Do you have a renovation in your life and want to decorate your kitchen or backsplash with white tiles? Usually at this stage doubts arise about what color to decorate the seams, because white will quickly “fail.” One of the latest trends in decorating is white tiles with black grout: it looks stylish and is also a very practical solution.
Grout functions
In ceramic cladding, grout (or grout) is the same essential element as tiles. She is chosen simultaneously with the purchase of tiles, and the following tasks are assigned to her:
- Protection of tile joints and strengthening of masonry . Most types of grout absorb water and dirt to one degree or another, they also serve as a barrier between moisture and the glue on which the tile is held and preserve its structure from destruction.
- Maintaining hygiene . Grout is a barrier that prevents the development of mold on the seams.
Classic design of a small bathroom Source pinimg.com
- Masking defects . Using grout you can hide an unskilled seam or a small chip. The trick will only work if the grout was chosen to match the tile. In the case of contrasting combinations of materials, the master will need all his professionalism and accuracy.
- Changing the appearance of masonry . The greater the difference between the color of the ceramic and the fugue, the brighter the decorative effect will be and the more attention-grabbing the cladding will be. Dark grout looks especially bright on white tiles.
- Creating a Balanced Design . To make a bathroom or kitchen look complete, the color of the grout mixture is selected to match the tone of any element (for example, furniture).
Contrast gives space clarity Source alumdevelop.ru
All about tile grout - rating of the best manufacturers and a 4-step selection guide
The choice of grout is as important as the choice of the tile itself. Its main task is to protect the base and ends of the tiles from the destructive effects of moisture, as well as from dirt, dust and chips. But there is another key function - the color and texture of the seams largely determine the perception of the interior and how easy it will be to clean the room. We tell you how to choose the best grout for tiles and which manufacturer should be preferred.
Types of grout
Color is not the only indicator by which a grout mixture is selected. Manufacturers offer several types of materials, and their features also need to be taken into account. All of them perform a protective and decorative function, but they manifest themselves differently in operation. The seams on the tiles are grouted using the following compounds:
- Based on cement mixtures . A grout consisting of cement and additives (for example, liquid latex) is suitable for sealing joints with a thickness of 1-5 mm; it is elastic and dries quickly. A mixture with added sand is intended for wider joints. It can be white or gray, different compositions vary in grain size.
Large format tiles with contrasting seams Source thespruce.com
- Epoxy mixtures . The composition includes epoxy resin, coloring pigment and hardener, which makes the coating dense, moisture-resistant and, importantly, resistant to household chemicals and ultraviolet radiation. Grout is used for wide (more than 6 mm) joints. Mixtures with the addition of cement are produced; their properties lack chemical stability.
- Silicone . Silicone-based materials are elastic and do not shrink after drying. However, it is better to use them as an additive, since their main property is that they are sealants that protect the base from water. They are not cheap and are suitable for use in wide joints.
Using ceramics of different shapes Source pinimg.com
Compound
Classification of grout mixtures by composition:
- Cement based. These compositions are easy to use and come in a rich range of colors. Currently they are the most popular. Cement grout mixtures can be sold as ready-made grouts or as powders that are pre-diluted with water. This grout is suitable for dry rooms where fungus does not form.
- Based on epoxy resin. These are more durable mixtures that can withstand any negative impact. Rubbing surfaces with them is a little more difficult than cement ones. This may require additional skill. Epoxy resin grout is recommended for use in areas with high humidity.
Pros and cons of dark seams
Contrasting combinations of tiles and fugues are an expressive means of interior design. Before choosing one or another combination, it is useful to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of dark-colored seams. Black seams on a white background have the following advantages:
- They attract attention to the decoration, set the mood for the design, and look appropriate in many modern styles (for example, Scandinavian).
- They give the walls a presentable, more austere look. They always look neat and elegant.
Design in Scandinavian style Source pinimg.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work
- In many interiors, contrasting design looks unexpected and therefore original.
The white and black finish has the following disadvantages:
- It will not fit into every interior.
- Although light materials have the ability to visually enlarge a space, the combination may seem overly gloomy.
- If there are errors in the cladding, they will not go unnoticed.
Multi-format tiles are united by grout color Source pinimg.com
How to choose a color combination
White tiles are a versatile material that never goes out of style. If it seems boring, you can diversify and complicate the design by grouting. Whatever color of grout you choose, the background white color will not conflict with it. When choosing a grout shade for white tiles, it is useful to take into account the following notes:
- The contrasting combination, white tiles with black joints, fits into modern styles: Scandinavian, loft, modern. It is suitable for interiors that emphasize graphics, for example, pop art or eclecticism, for minimalist design.
Accent wall in the shower Source pinimg.com
- There are also restrictions on the choice of ceramics. A plain white material is ideal, but it may have a relief or a faded, as if faded, print. If the pattern is more saturated, the combination with contrasting seams will seem sloppy, loading the space.
- The emphasis on the tiles can be made using grout in gray shades, which combines well with almost all ornaments, patterns and prints.
- If it is necessary to emphasize the situation, choose white (sometimes light gray) grout. If you need to draw attention to the walls, the grout is made as dark or black as possible; it’s good if it matches the shade of the floor covering.
Light gray seams do not distract attention from the design Source tesser.ru
Recommendations for using colors in the interior
It is customary to make tile seams in cladding of any color (not just white) either as contrasting as possible, or to match the tile. Black grout color is chosen if there are other black elements in the room (for example, a black floor in the bathroom or a black countertop in the kitchen).
Shades of gray have a softer effect on perception, they are more neutral and therefore multifunctional. Gray grout does not require the additional presence of gray in the interior. But, if it is duplicated, the design will look more elegant.
Gray fugue on a kitchen apron Source amazon.com
Most often, tiles can be found on the walls and floor of the bathroom or on the walls of the kitchen (often this is a “hog” in the finishing of the apron). But, for example, a bar counter made of white mosaic with black grout also looks beautiful. This detail fits organically into a modern interior.
Existing combinations of white and black (or gray) are used to achieve a specific aesthetic result. The combination of white tiles with white grout is used in the following cases:
- If the bathroom is small and you want to make it look larger.
Design with patchwork style details Source art-oboi.com.ua
Urban style bathroom design
Urban style is rapidly gaining popularity. Bathrooms are no exception. To create a room in this manner, materials are used predominantly in white. This is the main distinguishing feature of this direction. Dark colors are also used, but much less frequently.
To create a bathroom in an urban style, you should use white materials
When creating an urban style, one should adhere to rigor and minimalism in all details. This also applies to the selection of tiles for the bathroom. It should be taken into account that dark tiles will create the effect of presence in an industrial enterprise, while white tiles will express simplicity in design.
When creating a design, you should adhere to rigor and minimalism
If the color is chosen incorrectly, you may get the impression of a reduced space. Therefore, if the size of the bathroom is quite modest, you should not settle for a dark option. White tiles, on the contrary, can create the illusion of increased space, but only if the lighting is properly organized.
If you plan the design incorrectly, the room may visually shrink
Briefly about the main thing
The choice of grout plays an important decorative role in creating the design of a kitchen or bathroom. Its color affects the perception of the tile, which is especially true for white tiles. There are different types of grout mixture, and their characteristics must be taken into account when choosing a material.
In the design of the bathroom and kitchen, combinations of white tiles with white, gray and black grout are used. Most often, the seams are made white; This is a classic, proven and attractive option. Gray joints will help soften the tile pattern or emphasize the original layout. The contrasting white and black option is difficult to ignore; it is used to create an accent in some styles.
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Color spectrum
The color of the joints will highlight and accentuate the beauty of the tile or completely ruin its appearance; to prevent this from happening, the color must be selected very carefully and thoughtfully.
Synthetic grouts come in a wide variety of colors, and some contain glitter. Cement mixtures contain dyes, however, white and gray fugues remain the most popular. This solution is considered universal and neutral, and you should not be afraid of an unsuccessful choice of color or its combination.
But do not forget that white color fugues are used only for wall coverings; the floor gets dirty quickly and a gray tone will suit it. When choosing colored grout, the same rule applies: use only dark colors for the floor.
The choice of color is determined by some fundamental rules:
- if both materials are the same color, then the effect of a continuous coating will be obtained,
- a light grout mixture that matches the tone of the tiles will unite a number of them into groups in a single area; to separate the area, use a dark tone,
- when the tiled surface is multi-colored, the fugue should match the tone of either the lightest or darkest. It can be used in different colors in completely different places,
- For plain tiles, a contrasting color of the joints, lighter or darker, is suitable. Original idea: fugue to match the color of the furniture,
- for multi-colored mosaics, seams of a neutral, non-distinctive shade are suitable,
- A glass mosaic panel will be successfully emphasized by colorless or shiny epoxy.
The photo shows options for using various tile grouts.
The color when wet is significantly different from the appearance after drying, so first test it on a small piece of the wall, especially if there is a contrast between the tile and the grout.
You can grout the tile joints yourself, or you can entrust this to qualified specialists. For self-sealing, you should use cement fugues.
Epoxy grout for tiles requires a professional approach, since the process of their manufacture is more complex and requires compliance with all the rules and subtleties of the work. Ready-made solutions are not stored for a long time, so work should not be delayed. If you don’t have enough experience in this matter, then dilute the dry mixture in small portions.
