What Grout Options Work Best With Different Types of Bathroom Tiles?
Bathroom Tiles
When you are laying tile for a bathroom renovation, whether it’s the floors, shower walls, backsplash behind the sink, or anywhere else in your home, the grout color choice will be crucial. You want to make sure that the grout you use creates a look you love and matches or contrasts with your tile color scheme. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the choices, but there are some general guidelines that work for any tiling project.
One of the easiest ways to keep things simple is to match the tile and grout colors very closely. This way the lines between tiles in bathroom visually disappear and you get a cohesive aesthetic throughout your space. This works especially well with white or very light tile, as it brightens up the room and makes it appear larger.
A grout color that is a few shades darker than the tile is another popular choice because it highlights the tile pattern without being too busy. This is a great option for tile with a more subtle pattern, like the charming fish scale shown above. It also pairs nicely with three-dimensional tile and textured tiles, which add a visual pop to the room.
What Grout Options Work Best With Different Types of Bathroom Tiles?
When contrasting the tile and grout colors, the shapes of each begin to stand out more prominently. This is a great option for high-contrast tile, such as black or white, and it often looks beautiful when applied to subway tile. This style of tile and grout works best in modern spaces that already have dramatic flair somewhere else, and it can also help to make a small bathroom feel bigger by eliminating any visual breaks of the space.
Lastly, you can also add more depth to your design by using a grout that is a little darker or lighter than the tile. This is a great way to highlight the varying color and texture of your tile, and it can work well with both matte and glossy finishes. It’s important to consider how the color of your grout will hold up over time, too, as some grout colors are not as forgiving when it comes to stains and discolorations.
In addition to choosing the right color, you’ll need to determine whether you will be using sanded or nonsanded grout. Sanded grout is more traditional and works with any size grout joint, while epoxy grout is a newer product that offers expert-level stain resistance and requires less maintenance than sanded grout.
Before you start planning your grout, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional grout installer. They can give you advice based on your specific space and tile, as well as explain the differences between sanded and nonsanded grout types. Depending on the area you’re tiling, you might even decide to upgrade to a resin-based or epoxy grout that doesn’t require any sand and can be used for any size grout joint. It’s an investment that will pay off down the road with a longer lifespan for your grout.