Grout Guide & Color Recommendations

To download our guide to the grouting process, please click here.

Grout Guide

Prior to installation, the entire design should be laid out to confirm that all tile is accounted for and that glaze variation is well-balanced. The manner of installation should follow industry guidelines for specific site conditions, which can be found in the Tile Council of North America’s Handbook of Ceramic Tile Installation.

If you are installing the tile yourself:

1. Make sure the installation surface is level.
2. Use a trowel to apply thin-set or mastic to the installation surface and adhere the tile.
3. Allow the area to dry.
4. Once dry, the tile is ready for sealing and/or grouting.

See sealing and grouting instructions below.

Selecting a Tile Installer

We strongly recommend hiring a professional installer who will take extra time at the outset to check fit, spacing and glaze variation before gluing anything down! Motawi Tileworks or your building contractor may be able to recommend a professional tile installer.

Testing

Always test a sample before grouting, as dark grouts stain light-colored glazes and some light grouts may stain dark-colored glazes.

Protecting Your Tile

Prior to grouting, installers should apply masking tape or painter’s tape to all art tile and relief tile to prevent grout from adhering to the tile surface and/or staining.

Sealant

All glossy and light glaze colors must be sealed before grouting, and any Motawi tile may be sealed with a penetrating sealer before grouting to help minimize staining. We like Miracle Sealants’ 511 Impregnator Sealer. We strongly recommend using two coats. Please note: Sealant may not completely prevent staining. Always test sealant (and any material you plan to use with your tile) on a sample to make sure you love the result.

Grout Spacing

Recommended grout spacing is about 3/16". There is some size variation because our tiles are handmade. Your grout spacing may need to be adjusted to achieve a perfect fit.

Grout Type

We recommend TEC Power Grout for virtually all installations. If TEC is not available, another sanded grout product may be substituted. Sanded grout is generally considered necessary for grout spaces over 1/8" and is recommended for all Motawi tile installations.

Grout Colors

As a rule, grout should be darker than the tile being installed. Grout color recommendations vary depending on the installation and glaze color/s. Please consult the installation design department when selecting your grout color or visit motawi.com to reference grout color recommendations for each of our glazes.

Grout Color Recommendations

We recommend these coordinating grout colors with the following glazes:

2000 Crystal TEC 933 Standard Grey  2008 Sand TEC 927 Light Pewter TEC 933 Standard Grey  2010 Celadon  TEC 927 Light Pewter  2021 Bottle Brown TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  2028 Black (Glossy) TEC 941 Black/Raven TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5000 Bone TEC 933 Standard Grey  5001 Ocean TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5002 Lee Green TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5003 Caribbean Blue TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5040 Golden TEC 927 Light Pewter  5061 Pale Blue TEC 933 Standard Grey  5115 Oak TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5276 Spring Green TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5129 Grey Blue TEC 929 Charcoal Grey TEC 927 Light Pewter

5143 Khaki TEC 933 Standard Grey  5153 Pear TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5157 Black (Matte) TEC 941 Black/Raven TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5175 Slate TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5184 Dark Brown TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5194 Denim TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5200 Lichen TEC 927 Light Pewter TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5202 Granite TEC 929 Charcoal Grey 5203 Burnt Sienna TEC 927 Light Pewter TEC 933 Standard Grey  5213 Bay Leaf TEC 927 Light Pewter  5236 Rothwell Gray TEC 929 Charcoal Grey TEC 927 Light Pewter  5283 Ice Blue TEC 933 Standard Gre  5348 Mist Grey TEC 933 Standard Grey TEC 927 Light Pewter  5924 Midnight TEC 929 Charcoal Grey  5998 Spruce TEC 929 Charcoal Grey

 

The TEC Product Service Department can be reached at 800.832.9023.