The right choice of tiles is a fairly responsible process that requires a creative approach. But it is equally important to choose the color of the trowel. A well-designed color scheme is able to highlight all the advantages of finishing, masking the small flaws allowed during installation. According to designers, there are no finishing materials of ugly color, there is a wrong choice. It must be done individually, taking into account the design features of the entire room. But at the same time, when deciding on how to choose a grout color for a tile, a number of general rules should be taken into account.
Basic color selection rules
For facing materials of dark and light tones, the approach to the choice of grout is exactly the opposite. To the dark tile grouting compositions are selected a couple of tones darker, and to light - on the contrary, lighter.
If you want to emphasize and highlight each element of the coating, then the principle of contrast is applied.
The color of the grout, similar in tone to the color of the tile, can give the facing surface a more relaxed look and visually expand the boundaries of the room.
When facing with colorful pieces in mosaic panels or photo compositions, a transparent grout mixture is used.
Grout - part of the interior
Grouting is done in order to fill the joints between the tiles, ensuring their waterproofing, protect against mold and create an aesthetic appearance of the coating. But besides this function, high-quality insulation also becomes an integral part of the interior. With its help, you can visually create a smooth surface, without transitions, or, conversely, using a contrast solution, make the facing coating unusual and original.
The inharmonious choice of grout color can turn the most sophisticated interior into a tasteless one, and make an expensive and stylish lining completely unattractive. Today, due to the variety of colors, grout for seams is an independent design element.
Types of grouting material
Considering the question of how to choose the color of the grout for the tile, you need to pay attention to the types of grouting materials.
The most popular cement-based mixes. They contain various additional components (plasticizers, dyes, etc.) that can provide a slow setting of the solution or its spreading over the surface. This type of grout fits well into the inter-tile seam and is easily removed from the surface of the tile. A sufficiently large assortment allows you to choose a frost-resistant mixture for exterior facades, moisture-proof - for facing rooms with high humidity. Choosing the right color is also easy thanks to a wide palette and the possibility of combining compositions.
Epoxy grout is usually two-component. Therefore, before use, it requires thorough mixing to obtain a homogeneous mass. Its quality will largely depend on this. Such grout is used mainly in rooms with high humidity (pools, saunas). A significant minus is that if the mixture gets onto the tile, it will be very difficult to remove it.
Silicone compounds are made on the basis of varnish and silicone. They are able to protect the coating from moisture, therefore, they are used when finishing surfaces in the bathroom, near the sink, etc.
Such grout mixtures are very convenient to use due to convenient packaging in the form of a tube and a wide variety of colors.
How to choose a grout for a tile
Not only the general appearance of the interior, but also the life expectancy of the facing coating will depend on a competent solution to this issue. In order for such work as grouting to be performed efficiently, and the appearance of the treated surface to remain beautiful and aesthetic for a long time, it is necessary to choose a suitable grouting material. Of course, color is of great importance, but when choosing, you should carefully read the information on the package (for which work the mixture is intended) and study the requirements for use.
For wide joints (more than 3 mm), cement-based grouting with an admixture of sand is recommended. If the seams are narrow, it is better to use a material with epoxy resins.
Grouting floor tiles has its own characteristics. The mixture used for flooring should not be white. Over time, it becomes dirty and loses its appearance, so preference should be given to compositions that are in harmony in color with the tile.
First of all, materials of well-known manufacturers that have already established themselves in the construction market deserve attention. One of the most popular grouting materials, comparing favorably with competitors, is Ceresit. Finnish-made Kesto grout has a wide color palette. Atlas mixtures are of high quality and reasonable price.
Tile grout "Ceresit"
In addition to the main function of filling the joints between tiles, stone or other finishing materials, the Cerezit grout of the German manufacturer is also able to ennoble their appearance . With the right choice of material color, the seams are very beautiful and even. And choosing the right color for the grout is not difficult, because the palette includes 31 basic tones and a large number of additional shades. This allows you to use the mixture for any cladding, mosaic or pattern. It is recommended to use compositions from one batch to prevent differences in shades after the grouting of the tile joints is finished. The price of Ceresit mixtures is quite affordable - on average 60-70 rubles per 1 kg.
The advantage of grouting of this brand is that the edges of the tile are not painted during operation, the remnants of the mixture are easily washed off the working surface, and the antifungal additives present in the composition prevent the development of mold. Ceresite grout can be used for joints of any width - from 2 to 15 mm, without forming cracks and scratches in them.
Application rules
Grouting should be started only after the mortar used for laying the tiles is completely dry. Seams before work are carefully cleaned from dust. The dry grout mixture is diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream according to the instructions, while the prepared mixes do not require such preparations. Using a spatula, grout is applied to the seam and smoothed.
After 10 minutes, wipe the seam again with a rubber spatula and apply the mixture again. After an hour, you can remove the remaining material with a damp sponge.
Grouting Tools
In order to save time during the grouting process, it is recommended to prepare the tools in advance.
To work, you will need:
- spatula or rubberized scraper;
- latex gloves;
- a dry rag clean to clean the tiles from excess mixture;
- a container of water;
- a sponge for wet removal of the mixture.
Recommendations of specialists
When deciding on how to choose a grout color for a tile, you should carefully consider the opinion of experts. They advise, going to the store to choose a mixture suitable for grouting, take a tile sample with them. Choose the shade corresponding to her the darkest and lightest, compare them with the color of the environment. If the room is small in size, then the grout of light shades will be most suitable. Dark ones are suitable if, on the contrary, it is necessary to visually reduce the space.
When choosing a color scheme, it is important to decide what the focus will be on. If on the tile itself, then the grouting material should differ from it in shade, and for emphasis on furniture, the facing material and grouting are completely the same in color. If, nevertheless, choosing the shade of the grout mixture presents certain difficulties, white or light gray color will always come to the rescue (only the composition for floor tiles will be an exception).
It is important to remember: any grout mixture after drying becomes a little lighter than it was originally. This moment must be taken into account when choosing a color.
Little tricks
The grout for ceramic tiles may crack over time if it was laid poorly. To avoid this, it is worth listening to the tips that professionals give:
- First, grout the mixture on the spatula, and then at an angle of 30 degrees on the seam.
- Run a spatula several times along the seam, pressing the grout into it.
- Partially apply the composition, in time to have time to remove the residue before drying.
- Using a pastry bag for grouting can greatly facilitate the process.
It is not necessary to invite a specialist for such work. Knowing how to choose a grout color for a tile, a suitable brand, what tools will be required for work, we can assume that high-quality grouting of joints is guaranteed.