Grout Color Selector

Once the tile for the installation have been chosen, there are several factors to consider when selecting the best grout for your project. With a wide range of materials and designs to choose from, it is important consider the characteristics and appearance of the tile and the plans for the finished installation. Here are a few questions that should be answered before grouting tile to ensure that the needs of the tile installation are met: Are the tiles patterned, or do they have a solid color? Are they natural stone or manufactured ceramic? If it is glass tile, is it transparent or opaque? Are there mosaic sheets or accents, and do they contain differently-colored tiles? Once these questions have been answered, it will be easier to determine which grout color will best suit the project.

Aesthetically, one of the most crucial decisions to make when choosing tile grout color is deciding whether the grout will blend in with or stand out from the tiles.

Grout colors that match with the color of the tile create a uniform, monolithic look that will make the installation appear as one solid piece. The texture of the tile will be visible from a closer angle, but the overall installation will be more subdued. This color choice will be more forgiving of tile placement and grout line shaping, so any minor imperfections in the tile installation pattern will be less noticeable. However, this application depends on a uniform color for all of the tiles. Color variance, which is more likely to occur in natural stone tile, will break the uniform look. Additionally, maintenance may be required to maintain the monolithic look of the tile and grout. When dealing with lighter colors, any spots, scuffs or stains will be more noticeable, especially if you don't select stain-resistant grouts like Fusion Pro, CEG-Lite or CEG-IG, or if you don't seal and maintain cementitious grouts.

Alternately, a more visible tile pattern should have a contrasting grout color, which will ensure a striking, patterned look. The difference between the tile and grout colors can change how noticeable the pattern becomes. If you use a light-colored tile with a dark-colored grout, or vice-versa, the pattern will be much more apparent. While this will bring more focus to the tile, it can also highlight any variances in the layout of the installation. Additionally, a contrasting grout color can allow for more design options, whether you are trying to form a color theme between tiled and non-tiled surfaces, or between two adjacent surfaces with different tiles. Contrasting grout colors are also useful in instances where multiple tile types are involved, helping to highlight the different surface materials within the installation.

The shade of the grout can also have major impacts on the maintenance and upkeep of the tile installation.

A lighter-colored grout can be easier to clean off of the surface of tile during installation, but is more difficult to maintain. Dirt and spills are more noticeable, though a good sealer and cleaner can help to maintain the look of the original installation. Darker grouts, meanwhile, may be more difficult to clean, and are more noticeable on the surface of porous tile. Pre-sealing the tile can help eliminate this issue. Once installed, darker grout does not show wear, dirt or damage as easily. In commercial kitchens, darker grout is used to accent the tiles and reduce the appearance of stains.

However, if you have other surfaces in the room, consider their color and layout as well.

Mix your grout according to the manufacturer's instructions, if required. Improperly mixing the grout can lead to uneven color pigment distribution, which causes splotchy and inconsistently-colored grout lines. Single component grouts like Fusion Pro and premixed grouts like SimpleGrout do not need to be mixed; the color is already evenly distributed.

Find a caulk that matches the color of your grout for use on movement joints and changes of plane like CUSTOM's Commercial 100% Silicone Caulk. It's easier to match grout colors when selecting both products from the same manufacturer, as the manufacturer will have designed the products to have the same hue.

Remember that most grout typically takes several days to cure and set, so if you're concerned about the color right after the installation, give it time to obtain its final color. Similarly, the color of powder or mixed grout prior to installation and cure is not the same as the color of the final cured grout. Slight variances may occur based on mixing methods and drying conditions.

CUSTOM's palette of grout colors provides the most popular shades that architects and designers demand. No matter what color of tile or stone you are using, there is a CUSTOM grout that will compliment it. Whether your installation requires a subtle color that matches with the tile or a striking shade that accents the beauty of your installation, you can find the perfect grout with the performance characteristics that you need.