We are using Lunada Bay tile, Tommy Bahama Surin 1x2 for our pool waterline and spa overflow areas. It has all been installed now I am choosing the grout color. There are clear glass tiles within the pattern and bright white thinset was used per installation instructions. I am looking for suggestions on grout color. We were thinking of (Bostik) Storm or (one of these found at Home Depot) Oyster Gray or Delorean Gray. We want to be certain the grout color will look great with the bright white thinset color that shows through the clear glass tiles.
How To Choose Best Grout Color For Pool Tile?
- Thread starter run2bfit
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,181
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Do you have samples of the grout you are considering that you can hold up next to your tiles and take some pics to share. Seeing the actual colors in your light will help us see your situation.
@kimkats is our design bling queen and has helped many with this.
Do you have samples of the grout you are considering that you can hold up next to your tiles and take some pics to share. Seeing the actual colors in your light will help us see your situation.
@kimkats is our design bling queen and has helped many with this.
LOVE that tile!!! SO pretty!
For the grout color see if you can get your hands on some grout color sticks. That will really help pick out which gray to get. I WOULD use gray for sure. It is just a matter of which gray. Just from the pics I am leaning toward a lighter gray to not overshadow the BLING tiles in the mix.
Kim
For the grout color see if you can get your hands on some grout color sticks. That will really help pick out which gray to get. I WOULD use gray for sure. It is just a matter of which gray. Just from the pics I am leaning toward a lighter gray to not overshadow the BLING tiles in the mix.
Kim
One thing we encountered once we talked to a pool tile specialist we had 75 color options for epoxy grout. So don't buy the 7 shades of grey/off white.
Hi! Thanks for all your responses
). Here are some photo's I took this morning. Trying to make an informed decision today Some of the glass tile is translucent so the bright white thinset will show of course. I like the "stick" color which is storm by Bostik not too dark gray and not too tan/gray. Bostik is not sold locally so trying to match it up with color from HD. I am considering a silver color (which is the grout color in my profile photo) instead of gray. Aside from the aesthetics there are so many opinions on type of grout for example: suggestions to use a urethane type of grout as it will hold up better and reduce algae etc. also to use a grout release first before grouting to help keep the grout from sticking into the natural crevices & cracks that are present throughout this particular tile and that darker grout or lighter grout choice is better to reduce maintenance. Oh and non-sand or sand grout. Installation instructions say we can use either but I read that sanded grout can scratch glass tile. I have an excellent tile guy however, this tile is paper faced and with the natural crevices and cracks throughout we've been working together to make sure to follow the installation instructions. It has been a challenge but he is doing a great job with the installation and patient with me and the tile.... Anyway sorry so LONG and thanks for your advice I really appreciate your time!
). Here are some photo's I took this morning. Trying to make an informed decision today Some of the glass tile is translucent so the bright white thinset will show of course. I like the "stick" color which is storm by Bostik not too dark gray and not too tan/gray. Bostik is not sold locally so trying to match it up with color from HD. I am considering a silver color (which is the grout color in my profile photo) instead of gray. Aside from the aesthetics there are so many opinions on type of grout for example: suggestions to use a urethane type of grout as it will hold up better and reduce algae etc. also to use a grout release first before grouting to help keep the grout from sticking into the natural crevices & cracks that are present throughout this particular tile and that darker grout or lighter grout choice is better to reduce maintenance. Oh and non-sand or sand grout. Installation instructions say we can use either but I read that sanded grout can scratch glass tile. I have an excellent tile guy however, this tile is paper faced and with the natural crevices and cracks throughout we've been working together to make sure to follow the installation instructions. It has been a challenge but he is doing a great job with the installation and patient with me and the tile.... Anyway sorry so LONG and thanks for your advice I really appreciate your time!Attachments
I would go with the lighter one for sure!
So nice to hear your worker is working so close with you to make sure it is done right! Love to hear that!
Kim
So nice to hear your worker is working so close with you to make sure it is done right! Love to hear that!
Kim
Sure didn't think choosing a grout color would be this stressful! I decided on the silver grout by Mapei after much deliberation. I hope they make the urethane type grout as I am told it will hold up better. Thanks Kim!I would go with the lighter one for sure!
So nice to hear your worker is working so close with you to make sure it is done right! Love to hear that!
Kim
I would use epoxy grout not sanded for glass tile. As for look that's a big personal choice I would do a light grey or a light blue grey. Laticrete has a ton of good epoxy grout options and you can even get ones with reflective properties. Don't settle for the hd sanded and non sanded grouts. You can zoom in to see what the black epoxy grout looks like with added reflective bling in it. Below is a link of options. A lot of pool builders neglect to list these options. Ours did until we demanded they show us all the epoxy options. Glitter Grout, Largest Selection of Glitter Grout
WOW this is so interesting! Masons are about to begin tiling, and I was not even aware of so many options.
I am wonder what type of grout you ended up using? I selected Lunada Bay Tozen Iodine Silk 1x1 and am trying to figure out what would look most natural with it and also what type. I have Bluestone coping and am not sure yet what Pebble finish - either Blue Granite or Prism Blue most likely. In Custom Build Grout colors I think I like Delorean Grey, but can't find an exact match in Laticrete...Sterling Silver is a little browner but close.
And I don't know what to do about sanded vs. unsanded vs. expoxy. PB said epoxy is best, but I did read something about expansion problems? And for sanded vs. unsanded, what are the benefits? Unsanded would be better in terms of avoiding scratching the tile - except that the spa wall will have a larger corner grout line so he got worried about needing it to be sanded for that since there is no edge tile option. Or is epoxy best? I am reading lots of conflicting info!
And I don't know what to do about sanded vs. unsanded vs. expoxy. PB said epoxy is best, but I did read something about expansion problems? And for sanded vs. unsanded, what are the benefits? Unsanded would be better in terms of avoiding scratching the tile - except that the spa wall will have a larger corner grout line so he got worried about needing it to be sanded for that since there is no edge tile option. Or is epoxy best? I am reading lots of conflicting info!