by While planning constructions or working on renovations and extensions, tile choices play an important role. The immense choices of tiles and the exotic designs and blends of materials make it a very attractive option. Many homes and businesses appear like a tile exhibition! While homeowners and builders often spend hours, laboriously selecting different tiles for each room or section of the home or business, comparatively little attention goes into the grout materials and colors.
A hasty minute is spent in making a final decision about grout colors. They deserve closer attention when you consider the important roles grouts play in the life of the tile. Maintenance of tiles extends to the grout quality too. In terms of appearances, grout may blend in or stand out in refreshing ways. Lighter grout shades would accumulate more visible dust and dirt and require more frequent cleaning.
The Mapei Grout Chart for matching grout colors
Serene, traditional, natural, romance and glamor are the five approaches presented in the Mapei grout chart. Browns and grays, yellow, purple, blue and so many shades are shown for efficient color matching between tiles and grouts. If that appears complicated, visiting the tile design showroom would enable the staff to help with the grout color matching. The color and design consultant would help make the final choices after pointing out the pros and cons. The software helps to study the probable effects of the grout colors versus the tile colors and designs after installation.
First, the tiles would be selected and then a suitably matching grout color. What do you think? Compared to the tiles, would you opt for lighter or darker grouts? Perhaps the grouts if dark would overshadow the tiles while the reverse should be true. On the other hand, very light grouts easily gather dirt. It is good to develop ideas about colors though, and how to match them, the effects and the perception. Moods and feelings are created through tile colors and designs, and grout colors too.
Get ready for the DIY task with the right materials
Instead of costly professional workers, the task of installing the grout could be done quite easily if interested in the right materials in place. You would need a Regular sponge and a large sponge. Don’t forget about the Grout float and Dry cloth. Additionally, some thin dowel, a clean bucket, and a grout saw. Arrange for the list of items beforehand so that searching in desperation at the last moment may be avoided.
Follow a few additional tips to get the best out of the grout color matching plan:
Firstly, the tile color and grout color need to blend in. Rarely do we come across a grout color that overshadows the tile through contrast. A similar shade of grout like if the tile is red, then orange and scarlet could be the grout colors. A neutral shade of grout works well, fades away and helps to hide the marks. If the tiles are white, avoid using a white grout as they did in the past. Nowadays, a light gray grout would be better that would hide blemishes and show off the white tile to better effect.
Secondly, the secret to a bold look is a dark grout! Imagine installing a dark grout around a white subway tile wall. The effect would be a retro bold and industrial appearance that reminds of factories. The great advantage is certainly that a lot of dirt and stains get hidden from sight. Kitchens and bathing areas could use dark grouts to mighty advantage. In terms of contrasts, dark tiles that have white grouts surrounding them also show similar contrasting images.
Thirdly, the quality of the grouting material does matter. As it is with tile quality that may be decided by budgetary concerns, so it is with grout quality. Both need to last really long together. The finished pattern would depend upon the quality of tile and grout. Mapei Ultra Color Plus grout and matching silicone are the products available here. The Italian product Mapei grout with the BioBlock technology takes good care of the surfaces. Mold does not grow in humid surroundings. DropEffects technology keeps out water and Ultracolour Plus is very long lasting indeed, not getting dirty easily. Uniform color and quick drying make Mapei grout the best choice to get floors and walls ready quickly.