Tile Grout Buying Guide: Types, Colours, Joint Widths & Wet Areas

Tile grout fills the joints between tiles, but choosing it only by colour can lead to problems. The grout also has to suit the tile, joint width, location, moisture exposure and cleaning requirements. A bathroom floor, kitchen splashback and outdoor tiled area can place very different demands on the jointing material.

This UK tile grout buying guide explains the main decisions before you buy from the JJ Building Materials tiles and flooring accessories range. It covers grout types, colour, anti-mould products, joint widths, wet areas, preparation and cleaning, along with how grout works alongside adhesive and waterproofing.

What Does Tile Grout Do?

Grout fills the designed gaps between tiles, supports the edges, completes the visual grid and helps create a cleanable finished surface. It is not intended to replace movement joints, fix loose tiles or act as the main waterproofing layer behind a shower.

The joint should have enough depth and width for the selected grout to be installed as the manufacturer specifies.

Cement-Based Tile Grout

Cementitious grout is commonly used in residential wall and floor tiling. Modern products can include polymers and additives to improve performance, flexibility or water resistance. Mixing ratio and application technique still matter.

Measure water carefully and avoid adding excess water to make the grout easier to spread. Too much water can change curing, colour consistency and strength.

Ready-Mixed and Specialist Grouts

Some grout products use ready-mixed or resin-based formulations for particular applications. These can have different cleaning and curing requirements from traditional cement grout. Use the exact product instructions and make sure the tile surface is compatible.

Anti-Mould Grout

The live range includes Palace Anti Mould Grout. Products with anti-mould properties are useful in moisture-prone environments, but they do not remove the need for ventilation, correct cleaning and a properly designed wet-area system.

Persistent mould can be linked to surface moisture, ventilation or failed sealant as well as the grout itself.

Choosing Grout Colour

Grout colour has a major visual effect. A close colour match makes the tiled surface look more continuous. A contrasting colour highlights each tile and emphasises the layout. Mid-tone grout can sometimes hide normal everyday marks more easily than very pale or very dark joints.

View the tile and grout sample together. Screen images and wet grout colour can differ from the final cured result.

White Tile Grout

White grout creates a clean, bright line and is common with white wall tiles and bathrooms. It can show dirt and staining more readily in high-traffic floor areas, so consider maintenance before choosing it for every application.

Grey Tile Grout

Grey is versatile because it works with many tile colours and does not create as harsh a grid as black or bright white. Light grey can subtly define white tiles; darker grey can coordinate with stone-effect and concrete-look surfaces.

Dark Grout

Dark grout can create a striking contrast with pale tiles. It can also make minor inconsistencies in joint width more visible because the grid is strongly defined. Accurate tile setting therefore matters.

Joint Width

Every grout has a stated range of suitable joint widths. The correct width also depends on tile dimensional variation, edge type and installation requirements. Do not select a very narrow grout line simply because it looks modern if the tile or grout system needs more space.

Natural stone and non-rectified tiles can require wider joints than highly regular rectified porcelain.

Grout for Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain surfaces are dense, but jointing still needs to suit the environment and tile finish. Some textured porcelain can hold grout residue more readily, so test or pre-protect where the product guidance recommends it.

Grout for Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are commonly grouted with compatible cement-based products, but glazed and unglazed faces can react differently to pigments and cleaning. Follow the tile and grout instructions.

Grout for Natural Stone

Natural stone can be porous or sensitive to staining. Pigmented grout may lodge in surface pores or alter pale stone if the installation is not prepared correctly. Use grout suitable for the specific stone and consider pre-sealing only where the stone/sealer guidance supports it.

Grout in Showers and Wet Areas

Grout is part of the finished tiled surface but should not be relied upon as the sole waterproof barrier. Where tanking is required, install an appropriate system such as the Palace Shower Tight Tanking Kit before tiling, following the full system instructions.

Sealant and movement joints at corners and changes of plane need separate treatment from rigid grout where specified.

Grout on Floors

Floor joints experience traffic, dirt and cleaning more than many wall joints. Choose a product suitable for floor use and plan a maintenance-friendly colour. Ensure the adhesive beneath the tiles is fully cured as required before grouting.

When Can You Grout After Tiling?

The waiting time depends on the tile adhesive, tile, conditions and grout. Rapid-set adhesive can allow quicker progression than standard systems, but use the adhesive manufacturer's stated timing rather than a generic next-day rule.

Preparing Joints Before Grouting

Remove spacers and loose adhesive from the joints to the required depth without damaging tile edges or waterproofing. Vacuum or clean dust as directed. Joints should be suitable for the grout to fill consistently.

Mixing Grout Correctly

Use the stated water ratio and mixing procedure. For larger areas, keep batches consistent to reduce colour variation. Avoid adding extra water once the grout begins to stiffen.

Applying Tile Grout

Work the grout into joints with a suitable float, usually diagonally across the tile surface so the joints are packed rather than scraped empty. Remove excess material while keeping the joints full.

Work in sections small enough to clean within the product's working time.

Cleaning Grout Haze

Initial cleaning timing is critical. Wiping too early can pull material from the joints; waiting too long can make residue difficult to remove. Use clean water and the method specified for the grout.

If hardened cement residue remains later, use a compatible specialist cleaner such as products in our grout residue remover range only after checking tile and grout compatibility.

Movement Joints vs Grout

Do not fill designed movement joints with rigid grout. Changes of plane, structural joints and larger tiled areas can require movement accommodation. Follow the project specification and relevant installation standards.

Replacing Old Grout

If existing grout is cracked, stained or failing, identify why before simply covering it. Loose tiles, movement or water ingress may need repair first. Old grout generally needs to be removed to sufficient depth for the new product to bond effectively.

Tile Grout Buying Checklist

• Wall or floor location.
• Tile material and surface texture.
• Required joint width.
• Wet-area or general internal use.
• Colour and maintenance preference.
• Compatibility with the tile and adhesive.
• Need for tanking or movement joints.
• Mixing and working time.
• Cleaning method and cure time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grout should I use for floor tiles?

Use a grout specifically suitable for floor use, the tile material and required joint width. Consider a practical colour for the traffic level.

Is anti-mould grout waterproof?

Do not treat grout as a complete waterproofing system. Wet areas may require tanking behind the tiles even when using moisture-resistant or anti-mould grout.

What grout colour should I choose?

Use a close match for a blended look or contrast to emphasise the pattern. Consider how easily the chosen colour will show everyday marks.

How wide should tile grout lines be?

The correct width depends on tile type, dimensional variation and the grout's stated range. Follow the tile and grout recommendations.

Can I grout straight after tiling?

Only once the adhesive has cured sufficiently according to its instructions. The required wait varies by product and conditions.

Can grout fix loose tiles?

No. Loose tiles indicate an adhesive, substrate or movement issue that should be corrected before regrouting.

Choose Grout as Part of the Tiling System

Browse the current tile grout and adhesive range, and use our tile adhesive buying guide to make sure the fixing and finishing products work together.