Knowledge Centre
Grout & Epoxy
Learn all you need to know about grout & epoxy here.
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Designing with Grout
How many colours of grout are there?
Grout manufacturers produce an array of colours, affording a great choice of aesthetic options. After all, grout is a decorative addition to the tiling and the colour palette can act to blend or contrast with the tile choice. We at MTM Tile Showroom stock 50 colours within the showroom that are all eco-friendly, so the options are plentiful.
What are the most popular grout colours?
Currently, the most popular colours are white, cream and shades of grey from very pale through to anthracite tones. These are in keeping with current tiling trends.
It does of course depend on your requirements, as blue is one of the biggest sellers of epoxy due to its use as both an adhesive and grout for blue mosaic tiles in swimming pools.
There are of course a wide variety of grout colours, so choose the one that’s right for you!
Are all grout colours the same price?
No, often the richer, darker and deeper colours are more expensive than the traditional more muted colours.
Can I get silicone to match my grout colour choice?
Most manufacturers of grout also manufacture silicone that matches the grout colours that they produce. However, some manufacturers produce a limited selection of silicones that accompany their most popular grout colours, so it is best to check first. MTM Tile Showroom stocks all 50 colours of silicone to match our full range of grout colours.
What if there is no matching colour silicone to my grout choice?
If you cannot obtain a matching silicone and do not wish to use a colour that would stand out, such as perhaps a stark white, you have two options:
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One is to try to find a suitable alternative silicone within another manufacturer's range that is close to the colour.
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The other is to grout the joints where the silicone is to be applied, and then once the grout is dry, apply a clear silicone on top. Enough silicone must be applied to provide a movement joint (a joint that protects the tiles from thermal expansion and contraction of the background or substrate), not a thin application on top as this will not suffice. This should be considered a last resort and may need re-applying periodically.
Is the silicone an exact match to the grout colour?
As silicone is a different material to the grout, the appearance will be slightly different and will have a sheen/gloss finish as opposed to a matt finish. The colours will be very similar but may not appear as an exact match for this reason.
Can I change my grout colour?
Yes, there are several products that are manufactured to restore and recolour grout joints. These generally work by using a pretreat solution which is normally acid-based to clean and etch the existing grout joint. It is then followed by applying an epoxy coloured solution, this can be beneficial if you wish to change from light to dark or vice versa. It can however leave a sheen on the grout joint and change the appearance, therefore it is best to try it first somewhere inconspicuous.
What colour grout is recommended for encaustic tiles and why?
Encaustic tiles are made from different coloured cements that form a pattern within the tile, which also gives the tile very porous and delicate properties. They require many coats of sealer and an ongoing maintenance program to ensure longevity and a pleasing aesthetic.
The manufacturers will often only recommend white grout as this does not carry the risk of staining the tiles due to its lack of pigments, unlike coloured grouts.
How do I use glitter grout and what is it?
Glitter grout is essentially a clear epoxy grout that is thoroughly mixed with a sachet of coloured glitter, that once set, the glitter can be seen in the clear epoxy. When parts A and B of the epoxy are mixed, the glitter sachet can be added and well mixed at the desired ratio. Glitter sachets come in a variety of colours (mainly metallic) so you can achieve almost any look you desire.
What is invisible grout?
Invisible grout is a clear epoxy that has many minute glass beads within it that reflect the light and allow the colour of the tiles to be passed through it, in turn giving the appearance the grout is the same colour as the tile thus disguising the grout joint and making the appearance of the tile and the grout as one, almost seamlessly.