Grappling with what colour grout to use with white tile, or curious about coloured grout ideas?
We get it - choosing the right grout for your tiles can indeed be a daunting task, especially with so many different colours and types of grout available. Even choosing the wrong grout can get you into hot water by negatively impacting your overall design.
At Myaree Ceramics we supply and recommend Ardex grout. Ardex is a German brand which has been established for over 70 years. They are known for their high quality flooring, tiling and waterproofing products. All ARDEX products come with a warranty that ranges from 10 to 20 years, depending on the specific product.
In this guide, we will walk you through how to get the most out of Ardex Grout colours. First, we’ll take a look at their colours and types, and then dive into a few tips on how to clean tile grout and keep your surfaces squeaky clean.
WALL TILE: Pixel Coral
Ardex grout colours and types
Ardex is a leading supplier of tile and grout products and offers a wide range of grout colours that complement many of the tiles sold here at Myaree Ceramics. This guide will focus on two of the most popular Ardex grout types - Ardex FG8 and Ardex FS-DD.
Ardex FG8 is a smooth flexible cement-based grout that is suitable for use with ceramic, quarry, and natural stone tiles. Available in a variety of colours and easy to work with, Ardex FG8 is a popular choice among DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
On the other hand, Ardex FS-DD is a high-performance, polymer-modified grout that is designed for use with porcelain, glass, and other types of sensitive tiles. It is also available in a range of hues and offers improved colour integrity, and excellent stain resistance and durability.
The details on Ardex FG8 and Ardex FS-DD
When selecting the right grout for your tiled space, it's important to consider a range of factors beyond just the colour.
ARDEX FS-DD
Ardex FS-DD is the most specified grout at Myaree Ceramics, as it has an ultrafine formula which sits perfectly between narrow grout joins, typically seen with rectified tiles. FS-DD is a high-quality grout that offers several benefits in addition to its aesthetic appeal. This polymer-fortified grout is water-repellent thanks to a special hydrophobing agent, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms and other areas where moisture is present.
Ardex FS-DD is also dirt resistant, meaning it maintains its new look for longer. The formula includes Ardex Grout Shield which is a powerful agent that helps combat mould growth and other harmful bacteria.
ARDEX FG8
Ardex FG8 is a polymer-fortified grout that offers strong, uniform colours that reduce efflorescence and the likelihood of cracking. In addition, it’s mould-resistant and water-repellent, which not only improves the hygiene of your space but also ensures a long-lasting, high-quality appearance. FG8 is primarily recommended for tiling projects that require grout joins of 4 to 8mm. However, it can also be used for joins as small as 1mm, and its broader range of colours makes it a popular choice. Its texture is slightly more sanded than the FSDD, making it ideal for wider grout joins.
WALL TILES: Mini Light Green Kitkat with 311 Slate Grey Grout
Choosing the right grout colour for tiles
Choosing the right grout colour for your tiles is essential to achieving the desired look of your tiled space.
To help you choose the right grout colour for your tiles, Ardex provides a range of colour charts for both Ardex FG8 and Ardex FS-DD. These charts show the available colours and indicate how they will look when applied to different types of tiles. Simply select your tile colour, and match it with your desired grout to see the final look. Additionally, to help you decide, our website lists suggested grout colours for each of our products.
Tips for minimising or creating contrast with grout
Grouting between tiles is a chance to play with different colours to compliment each other or create contrast.
If you want a smooth, clean look, we recommend matching the colour of the grout to the tile as closely as possible, as this will create a seamless and uniform look. However, if you want to create contrast, choose a grout colour that is either darker or lighter than the tile. It’s important to take into account the colour of the surrounding elements, such as walls and fixtures when selecting a grout colour as this will showcase your overall design integrity.
Grout colour is a personal design choice and can be surprisingly contentious during colour selection. Generally, it's best to match the grout closely to the tile base to blend in. However, some people prefer contrasting grout to achieve a particular style, such as an industrial look with dark grout on white subway tiles or a dark grey grout with timber look tiles for a realistic wood floor appearance.
SUBWAY TILE: Nova Arq. White Subway with 387 Charred Ash Grout
SUBWAY TILE: Masia Blanco Matt with 341 Misty Grey Grout
Grouting mosaic tiles and the impact of colour choice
The same principles above apply when choosing grout colours for mosaic tiles. However, since the volume of grout is higher, the choice becomes more critical. Sometimes, darker or brighter colours are used to highlight the mosaic shapes. It's important to consider the location where the mosaic will be installed and avoid high-maintenance grout colours in high-traffic areas or areas that are prone to getting dirty. You may also consider using epoxy grout, especially for bathroom floor or kitchen splashback mosaics. Although it is more expensive to purchase and install, epoxy is a durable resin compound that doesn't discolour or change, making it a worthwhile investment.
Our Micro-Brick Mud Pavement tiles are an example of a rustic mosaic tile, where grout choice is an important design factor. These tiles require a significant amount of grout, so grout colour can drastically change the final look. As demonstrated below, both colours of the Micro-Brick mosaics used are the same, but juxtaposed with two distinct grout colours, one light, and the other dark. This creates a starkly different look, despite the same colour of mosaic being used.
MOSAIC TILES: Micro-Brick Coffee Ring with 302 Midnight Grout
MOSAIC TILES: Micro-Brick Coffee Ring with 377 Magellan Grey Grout
What is grout haze?
Grout haze is a common problem that occurs after grouting tiles.
It’s a thin film of grout residue that sticks to the surface of the tiles after the grout has dried, which can make them look dull and dirty. Grout haze can be difficult to remove, especially if it has been left to dry for a long time.
We recommend using Lithofin KF Cement Residue Remover which is designed to dissolve and remove cement residue, including grout haze, from ceramic and porcelain tiles. It’s easy to use and effective at removing stubborn grout haze, leaving tiles looking clean and shiny. Simply apply the product to the affected area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly with water.
Our top grout-cleaning tips
If you want your tiles to look their best, cleaning them properly is essential. Below are some common issues you may come across and our recommendations on what products to use. By using these products, you can keep your grout looking clean and new for longer, while also protecting your tiles at the same time.
CRACKING
Outdoor settings and warm interiors create the perfect environment for grout cracking. Before applying the grout, we recommend mixing Ardex Grout Booster into the grout for increased adhesion to dense tile edges and durability in high-traffic areas.
DIRT AND GREASE
Whether it’s the kitchen or bathroom, Lithofin KF Grout Protector can protect ceramic surfaces and tile joints against grease and dirt - and make maintenance easier. Both kitchen tiles and bathroom tiles can quickly become clogged with dirt, so ensuring your surfaces are protected from the start is always a good idea.
OIL AND DIRT STAINS
For new main floor tiles with polished and sensitive surfaces, Lithofin KF Stain-Stop helps guard against water and oil and protects against stains and dirt. This makes regular cleaning much easier.
STAIR TILES: Bejmat Biscuit Matt
Source quality tiles and grout with Myaree Ceramics
When sourcing tiles and grouting products, quality should always be a primary consideration. Here at Myaree Ceramics, we take pride in sourcing quality products to complement our premium range of tiles. Reach out to our friendly team for more advice on Ardex grout colours, tile cleaning and maintenance, or book an appointment to secure a design consultant for your next tiling project.
