Your Guide To Choosing The Perfect Grout....

It's so easy to spend all your effort picking out the perfect tile but remember to give equal emphasis to which grout you're going to use. The grout colour is immediately noticeable and becomes a very definite part of the character of the end look. 

Although the tiles you choose will, of course, go a long way in creating the look you love, hex tiles are so small that the choice of grout is particularly important. Don't be overwhelmed by the dazzling array of options. Think of it as three basic choices....

The white grout route...yes, pale grouts initially look classic and light....

...but, even with the best of intentions, little bits of, ahem, dirt, will gradually darken the grout...especially in high traffic areas. Don't be fooled by pretty pictures!

The dark grout...

...which, on the plus side, should hide the build-up of inevitable dirt and grime, but may fade over time, particularly if you use strong bathroom cleaners.

The last choice, and my own favourite, is the mid-colour range, notably shades of grey, greige and brown.

These grouts are dark enough to hide dirt but light enough to resist fading. Try any of Mapei's Ultracolour Plus Grey shades.

*Due to limitations in the printing process and computer screen variations, colours should be taken as merely indicative of the of the shades of the actual product

Grouting is not a step to skimp on because cheap grout can considerably lessen the length of the floor's life. Regrouting is not a pleasant job, which is why we went with Mapei grout. 

However, grout should also have an aesthetic function: to frame and enhance your tile. If you prefer to highlight individual tiles then pick out a contrasting grout, just like this next image. 

If you want your eye to focus on the floor as a cohesive whole, choose a grout that matches the colour of your tiles. See how the tiles below have become the central feature?

We have a marble hex tile in our shower room, and used Mapei Ultracolour Plus Grout in Manhattan. (You can follow Mapei on twitter @mapeiukltd and Facebook. More product information can be found at www.mapei.co.uk.)

Manhattan is a subtle grey with hints of greige, it highlights the gentle veining of the marble, and draws the whole floor together.

Perfect!

Images: Mine, Sound Tile Installation, Old House Online, Houzz, Mapei, For The Love Of Brooklyn, Houzz, Mine