4 Rules for Choosing the Right Grout
When done properly, grout and tile are synonymous.
But when a pairing is mismatched, the result may be rather unpleasant and unfortunately, the fix is expensive.
So, how do you choose grout? With a total of 20+ years in the industry—and nearly a decade spent at Ann Sacks and The Kohler Company—I’ve honed my knowledge and experience to bring you the definitive 4 Rules for Choosing the Right Grout.
Follow these simple rules and you will walk away from your project with a grout and tile masterpiece that is harmonious, and one might even say, synonymous.
Rule 1. Let the Tile (Not the Grout) do the Talking
Grout should never be part of the artistic equation or the creative process. My preference is to see tight grout joints hardly larger than a ¼-inch with a homogenous grout color selection.
Even handmade tiles should be placed no more than a ¼-inch of one another so you actually see the handmade look of the tile and not be distracted by HUGE grout joints.
To demonstrate this rule, here are a few installations that use a monochromatic grout palette:
Ann Sacks Savoy in bronze. This tile is on a mesh mount. By choosing a matching bronze grout you achieve a more uniform look than if you were to apply a contrasting grey grout.
2. These pearly whites are another excellent example of handmade tile paired with a monochromatic grout and finished with tight grout joints.The beauty of the variation in the tile is visible and the grout lines are minimized, as they should be.
Tip: A good tile installer will not produce large grout joints. Ask to see examples of their previous work.
To contrast, here are a few examples of how grout can drastically change the subject of an installation.
Pictured above is a white 4-inch x 4-inch tile paired with a bright blue grout. To me, this installation reminds me of graph paper. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good, basic 4-inch x 4-inch tile, it’s a workhorse. But in this case, the timelessness is diminished by the trendy blue grout selection. Skip it.
On Subway Tile:
Subway tile finds its way into many household installations. If you go this route, find a matching grout color. While some may disagree, I feel like contrasting grout—the urban look with charcoal lines in between—is starting to look dated, and can even look a little dirty. The following photo comparison is a good example of how black grout can expose a bad tile install more than a monochromatic grout color would.
Tile Install Using Black Grout
Tile Install Using Monochromatic Grout
Tip: If you go with contrasting grout, I encourage you to consult with your designer and make sure they are working with an installer who is truly seasoned. If not, you could end up with a very expensive mess to fix.
Bottom line, grout should go with the tile and be virtually unnoticeable.
Rule 2. Different Types of Grout. How Do I Know What Kind to Use?
There are three main types of grout: Sanded grout, non-sanded grout, and epoxy grout.
Sanded grout is the most heavy-duty. It’s exactly what it says it is—sandy and gritty—and often used for exterior pavers and large-format porcelain. It’s also used for cases in which there is a thickness variation of ¾-inch to 1 ½-inch.
Non-sanded grout is more like a paste or slurry and is best used for tight grout joints and butt joints.
Epoxy grouts, the newest technology to come on the market, are made from resins and a filler powder. This style is durable and stain proof, making it ideal for showers or high-traffic areas. Epoxy grout is an excellent choice for wet areas since it does not absorb water like sanded or non-sanded grouts. Epoxy grout also resists mold and mildew which can build up in showers and around tubs, especially in moist climates. Note that epoxy grout is more expensive and requires an expert installer to maneuver. But, it’s worth the up charge since the durability is extreme and do not require the maintenance of re-sealing.
Most installers use either Mapei or Custom Building Products . Both are good options, so leave that choice up to the installer. Ann Sacks has recently introduced their own line of epoxy grout products.
Rule 3. Do Not Make Grout Selections in a Tile Showroom. Select Grout Colors On Site
The quickest way to ruin an install is to have an ill-selected grout color. The light in your kitchen or bathroom will always be different from the light in the showroom!
For example: A natural stone might look perfect against a “bone” grout color under a fluorescent light. However, in direct sunlight it might take on a pale gray color or even a light blue hue. Have your tile installer bring their grout charts to your job site so you and your interior designer can make your grout selection at home.
Tip: NEVER let your tile installer or contractor choose a grout color without you and/or your designer’s approval.
Rule 4. Tiling Outside? Sand Set, Do Not Mud Set and Grout
Outdoor materials may be sand set, not mud set and grouted in. I HIGHLY recommend installation method If you live in an environment like Colorado, with tremendous freeze-thaw cycles—where one day it might be 65 degrees and the next it’s 20 degrees—you will experience constant expansion and contraction.
If moisture gets inside of a stone that’s in a mud-set or grout surface, the seams may crack and crumble. I learned this the hard way with flagstone set in mud. Now, five years down the road, the grout has crumbled and pieces have popped out. At this point, renovating requires a jackhammer, a dumpster and a heap of patience and money.
Trust me when I say, set with sand. With sand, there aren’t any joints to expand and contract. Therefore, there is nothing to compromise and the material stays in place, year after year.
A Final Note on Grout and Tile
Making a tile, stone and grout selection requires a lot of technical thought and a practical approach.
Because these surfaces tend to be more permanent than wallpaper or paint, make sure your decisions are timeless and thoughtful. You don’t want to tear out your kitchen backsplash or retile your bathroom within a few years because you made a trendy selection over something more timeless. Let your paint color or wallpaper be the trend, not your hard surfaces or plumbing fixtures. You’ll be glad you did!