skip to main content

Grout color/type for white subway tile in tub surround

13 years ago

I like the subway tile but don't want to be disappointed if the grout yellows quickly etc. I thought I would use a light gray but a contractor and woman at tile store told me the white tile wouldn't look right with anything but white grout.

What did you use and would you use it again? What kind of grout should I specify? Antimicrobial? Is there any downside to this and does it stop mold - even that pink mold? tia

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

marysdottir
13 years ago
Myrtle,

I had the same question about colour and ended up reading lots of posts here and on the John Bridge tiling site. After all that I decided that I agreed with those who said that the white grout looked too cold and modern for my heritage themed bathroom. Bill Vincent and Mongo, among others, have listed in lots of posts the most commonly used greys for white subway tiles. There are lots of pictures of both white and various greys in the threads too.

I ended up choosing Mapei's Platinum for the subways and their Warm Grey for the marble basketweave floors.

Sorry I can't address your questions about mold resistance because I haven't installed the tiles yet. Hopefully someone else will be able to let you know.

Good luck.
bill_vincent
13 years ago
Mold resistance is due to the antimicrobial agents you mentioned. I know for sure both Mapei and Laticrete add them to their grouts. Not sure about the rest.

As for colors, Mary already named a couple of good ones from Mapei. As for Laticrete, look at the silver shadow.

Either way, you definitely want unsanded grout.
Related Discussions
White Subway Tile tub/shower remodel
Q
Comments (45)
Hi! The big window in the shower is part of my 1985 tract house and appears to be a problem for most homeowners in my neighborhood. The original installation was prone to leaks, with water penetrating the inside of the wall. Many neighbors use a shower curtain along that wall, but I wanted to have an unadorned window. We gutted the room, and hired a local "vinyl" window company to install the picture window. It's dual pane with patterned (Industrex) glass. The interior of the window was not rated to be used in a wet environment. The installer caulked areas he thought would be vulnerable. There is no way to know if water is going inside the window, but to my eye I think it's doing great. My tile installer used "old school" techniques, putting wire lath up with layers of mortar which he leveled perfectly. The tile is perfectly square and sits flush against the window. Along the bottom edge, he used sheets of vichithane (sp?) which is a sticky rubber product. He over-did that area to make sure water never entered the wall. The marble sill sits on top of the waterproofing system. A window in the shower is great and I love the design, however, I can't shower at night with the light on. I have no problems with a "peep show" as long as I shower in the morning with the light coming in from the outside. Hope that helps! P.S. The local window company convinced us they manufacture windows, but I suspect they are the same as big-box store retrofit vinyl windows. The rest of the house we used Renewal by Andersen and they're much better.
...See More
What color grout with white tile in bathtub?
Q
Comments (4)
I think that contrasting grout is a current trend, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily modern looking. Whether it is modern looking or not depends on a lot of other things. In fact, I would say that most truly modern looking bathrooms try to minimize busy-ness and go for clean lines and would tend to NOT want contrasting grout. Contrasting grout with white tile is also a classic look too, especially with subway tile, but also with 4x4 tile that you find in a lot of vintage baths as well. Grey is the "classic" probably because there wasn't any choice in a cement product back in the day. That said, you need to ask yourself whether you want to call attention to the lines between the tiles or you just want something with less pattern. I have both in my house now - in the kitchen I went with white grout and it's a very subtle look. I love it for in there but wanted something different for the bathroom. I was VERY nervous about contrasting grout but it turns out that I really love that look too. Here's a look at them side by side - both subway tiles. In my bathroom, contrasting grout (this wall is nowhere near finished, tiler just got up what he could quickly so my toilet could be installed): and here is my backsplash with white grout:
...See More
Glass tile transition to tub surround for undermounterd tub
Q
Comments (1)
Does the joint where the glass wall tile meets the deck need a special glass molding? I would prefer none just glass tile to solid surface. You can run the wall tile right to the tub deck, and caulk the intersection with color and texture matched caulk. Borders/liners are added for aesthetic and transitional interest. Sometimes it's purely design, sometimes for function, sometimes a combination. If your glass tile can stand on its own, and you'd prefer it to do so, then let it. I've not ever seen a glass grab bar or hand rail. Clear polycarbonate (I think it was PC) yes, but glass, no. Mongo
...See More
Need input on tile for tub/shower wall surround
Q
Comments (2)
Ceramic tile is glazed for this purpose and used most often in bathroom applications. This is why the big box stores have huge inventories. They come in all colors--but you might have to custom order some. The design trick to get more bang for your buck is to use inexpensive tile and apply it with an interesting mix of colors/design.
...See More
myrtle_59
Original Author
13 years ago
THanks Mary and Bill. Is the basketweave you are doing black and white? Mary, I am planning basketweave for the floor too, but maybe something softer than black and white. Did you go with marble vs tile for a reason? Well obviously you did, may I ask what the reason was?

Bill, ok, no sanded and antimicrobial, I can remember that.

I will check out the colors.
cat_mom
13 years ago
TEC XT grout (a portland cement-based grout) has "built-in resistnace to staining, cracking, mold, and mildew" according to their literature. According to TEC cust svce, it has antibacteriacide (sp?) in the grout (in a dry form). We had our tile guy use it in our recently tiled MB, and will be using it in the hall bathroom as well.

HTH!
marysdottir
13 years ago
We chose white marble with small black marble squares because it was cheap at HD ( LOL -sad but true!). About 15.00/sf. And we liked the way it looked with the white Daltile Rittenhouse Square subway tiles.

I must admit we didn't even consider ceramic basketweave for the floor - I wish I knew why but I don't; we just both knew that wasn't the look we wanted. Maybe because the marble somehow seemed more warm? In some way, I think it was the texture. I think we needed another texture in the room and marble was just enough of a variation from the ceramic subway tiles, chair rail, window molding, etc.

I am a little worried about the black and white contrast being a bit harsh or stark but the basketweave has a lot of grey in it, along with some sandy streaks. We are using some of it as a 4" border on the wall just below the chair rail in hopes that the very small amount of black will be toned down by the grey. And that was why we tried to choose a kind of warm grey for the grout.

There are some gorgeous pictures of ming green basketweaves here on GW. They are stunning and much softer looking than the black, IMHO. I wish I could have had both. Maybe we'll add on a bathroom next and I will get to choose green for the next bathroom.

I think I remember seeing some lovely blue basketweave. It might have been on the Ann Sacks tile site. It was absolutely fabulous. Had some kind of Hollywood, or Bollywood, glamour to it. The blue was almost a gentian or lapis.

Have fun choosing. We are at the port-a-potty in the driveway stage of this and its not so much fun tight now but in a few weeks I think it will all be worth it.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Subway Tile Picks Up Gray Grout

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Heading into darker territory, subway tile offers a graphic new look for kitchens, bathrooms and more

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — the Tiling and Grouting Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type

BATHROOM DESIGN Subway Tile Wainscoting Puts Bathrooms on the Right Track

By Rachel Grace

It repels water. It looks clean. It works with many architectural styles. Looks like bathrooms have a ticket to a no-brainer

REMODELING GUIDES Classic Subway Tiles Go Uptown

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Get a polished, high-end look from subway tiles old and new

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Ways Grout–Yes, Grout–Can Add to Your Design

Choose From a Palette of Grout Colors for a Warm, Unified Look

TILE Epoxy vs. Cement Grout — What's the Difference?

By By Any Design Ltd.

Grout is grout, right? Nope. Cement and epoxy versions have different appearances, durability and rules of installation

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Gorgeous Backsplash Alternatives to Subway Tile

By Vanessa Brunner

Artistic installations, back-painted glass and pivoting windows prove there are backsplash possibilities beyond the platform

BATHROOM TILE Quick Fix: Repair Cracked Bathroom Grout

Banish an eyesore and safeguard your bathroom from water damage in 30 minutes or less with this DIY repair

REMODELING GUIDES Design Details: Tiled Fireplace Surrounds

By Becky Harris

Give the Hearth a Beautiful Finish With Colorful Glass, Ceramic or Classic Stone Tile

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Grout — Stains and All

If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again

Sponsored

Fourteen Thirty Renovation, LLC

23 Reviews

Professional Remodelers in Franklin County Specializing Kitchen & Bath

More Discussions

Master Bath Remodel

4

remodeling basement bathroom.

0

Bathroom mat colour suggestions

0

Kohler Levity Plus sliding bath door for Kohler Underscore bath tub?

0

wood look Ribbon tile trim

0