If you’re planning to replace the tiles in your bath or kitchen, besides choosing the right tiles, you’ll also need to find the tile grout that perfectly fits the look you’re going for. (Tile grout refers to the paste that seals the gaps between the tiles)
Although choosing the tile grout may seem like an insignificant part of the process, your choice will have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic and durability of the tiling job.
Tiles and grout work hand in hand to make the design shine.
That’s why it’s important to equally pay attention to the grout for your tiling project. For excellent grout options, check out Ardex Tile Grout.
In this article, you’ll find a few essential things to consider when you’re choosing the grout.
Type of Grout
Cement and epoxy are the two most common types of grout.
Both these types come in sanded and un-sanded varieties.
Cement grout is easily available and doesn’t cost much.
Epoxy grout, on the other hand, is more expensive and difficult to install, but is more durable and is more resilient to damage caused by water or chemical cleaners.
When choosing between sanded or un-sanded grout, keep in mind that sanded grout is more resistant to cracks, which is why it’s used for grout lines that are wider than 2 mm.
When sealing grout, the breathable sealers are ideal for light-colored tiles, especially in high moisture areas, since they don’t darken due to moisture.
If you’re checking out alternate design options, opt for brass or stainless-steel metal inlays.
Choosing the Color
While choosing the color of the grout, the tile design you have in mind is a crucial consideration.
You’ll have to decide if you want the tile and grout design to be matching, complementary, or contrasting.
Matching Grout: Using a grout color that matches your tiles will produce a subtle overall effect, making the tiles look more pronounced. This can also make the place look more spacious. Matching grouts work well if you have beautiful tiles you want to showcase, while keeping the layout basic.
Neutral Grout: Grouts in neutral colors like grey or beige work well to compliment almost all tile layouts. Neutral grouts are the safest design choice, especially when you’re going for a traditional and simple tile layout.
Contrasting Grout: Grouts used in colors contrasting the tiles are best when you want to accentuate the overall tile pattern. Dark tiles with contrasting grout can make the area look busy and are great for geometric design patterns.
The Shade of the Grout
When choosing the right grout color, consider both the aesthetic and practical aspect of each option.
Darker grout color can conceal the stains, but it also tends to fade quickly.
On the other hand, a lighter grout color may get dirty quickly and can be high maintenance.
That’s why neutral grout colors like beige and grey are popular, as they are easier to clean and don’t get discolored easily.
Overall Appearance
While choosing the right tile grout, consider the overall appearance of the area.
This will help you visualize how the grout will look in terms of the overall design.
Consider the location where you’ll be placing the tiles.
Wall tiles are more ornate and may require complementary or neutral grouts to highlight the tiles, whereas darker grouts for floor tiles can work well to define the space.
The spacing of the grout will also play an important role in the overall tile design.
Narrow-spaced grouts can give a seamless, blended appearance, while, wider grouts can make the tile grout stand out.
Maintenance Required
Since light-colored grouts tend to stain easily, they require frequent cleaning.
If you’re choosing darker colors, keep in mind that dark color grouts can produce efflorescence that would also need cleaning.
It’s important to seal your grout with a breathable sealant so the grout doesn’t peel off.
Your sealed grout will also require regular cleaning for maintenance.
Tile grout is much more than just a substance that fills the space in between the tiles.
It has a significant impact on your overall design.
That’s why, it’s vital to do your research and choose the right color, material, and sealant, instead of leaving it as a last-minute purchase.
You can get a few samples and try it with your tiles before you go for the final layout, which will help you get a clear picture of how the tile grout will look in the overall design.
Since Thomas Crapper* refined toilet design over 130 years ago toilets have had a turned over “box’ rim at the top like the one in this photo. * Yes Thomas Crapper was a real person . . . .check the link on his name.
As I am currently looking at updating our bathroom we have been visiting bathroom shops and found there is a new variation
The Rimless Toilet
Instead of that box rim the inside face of the toilet goes straight up to the top edge.
If you want to see the difference you can watch this video showing a rimless toilet flushing
What are the Advantages?
Well the salesman will tell you because of that annoying box rim at the top of the conventional toilet where bacteria, limescale and grime build up they are harder to clean. . . . Personally I have never found it that hard to give the toilet a quick brush and the clean chlorinated town water will sort out the bacteria..
I think the lack of a rim would make the toilet cheaper to manufacture.
Disadvantages
I would have though that there is a risk of a vigorous flush splashing over the top edge with a rimless toilet, something the box rim stops.
With the ‘New Technology’ expect a price premium.
Would I Get One?
Unless the price reflects the simpler manufacturing process I won’t be changing this time!
If you have following this blog you will know I am a big fan of reverse cycle air conditioning for room heating due to its amazing efficiency..
That however doesn’t apply to our bathroom.
This might look like a reverse cycle unit but its actually a rather smart looking fan heater.
So why am I happy with the 100% efficiency for this heater rather than the 300% efficiency of reverse cycle.
Well there are a few reasons:
The unit was fairly inexpensive at less than $100 as opposed to around $2,000.
It doesn’t actually use much power as it runs for less than 10 minutes a day over the winter months only. (we are 3 minute shower people) That’s probably no more than 12 kw hours per year (Power cost of under $4 a year)
Being a fan heater it starts to warm up the room within 30 seconds whereas a reverse cycle unit will need to run for several minutes meaning that there really isn’t a power saving benefit for short term heating.
The fast response is more convenient.
This just shows the most ‘efficient’ heater isn’t always the best solution, particularly if the heating is only for short periods. .
Waterproof material, or construction, does not allow moisture to penetrate through it.
Water Resistant material, or construction, means it restricts moisture movement and will not degrade when it gets wet.
Where it matters
The Building Code of Australia (Volume Two – Table 3.8.1.1) provides details of the ‘wet areas’ that are required to be water resistant or waterproof.
Below is a short summary:
Showers
Waterproof: Floor, 150mm up walls, all wall and floor junctions, all penetrations.
Water Resistant: Walls up to 1800mm from floor.
Areas adjacent to showers
Waterproof: Timber or particle floor, all wall and floor junctions.
Water Resistant: Concrete and cement sheet flooring.
Areas adjacent to baths and spas
Waterproof: Timber or particle floor, tap and spout penetrations.
Water Resistant: Concrete and cement sheet flooring, exposed wall from 150mm above hob down,
Laundries and toilets
Waterproof: Junction of fitting to wall, surface penetrations.
Water Resistant: 150mm above fitting where fitting is within 75mm of wall.
To me this seems a bit lightweight. . . . Over the past 40 years of homeownership I have experienced both an overflowing bath, and a broken laundry hose.
I would suggest you consider at the least extending the waterproofing to the whole of the bathroom and laundry floors.
Some time ago I went ‘Glamping’ and was really struck by how the company had built a really compact en-suite. . . . so I thought I would share it with you.
As you can see its actually built out of a galvanised steel water tank.
A really good idea if you are an owner builder who wants to live on site.
With fully waterproof walls it’s just a case of installing the fittings and painting the concrete floor with an epoxy seal . . . and away you go.
You could say it is very fashionable if you like the ‘industrial’ look.
Basically it’s got a shower area at one end and the toilet at the other end, with the wash basin in the middle.
With this shelf I was in danger of hitting my head when bent over to wash my face.
A glass got knocked of the shelf and could have cracked the basin on the way down.
For getting better ideas for shelves, you can check here.
Showers
Showers over the bath are another bad idea.
It’s awkward and slippery.
There is a real risk of a fall!
If you really want a bath I would suggest you put it in the main bathroom.
NB I prefer sliding shower screens to hinged ones and I really liked the one in the photograph as both heavy glass panels slid. . . . made it easier to clean.
The modern-look is clearly worth a second look, especially regarding its minimalist approach and clean lines that are super easy to keep clean.
However, for those who want an on-trend bathroom, the hottest bathroom idea for 2017 is to choose an era and style your bathroom according to that.
For example, Art Deco design from the 1930s is all about angles and corners, clean lines and minimal fuss.
Whatever your preference, designers are telling us to choose a theme and run with it.
Water-Saving Taps and Showers
Almost every country in the world has some issue with water and a shortage of it.
Increasingly, it is not just a problem associated with long, hot dry spells in the summer.
Fitting a new bathroom is the ideal time to introduce the latest technology in the bathroom for making the best use of water, and using less of it.
There are bathroom taps, shower heads and dual flush toilets that help us to use less water when we flush, shower or wash our hands.
Mixing the air with water gives it more cleaning power, thus the theory is that we spend less time in the shower, for example.
As a country, we are using less water but there is still much more we can do.
Large-Format Tiling
You want your new bathroom to be clean and sparkling, but with minimal effort on your part, right?
That means choosing the right design and the right materials.
Large format tiling uses less grouting and thus there are less crevices to keep clean from mould and grime in the heat of the bathroom.
Create a stunning finish with large format tiling and don’t forget, any colour goes when it comes to tiling.
Choose one colour throughout the bathroom, or mix and match with different colours – the choice is yours.
Luxurious Lighting
An often forgotten about addition to the bathroom is lighting.
Trends for 2017 clearly show that designers are bringing in new design styles and creations for the bathroom, making it a great place to linger for longer.
Use a qualified electrician, as well as lighting fixtures and fittings that are suitable for the hot and steamy environment of the bathroom.
The choice is vast, from delicate floor lights to downlights specifically for use in the shower.
Coloured lighting is a great addition too.
Pick out the tiling work with spotlights but whatever lighting solution you decide on, make sure that it is responsive – bright for when you need it, but dimmable for a long, hot soak in the bath.
You may have a small or a large bathroom, but size doesn’t matter.
There is a design trend or addition that will work great in your space to turn it from ordinary to extraordinary.
Find it, and your bathroom will become one of your favourite rooms in the house.
