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Clueless about backsplash grout color

13 years ago

We are planning a backsplash in our kitchen remodel that is a ceramic brick mix. The only online picture of the tile combo I could find is below. I have no idea where to start when thinking about grout color? Any advice on best color range to look at? Should it be more sandy colored? Or more toward the greenish/gray? Lighter? Darker?

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

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Comments (5)

billp1
13 years ago
The best way is to get a sample color chart from your contractor, tile store or go to Lowe's or Home Depot who usually have color grout charts in the aisle that they sell grout and tile.
marcolo
13 years ago
Yup. You should be able to get these little "sticks" of fake grout in the appropriate colors, so you can put them in between your tiles and see how the various colors look. Don't just wing it.

Once you have the grout color, don't forget to use color-matched caulk between the backsplash and counter, rather than grout. Grout will crack there. Also use the caulk if the backsplash wraps around any inside corners.
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Fun, I used epoxy grout in the bath surround. Yes it needs more cleaning to remove, but not the horror stories I've read. I did use a tile sealer on the top of tile before grouting and often wonder if this made a difference. As with all reviews you are going to read the rough adventures. I can't remember if those who had problems were new at grouting or the type of epoxy used. The process and manufacturer is never really mentioned. Why not try it on a small board? I probably used this on a couple of square feet at a time and cleaned off as I went. My spacing is 1/4". It looks great, smooth and clean. Is as hard as regular grout, not sure why others had an issue with it staying soft. And I used a premix, which many said to stay away from. I haven't had to do anything with mine for 5 years. Will add that it looks a bit different than normal grout, but you would have to look close. Wipes down right along with tile whenever wanted. It definitely seals between the tile. Take a chance and sample it before the big job. They have small containers. Also, even though this worked for me and I would do it again, there is always the norm of wanting what has always been. Standard grout can still be the norm for many.
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I think I'm paying NYC prices in Minnesota but didn't know that until I discovered this website! My granite was considered a middle price granite but it still cost $84 a square foot, which I think is a high end price. The sub contractor doing our backsplash also did our granite. Our cabinets, which have been done in hickory, cost about $18,000. I'm not sure if that's high or not. Our KC has a good reputation but I've noticed there's a crack in the wood of the island and a hole where one of the knots fell out during the granite installation. This is our first kitchen remodel and I'm not sure if that should be acceptable or not??
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Who knows about backsplash grout colors?
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Comments (6)
Hard to give recommendation with just the picture to go by as the tile can look so different in real life. Custom Bldg. Products-like #10 antique white, #365 canvas, or for even darker maybe #156 fawn. Laticrete-lots of nice colors: #23 antique white, #39 mushroom, #81 butter cream, #52 toasted almond, or for darker maybe #31 caramel. The best thing to do would be to go to the tile store with your samples and ask for some grout advice-maybe from the above listed color choices?? or they may recommend something entirely different. I don't have the color chart for TEC or mapei so can't offer any from those lines. Take your time-your tile is very pretty but the right grout is just as important. Grout color choice can be a PITA. All brands say that the sample sticks/pictures are just a representation and may not be the actual color you end up with. We used Laticrete for our floor and the grout was lighter than the sample picture. We used TEC for the backsplash and it was way darker than the sample stick. Go figure!! Hoping Bill V. will see your post and offer some advice.
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Comments (25)
didn't have time to read all the answers. I have no backsplash and have never regretted it...been over 6 yrs. It is painted with BM matte...which has ceramic in it. It is as beautiful now as it was when first painted. I love the fact that I can showcase other things ...art etc in my kitchen and no competition. Also if I ever want to change it is as quick as a paint brush...expense is minimal..paint only ! All in all I think it is serene as you point out . Here is one pick. Since I have a lot of high heat cooking in my kitchen..built in deep fat fryer as well as gas cook top I can definitely speak to the longevity of paint only. c ( more at this album )
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boxerpups
13 years ago
Sas95,
I love your tile choice. Very pretty!!!
Great advice from Marcolo and billp1.
Here are some links from others on GW.
~boxer

Help? Grout color disaster :( Can anything be done
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg040218113515.html

first big glitch, wrong grout
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0603054316033.html

help with grout color selection needed
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0622131225305.html

Is my grout too light? Can I get it darker?
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0118260720235.html
sayde
13 years ago
Just want to repeat the caution about grout turning out lighter than the little sticks. My tile guy says it can be caused by using too much water, or stuff in the water itself. You may want to mix a sample of the actual grout and let it dry to see for yourself whether it is going to be what you expected and desire.

I think that a grout color that is close to or slightly darker than the tile tends to recede. If it is way darker, or lighter, it tends to pop more. With very plain tiles, having contrast in the grout creates a pattern, but with a pretty pattern like the one you have, perhaps the grout should be very quiet, meaning very close to the hue and value of the tiles.
sas95
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the great advice, and thanks for the links, boxerpups. It's good to know about the grout turning lighter. I'm definitely going to mix some samples and see it for myself before committing.

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