Got tile?

You’re almost there. You’re so close to having your dream tile installed, but there’s still one decision left. What color grout should you get? 

In case you’re unfamiliar, grout is used with tile to fill the gaps between them. It’s a mixture of water, cement, and sand. This reinforces the flooring itself while also giving you a sleek design. No matter what kind of tile you have, you will need to install grout with it to ensure that your floors look perfect and last longer. Learn more about installing tiles, and the significant role grout plays.

There are four main types of grout:

• Sanded: As the most popular grout used in homes, it stands up to daily wear and tear.

• Unsanded: Found typically in bathrooms, this grout is frequently used for thinner joints that need to be filled.

• Furan: Unlike typical grout, furan is mixed with alcohol instead of water. It is often used in more industrial spaces as it is resistant to wear and tear, scratches, stains, and chemicals.

• Epoxy: This is the most expensive kind of grout, but for that extra cost, you get the most durable stuff out there. It is mostly used in wet areas like showers because it won’t degrade over time and can even withstand harsh weather conditions if you have it outside.

While it is important to choose a grout that will work best with your tile, many of these grout options come in a large variety of colors, so you can be sure to find the perfect grout out there for you and your home. Here are some color factors to consider.

Matching grout to your tile

This may seem like the ideal option, especially if you’re in love with your tile and don’t want to attract attention to anything else. However, this is hard to achieve for numerous reasons:

1. Finding an exact match can be a difficult, long search.

2. If you do find an exact match, but your tile is located in an area that is frequently wet, the grout will change color over time.

That being said, we aren’t going to try and talk you out of matching your tile and grout. We recommend trying to find a close match rather than an exact match. To do that, look at the grout samples themselves rather than going off photos or the colors represented in the packaging.

Be color conscious

The most popular colors of grout include white, black, gray, and brown, all of which come in a variety of shades. If you want to emphasize the tile pattern and keep the focus there, choose a contrasting, darker color. If you have marble tile, try to pull a color from one of the veins. If you’re going for a subway look and already have the white tiles, go with black grout. If you’re looking to tie your design together, choose a lighter color like white or a similar shade. When deciding between a dark or light hue, just remember to be aware of what aesthetic you want in your home and what you want to pull attention to in your floors.