Matching Tile with Grout Line Colors

Image: CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Lotus Mesh Marble Kitchen Wall Tile with Grey Grout & Diamond Crystal Quartzite Countertop from Arizona Tile

In design, it’s easy to overlook simple elements like what color grout to use with your newly selected tile. If you’re a professional, grout options are something you think of as a part of the project, but if you’re new to designing a space, this is one of those minor—yet hugely important—details you need to learn about and plan properly.

What is Grout?

Grout is the material used to fill the joints between tiles during installation. Tile is set a certain width apart, referred to as the grout joint, and then grout is added to fill this area and maintain tile placement. Tile placement factors into determining the best grout to use, and where it is being used, like a wet or dry environment. The three most common grout types are sanded and unsanded, which are cement-based, and epoxy. As a rule of thumb, we recommend talking to your installer for their professional advice before selecting tile for a given space in your home.

• Sanded Grout: If your grout joint (the space between each tile) is 1/8” or larger, sanded grout is usually recommended as the standard, though it can also be used on smaller grout joints, like 1/16” spacing. The larger your joints are, the more sanded grout is recommended because it is stronger (than unsanded grout) and doesn’t tend to shrink much after setting. Sanded grout is most frequently used for flooring applications because its strength can withstand consistent foot traffic, leading to less cracking.
• Unsanded Grout: Unsanded grout is often a good option for smaller grout joints, like 1/16” or less. It is also generally recommended for wall applications because its consistency is stickier than sanded grout and less of a shrinking factor helping it maintain vertical placement. It is not required to have unsanded grout sealed, but it may be a valuable option Again, we recommend talking with your installer for advice on this.
• Epoxy: Epoxy grout is commonly used in wet areas, such as showers. It’s frequently recommended for use where two different materials “meet.” Say in a tub/shower, you would use it where the wall tile meets the tub basin, or where the shower floor meets the drain. Epoxy grout doesn’t contain any porous materials, like in cement-based grouts, making it durable, hard, and very strong. Epoxy grout has many benefits such as its wonderful color consistency and resistance to breakage, mold and mildew, and staining. One drawback of epoxy grout is the appearance is more plastic-like and doesn’t offer the same traditional tile appearance of cement grouts.

Grout does need to be cleaned regularly to maintain its color and integrity, especially cement-based grout. If not cared for, it will start to discolor over time. However, with regular cleaning and maintenance, staining can be prevented. Plus, sealing your grout can make maintaining your grout much easier.  Some grouts include a sealer, which can be a good option to minimize the need for maintenance. Also, your grout color selection plays a role in this, too. White grout can show signs of buildup and discoloration over time, so opting for a neutral grey or beige could impact a tidier look. In time, grout can be replaced, if need be, but talk to your installer about best practices to keep your grout looking as beautiful as day one.

Grout Colors

You’ve selected your favorite tile but now need to decide which grout color will pair best. You could try to match the tile and grout colors by opting for a neutral grout color that won’t be a color match, but classic enough to pair with many tile options. Or you can use a starkly different color for a more custom look.

As a word of caution; not all tile is suitable for contrasting grout color (like our Vetri series) so be sure to check with an Arizona Tile specialist before making your final selections.

To best exemplify a change in grout color, the following photos are both CS-Calacatta Gris—the same white marble tile—but one has a medium gray grout, and the other has white grout. It appears to be a different tile color/option between the photos, but indeed, it’s simply a change in grout color that creates a radically different appearance.

Image: CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Ribbon Marble Mesh Mount Wall Tile with White Grout from Arizona Tile

Image: CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Ribbon Marble Mesh Mount Wall Tile with Medium Gray Grout from Arizona Tile

The difference is stunning, right?!  Choosing a contrasting grout color for your favorite tile can create a statement all on its own. It offers a bolder, more enhanced view of each individual tile, making each piece truly pop and providing a more vibrant aesthetic. Choosing the same grout color as your tile offers an elegant, modern look that gives the appearance of a more seamless flow. Both options create stunning, stand-out layouts! It could even be so that you find your most beloved tile and use different grout colors in different areas to alter the appearance while maintaining a cohesive look.

While this exemplifies a darker and lighter grout, there are a plethora of colors to choose from, like grey, beige, and brown. There are even more honed shades, tones, and tints within these hues to consider. If you can’t find something you like, custom grout colors can be an option as well.

Our Shibusa series offers the textured look of bamboo and comes in five lovely neutral hues. Having some fun with grout color could emphasize the textured, dimensional look of this tile or make it appear seamless, as shown in this photo of a checkerboard floor with grout to complement the lighter colors.

Image: Shibusa Crema, Tortora, &  Wenge Hex Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

As a juxtaposition, the following image shows white porcelain wall tile with a darker grout and the opposite on the floor, Terrazzo Black with a lighter grout. While opposing tile/grout colors may sound intimidating, the outcome is simply stunning.

Image: Smooth Porcelain Shower Wall Tile with Darker Grout & Terrazzo Black 4 Inch Hex Porcelain Shower Floor Tile with Lighter Grout from Arizona Tile

And lastly, we have a lovely backsplash design featuring our Gioia series. In this series, there are sixteen colors that display an undulated texture. Have no fear about getting creative with this series and making excellent wall displays. With this series, it doesn’t matter if you select similar or contrasting grout colors, because either way, they will showcase your love of design. In the following photo, you can see a soft approach with Gioia Milk. This is a lovely white tile paired with a moderately contrasting grout—providing just enough color difference to see the separation from tile to tile, but nothing too contrasting that would have made a bolder statement.

Image: Mont Blanc Quartzite Kitchen Countertop, Gioia Milk, & Gioia Milk Pencil Bullnose Porcelain Tile Kitchen Backsplash with Contrasting Grout from Arizona Tile

Inspiration in Design

Hopefully, what you’ve learned here about grout will inspire you to create an amazing design. To learn more about some of our tile and stone products, check out our Just Imagine Tile Visualizer. Please also stop into any Arizona Tile store or slab yard and reach out if you have questions.