Grouting colour for black porcelain tiles?

silversixpence

Hi, I've bought some black porcelain tiles (60 by 30 riven slate effect) for my new kitchen, and was planning to have them grouted with a narrow join in charcoal or black grout. My contractor is desperately trying to convince us that this is a bad idea and that we should have white grouting as black grout always ends up looking dirty in his experience - but i dont really like the effect. anyone with experience that can advise us?

emg

i would definitely go for black or grey grout, i think white will stand out too much. Stick to your guns, you are the one who will be looking at it/cleaning it after all!

Merlot

Defo black, I have black tiles in my kitchen, I have had them a few years now, and we couldn't for love nor money get black grout, we had to get a bag that we mixed with water, awful messy, I am wondering if this is why the builder is not wanting to do it, When I mean messy, I mean really really messy, it took days to clean up, black soot everywhere, but saying that is does look great now, DO not have white, it looks cheap in my opinion.

Merlot.x.

Merlot

p.s. Dirty, black grout is great, you can't see the dirt! The builder must have a warehouse full of white if he is keen for you to have white.

ukwoody

We have fitted a few of this sort of colour. Are they wall or floor tiles? Either way I would go with a dark grey or a charcoal colour. White looks stark - it's fine if you've one of these modern showhouse type kitchens, but otherwise not really. If they are for the floor, don't even think white.

Woody

Bungarm2001

We have the same type and colour tiles...do yourself a favour and go for the charcoal or black, not the white. It'll look terrible no matter what your tiler says. Our tiles are on the kitchen wall above a black work surface. We grouted that join in black too.

arlybarly

i have black shiny floor tiles in my kitchen as well and they look great with grey grouting. white will get filthy very quickly.

silversixpence

thanks everyone, i'm convinced just got to persuade the other half now..

BlondeHeadOn

If you go to the Mapei website they have a (very well-hidden) feature which allows you to look at the effects of differnet coloured grouts in different rooms/tile settings. It's very useful, if rather hard to find!

The website is:
http://www.mapei.co.uk/

Click on 'Tools' on the left hand side (bottom of the list)
Then click on 'Coloured Grouts'

Then in the new window move your cursor over the option squares to choose your room, then you can play with the effects of differnet coloured grouts for the tiles.

I spent a happy afternoon doing this (I must get out more......)

maple41

Go for grey we did and pleased we did