Repair work on facing a room with tiles involves solving the problem of how to choose a grout for tiles by color.
With the right choice, the design of the room will take on a different appearance, highlighting the finishing materials. To correctly determine the shade, you should pay attention to several nuances.
Purpose of the grout mixture
Grout is needed in order to fill the gaps in the space between the tiles. It not only adds elegance to the finish, but also has protective functions to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading.
In order not to be mistaken in the selection, it is worth finding out what functions the mixture performs:
- Waterproof and dustproof. During the application process, the material forms an invisible film that prevents condensation and protects the tile adhesive from destruction. In addition, the grout does not allow water to be absorbed, which prevents mold and mildew from growing.
- Decorative effect. Without the mixture, the tile finish will look incomplete. It gives materials an additional shade.
- The ability to hide defects. Correctly selected shades of grout will help mask chips and small flaws made when laying tiles.
- Expressiveness of the interior. Depending on the method of using the mixture, you can highlight the finish, give it a contrast or diversify the design of the room.
- Creation of the integrity of the interior. If the shade is contrasting with it, you can combine various furniture or decor items, combining them into a single style.
The grouting mixture guarantees the durability of the decorated room design. If this material is not applied over time, tiles can move away from the walls, creating new problems in the repair.
You can do the grouting of ceramic tiles yourself - no additional skills are required. Modern mixtures are available ready-made or in the form of a powder, which is diluted with water to the required consistency.
Types of grout by composition
Modern manufacturers offer the following types of mixtures for filling the inter-tile space:
- cement;
- cement-sand;
- resin-based;
- latex;
- silicone.
Each of these varieties is suitable in a specific case. For example, cement mixes are relevant for any type of tile, they have a homogeneous composition and are applied evenly. Their counterparts, when added to the composition of sand, are intended for filling wide joints, however, the presence of an abrasive substance limits their use with glossy surfaces.
Epoxy and furan based grouts are used only by professionals; they require qualified work skills. Their plus is the brightness of the color and excellent indicators of elasticity. Among the minuses, the increased cost of the material is distinguished.
A detailed video about the existing types of grouting, their composition and selection for a specific task
Epoxy grout is good for lining swimming pools, garages, saunas due to its increased moisture resistance properties. A mixture based on furan resin should be selected subject to the finishing of industrial and production facilities. Often in this area, the colors of the standard palette are used.
The silicone mixture is considered the most optimal. It has a wide range of colors and is easy to apply to seams.
Latex grout is the most modern, indicators of its strength, moisture resistance and a wide range of shades make it the most expensive. It is well suited for finishing balconies, loggias, as it is not afraid of temperature changes.
The principle of choosing a mixture by color
Before choosing a grout for a tile, you should understand that this procedure does not have to follow the latest fashion trends. The main task in the selection is to express the interior and harmoniously combine the color of the tiles with the mixture.
Going to the hardware store, it is worth taking a tile sample with you in order to more accurately choose the color of the grout.
You should heed the advice of designers who suggest paying attention to some of the nuances when choosing:
The choice is also influenced by the structure and pattern on the tile: to shade the tile, you can use the black color of the mixture.
Grout color options
In interior decoration with tiles, there are several types of popular combinations.
They should be considered in order to choose the appropriate option:
note
Choose the color of the mixture that will harmoniously combine not only with finishing materials, but also with furniture and fixtures. Do not overload the room with dark colors - they will put pressure on the psychological state.
We select the current shade
Having studied the complete information on how to choose the right color for the grout mixture, it is worth making a few basic conclusions:
Video lesson on the combination of colors in the interior
A competent choice of material will help to visually expand the room, correctly place accents, and divide the space into zones. Over time, the grout mixture can change its color, so you will need to periodically update the compositions. To do this, remove the old filling from the seams, clean them and apply a new mass.
The final stage of surface cladding with tiles is grouting, today we will talk about choosing the color of the grout between ceramic tiles. In practical terms, this ensures that moisture does not penetrate under the tiles, as well as a shock-absorbing effect. The second important aspect is the decorative function, thanks to which a drawing is created in a certain style.
It should be remembered that this final stage can best shape the composition, but it can also lead to negative results. The correct choice of fugue is a rather difficult task, and special attention must be paid to the process of correct selection.
Optimal grout color
There are several criteria according to which you can plan the optimal choice of grout color. These include:
- Tile type accounting;
- Considering where the tile is located;
- Expected Result.
As for the color of the grout, depending on the type of tile accessory, in this case it is recommended to pay attention to the mosaic, which is a very popular material for lining kitchens and baths. In most cases, the mosaic is represented by small tiles that have different shades that create a specific pattern or an array of abstract shapes and figures.
A clean and complete pattern is also common and common. This variety determines the difficulty and scrupulousness in the selection of grout. When choosing a particular color of the fugue, a number of elements will appear much brighter, others can merge with the color of the grout, and in this situation, a violation of the integrity of the pattern itself is often observed. In the process of selecting contrasting color options, the appearance of the mosaic can become rough.
Mosaic grout
For the reasons listed above, cyclic ether (epoxy) grouts are generally used for mosaics. Their tint can range from golden to silver. There are also grouts that take on the color of the tile they are in contact with.
It is very important to correctly select the color of the grout, depending on the location of the tile, its location. In considering this issue, it is advisable to refer to the following example. To do this, it is enough to imagine that white tiles are laid on the floor or that they are light enough.
When used during the grouting of light or white joints, which has a cement base, they will very quickly lose their attractiveness, the penetration of dirt and clogging will have a detrimental effect. And in this situation, there are a number of competent decisions, each of which depends on the initial conditions.
Color stability of grout
If the price becomes the determining factor in the choice, then it is recommended to opt for a gray cement-based grout. It will not lead to discoloration during the operational period.
If the priority factor is precisely the color, then it is advisable to select suitable shades, However, with this choice, the grout should not allow dirt and water to pass through. Epoxy based grouts are often the best choice. And this already goes against the modest budget - their cost is high.
As an auxiliary option, the use of cement-based grout can be distinguished: with the required shade and further processing of the joints by means of a 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 a coherent effect is required, the grout is selected to match the tone of the tile or slightly lighter. This will ensure that the seams are invisible.
If it is necessary to highlight and emphasize each tile, the grout is selected a couple of shades darker than the base color, which the coating itself has.
The choice of a color-contrasting grout that differs significantly from the base color is a very experimental option. As well as the selection of various contrasting shades to divide the surface into zones.
Universal color
The universal grout is white. It is generally suitable for most types of wall tiles. Therefore, before you rush to select different shades for grouting, try using white grout in a limited area, you may like this solution.
Before applying
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 will be. And yes, do this with extreme caution so as not to damage the tile edge, otherwise the question of plywood tiles will arise.
So, before making the final choice in favor of this or that grout, it is necessary 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. Any doubts can be removed by the recommendations of a designer or a tiling specialist.
There are 2 criteria for choosing the color of the grout: what type and color of dirt near the place where the tiles are laid and the appearance (combination with the color of the tiles). Moreover, the first criterion is the most important because an incorrectly selected grout color becomes soiled instantly and is not washed off.
How to match tile grout by color
The main rule: white and beige grout- 2 most impractical colors. They can only be used for grouting tiles on the bathroom wall.
White and beige grout only in the bathroom and only on the wall.
The last photo shows how dirt rises along the white grout from the floor to the wall.
Algorithm for choosing the color of seams on the floor of the kitchen and hallway: grout in color 1-2 tones darker than the darkest place on the tile (when the tile is not monochromatic); or dark gray (anthracite) grout as a universal option. For tile joints on the bathroom floor exactly the same color as the darkest place on the tile, or light gray (cement) grout color.
The grout in the bathroom should be lighter because the main pollution there is white salt spots from dried water, they are not visible on light gray colors.
For walls in the bathroom, grout is either exactly in color, or 1-2 tones lighter, or gray cement color as a universal option. On the wall, the grout is rarely very dirty with anything other than dried water.
If you are too lazy to delve into, choose a cement-gray grout color - it is the most versatile.
But nevertheless, I advise you to approach carefully to the choice, tk. it's not a small thing. same way.
Grout color for white tiles
White tiles are the only time when white grout can be used. And then only for the walls and outside the kitchen. In the shower area and bathroom, the white grout still bears stress, in all other rooms it will lose its appearance very quickly. For floor tiles, even for white tiles, the use of a white fugue is strictly contraindicated in any room.
Even for completely white, monochrome tiles, it is best to use a light gray or beige grout. Visually, it does not differ much from white, but it gets dirty much less. If for some reason the task is to highlight each specific tile, then you can choose an anthracite-colored grout.
In the photo below, 2 different colors were used for grouting the tiles at the joints of the white and gray parts. It is not visible to the naked eye, but know that this is also possible.
Grout color for gray tiles
For gray tiles, the rule for choosing the color of grout changes slightly: it is better to take gray, but always 1-2 shades darker for both the floor and the walls. For gray, when the color of the grout is darker than the color of the tile, an illusion of additional volume is created. But don't use a completely black grout on gray tiles. While counterintuitive, it is generally much less practical than the gray one.
By the way, we are in:
Grout color for black tiles
Be careful when using black tiles. It is definitely not recommended to use glossy black tiles, because she always looks dirty. The slightest fingerprints, the smallest scratches are visible on it.
Select black tiles with texture only.
If black tiles are laid on a wall that is not in contact with water, then the grout should be chosen as black as possible. It looks luxurious, and is afraid only of salt stains from dried water.
If the black tiles are laid on the floor, then it is better to use a dark gray grout. Water always gets on the floor, at least during the washing process. And rarely is the floor wiped dry. As a result, the dark gray grout on the floor looks trite cleaner than the black one. And you have already noticed that this is the main criterion for choosing a grout color.
Grout color for colored tiles
If you have colored tiles, then the basic rule outlined above applies. When you cannot find a suitable color, and this often happens despite the extensive palette of grouting from different manufacturers, choose gray.
It may seem that we too often suggest a gray grout color. The fact is that this is truly the most practical and versatile color, which you are unlikely to regret choosing. All other options involve some risk.
The main thing is with colored grout - they are needed only for tiles of the same color. Never use colored grout on non-colored tiles. It will look terrible. In the photo below, there is a yellow grout on a white tile and it looks doubtful:
What color to choose mosaic grout
For mosaics, the rule for choosing the color of the grout is different: the closer the grout color is to the color of the mosaic, the better. The point is the number of seams, which is incomparably greater than that of tiles. If the color of the grout differs significantly, the result will be ripples in the eyes from too many small details.
But for mosaics, gray grout comes to the rescue. If you have a colored mosaic and you cannot find a color matching grout for it, just use a gray one, but suitable in saturation. To do this, take several samples of the gray fugue (they are available at all points of sale) and apply them to the mosaic. You will know when the brightness is the same.
For mirror and glossy mosaics, the standard grout color is also gray.
Grout color palette
Different manufacturers have a different color palette. They overlap in basic colors like white, several gray and black, but they differ significantly in others.
Grout Ceresite Colors
The most commonly used grout in the CIS countries is ceresit. They have several types of grouting CE 33, CE 40 and CE 25. The most commonly used grout is Ceresite Ce 40 and it has the widest range of colors. Ceresit CE 40 holds moisture and small deformations well, which means it is less likely that it will crack with small shrinkage and vibrations. Quite a good choice, but there are nuances in the colors.
With neutral colors, everything is clear there, you can get an idea of them from a sticker on a can or bag. But with more complex flowers, for example, Jasmine, Crocus, Sahara and some others, strange things happen. In fact, the color after grouting and drying is not at all similar to the one indicated on the bank.
Perhaps they differ in principle, perhaps the printing house does not convey it well, but the fact remains: the choice of the color of the grout for ceresite must be done after a trial application and drying. Yes, this complicates the process somewhat, but it is better to first buy the minimum amount, apply and let it dry, and then buy everything else. Than to wipe all the seams at once, and in fact remain dissatisfied with the resulting color.
Litokol grout color
The Litokol brand has perhaps the widest range of grout types and color palette. We will mention their epoxy versions later, because they are not very popular due to the high price. But their line of conventional grout is noteworthy.
Their line of Litochrom includes, among other things, our favorite gray colors in the amount of as many as 4 pieces. We used all 4 in one apartment for different surfaces. There were no problems with them. Importantly, the color of the sticker on the packaging very closely reflects the final color of the seams after drying. Although Ceresite had no problems with the grays either.
Kiilto grout color
Unfortunately, there is also no experience of use, but I don't want to invent. But the Kiilto color palette is quite wide, we just present it. If you have experience with this or any other grout, let us know in the comments.
Two-component grout
Very expensive. Not very popular due to the price type of epoxy grout. In addition to the price, it is distinguished by complex application, difficult removal of excess residues and washing. If you have a decent budget and your builders have experience with epoxy grout, then they should be chosen. They are much more resistant to dirt, they are not afraid of moisture at all.
And most importantly, epoxy grouts have a huge number of colors. Including all sorts of gloss, sequins, and even options that glow in the dark. The Litokol brand has a wide range of epoxy grouts. But this is all beyond the scope of this article.
When carrying out repairs in an apartment, each owner hopes that in this form the dwelling will stand for a very long time and will not have to repeat all the work performed in a short time. In order for these hopes to come true, it is necessary to approach the issue of repair responsibly, carefully choosing building materials. In this case, not only the quality of the materials plays a significant role, but also the correctly selected colors.
Nowadays, few repairs are complete without laying tiles. Many relate to the choice of grout color rather superficially - they just buy the first one they come across. Therefore, it often happens that an expensive tile completely loses its attractiveness from a combination with an unsuccessfully matched grout. So it is very important to pay due attention to this material when creating an individual design.
Tile grout color matching
The classic option is to select a color that is 1–2 tones different from the color of the tiles. Such a planing will ensure maximum harmony. In order for future renovations to please the eye, you need to decide on your own color preferences.
The choice can also be influenced by the pattern on the tile and its structure. In order not to be mistaken in the choice, it is best to take a tile or part of it with you to the store, and apply it to all grout samples.
Advice. Apply to all colors, not just similar shades. Out of the blue, you may find an interesting combination.
Not so long ago, a contrasting grout color has become 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 - mahogany.
The contrasting combination looks bold and effective, but there is a rather thin line in the selection, crossing which you can get ridiculous and disharmonious combinations.
Standard grout colors
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a grout. White will match any tile color as long as it is wall tiles. It is always appropriate for light tones, and with dark tones it will create a good contrast. However, for grouting floor tiles, a white fugue will not work in any way, because after a while the color will turn into a dirty gray. But the gray color of the grout is suitable for the floor, no matter what shade of tiles you plan to put there.
Grout types by composition
But choosing the right color is not always enough. You need 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:
- cement-based;
- using epoxy resins;
- silicone grout.
The most common at the moment are cement grouting. They have slight differences in composition, and, depending on this, are used for tiles of various colors and qualities. These grouts have a small color gamut and, moreover, do not tolerate water well.
Cement grout for tiles
For different joint widths, a different grout must be used. So, a cement grout for wide joints contains sand in its composition, which does not allow the cement to crack after drying, and retains its shape.
You can buy such a fugue ready-made in buckets or in the form of a dry powder.
Fugu from plastic buckets can be used immediately, however, despite the ease of use, this also has its drawbacks: the mass dries out quickly enough, therefore it is necessary 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:
- low price;
- ease of use;
- versatility;
- strength.
Flaws:
- collapses under the influence of household chemicals;
- not resistant to dirt.
Epoxy grout
Epoxy grout contains a hardener. This allows it to retain color for a long time and not be washed out by water. However, applying such a grout requires experience, therefore, with ordinary apartment renovations with their own hands, they are not used so often.
Epoxy grout can be used in saunas, swimming pools, as well as in those places where tiles are often exposed to household chemicals: kitchen walls, countertops, laboratory rooms.
This fugue is sold in the form of two separately contained components:
- epoxy resin filled with quartz sand;
- hardener.
To work, you need to mix the two components. As a result, we get a viscous mixture, which is difficult to work with even for experienced craftsmen. However, the result will not upset you - epoxy resin grout can retain its appearance for several decades. It will not change color, brightness or structure.
Dignity a fugue like this:
- resistance to chemicals;
- frost resistance;
- water resistance;
- the invariability of the decorative appearance;
- durability;
- strength;
- resistance to fungi and mold.
Flaws:
- labor intensity;
- high price.
Silicone grout
Silicone sealants have a huge variety of colors 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 anti-fungal 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 you don't have the right color
Sometimes it happens that the store does not have the required color, or you simply do not 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: by mixing white grout with grout of a different color until the desired shade is obtained, or using a color scheme.
Kohlers 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 scheme, and the shades only on your imagination.
Primers and additives
Various primers and additives will be of great help. There are additives that make the grout out of ordinary moisture or frost resistant, or give it anti-deformation and antifungal properties. In general, it adds the characteristics you need to it.
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 tile putty that is suitable for underfloor heating, but you don't have the right color with those properties. It is in such situations that construction chemicals will come in handy.
Advice. 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 chose. Don't worry, once the grout dries, the color will return.
Experienced designers advise not to overdo it with the number of colors and adhere to the "tricolor" principle. You can choose the grout to match the tile or the pattern applied to it, as well as to match the plumbing or furniture elements. But do 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 tile putty.
Do-it-yourself grout: video
Grouting joints between tiles: photo
It happens that after finishing the facing work in an apartment or house, you are unhappy with the result. The tiles seem to be beautiful, expensive, and perfectly matched to the interior. The styling quality is also excellent. But still there is not enough harmony, the cladding 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 for filling the joints between tiles, we usually start from several factors. First of all, you need to consider:
- the purpose of the room;
- its operational features;
- temperature and humidity;
- the location of the tiles;
- the level of load on the tiled floor.
But choosing the right color is just as important. Having played on the ratio of fugue and tile shades, you can visually enlarge or reduce the room, make it lighter or shader, regardless of the lighting level. In addition, sometimes just the right shade is enough to give a room a certain style, almost without resorting to other design tricks.
By connecting your imagination and putting in a little effort, you can create a real mosaic panel with the help of grouting in several shades and multi-colored ceramic tiles that will turn a room into a work of art. Some interior designers use this method as their "highlight".
Grout contrasts favorably with bathroom tiles
Criterias of choice
In specialized stores and building supermarkets, you can find fugu of any colors and shades. Eyes run up, and out of habit (and even more so without experience) it is difficult to choose exactly what you need. Therefore, heed the advice of experts and designers who have several general rules for choosing the color of grout for tile joints.
Correctly selected grout color will allow you to profitably beat the space
Which color is more practical?
What do you think will happen to the tile seams in a room like a hallway if you grout them with a white jointer? Most likely, after a couple of days, they will become dirty and turn gray. There is no need to make an elegant seam where it will 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 rubbed with a gray fugue. We recommend that you do the same if walking in shoes is supposed to be in your hallway and living room. Still, our streets are not perfectly clean, which is facilitated by the climate. Roughly speaking, if the grout has the color of domestic dirt, then it will always look as if the finishing work ended only yesterday. Grouting tones close to dark gray is ideal.
The same principle applies to the bathroom. It is undesirable to use soiled colors for the floor (beige, white, etc.). Seams often get dirty in places where water flows almost constantly - in the shower stall, 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 compound in problem areas will not be superfluous.
Not 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 contaminants will not look catchy. A two-component epoxy-based fugue will work very well - it retains a presentable appearance for a long time.
Note! When buying a high-quality, water-repellent dense grout, you are free to choose the color you want. This fugue is almost unaffected by dirt.
Choice for aesthetic reasons
Whichever color of tile grout you choose, its main purpose is to highlight the beauty of ceramics or stone. A fugue is a framing of a finishing material, and not an independent element. Therefore, it is not recommended to choose a grout of a brighter color than the basic tone of the tile, otherwise the overall effect will not be as pleasant as you expected.
Don't like boring combinations and traditional solutions? Then try to apply original design solutions. For example, it is now fashionable to use grout to match bathroom or kitchen accessories. Contrast between fugue and tiles is also encouraged, and the combinations may not match in color, even within the tint palette.