Dark Grout with White Metro Tiles

[Zuffler]

Firstly, apologies if this has been asked before or I'm posting in the wrong section.

My kitchen is being re tiled and we have requested white Metro tiles from Topps and thought a dark grey grout would look good.

today the builders have informed me that 'the dark grout will stain the white tiles' and would it be possible to use a white or cream grout?'

having seen white tiles and dark grout advertised in the Topps Tiles YouTube video (6 seconds in) and also in the catalogue I am confused. Is this really the case or is it more that it takes a lot more time and diligence when working with non white grout to ensure it is cleaned off the tiles before it sets and therefore stains the tile? Given the tiles are glazed does this not make it easier to clean off the excess grout?

if anyone could give me an honest answer I would be most grateful. My cynical side says they just don't want to put the time or effort in whilst my other nicer side thinks they may well just be being honest with me, although certainly I can find a lot of examples of white tiles and grey grout out there on the web!

many thanks in advance

 

[Mr Tiler]

white grout looks better i.m.o on these tiles, but there shouldn't be any issue with it being grouted in a dark colour... maybe it is the fact that you are using a ''builder'' rather than a tiler. builders are not tillers

 

[John Benton]

Unless they are a crackle glaze then they should be ok. The fact that a dark grout would accentuate any discrepancies in joint width could be the reason why they are avoiding a dark colour. If that's what you want, that's what you should have IMO.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Have what colour grout you want. As you say, they are glazed ceramic tiles and will be easier to clean than matt tiles. It's all down to personal taste. I personally would go for white grout on white metro, but it's not my kitchen! You have seen the grout/tile combination and you like it, so tell the builder that's what you want. Hopefully your builder is employing a tiler to do the job.

 

[White Room]

Putting a dark grout on a light/white tile the tiling needs to be spot on.....

 

[AliGage]

Unless they are a crackle glaze then they should be ok. The fact that a dark grout would accentuate any discrepancies in joint width could be the reason why they are avoiding a dark colour. If that's what you want, that's what you should have IMO.

Exactly. Thats the only reason not to use a dark grout on a gloss white tile, Especially a metro.
But I wonder, would a cream grout not turn them yellow???

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It could be a bit of both!
If you read the information on the side of the grout packaging it will advise that dark grouts CAN stain tiles. It is not necessarily the face of the tile but from the sides of the biscuit where it is unglazed. This is often the case on soft bodied single fired ceramics so it will be worth doing a test area first.
At the end of the day it is your choice but imo they have brought to your attention a potential failure.

 

[cam_low]

I recon the dark grey on white looks nice. Dark grouts are harder work. Topps do not do a crackle glaze metro iirc.

I'm going with the devil in me and saying they want an easy life.

 

[Stef]

I think you got it to start with, The "Builder" says??
He probably only has white grout & doesn't want to buy grout as he is a builder & not a tiler.
Here's a job I done a few weeks ago.

This is Weber grey grout.

 

[peteablard]

I'd get a quote from a professional tiler, don't let your builder do it. A quick search on here will give you loads of horror stories about bodged jobs by builders who think they can tile!

 

[Marksmithtiling]

I like dark grout with white tiles, if thats what you want and there are no issues with the tiles as mentioned above thats what you should have !!

 

[Rookery]

I once did a full bathroom in white metros and black grout at the customers request. Not my cup of tea but the customer liked it. Unlike using white grout, you've got no margin of error and the tiles need to be good uns too.

 

[Ubudlulu]

Exactly. Thats the only reason not to use a dark grout on a gloss white tile, Especially a metro.
But I wonder, would a cream grout not turn them yellow???

Ali - what colour grout is this?

 

[macten]

I personally prefer dark grout on these tiles.
Did this one a couple of weeks ago in Anthracite

 

[AliGage]

Ali - what colour grout is this?

This one was Ardex Dove Grey

 

[Ubudlulu]

This one was Ardex Dove Grey

Thank you!

 

[dean.diy]

nice to get full use out of old threads. did grey on white last year. Asked to use matching grey silicone for the corners etc. Had to be more carefull when smoothing off to avoid grey film of silicone over white tile.

 

[Dan]

I'd use a bit of masking tape to get a really neat edging if it was dark silicone on white tiles. Or even along a white bath etc. You have to quickly get the masking off before the silicone starts to skin though, or else you just make a big mess and it's hard to clean up.

 

[dean.diy]

Thanks Dan. I'll give another go but always end up with a step when I use tape. A good thread should always have pix of some outstanding past JOTM( like AliGage's metro kitchen).

 

[Old Mod]

Thanks Dan. I'll give another go but always end up with a step when I use tape. A good thread should always have pix of some outstanding past JOTM( like AliGage's metro kitchen).

Both u and @AliGage need to get out more! Hahahahaha

What can I say Alister! Hahaha

 

[dean.diy]

Staying in. And envious.

 

[Old Mod]

En

Staying in. And envious.

envious?

 

[dean.diy]

Yes, I see a standard of work I'd like to have put out myself .

 

[Old Mod]

Yes, I see a standard of work I'd like to have put out myself .

Fair enough Dean!
Just patience and practice.
Don't get overwhelmed and flustered!
It's all downhill from there!
Did you see Dan tagged you Dean?

 

[Old Mod]

Can u try and go here please Dean?
@Dan is running a test
TEST ME THIS - Who can see the tilersforums arms now lads? | Tilers Forums | tile advice and tiling forum

 

[AliGage]

What can I say?????

 

[Dan]

What can I say?????

Gracefully take a bow and tip your hat to the guy.

 

[AliGage]

Yes, I see a standard of work I'd like to have put out myself .

Done!

 

[Old Mod]

Errrrrrr excuse me gentleman!
Haha Alister is a good friend of mine!
Pls don't take this the wrong way!

 

[AliGage]

Yes, I see a standard of work I'd like to have put out myself .

Gracefully take a bow and tip your hat to the guy.

I get embarrassed with compliments, but they are always appreciated!

Persevere Dean. If you want anything you can achieve it. That old saying "always Learning"
I never believe that I know everything. Every problem is a test, get over them and you achieve.
But above all else, to be a great tiler...........

.........you gotta love it!!