What grout will fit. Which tile grout is better - professional advice

Practically in every apartment, in one or several of its premises, the surfaces of walls and floors were finished using ceramic tiles. The range of this material in hardware stores is constantly updated, which causes the desire of many homeowners to regularly change the hallway or kitchen.

If earlier a conventional cement mortar was used to seal the seam between the tiles, nowadays a wide variety of special compounds are available on the free market, which can not only transform the appearance of the base material, but also reliably close the gaps between the tiles, forming an airtight coating for walls and floors. . Grout for tiles how to choose a color - this question arises most often among those homeowners who decide to lay the tiles or “refresh” the appearance of the joints between the tiles on their own, without resorting to the services of designers and professional finishers.

The importance of choosing the right grout for joints

In matters of organizing wall decoration with ceramic tiles, there are no trifles, so the choice of grout must be taken with all responsibility. It's simple - its wrong color can spoil the look of even the most expensive and high-quality finishing material. And, conversely, a well-chosen shade of grout can decorate not only the finish itself, but also transform the entire room as a whole, bring special harmony into it, and also create integrity and completeness of the interior composition.

When choosing a grout for filling joints, it is necessary to constantly focus on several criteria. The main ones are the performance characteristics of the material and the features of the room in which it is planned to carry out the finishing - this includes factors such as its purpose, possible temperature, humidity, and the level of load on the ceramic coating.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the fact that grout mixtures for interior and exterior decoration differ in their composition and performance. This directly concerns both the reliability of the material and the longest possible period for the grout to retain its original color. So, mixtures for outdoor work should have reliable tightness when solidified, high resistance to direct effects of precipitation and temperature extremes with a large amplitude, and resistance to fading under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

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

Finishing with white tiles is a classic and rather strict option, but at the same time versatile and boring. White tiles always remain at the peak of demand in interior design, and this is explained by the fact that it is easy to make a white background 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 wall surfaces, the question often arises - how to choose a color ceramic tiles of such a light shade? Should it match the tone-on-tone color of the tile, or is it better to choose a grout of a contrasting color? Is it possible to choose a dark grout for white tiles? 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 white tiles? Traditionally, tile seams are either made strictly in the tone of the material, or a composition is selected for them that contrasts as much as possible with the color of the tile. This rule is true for ceramic tiles of any color, not just light colors.

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

Professionals use three variations of grouting material with white tiles:

Compositions identical in shade to the tile itself;

Dark gray grouts;

Dark grout.

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

How to choose grout for tiles by color, if you still decide to choose this bright option? One piece of 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, to harmonize with the color of furniture or flooring.

Which grout to choose for white tiles: dark or light?

Dark grout under white tiles is a uniquely practical option. Dark-colored seams will not lose their attractive appearance over time, you do not have to spend time on their regular cleaning of dust and dirt, and accordingly, all care for the lined surface will be simplified.

If practicality is of little interest to you, and you think much more about the aesthetics of the general appearance, then when choosing a grout color for white tiles, you should be guided by the following criteria:

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

When laying tiles vertically, dark grout will help make the room visually taller, but at the same time narrower. If you don’t need such an effect, then choose a tone-on-tone grout with tiles.

When choosing the color of the grout material for processing the seams of light tiles, be sure to take into account the general stylistic orientation of the interior. The tandem of dark grout and white tiles looks harsh and bold and therefore more suitable for cutting-edge styles.

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

Laying tiles in the bathroom or in the kitchen is an integral stage of the overhaul, which each person encounters no more than once or twice during the entire period of living in the apartment. In this regard, the master must be aware of the entire burden of responsibility placed on his shoulders, and treat each stage of repair with the utmost care, having thought through every detail. Laying ceramic tiles is considered one of the most difficult types of repair and finishing work, during which it is also important to pay attention to detail. It would seem that having laid the tiles, it's time to relax, but at this stage, most masters are just starting to think about the question: "How to choose a grout by color?", And the loss of vigilance at this moment can lead to irreparable consequences. When choosing a grout for a tile, it is important not only to know its composition, but also to decide on its color, which will give the wall a finished and harmonious look, and the composition - integrity. In addition, it is important to take into account many factors - the microclimate in the room, the moisture resistance of the composition, as well as its resistance to fungal and mold damage. Based on this, it becomes clear that the correct selection of grout for tiles is a rather complicated process, the results of which largely determine the decorativeness of the finished surface and the integrity of its perception. To make this task easier, in this article we will look at the main types of grout, and tips from professionals on choosing a grout color will help you make the right choice.

What is grout for tiles: the main functions of grout mixtures

If earlier only cement mortar was used to seal the joints between tiles, today the construction market offers consumers a wide variety of grouting compounds that not only reliably mask the gaps between the tiles, forming an airtight coating, but also transform the appearance of the base material.

Tile grout is a homogeneous dry or pasty mixture, for the manufacture of which polymers are used, as well as white or gray cement. There are certain features of the production of a particular group of grout mixtures - some of them are made only in white and gray colors, and tint dyes are added to them only before starting work, others are already produced in ready-made color options.

What is tile grout for?

Filling the tile joint, tile grout protects the joints from the penetration of moisture and dirt into them and thereby prevents the destruction of the adhesive composition. Due to this, moisture is not absorbed into the wall, and the likelihood of mold and fungus formation on it is minimized;

Using a tile grout matched to the tone of the tile, you can hide cladding defects, such as uneven joints and chips;

Tile grout allows you to combine disparate tile elements into a single picture, and, performing the function of the final touch, gives it a sense of completeness;

If you are not a connoisseur of pastel colors in the interior and want to give it expressiveness, use tile grout in contrasting shades with it. Thanks to this technique, you will emphasize the geometry of the picture, making it deeper and more saturated;

Using grout for tiles, you can combine disparate elements of the interior and thereby create a coherent composition, which is especially important if various pieces of furniture and cladding "arguing" with tiles that contrast in color.

Types of grout for tiles

Before we talk about how to choose a grout for tiles in the kitchen, consider the main types of grouts, taking into account their composition. Depending on the composition, the following groups of grouts for tile joints are distinguished:

Cement-based grout, the composition of which may vary slightly depending on the inclusion of one or another component (modifiers, polymer additives) is the most common option on the construction market. Despite slight differences in composition, they can be used when working with tiles of different colors and qualities. As a basis for cement grout, both a cement-sand mixture and a special type of cement - Portland cement can be used. The disadvantages of cement-based grouts are a limited range of colors, most often represented by shades of white and gray, and low resistance to moisture;

Grout based on epoxy resins, a distinctive feature of which is the presence of a hardener in the composition, which ensures long-term preservation of the color of the grout. Due to the fact that the application of epoxy grouts requires certain skills and experience, they are rarely used in the process of repairing typical apartments;

Grout in the form of silicone sealant, characterized by ease of use and a variety of colors, so you can easily match the grout for tiles of any color and texture. Such grout is resistant to high humidity, as well as to mold and other fungal infections, which is due to the presence of antifungal components in the grout.

Important! Experts do not recommend using silicone sealant as a grout, since the latter, in contact with moisture during operation, turns yellow and also shrinks significantly. If you still prefer sealant as a grout, choose polyurethane compounds, but remember that they do not differ in a variety of colors and are produced in mostly monochrome colors.

The main effects created using grout

The correctly chosen color of the grout directly determines the appearance of the room, for the design of which ceramic tiles are used, its integrity and visual perception. There are a number of rules that must be observed in the process of choosing a grout.

To facilitate the process of choosing a grout, designers divided all possible effects created in the process of combining tiles and grout into several groups. By giving preference to one or another visual effect, you will facilitate the process of choosing a grout and creating an interior concept.

Consider each of the three options for effects that can be created by choosing the right grout color options.

Imitation of a single surface - a technique, the implementation of which is possible provided that the grout of the same color as the ceramic tile is chosen. By giving preference to this effect, you can visually expand the room, which will be especially relevant for small bathrooms in standard apartments;
Selection of tiled elements using a grout of a contrasting color - a technique involving the use of a grout mixture of a contrasting shade with the tiles. This technique is considered one of the most spectacular, especially in cases where tiles of bright colors or non-standard shapes are used, which can be emphasized by preferring contrasting colors of grouts;
Selection of the grout mixture to match one of the shades of the tile - a technique thanks to which you can not only create a coherent composition, but also unobtrusively designate the geometry and shade of the tile. By adopting this effect, you will create a calm atmosphere in the room, devoid of unnecessary expressiveness.

Experts with extensive experience in interior design share some nuances and secrets, thanks to which you can achieve the desired effect in the interior.

Let's consider some of them:

Using light colors of tiles and grouts, you can visually expand the room;
Preferring dark tiles and grout of the same color, you can unite the room, however, the use of dark tones in the interior of the room will contribute to its visual reduction;
Using light-colored tiles in conjunction with grouting in a contrasting dark shade will divide the wall into separate segments. This is an original effect that will be the perfect complement to certain areas of the interior;
If in the process of finishing a small room you use tiles whose colors include several shades, choose a grout whose color is close to the lightest shade in the tile ornament;
If you use mosaic tiles to decorate walls or horizontal surfaces, give preference to grouting in soothing shades, such as beige or light gray;
Among the colored grouts, the most versatile is the white grout. Thanks to this property, it can emphasize or mask the boundaries between tiled elements. However, experts do not recommend using white grout for finishing the floor, as it will soon lose its original appearance and acquire an ugly dirty gray tint. To avoid this, for finishing horizontal surfaces, use a grout to match the tile or a shade that is closest to the color of the tile;

In the process of finishing small rooms, experts recommend not using more than three shades of tiles, and therefore grout mixtures. Otherwise, the color scheme of the room will be chaotic and scattered, which will make the room visually cramped.
When we choose the color of grout for the bathroom, we often try to choose a shade that is as close as possible to the color of the tile, but today, a wide variety of colors for tiles and grout adds other, more often contrasting color combinations to the designer's arsenal.

Important! Today, manufacturers present collections of tiles, to which color solutions of grouts have already been selected. As a rule, these color combinations are as original as possible: black tiles are complemented with pearl white grout, beige with milk chocolate or cocoa grout, olive with graphite grout, and gray with mahogany grout.

If earlier the presence of good taste could be demonstrated by choosing a grout of neutral shades, today the situation is the opposite, and experts recommend using a grout of bright colors - red, green, orange, turquoise, etc. for finishing the bathroom. This advice will be especially relevant if you have chosen a white tile, as all colors are combined with it. However, if you're pairing white tile with bright-colored grout, try to pick it up in a way that matches the color of the furniture or other interior elements as much as possible.

What is a universal grout?

Contrary to popular belief, white grout is not universal. Despite the fact that it is in harmony with the material of any color, together with dark-colored tiles, it forms contrasting combinations that do not fit into the framework of classic interior concepts.

The modern construction market offers an alternative to white grout - a colorless grout made from epoxy resin with the addition of glass. The versatility of the grout is provided by its light-absorbing characteristics, due to which it becomes colorless. It is often called a "chameleon", due to its ability to adapt to the color of ceramic tiles.

Important! Colorless grout is a versatile material produced using innovative technologies. It has high wear resistance, it is easy to apply and also easy to clean off. Chameleon grout is characterized by resistance to mechanical and chemical influences, high resistance to mold and other fungal infections.

Colorless grout is indispensable when working with various types of glass mosaics and in the process of creating tile panels.

We tint the grout with our own hands: if the desired color is not on sale

Often, even in large building supermarkets, it is not always possible to find a grout of the desired shade, since a modern manufacturer does not cover the entire color palette. If you are unable to find the grout of the desired color, do not rush to abandon your original decision and choose a different shade. You can solve the problem by choosing a color scheme of a suitable shade.

In this case, you have the following options in stock:

The use of special tinting paste;
Acquisition of a conventional water-soluble color;
Application as a tinting color gouache or watercolor.

Using any of these components, you can color your white grout any color you want or make the grout more saturated.

Important! If you plan to tint the grout, remember two important nuances:

Try to paint the grout in one day. Otherwise, the grout will dry out, and you are unlikely to be able to pick up the desired shade the next day;

Remember that after drying, the grout becomes lighter, and therefore, it is necessary to use a color scheme a few tones darker than planned.

Options for color combinations of tiles with grout

Experienced craftsmen know that even after applying a color sample of grout to a tile, it is quite difficult to imagine how they will look together on the surface. In this regard, before proceeding with the surface finishing, study the photos of the interiors, illustrating typical combinations.

Using grout in multiple colors

The example illustrates the use of grout in two colors - white and red. This option will be relevant if you use tiles of several contrasting shades, and to create a single plane and a harmonious transition between shades, you need to choose a grout to match the tile.

The surface, for finishing which one-color tiles were used, looks like a single plane, and only the presence of a small relief makes it possible to distinguish individual segments in it. The effect of a single plane is achieved through the use of grout, the tone of which is perfectly matched to the color of the tile. However, the perfect fusion of materials depends not only on the color, but also on the composition of the grout used. For example, the surface of epoxy grout, after hardening, has a noticeable resemblance to the glazed surface of ceramic tiles.

To harmonize the transition from white to colored segments, white grout is used, which focuses on the contrast between light and dark.

Thanks to this technique, the interior looks thought out to the smallest detail. For example, a tile with a photo pattern, located between white and red tiles, has shades in its color scheme that are similar to the colors of the surrounding tile. Due to this, despite the abundance of color shades, the composition retains its integrity and original appearance.

Using a grout that is close in tone to the tile

If you do not plan to add expressive notes to the interior, and, on the contrary, want your eyes to rest when looking at the surfaces of soothing shades, give preference to this option. Thanks to this technique, the wall covering will also look uniform, and at the same time, the seams between the tiles will emphasize the origin of the material.

Selection of grout and tiles of the same shades

This option will be the most preferable if you plan to create the most uniform plane. The option proposed below illustrates how you can combine separate planes that divide the wall surface into two parts - the upper decorative and the lower panel.

The division of the wall was made with the help of a border tape, the pattern of which includes bright blotches. Despite the fact that they are radically different from the main color scheme, they are designed to enliven the interior and create a coherent composition. To eliminate possible randomness and fragmentation of the plane, it is necessary to use a grout, the tone of which is as close as possible to the tone of the tile.

Using grout and tiles in contrasting colors

This section presents two options for selecting contrast materials. The first one is classic and involves a combination of black and white colors. Thanks to this combination, a cold and restrained interior is created, which does not always find its admirers because of its excessive severity.

The following example also illustrates a contrasting but more cheerful color combination. Contrasting white grout adds freshness to a room decorated with ultramarine tiles. This combination will be ideal for decorating a bathroom and creating an optimistic mood.

Choice of grout for tiles video

For seams.

This is an interesting but not easy task. After all, the modern palette of grout colors includes tens and hundreds of shades. And some manufacturers even offer compositions that can be tinted independently.

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

universal white,
tone on tone,
game of contrast.

Universal white tile grout

The easiest way to choose a tile grout color is to stick with white.

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

The only situation when it is better to choose something darker is when sealing the joints between tiles laid on the floor. White grout on the floor will not withstand intensive use and will quickly lose its original appearance.

Advice

Unsure which grout color to choose? Choose white!

Grout to match the tiles

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

Grout of the same color as the tiles creates a visually uniform surface, and at the same time allows you to hide laying defects.

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

When choosing a tone-on-tone grout color, compare the tiles with dried grout samples. After drying, the grout becomes noticeably lighter.

A game of 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 alien to risky experiments can try combining two-tone tile and grout palettes. Such examples of contrast are the combination of purple and yellow, green and orange, red and blue.

Advice

When selecting contrasting colors of tiles and grout, it is better to test their compatibility in advance so that the result looks really stylish.

What color grout to choose for...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compatibility of primary colors of tiles and grout

Grout color

Brown

Orange

Turquoise

Purple

Tile color

Brown

Orange

Turquoise

Purple

How to get the right grout color when tinting grout

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

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

The tile itself is an excellent waterproofing material. But it is extremely rare for someone to make seamless masonry by cutting the edge of the tile at 45 degrees. Most often, uniform seams are left between the tiles, for which grout is needed.

In common people it is called "fugue". It is not just an excellent waterproofing material, it also performs aesthetic functions. Seams are an important component, because they must be made with high quality, which will not work when choosing a bad fugue.

Varieties and characteristics of different types of fugue

A fugue is a bulk material, the basis of which is cement. Also, the composition includes certain polymers that affect the color scheme itself. But the grout is not only a decorative element, it is quite functional. Performs the role of under-tiled insulation, as well as conventional insulation. Extremely moisture resistant.

In hardware stores there is a fairly large assortment of various grouts, but in fact there are several types:

Fugue on a cement basis.
Fugue based on resin.
Grout - sealant.

But these are far from all categories, because each of the above is divided into subcategories, which are divided according to certain criteria. Each type is made mainly for different types of work, because they cannot replace each other.

Cement grouts

The most common grout is the one made on a cement basis. It is also divided into those made of Portland cement (for joints less than 5 mm) and those where, in addition to Portland cement, sand is added (for joints more than 5 mm). Also, additional additives are added that affect color, setting speed and the like.

For beginners and inexperienced professionals, this type of fugue is the easiest, as it does not require any specific skills in use or preparation.

Modern grouts during preparation are very similar to ordinary putty, only with a much faster drying speed, it remains only to choose which of the grouts will fit under the tile.

All modern grouts are sold in two forms: dry (bags) and ready-made. The difference is that dry grouts require manufacturing (dilution with water), while ready-made grouts can be used immediately after opening the bucket.

The advantages of cement-based fugue can be concluded in the following list:

Good strength of finished material.
Diversity and versatility.
Easy to use, no special skills required.
Relatively low price.
Good moisture resistance.

The most famous grout is produced by Ceresit, which has long been entrenched in the world market and produces a very large range of products, both for working with tiles indoors and for outdoor use.

Resin grouts

There is also a resin-based fugue. It is divided into fugue based on epoxy and furan resins. Epoxy tile grouts are used in those rooms where there is constant contact of the tile surface not only with water, but also with various household chemicals.

Cement compositions cannot cope with what epoxy can handle, because the epoxy fugue is a two-component one and combines, among other things, the cement base.

In appearance, it is practically indistinguishable from cement grout. Also, moisture falling on the surface simply rolls off, while it is absorbed in the cement fugue.

In addition to rooms with high humidity with the use of household chemicals, this type of fugue is used for grouting absolutely all types of tiles, as well as tiles made of natural stone. Sometimes used for grouting over underfloor heating, but this is more likely due to aesthetic parameters.

The advantages of such a fugue can be called:

Very long service life.
Does not fade when exposed to UV rays.
The temperature maintained by such a composition ranges from -20 to +90 degrees, which makes it very resistant to different climates.
Resistant to household chemicals and mild acids and alkalis.

The main disadvantage is the price of such a fugue, as well as the complexity and some problems during dismantling.

The setting speed is very high, so an inexperienced specialist can simply lose the finished solution during slow work. But the color of the grout, which is shown in the picture (on the lid), practically does not differ from what is inside.

In the case of cement fugue, it depends on how the composition itself is diluted. Also, when performing work, special tools and chemistry are used, which also indicates the need for the ability to work with such a grout.