I think so.
From the homeowner, to the designer, to the installer, each has an eye on grout color, use and texture.
Two aspects of the proper selection of grout are already pretty much decided.
For thin grout lines up to an eighth of an inch, you will need to use non-sanded grout.
Above that width it will be sanded.
Beyond that your next choice will be color.
This may sound simple.
But, it often isn't.
I am frequently asked by homeowners what would be a good color of grout for their tile project.
Generally, you will want to use a subtle color that enhances the tile be it Natural Stone or some type of manufactured tile or glass.
A blending of grout color with the color of the tile is a safe choice but there are times when you will want contrast.
This would be when using a bright colored tile such as a Cobalt Blue where you would be wise to use a white grout.
White is a universal acceptable contrast color with bright colors.
It brings out a clean contrast.
When selecting grout you will want to use a color that blends well with not only the tile but perhaps even the surrounding room for clues that will go with the grout.
Typically, grout will touch painted areas and wood trim.
So these trim and wall colors can and should effect your grout colors.
Think carefully about the any conflicts in color or texture that may arise.
Often mortifying to installers is when a homeowner wants 'two colors' of grout.
We'll do it of course but we'd sure like to know ahead of time because that will cost more in time and labor.
You have to allow one color to dry before adding the other.
Generally two colors can work well inside a design element.
This is where you have a contrasting band of a different colored tile or Natural Stone laid in say, a shower enclosure or back splash.
The process of grouting is a combination of learning that never ends it seems.
It is a skill learned over time and knowing ones limits.
Sometimes I will mix floor grout on the wet side for faster application.
This requires a bit more care on cleaning so as not to wash out the joints.
Then there are times when you will want to mix grout on the dryer side for vertical surfaces.
Grouting can make a not so good tile install job look good.
A bad grout job blows everything and can be very expensive to fix.
If you are a do it yourselfer, my advice to you is mix grout in small batches working a small area like 10 square feet or so.
This will get you used to mixing grout to the right consistency and washing the grout to the right depth.
Some tile looks best with grout that is flat with the tile surface and some look best with a bit of wash out to give the tile some depth and dimension.
Kitchen counter tops and showers in my opinion should be flat with the surface particularly.
Getting a flat grout finish can be difficult if you have the wrong grout consistency or you wash it too soon.
On the other hand, wait too long and you're going to have a long day scrubbing grout off the tile.
Grout release is a material that should be applied to Slate in particular prior to grouting.
There are other Natural Stone and tile that should use it too.
But, knowing which is the challenge met by experienced installers.
Where to get grout is important as well.
Always use the same brand.
Don't go to Lowe's and get 'Bone' grout then to Home Depot for their supplier of Bone grout.
They are two different colors! I hope this helps with your next tile project and if you want to read more more visit http://howtofloortile.
blogspot.
com/ for other information and photos.
From the homeowner, to the designer, to the installer, each has an eye on grout color, use and texture.
Two aspects of the proper selection of grout are already pretty much decided.
For thin grout lines up to an eighth of an inch, you will need to use non-sanded grout.
Above that width it will be sanded.
Beyond that your next choice will be color.
This may sound simple.
But, it often isn't.
I am frequently asked by homeowners what would be a good color of grout for their tile project.
Generally, you will want to use a subtle color that enhances the tile be it Natural Stone or some type of manufactured tile or glass.
A blending of grout color with the color of the tile is a safe choice but there are times when you will want contrast.
This would be when using a bright colored tile such as a Cobalt Blue where you would be wise to use a white grout.
White is a universal acceptable contrast color with bright colors.
It brings out a clean contrast.
When selecting grout you will want to use a color that blends well with not only the tile but perhaps even the surrounding room for clues that will go with the grout.
Typically, grout will touch painted areas and wood trim.
So these trim and wall colors can and should effect your grout colors.
Think carefully about the any conflicts in color or texture that may arise.
Often mortifying to installers is when a homeowner wants 'two colors' of grout.
We'll do it of course but we'd sure like to know ahead of time because that will cost more in time and labor.
You have to allow one color to dry before adding the other.
Generally two colors can work well inside a design element.
This is where you have a contrasting band of a different colored tile or Natural Stone laid in say, a shower enclosure or back splash.
The process of grouting is a combination of learning that never ends it seems.
It is a skill learned over time and knowing ones limits.
Sometimes I will mix floor grout on the wet side for faster application.
This requires a bit more care on cleaning so as not to wash out the joints.
Then there are times when you will want to mix grout on the dryer side for vertical surfaces.
Grouting can make a not so good tile install job look good.
A bad grout job blows everything and can be very expensive to fix.
If you are a do it yourselfer, my advice to you is mix grout in small batches working a small area like 10 square feet or so.
This will get you used to mixing grout to the right consistency and washing the grout to the right depth.
Some tile looks best with grout that is flat with the tile surface and some look best with a bit of wash out to give the tile some depth and dimension.
Kitchen counter tops and showers in my opinion should be flat with the surface particularly.
Getting a flat grout finish can be difficult if you have the wrong grout consistency or you wash it too soon.
On the other hand, wait too long and you're going to have a long day scrubbing grout off the tile.
Grout release is a material that should be applied to Slate in particular prior to grouting.
There are other Natural Stone and tile that should use it too.
But, knowing which is the challenge met by experienced installers.
Where to get grout is important as well.
Always use the same brand.
Don't go to Lowe's and get 'Bone' grout then to Home Depot for their supplier of Bone grout.
They are two different colors! I hope this helps with your next tile project and if you want to read more more visit http://howtofloortile.
blogspot.
com/ for other information and photos.