There is a widespread prevalence of black grout with ceramic tiles for the bathrooms, stairs, and many places of modern farmhouses everywhere.
The contrast that dark black grout generates next to stair white ceramic or subway tile would be simply unique and breathtaking and significantly enhances the appearance of simple white tile.
When planning the makeover of our master bathroom, choosing black grout and white subway tile for the shower seemed a no-brainer. However, now that I’ve been living with it for more than a year, I have some regrets about our decision.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of black grout are all outlined here for your perusal and consideration.
Black grout never goes out of style. No matter if you choose to pair it with black or white tile, you can be sure that it will never go out of style.
In my opinion, using black grout in conjunction with affordable subway tile can help to give the impression that the area is “richer.” When we were remodeling our shiplap bathroom, we decided to use inexpensive subway tile, and in my opinion, the only way to make it look interesting was to combine it with a darker shade of grout. Using any other color would have made it look too simple.
The contrast that black grout lends itself to when it is set next to white works brilliantly; this is especially true if you are trying for a modern farmhouse aesthetic.
Keep reading, my friends, because we have found that this is not the case. Some people may believe that choosing a darker grout color, such as black, helps to hide dirt better, but our findings have shown that this is not the case.
Negative aspects of deciding to use black grout
Oh, where do I even start? Even though it looks incredibly lovely when it’s first placed, having black grout against white tile may rapidly turn into a minor headache if it’s not maintained properly.
Does grout with a dark color wear away?
Unfortunately, black grout will lose its dark color with time. Unless it is properly sealed, grout, regardless of color, is extremely porous and, in effect, absorbs whatever that it comes in touch with. This is the case even when the grout is properly sealed.
We have discovered that even after our black grout has been meticulously cleaned and sealed, within a few months, I see that it is fading in areas where the water hits it the most. This occurs despite the fact that it has been cleaned and sealed properly.
This is the most uncomfortable part of the shower. It is not excessively unclean, as I just cleaned it approximately five days before this shot was taken, but it has a tendency to fade in this particular location.
How do you ensure that the grout stays black?
Although it is possible to maintain the majority of the grout’s original black color, if the grout is located in a location that is frequently exposed to water, it is unlikely that it will ever look as nice as it did on the day it was installed.
There is still a chance for those of you who have your hearts set on black grout or who have already put black grout in one of your bathrooms, kitchens, or other parts of your home. The following is what we do to ensure that our black grout always looks it’s very best.
After the initial installation, the grout should be sealed as soon as possible, as this is the most important step. By using the appropriate grout sealer, you will be able to do this process on your own.
Because tile specialists almost always recommend Aqua Mix as the best sealant, we strongly advise opting for that product.
After you have sealed your grout, it is recommended that you clean your tile and grout on a regular basis with a cleaner that has a neutral ph. Never use any other cleaning method on grout that has been sealed, as doing so may cause the sealant to deteriorate and, in the long run, fail, which will result in discolored grout.
I hire a professional grout cleaning service to come once a year and give my grout a thorough cleaning. After that, I put my own personal stamp on it.
Following these methods helps maintain the darkness of the black grout, but regrettably, there are some patches that turn more of a gray hue in between cleanings. These spots may be identified by the fact that they are less dark than the surrounding grout. I’ve come to understand that the only thing I can really do about it is to keep it in good shape and clean it as completely as I can.
Would I go with black grout if I had to pick again?
It really depends on the situation; personally, I wouldn’t mind having black grout in a kitchen. On the other hand, I will never again select to have black grout installed in the shower. It requires a lot of maintenance, and I’m too much of a perfectionist to be able to accept the fact that the jet-black grout will eventually become gray.
It is only evident in one small area where the water really hits it, but it does not in any way render the bathroom unusable. It is neither terrible nor even very bad.
Go for it if you really want black grout, but make sure you understand what you’re entering into and remain on top of keeping it clean and sealed!
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