5 Mapei Subway Tile Grout Colors (Frost vs Warm Gray Grout)
Choosing the best Mapei subway tile grout colors may seem like a simple task but it’s not! This post has the top five Mapei grout colors plus frost vs warm gray grout.
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When it comes to subway tile grout color there are so many to choose from. Depending on the color you pick it’ll change the look and feel of your design.
Going with black tile grout for example will look modern and trendy. If you choose Mapei frost grout your tile will stand out but will not be a focal point. White subway tile grout will make your tile blend into the background.
The other consideration is whether to go with sanded or non-sanded grout. This is usually determined by the thickness of grout lines. Yet another thing you’ll need to decide.
You probably had no idea there was so much to think about when choosing grout color!
If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration for your next design project then this is for you. I’ll share our experience in choosing the best grout color for our white subway tile.
Let me know in the comments which color you go with!
This post is all about Mapei subway tile grout colors for your next makeover.
READ MORE>>> Room Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk
Best Mapei Grout Colors For Subway Tile
The 5 Best Mapei Subway Tile Grout Colors of 2024 are:
If you’ve been following the blog you know I LOVE Subway Tile. It’s classic and timeless which is the look we are after these days.
We learned our lesson the hard way when we completed our Willow House renovation. Fifteen years ago we got sucked into the Tuscan trend and have spent the last two years getting out of it.
If I were a blogger back then boy would that have made for great content!
So we recently completed two bathroom projects in our home where we used white subway tile. The design goal was to be timeless and not trendy. I’ll share the details of the projects after we discuss the tile grout options.
When it comes to choosing bathroom tile grout color there are so many options.
If you head over to the Mapei website you will find a calculator that will let you know how much grout you need.
Mapei Grout Color Chart
Mapei Flexcolor grout is a premix option that will ensure your color stays consistent since you don’t have to measure and mix. For us, this was the best option since there was a time gap between projects.
The premix grout comes in a plastic tub which can be saved for future projects or touch-ups.
There are a variety of colors to choose from and a matching cork color which we did use as well. For our project, we considered white, gray, and black as options. In the end, we landed on grey grout because we wanted the white subway tile to stand out but not be the focal point.
I should also mention we used the same grout color for the floor tile as well. One bathroom has a black (charcoal) hexagon tile white the other has a black and white mini hexagon tile.
It is helpful if you borrow the Mapei grout color sample sticks so you can see the color in your own home.
Pro Tip: Borrow the Mapei grout color sample sticks so you can see the color in your own home.
Similar to your paint selection you should look at the sample color in your home at different times of the day. Depending on the lighting the grout color can look different.
This is the best way to get an accurate read on the actual color.
Mapei Warm Gray vs Frost
Once we decided to go with grey next we had to choose which one. Again easier said than done!
The image below was taken at Floor Decor. They have a large selection of tiles on display and label the grout colors. This is super helpful in choosing the best grout colors for your project.
I was torn between warm gray and frost grout until I looked at both in person. Next to each color is the sample tile for this project.
This multi-color tile was the deciding factor. I was leaning toward Frost until I saw this. All the colors are shown right next to the warm gray grout. You can see it is the perfect tone for all the colors.
I wanted to have contrast against the white subway tile but not too dark. On the floor tile, I had the same thought only I did not want to go light.
Since the Mapei grout is sealed stains should not be an issue but I still did not want to go light. I’ve learned my lesson from light floor tile.
As you can see the warm gray next to both tiles is super pretty. That’s the look we are after here people.
P R E T T Y ! ! P R E T T Y ! !
That is the end goal of any space I do. I just want it to make me happy when I look at it because it is so pretty.
Frost vs Warm Gray Grout Comparison
The choice between Warm Gray and Frost grout depends on your personal preferences, the color scheme of your space, and the overall look you want to achieve. Here’s a general description of each:
- Mapei Warm Gray Grout:
- Warm Gray is a neutral color that tends to have brown or beige undertones. It can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in a space.
- This type of grout may work well with earthy tones, warm color schemes, and natural materials.
- Mapei Frost Grout Color:
- Frost typically implies a cooler, lighter color. In the context of grout, Frost may be a light gray or off-white shade.
- Frost grout can give a cleaner and more modern look to your tiled surface. It works well with contemporary designs and can make a space feel brighter.
When deciding between mapei frost vs warm gray, consider the following:
- Room Design: If you have a specific design or color scheme in mind for your room, choose the grout color that complements or enhances that scheme.
- Tile Color: Consider the color of your tiles. Some grout colors may enhance the color of the tiles, while others may provide a subtle contrast.
- Maintenance: Lighter grout colors, such as Frost, may show less dirt and discoloration over time compared to darker grouts.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, the choice between Warm Gray and Frost comes down to your taste and the vibe you’re after.
It’s a good idea to test a small, inconspicuous area before committing to grout for the entire project. This allows you to see how the grout color interacts with your tiles and the overall look of the room.
If possible consult with your local tile or design professional to help guide you through the process. Also, ask to borrow the mapei grout samples so you can see them in your home and lighting.
Top 5 Grout Color Options
This is what the premix Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout looks like.
Here are the Mapei tile grout colors we love for this project.
1. Mapei Avalanche Grout
Avalanche grout color will give you a classic and timeless look. It looks great with subway tile and is Mapei’s whitest grout.
Using white grout will essentially blend in and highlight the tiles. It is the go-to for DIY home renovations and Starbucks locations.
Since white grout tends to get dirty over time it was not the best choice for our project. I do love how clean and fresh it looks when it’s first installed.
2. Mapei Frost Grout
Mapei frost grout looks awesome with Carrara marble. It is a cooler color with a (blue-ish) undertone. Frost grout is the perfect tint of gray that will camouflage any dirt build-up over time.
As I mentioned above I chose between frost color grout and warm gray for our bathroom remodel. I loved the look of this premix grout until I saw the warm gray on display.
3. Mapei Warm Gray Grout
Pretty much every display I saw with this grout color looked awesome! Mapei warm gray is the perfect neutral grout color that offers enough contrast to white subway tile. This grout has a warmer (yellow-ish) undertone.
1/16″ Mapei Warm Gray Grout Lines
1/16″ Mapei Warm Gray Grout Lines
When I was doing my research I learned this is the color that Young House Love used in 85% of their projects. Emily Henderson also did a great post on this topic if you are interested in more kitchen and bathroom visuals.
Matching Mapei Unsanded Caulk (Warm Gray) – 10.5-oz.
4. Mapei Charcoal Grout
Charcoal grout has a very modern look and it’s perfect for making sure your tile always looks clean. This color goes well with darker-colored tile because it gives a more seamless look. If your floors are darker this is a great choice.
Since we wanted a more timeless look this color was not a contender for us in the end.
Related Post: Black And White Bathroom Artwork You Can DIY
5. Mapei Black Grout
While the contrast of Mapei’s Black grout looks super cool it’s been too trendy for our project. If you are looking to go bold then this is a great option.
Just search Pinterest for all the images of white subway tiles with black grout. You are sure to be inspired!
Also, remember black grout tends to look busier while lighter grout tends to be more calming and zen.
Related Post: 21+ Small Bathroom Makeover Ideas On A Budget
White Tiles Black Grout
I love the contrast of black grout against white subway tile but again a bit too trendy for this project.
Black grout tends to make the space appear busier and less calming which we are NOT going for.
You can use Mapei’s Black grout without any fear of staining even when paired with white subway tiles. If you want the look to be provocative this is for you.
Best Grout For White Subway Tile
Keep in mind using a light grout color with white subway tile will create a seamless clean, and uniform look.
It’ll also make a smaller room appear visually larger.
Using a dark-colored grout will contrast lighter tile, make a bold statement, and highlight your tile layout.
Grout spacing is also an important consideration. Typically, the wider you go, the more dramatic the look.
How big should grout lines be for subway tile?
The size of your grout lines is a matter of preference. The Mapei premix grout we used is unsanded. Our grout lines are 1/16″ so the unsanded grout gave us a clean, modern look.
Sanded grout is used for joints that are greater than 1/8 inch. It’s best for joints greater than 1/8 inch because it resists cracks from shrinkage.
Many people still do not realize how far subway tiles have come.
In a previous post, I shared Subway tile options from TileBar that are Not Boring which was super popular on Pinterest.
These were the awesome options I shared previously from TileBar which is a to-the-trade resource.
You can find many tile stores that carry their products.
Shop: White Subway Tile Inspiration
- 4″ x 12″ Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile
- 3″ x 12″ Ceramic Subway Tile
- Glazed Ceramic Subway Tile 3×12
- 2″ x 12″ Matte Ceramic Tile
- 2-1/2-in x 8 Glossy Ceramic Wall Tile
- 12-in x 12-in Glossy Glass Brick Tile
- 4-in x 16-in Glossy Ceramic Wall Tile
- Glass Ice 4-1/2-in x 8-1/2-in Polished Glass Tile
- 3-in x 6-in Honed Natural Stone Marble Subway
- 3-in x 9-in Glazed Ceramic Subway
- 3-in x 9-in Glossy Glass Subway Wall Tile
- 11-in x 11-in Glossy Porcelain Herringbone Tiles
- 6-in x 12-in Polished Natural Stone Marble
As you can see there are a variety of sizes and textures available that make white subway tile interesting. Now that you have tile and grout color options you can start to plan out your bathroom design.
Bathroom Design Using Mapei Warm Gray Grout With White Subway Tile
As promised this is a visual of our bathroom project.
This is the aerial view I created in Chief Architect which is an awesome design program.
Ignore that access door situation… we changed that.
Here is a visual of the finished project. The Mapei warm gray grout came out fabulous and we could not be happier!!
I hope this was helpful and gave you inspiration for choosing your subway tile grout colors. Let me know in the comments which color you choose. I’d love to know!
This post is all about Mapei subway tile grout colors for your next makeover.
Other Posts You’ll Love:
- White Subway Tile Dye Lot Color Variations (Buyer Beware)
- Bathroom Design Tips You Need To Know Before You Remodel
- Vintage Bathroom Ideas That Are Totally Timeless But Updated
Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz
I chose Lancaster Bianco 3×6 from TileBar. Love it!!! I have Been trying to figure out which color grout to use. I go Back and forth between Warm Grey and Frost also. I still don’t know and they are installing now!!!!!
Thank you for your comment. We went with the warm grey and love it! If you have more yellow undertones the warm grey works great. If you have cool (blue) undertones in your design then frost is pretty. Either way, you can’t go wrong in my opinion it’s just a matter of preference. I’m sure your tile will look fabulous once it’s done. : ))