly worn and color-matched grout can spoil the look of even expensive tiles. A correctly selected shade will emphasize the chic interior decoration.

Classic and designer grout color options

The classic choice of grout for most people is to choose a color close to the shade of the tile. Usually it is selected by tone lighter or darker in the color palette.
Modern catalogs from the works of leading designers present a new look at the ability of grout to decorate the interior. They combine bold, bright tones of grouts in contrast to tiles. For example, white tiles are rubbed with colored fugue, black - snow-white. The unusual nature of the reproduction and the bold color scheme make you stop and take a closer look. Such a maneuver is also a kind of highlight of the interior.
It looks great in a mosaic version of the grout a few tones darker than the finishing material with silver sparkles, which is an ornament and pleases the eye.
Grouts, sealants, sealants are currently presented in a wide range of colors. The shade in the joints between the tiles is very important, since the appearance and aesthetics of the room depend on it. It gives tone, hides imperfections, emphasizes beauty.

General principles for selecting the color range of the fugue

In most cases, walls and floors are tiled. in a natural way the question arises of the quality of the fugue and its shade. The color of the fugue is chosen at the discretion of the owner himself, which depends on the layout and idea. But still there are principles that must be followed.

When choosing a grout, the following nuances should be considered:

  • The color of the grout on a small sample appears lighter than it would appear on a large area;
  • When going for a grout, you should take a small piece of tile to attach to the grout and choose the right color;
  • If the tile is not uniform in color (there are several shades), then you should choose the grout according to the darkest or lightest pigmentation. When choosing a light shade, the tile will merge with the grout, and with a dark option, it will contrast;
  • When choosing a dark grout, you should check in advance how it will look at the joints after drying and whether it stains the tile itself;
  • If you can not decide on the choice of color, then you can stop at universal version- white grout (for walls);
  • It is better to choose grout on the floor according to the shade of the tile. A white floor fugue will get very dirty, and if the tile is still white or beige, then you should choose a mixture of cement shade;
  • In the bathroom and similar rooms, it is worth giving preference to a moisture-resistant fugue, despite the color;
  • An unusual innovation is the color of the fugue to match the tone of plumbing, furniture or accessories;
  • In the bathroom, you should not use more than three fugue colors;
  • The choice of shade of the fugue for certain room may be unexpected, but the shade should always echo the shades of objects in the interior

A person's imagination is limitless, and it is possible that only by coming to the store with a sample, an unexpected color combination will come to mind. Also, it will not be superfluous to look at pictures of the laid tiles in catalogs or on the Internet with a similar color scheme. Someone else's proven ideas can come in handy.

The most important principle for choosing a grout color is framing the beauty of stone or ceramics.

It is possible to choose a fugue correctly according to the following parameters:

  • Dark cladding goes well with grouting in white or beige tones, which will give each tile expressiveness, and in general create a geometric pattern;
  • Mosaic tiles are suitable for contrasting grout;
  • If the wall is finished with a photo panel, then you should use a fugue to match the finishing material
  • You can safely choose a contrasting grout, provided that the finishing material is laid perfectly. Otherwise, the grout will emphasize all the flaws. This is especially noticeable if there are small chips on the edges of the tiles, or they bulge forward. Often this technique is often used in the bathroom when 2 or more tile colors are used. Contrasting colors (for example, blue and white) are overwritten with opposite colors of the fugue;
  • When laying tiles in three shades (eg, white, beige, coffee), it is better to choose an intermediate shade of grout, that is, beige. It is worth picking up the grout mixture after the wall or floor has been fully clad;
  • win-win and original version is a grout to match the hardware;
  • The joints of creamy white tiles can be rubbed with a gilded mixture;
  • In a room with red and black elements, a gray fugue will be perfectly combined;
  • For a large tile or mosaic panel, a porous or coarse-grained fugue, such as ceresite, is perfect;
  • Small-sized tiles are best rubbed with a uniform consistency of harmonious color.


Great field for experiments

The color palette of grouts is able to satisfy taste addiction any person. The field for experiments is huge. You can get an incredible number of combinations of successful color solutions. For a simple layman, the choice of grout color causes some fear due to fear of spoiling the overall look. But it is not necessary to practice grouting on the cladding. There are many programs where you can change the color of the grout and then apply the result you like in practice.

A well-chosen shade of grout (fugue) one way or another will give harmony to the interior of the room. And the wrong shade will make the room dull and poor looking.
Not everyone knows, but the shade of the fugue contributes to a visual increase or decrease in space. It also determines whether the room will look brighter or shady, regardless of the lighting. Fugue made creatively (playing on contrasts, certain effects, etc.) can be an excellent design decision in itself. In this case, you may not have to resort to an interior accent on accessories or furniture.
It does not take much effort to, for example, wipe multi-colored ceramic tiles with several shades of fugue and get a work of art as a result. Often professional designers the interior uses such a trick as an original zest.

The practical side of things

Naturally, the color of the grout can and should be selected using common sense, depending on the purpose of the room. For example, light grout on the floor in the hallway will become dirty and gray after a while. Naturally, from the practical point of view, it would be more expedient to choose dark shades even with light tiles, which will overlap with the elements of the interior of the room. For example, most public institutions, with any color of the floor covering, overwrite the seams with a gray fugue.

The following practical considerations should be taken into account:

  • It is advisable to rub the lining on the floor with a dark fugue;
  • In a bathroom with a shower, a waterproof fugue must be used;
  • In the kitchen, it is recommended to choose discreet shades. There are drops of fat on them, other dirt is not so conspicuous;
  • A two-component fugue is an excellent option for the most used rooms, which has not lost its presentable appearance for years;
  • You can never go wrong with a high quality, dense grout with water repellency that looks great in any color scheme.


A rational approach to choosing the color of the fugue

There are rationalists who interpret the choice of shade of the fugue from the laws of visual perception. Unlike advanced designers, who consider the final result to be the principle of grout tone selection, rationalists do not adhere to such a free interpretation. They recommend the color of the grout according to the laws of visual display. For example, they claim that according to the laws of visualization bright hues as if they come to the fore, and the dark ones go back, despite the fact that they can be on the same level. Therefore, they are against too dark grouts from the main tone of the tile. According to the accepted standards, the grout can be lighter or darker by only a few tones.

They consider:

  • The grout should not be brighter in color than the tile itself. Otherwise, the general appearance of the laid out tiles will not look very attractive;
  • For light-colored tiles, you should choose a grout color that is lighter than the overall tone of the tile. Otherwise, the selection of grout under the light of the tile will create the effect of a continuous canvas;
  • Pink grout goes well with red tiles. Thus, the tile with this grout color will look visually closer;
  • Ceramic tiles are best shaded a few tones darker;
  • White grout is universal and fits all cladding colors except white;
  • White tiles are best shaded with light gray grout. With snow-white grout, white tiles will look grayish and dirty;
  • Multi-color tiles require either the darkest color or the lightest;
  • In a small room, you should pick up light tiles that will expand the space;
  • In spacious rooms, on the contrary, dark fugue shades will be appropriate, which will make the room visually compact;
  • If there are several shades in the tile, then you can choose the color of the grout close to one of them;
  • When choosing a mosaic panel, where the emphasis should be left on the picture, it is better to choose neutral or colorless tones;
  • In the mosaic, grouts with a “chameleon” effect are appropriate, taking on the tone of the color scheme of the tile itself

Reading time ≈ 4 minutes

Manufacturers offer wide choose grout for tile joints. Therefore, it is always possible to find a suitable option, including by color, option. The main thing is to consider a few simple rules.

Basic rules for choosing a grout by color

Even if the tile was laid by a professional, many small defects may occur. Fortunately, hiding them is also not a problem - just cover up the connections. The difficulty lies only in what color to choose a grout for tiles. Not only the color, but also the shade of the fugue must be 100% combined with the color of the facing material.

If you refuse to use the fugue at all, then a fungus will form in the cracks, insects will settle there, dust and dirt will accumulate.

When considering grout colors for tiles, as a rule, choose from those that are as close as possible to the shade of the lining. However, do not forget about the possibility of using contrasting colors. You can create spectacular and unusual interior. Whatever decision you make, consider the following tips:

  • panel-shaped cladding in bathrooms and kitchens is usually rubbed with a tone-on-tone compound. The interior will look solid and unified;

Important! One of the most important rules On how to choose the right grout color for tiles, it is necessary to take into account that after drying, the filler will become lighter. Get a composition that is 1-2 tones richer and darker than a tile.

  • if you don't like boring and monotonous design solutions choose contrasts. Light colors tile grouts look really stylish with dark-colored tiles. However, there is also a "but" here. The cladding must have ideal condition. If it is cracked or frayed, then the contrast of materials will highlight and emphasize defects;
  • contrasting solutions can be advised to those who laid the mosaic. However, in the case of mosaics, choosing the right shade is really difficult. If the filler color palette has led you to a dead end, choose a neutral gray composition;
  • you can add originality to the interior if the colors of the filler and accessories match. In order to highlight, for example, furniture, you can use the same design move. But if the decor of the room is designed in the same color scheme, the contrast solution will not be the best choice;
  • if you have - small room and lining with light + dark tiles, you can visually enlarge the space using a light solution. If the room bigger size, and you want, on the contrary, to visually reduce the space, choose a dark joint filler.

The color scheme of the tile and the light / dark tones should match each other. If you have difficulty with how to choose a grout for a tile by color, choose a fugue of any white tone. However, keep in mind that in the case of floor cladding, such a choice would be impractical. Opt for shades of grey, blue or brown.

Purchase Features


Considering the colors of floor tile grouts is worth having a sample of the cladding with you. Going to a specialized salon, grab a piece of tile. Choose a filler in a store that offers the widest selection of options. If possible, try applying some of the mixture to the cladding and wait for it to dry. In this case, you can correctly determine the color easily and accurately.

The purchase of any building and finishing materials is profitable and convenient through the online store. But in the case of grouts for joints, this fact does not work. Why? Because it is impossible to correctly convey the shade of tiles and filler from the photo. It all depends on the color setting on your PC or smartphone. Even if an online consultant assures you otherwise, do not give in to his persuasion.

Another thing is if you purchase both tiles and grout at the same time. In this case, the manager of the online store will really be able to offer you the best combination. In all other situations, contact only the "land" point of sale.

Assortment - what options to consider?


Manufacturers offer fillers with a sand or resin base. There is also a wide range of silicone sealants on sale. Need to mention about various variations and subspecies. For example, cement mixtures may have the following compositions:

  • sand + portland cement;
  • portland.

In which sand is added, it can damage the surface. If you are going to fill the seams of glazed or enameled tiles or marble, then you need to refuse this option. By the way, at sand solutions poor colors: they are either white or with a yellowish tint.

In order to be sure of the high quality of the result, choose a material with latex and polymers. The composition of the resin filler may contain:

  • furan resins;
  • epoxy + portland cement.

However, such compositions can only be used in industrial premises. Before you buy a particular product, you should look not only at its color and shade. But also on the information on the packaging, in particular, on the purpose of the material.

A few decades ago, only cement mortar. But now manufacturers offer a lot of high-quality grouts that reliably seal the gaps between the tiles and transform the appearance. finished coating. Therefore, the choice of the color shade of the mixture became a priority. The classic grout is a dry material that is diluted to a pasty state. The grout contains polymers, white or gray cement. Some seam preparations are performed only in a monochrome palette, adding dyes at the end of the process, while others are immediately made in color.

The main functions of tile grout

When filling the seams, the material prevents destruction adhesive composition, because it protects the joints from moisture, dust, pollution. Grout also solves an aesthetic problem - it hides chips, uneven joints, coating defects. But for this, it must be perfectly matched in color. The use of a grout mixture (fugue) involves combining individual elements, creating a coherent picture, giving tiled walls and floors completeness. The use of contrast grout will be an excellent option for those who want to make the pattern more saturated, noticeable, and embossed.

Classification by composition: what is the grout material made of?

Cement-based grouts for tiles remain in demand among buyers. They may have different properties depending on additional inclusions - polymeric and modifying additives. The product is based on Portland cement or a traditional cement-sand mixture. Consumers often refuse such materials due to their low moisture resistance and limited color gamut. If you're looking to create an aesthetically pleasing space in your bathroom or kitchen, you shouldn't opt ​​for cement grout. It is sold in two basic versions - white and gray.

Epoxy resin grouts are rarely used during typical renovations of apartments and houses. They retain the pigment for a long time, practically do not fade. But when applying these compounds, difficulties arise, so professional skills and extensive experience are required to seal the seams. The third version of tile grout is made on the basis of silicone and polyurethane sealants. Experts advise using the latter, as they shrink slightly and do not turn yellow over time, perfectly preserving the color palette. And silicone grout is in contact with moisture and is not suitable for use in bathrooms.

Basic selection principles: creating visual effects

Correctly determine the appropriate color of the fugue for ceramic tiles a number of rules from professionals in the repair and decoration of premises will help. There are three original types of imitations that will help you quickly determine the color shade. These include:

  • creation of a single surface - for implementation, the grout must be identical in color to the main coating, which will visually expand the dimensions of the room;
  • personification of individual tiled elements - bright tiles with contrasting, original fugue shades are used;
  • tone-on-tone matching to form a coherent composition is a relevant option for real decorators who want to highlight the geometric composition of the finished surface.

In the last simulation, you need to purchase a grout that will match one of the ceramic tile elements in color. This is a successful method of creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere in the bathroom or kitchen.

Classic and unusual color combinations: interesting examples

Bright turquoise tiles with contrasting snow-white grout will help to decorate the bathroom in a positive way. Adherents of a strict style will like the extravagant combination of a similar fugue with a glossy black finishing material. Discreet and cold interior any room will be appreciated by real perfectionists.

When using ceramic blue or purple tiles with a pattern, make the fugue color as close as possible to the main finishing material to simulate a single space. A coated saturated turquoise color it will be interesting to look at a grout of a similar shade, but a couple of tones lighter.

If you're using red, blue, and white or other tile options on a wall or floor to highlight individual segments, choose similar grout colors. You can use only white composition, which is optimal for ceramics of any shade. But this is not an option for fans of classic interior concepts. For them, the construction market offers an alternative - a colorless grout based on epoxy resin with the addition of a vitreous mass. The unique fugue has a high light-absorbing ability, adapts to any palette. Universal transparent grout is characterized by wear resistance, is not subjected to chemical and mechanical stress, eliminates the likelihood of mold and mildew. It is indispensable in the formation of unique tiled panels.

There are several relevant tips that will help you quickly determine the shade of the fugue palette during the repair process and get a decent result. Adhere to the following rules:

  • you can create a harmonious whole from the kitchen, bathroom, another room using dark tiles and a similar grout;
  • a small area is easy to expand at a visual level, if you pick up white, pastel, milky, light lilac, flesh-colored variations;
  • light tiles can be used with dark grout if you want to highlight individual segments and take drastic measures when decorating the interior;
  • if tiles or ceramics with a pattern combining several shades are used in the finishing process, the color of the fugue should correspond to the lightest of them;
  • to mask or emphasize the boundaries between individual elements, you can use snow-white grout, but it will not work for flooring, as it will quickly lose its attractive appearance;
  • With mosaic tiles light gray or beige compounds for seams are perfectly combined;
  • when finishing small-sized rooms, you need to use no more than three shades of tile and grout materials so that the interior looks holistic and harmonious.

Modern designers assure that it is not necessary to adhere to conservatism in the design of the bathroom - it is better to add contrasting combinations and enjoy the magnificent result. Some manufacturers give their own recommendations for choosing a reveal. For example, pearl grout is added to the collection of black tiles, and beige Decoration Materials topped with chocolate fugue. The seams between the olive tiled elements are processed with graphite material, and between the gray ones - the colors of mahogany. These combinations have been experimentally tested and approved by many customers. Green, orange, coral, blue and other vibrant grout colors work well for white tiles if you are not afraid of unusual design experiments. A blue-violet fugue with fluorescent particles will look colorful if you use it to process seams between beige elements.

Experts advise when choosing grout compositions to take into account the palette of furniture elements in the bathroom, in the kitchen and in other residential premises. Towels, soap dishes and other accessories, shower curtains, stoves, tablecloths are taken into account. Too aggressive colors in a calm interior will look pretentious. A luxury design can be effectively complemented with gold or silver sequins made of bronze or aluminum. They are added to the mixture when it is diluted.

Self-tinting: how to do without the right palette?

Large supermarkets and online stores of building and finishing materials cannot always offer grout for tiles of a suitable color. An alternative would be to use additional materials- special tinting paste, classic water-soluble color or ordinary watercolor. V free access in stores you can find coloring additives for seams of the following shades:

  • fuchsia, chocolate, champagne;
  • blue, red, gray;
  • blue, lilac, beige;
  • emerald, apple, pink;
  • olive, orange, peach.

It is enough to cover the grout from above to obtain harmonious combination with color tiles. Fugue staining is recommended to be done within one day. Then it will dry, and the result will not be perfect. It must be remembered that in a couple of days the grout will become one or two shades lighter due to the evaporation of excess moisture. Therefore, a darker color scheme should be selected, which, upon completion of the finish, will give the optimal color. You can determine the amount of fugue if you take into account the dimensions of the tile, the thickness of the planned seam and the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. The hardened grout is a neat and aesthetically attractive frame for each finishing element. The final result depends on the structure of the material used, colors and other features. A frivolous attitude to choice can spoil any design decision.

Everyone who has ever dealt with tiles knows that the final stage of its processing is grouting.

Grout for joints is needed and its necessity is beyond doubt, but what it should be, how to choose the color of grout for tiles, how often it will have to be updated - all these questions do not have unambiguous answers.

To understand, let's turn to professionals and start with the most important thing - specifications, grouting functions and its main types.

Grout - a colored or colorless mixture based on polymer materials, cement, additives, which is used at the final stage of processing the tiled coating to fill the joints.

It is impossible to overestimate the value of grout for a tile.

In addition to the aesthetic load and decorative function, the grout plays a huge role in ensuring the strength of the facing coating, protecting the surface from dirt, microbes, moisture, preventing the appearance of mold and fungus and ensuring tightness.

It also hides minor flaws in the tile itself or the work of the master. However, it is not worth hoping that after grouting the curved wall will become even.

Grouting in the bathroom prevents the appearance of fungus and mold

This video will tell you what grout is, what it is for, where it is applied, how it is selected, how the grout mixture is prepared.

Types of grout mixtures

There are several types of grouts:

  • cement (for narrow joints);
  • cement-sand (for wide joints);
  • resin-based (epoxy and furan);
  • latex;
  • silicone.

Let's analyze each of them in more detail.

Cement grouts

The most popular among consumers, home craftsmen and professional builders, the type of grout is cement with and without sand.

The technology for using this type of grout is simple, the cost is low, and the scope is the widest.

Cement grouts are quite homogeneous, are easily distributed over the surface, completely filling the seams, and are used for any tile.

The addition of sand to the mixture makes it possible to use such a grout for wider joints, but limits the scope, since the delicate coating of some types of tiles can be deformed (for example, enameled lining).

Resin grouts: epoxy and furan

The application of resin grouts requires experience and some skill from the performer and therefore they are used only by professionals. They have a lot of pluses and very few minuses, except for the complexity of application and cost.

Epoxy-based grouts are durable, moisture resistant, have high performance and a wide range of colors and shades.

Most often used for facing surfaces in swimming pools, garages and saunas.

Furan resin grout without adding water has high efficiency, resistant to external influences and chemicals, but it is used mainly for large industrial facilities, since the application technology is too complicated, it requires skills, additional equipment and special treatment of tiles before and after work.

Silicone grouts

An excellent option for grouting can be silicone grout.

Its antiseptic properties and ease of use captivate consumers, and the variety of color palettes allows you to realize the most daring and original ideas.

by the most modern look grout is latex. It is super resistant to moisture and has the widest palette of colors. It can be used for underfloor heating, and for balconies and loggias, as it is not afraid of either high or low temperatures.

The cost of such a grout will be higher than that of a conventional cement grout, but to save money, you can use a latex additive rather than a latex grout.

In this case, the properties of cement grout and its performance will improve significantly.

Latex grout is a worthy alternative to cement, and high performance characteristics allow you to use it in any conditions

To choose a grout color for tiles, you need to know what design techniques exist. There are two main options: play in contrast or match the grout exactly to the color of the tile, but there are many more intermediate options to choose from.

From whether you want to pay special attention to the tiling or for you furniture is more important and decorative elements in the room, the choice of grout color depends.

If the tile is not the main thing that you want to emphasize in the interior, match the grout tone-on-tone to the color of the tile or choose a colorless option.

If your goal is to play in contrast, shade the tile, beat some object in the room, take a bright contrasting grout.

A specialist should deal with the selection of contrasting grouts, since there are a lot of pitfalls here.

If you are used to trusting only your taste, use our tips:

  • In no case do not rush to buy. think it all over possible options and imagine the finished interior.
  • Take a sample of the tile you are grouting with to ensure the perfect match.
  • Remember about fashion trends but follow your own taste. Fashion passes, but style remains.
  • It is worth buying several grouts in a small volume in order to experiment what color you get after complete drying.
  • Small rooms are not intended for color experiments and are too dark colors tiles and grouts.

When choosing multiple grouts for multicolored tiles, remember that not all colors work equally well. There are win-win color combinations that will look harmonious in the interior.

But by combining several incompatible shades, you can spoil the overall impression of the design of the room, even if everything else is done flawlessly.

The combination of red tiles and white grout looks very harmonious if the tile is perfectly even.

Consult with professionals before combining several grouts of different colors. Remember that contrast grout is used only for rooms with perfect tiling.

The slightest flaws will become apparent if you use a contrasting grout color.

When choosing between light and dark grout, give preference to a lighter option. This choice will make the room visually more spacious and harmonious.

Bright colored tiles and white grout look stylish in spacious rooms

White grout will freshen up any color of tile, but is not recommended for flooring.

Black tiles should be used very carefully, in small rooms it is not appropriate at all, but white grout will give the visit lightness and airiness

Such aggressively stylish combinations of grout and tiles give the room extravagance.

White tiles and grout yellow color- a surprisingly organic and win-win combination that makes the room feel like home

Designers believe successful combinations beige and chocolate flowers, olive and graphite, pearl, pink and red with gray. The room looks very fresh with white tiles and yellow grout. In such a bathroom it is always sunny and light!

If you are a conservative person and experimenting is not in your rules, try to choose a grout as close as possible to the color of the tile.

If the grout will be used for the floor, feel free to take a darker version, about one or two tones, and if for walls - one or two tones lighter.

Professionals advise:

  • Buy grout along with tiles to find a beautiful combination.
  • Try applying some grout to the tile and let it dry - that's what the final shade of the grout will be.
  • For multi-colored tiles, choose either a universal colorless grout, or the color of the grout that prevails in the tile.
  • To a plain tile, you can choose a contrasting grout color or tone-on-tone.
  • For a bright mosaic tile, you can choose a colorless option so as not to oversaturate the tiled canvas with colors, and for a plain one - a contrasting shade to make the main tone more bright.
  • Remember - a light grout collects the tiled canvas together, and a dark grout divides it into separate fragments.
  • For small rooms, light colors are preferable, for large ones, dark ones.
  • Light gray and light beige grouts are suitable for almost any color of tile.
  • Do not use white or black grout on the floor. Both types of grout get dirty too quickly.

The choice of grout should be conscious.

Don't take what you don't like, even if you don't have time to carefully select, because the right shade of grout will improve the overall perception of the room, and the wrong color will give the interior a feeling of slovenliness and chaos.

If you doubt your taste, find a collection of tiles with ready-made grout options or ask a sales assistant for help.

In almost every hardware store there are layouts with examples of grouts that can be combined with ceramic tiles of any color

If you do not assign an aesthetic function to the grout, but use it exclusively to fill tile joints and prevent fungus and mold, take a universal colorless grout.

The basis for the manufacture of this grouting material is epoxy. Glass, which is also included in its composition, provides a light-absorbing effect of "invisibility".

Thanks to its unique technical properties, it can be adjusted to any color and type of tile and is completely invisible. The cost of such a grout is slightly higher than usual, but the performance characteristics are pleasantly surprising.

Chameleon grout, as it is also called, is easy to use, resistant to mechanical damage and chemical attack, has an antimicrobial effect and can be used even for fragile, non-standard types tiles.

It is ideally combined with mosaic tiles and a variety of tiled panels.

Colorless grout is an ideal choice for multi-colored tile sheets

Colorless grout blends wonderfully with colored and plain mosaic tiles

Let's summarize the information received by watching a thematic video, where a specialist will tell you how to choose the color of the grout. Masters do not recommend choosing a grout for a tile floor in the kitchen to match the color of the wallpaper in the hallway.

The right decision is to choose the color of the grout under the main color of the material where the grout is made.

Choose a manufacturer

Having decided on the required grout color, you should also pay attention to the manufacturer. After all, the grout mixture is primarily the protection of the room from moisture, and the tile joints from the appearance of bacteria and mold.

Almost all manufacturers promise us such protection, but should they be trusted?

Ceresit and Atlas are considered the main and most popular manufacturers of grout mixtures. Each of these trademarks has its advantages and disadvantages.

German Ceresit tile grout is used for interior and exterior work, for any tile sheets and is characterized as moisture-resistant, environmentally friendly, resistant to mechanical damage, adverse environmental influences.

They are easy to use and harden quickly during use.

Grout mixtures of the Polish company Atlas can also be used for both outdoor and internal works and have a very wide range of applications.

They are simple and easy to apply, have a plastic homogeneous structure, do not scratch the tile sheet during operation, are resistant to mechanical damage and can be used for joints up to 0.6 cm.

If your tile joints are larger than 0.6 cm, take Kesto cement-based Finnish grouts. For reliable protection facing coating from moisture, Italian grouts from the Mapei company with polymers are ideal.

In this video, experts will show you how to use Mapei Kerapoxy grout.

So, you have chosen a manufacturer, what else to look for when buying a grout?

  • for color;
  • for the expiration date;
  • on consumer reviews;
  • on the complexity of use;
  • resistance to moisture, mechanical stress;
  • on the cost.

Grout update

No matter how sad it may sound, but from time to time the grout will have to be updated. From moisture, vapours, dust and frequent washing the color of the grout mixture fades, is washed out and needs to be renewed.

You can change the grout yourself or by inviting a good specialist who will do everything professionally.

The renovation begins with cleaning the seams and removing the old grout. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the tiled canvas.

White grout can be updated with a special pencil, just clean the seam and run it several times.

Updating white grout with a pencil can be done independently

Updating colored grout is a more time-consuming process, especially if you made the grout yourself, and did not buy it ready-made in the store.

It is good that today there are ready-made colored joint paints for colored grout, and if you do not find exactly the same grout as you used, you can pick up a very similar one.

Moreover, after the qualitative removal of the old grout, its color will not be visible. Experts categorically do not advise applying a new grout to the old one, since the seam will turn out to be sloppy, and the color will be heterogeneous.

To choose the right grout for tiles, you need to take into account several factors: who will perform the work on applying it, in what room, on what type of tile, what width and depth of joints.

For narrow joints and tiles in classic shades perfect option- cement grouts, for wider joints and creative ideas, latex or silicone grout would be preferable.

If you take into account all the selection criteria, the result will exceed all your expectations. And remember that operating conditions are more important than the cost of the material.

It would seem that it could be easier than choosing a grout for a tile, but no - there are a lot of pitfalls here, but, knowing all the subtleties, do right choice will be easy! We hope that our article will be useful to you!