How to choose grout — design and technical guide

Material, colour, width — making the right choice

Grout does more than fill gaps

Grout is a structural element, a waterproofing aid, and a design feature all in one. The wrong grout can ruin a beautiful tile installation — staining within months, cracking under movement, or clashing visually with the tile colour. Getting it right is worth the research.

Cement grout vs epoxy grout

Cement grout is the traditional choice. It's inexpensive, easy to work with, and available in dozens of colours. The downsides: it's porous (absorbs stains and moisture over time), it can crack in joints wider than 6 mm without added latex, and it needs sealing in wet areas.

Epoxy grout is a resin-based alternative. It's waterproof, stain-proof, chemical-resistant, and doesn't need sealing. It's also more expensive, harder to apply (it sets fast and is difficult to clean off tile surfaces), and has a slightly plastic sheen that some find unappealing. Epoxy is the professional choice for commercial kitchens, pools, and showers.

Choosing grout colour

Grout colour has a dramatic impact on the final look:

• Matching grout — same colour as the tile. Creates a seamless, monolithic surface. Grout lines virtually disappear. Best for large-format tiles and minimalist designs.
• Contrasting grout — deliberately different from the tile. Emphasises the grid pattern and highlights each individual tile. White tile with dark grout is a classic example.
• Mid-tone grout — a neutral grey or beige that neither matches nor contrasts. The safest choice, hiding dirt while keeping a subtle grid.

Dark grout hides dirt but makes the grid very visible. Light grout creates a clean look but requires more maintenance. For floors, mid-tone grout is the practical winner.

Grout for wet areas

In showers, around baths, and in steam rooms, grout is the weakest point for water penetration. Use either epoxy grout (fully waterproof) or cement grout with a penetrating sealer applied after curing. Re-seal cement grout annually in wet areas.

At wall-floor junctions, wall-wall corners, and around fixtures, use flexible silicone sealant instead of grout. These joints accommodate movement — rigid grout would crack.

Grout joint width

Joint width is both a design and technical decision. See our dedicated grout gap sizes guide for detailed recommendations by tile type and application.