If you live in a post-WWII home in NOVA, you probably have/had only one color grout in your bathroom – white!
For many (many!) years one’s choice of grout color for their renovated tiled bathrooms, kitchens and even floors was white or ivory. No more. As the choices of ceramic, porcelain and other tiles grew in patterns and colors, so too did the choice of grout colors to complement them. One more detailed decision to be made when renovating: what color grout!
If one wants the overall impact of the tile to be more graphic in its appearance, a contrasting grout color might be in order. If the desire is for the tile to appear seamless in design, a grout color that is the same shade of the tile would be in order. Besides the color, when selecting grout for your project (if you’re a DIY’er) it’s important to select the right component make-up – sanded, non-sanded or epoxy.
Generally speaking, one should use non-sanded grout for narrow joint widths (the space between the tiles) under ⅛” where one would like a smooth finish. Use sanded grout for grout lines of ⅛” and larger. Sanded grout is stronger, more dense and suitable for areas of moisture. Both can and should be treated with a sealer and should be retreated periodically to improve water resistance.
Epoxy grout is used by many professionals due to its high durability and stain and water resistance. It also comes in more colors and does not need sealing. However, it is more expensive (3x-5x), needs special installation tools, and is more difficult to work with due to its quick drying: something to consider if you’re a DIY’er or beginner. A large, expensive project might not be the place to experiment with epoxy grout.
The joint widths themselves will vary based on the size of the tile and the overall desired look. This is an area where an expert’s guidance is invaluable!
Product Review – Grout Pens
I live in an older home with lots of white grout. Over the years the marble tile has held up well, however the grout has become stained. My choices were to re-grout or use a grout pen. I was hesitant to use the grout pen: the colors were limited and would it look cheap? I dove into this project thinking if it did not work I would just re-grout. My bathroom is small 5′ x 5′. It took two pens and about 30 minutes of my time. I discoverd the placement of the tiles was done very well, however the grout work not so much. There were some small holes in the grout I had to fill.
The cost of the 2 pens was just under $20 on Amazon. Available colors were limited, so you need to be flexible. I would have preferred a lighter warmer gray, but in the end it is OK.
I would say for $20 and the time spent it was worth trying.
