You Found Your Perfect Tile. What About Grout?
So you've found the perfect material to finish your project. Now what? What about your grout choice? How important is it? Do you even need to worry about it if you have an installer or designer?
In most cases, customers usually just tell their installer or designer what color they want, and the professionals do the rest. But we think a little extra information cant hurt!
How to Choose the Right Grout for Your Tile
Picking your tile is the fun part—but choosing the right grout is just as important for how your finished space looks and performs. The right grout color and type can protect your installation, minimize maintenance, and enhance the overall design.
This guide will help you understand the difference between sanded and unsanded grout, where each should be used, and how to make a confident choice for your project.
Why Grout Choice Matters
Grout does more than fill the gaps between your tiles. It:
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Locks tiles in place and helps distribute small amounts of movement.
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Protects edges from chipping and keeps debris out of joints.
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Plays a major role in the final look—whether you want a seamless surface or a more defined pattern.
Choosing the wrong grout type or color can lead to cracking, staining, or a look that doesn’t match what you had in mind. A little knowledge up front can save you a lot of trouble later.
Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout: The Basics
Grout is generally available in two main types:
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Sanded grout: Contains fine sand particles.
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Unsanded grout (sometimes called “non-sanded”): Smooth, without sand.
Those tiny sand grains make a big difference in strength and application, especially around joint width and tile surface.
Sanded Grout
Sanded grout is thicker, stronger, and less prone to shrinking as it cures. It’s typically recommended for:
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Wider joints: Around 1/8" and larger.
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Floors and high-traffic areas: Where durability is critical.
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Most porcelain and ceramic tiles with standard, non-polished surfaces.
Because the sand helps the grout “lock” into wider joints, it’s ideal for floors, larger format tiles with bigger gaps, and installations that see regular wear.
Unsanded Grout
Unsanded grout is smoother and more workable in tight spaces. It’s generally used for:
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Narrow joints: Typically 1/8" or less.
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Delicate surfaces: Glass, polished marble, soft natural stone, and other materials that can scratch.
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Vertical applications: Like walls, where narrower joints are common.
Without sand, this grout is less likely to scratch sensitive surfaces and easier to pack into fine joints. However, it may shrink more in wider joints and isn’t usually recommended for large gaps.
How to Match Grout Type to Your Tile
A simple way to choose between sanded and unsanded grout is to look at two things: joint width and tile surface.
1. Joint Width
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If your grout joints are larger than 1/8", sanded grout is usually the better choice.
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If your joints are 1/8" or smaller, unsanded grout is typically recommended.
Many modern porcelain tiles—especially rectified tiles—are installed with very tight joints. In those cases, unsanded grout often gives a smoother, cleaner look in narrow gaps.
2. Tile Surface
Consider the sensitivity of your tile:
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Glass tile: Use unsanded grout to avoid scratching.
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Polished marble or other soft natural stone: Use unsanded grout for the same reason.
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Standard ceramic and porcelain with a typical glaze or matte finish: Sanded grout is usually perfectly safe and preferred for wider joints.
If you’re ever unsure, test a small area or consult your installer. When in doubt, protect delicate or glossy surfaces with unsanded grout, especially in tight joints.
Grout for Floors vs. Walls
Floors and walls have different demands, and grout plays a slightly different role in each.
Floors
Floor grout should be:
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Durable and crack-resistant.
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Suitable for wider joints when needed.
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Able to handle foot traffic, cleaning, and moisture.
Sanded grout is commonly used on floors for these reasons. In high-traffic areas, entries, and family bathrooms—especially with larger joint widths—sanded grout is often the most reliable choice.
Walls
On walls, joints are often narrower, and tile surfaces can be more delicate (think glossy ceramic, glass mosaics, or polished stone). Unsanded grout is frequently used because:
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It fits better into narrow joints.
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It’s gentler on sensitive surfaces.
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It offers a smoother appearance when joints are tight.
For typical ceramic wall tile with narrow joints—like many of the wall tiles you’ll find at Soho Surfaces—unsanded grout is usually ideal.
Choosing a Grout Color
Once you’ve settled on sanded vs. unsanded, the next big decision is color. Color changes everything about how your tile reads.
Matching Grout
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Creates a more seamless look.
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Lets the tile pattern or veining shine.
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Works especially well with marble-look, stone-look, and large-format tiles.
If you want your tile to feel like a continuous surface with minimal visual interruption, choose a grout color that closely matches the dominant tone of your tile.
Contrasting Grout
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Highlights each tile and emphasizes the pattern.
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Creates a more graphic, geometric effect.
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Can add personality to subway layouts, checkerboards, or mosaics.
Dark grout with light tile (or vice versa) draws attention to the layout and makes the tile pattern a focal point. This is perfect if you want your grout lines to be part of the design.
Remember that very light grout in kitchens or busy baths can show stains more easily, while very dark grout in showers can show soap or mineral residue. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them—just be prepared for a little extra maintenance.
Where and How to Use Your Grout
Here are a few practical scenarios that can help you decide:
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Porcelain floor with 3/16"–1/4" joints in a busy bathroom
→ Sanded grout, matched closely to the tile color for a durable, easy-to-maintain surface. -
Glass mosaic backsplash with tight joints in the kitchen
→ Unsanded grout, in a color that complements the glass and surrounding finishes, to avoid scratching and keep the look clean. -
Marble-look porcelain shower walls with narrow joints
→ Often unsanded grout in a tone that blends with the tile, enhancing the marble illusion. -
Checkerboard porcelain floor with slightly wider joints
→ Sanded grout in either a matching tone for a softer look or a contrasting color to emphasize the pattern.
No matter which type you choose, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on mixing, application, and curing times. Proper installation is just as important as choosing the right product.
Do You Need to Seal Grout?
Most cement-based grouts benefit from sealing once they’ve cured, especially in:
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Bathrooms and showers.
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Kitchens and backsplashes.
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High-traffic entryways and mudrooms.
Sealing helps resist staining from spills, soap, and everyday dirt. Even if your tile itself doesn’t need sealing, your grout nearly always does. A penetrating sealer applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions can keep joints looking cleaner for longer and make routine maintenance easier.
There are also pre-sealed or epoxy grouts that offer higher stain resistance from the start, but they can be more demanding to install. For many residential projects, standard cement grout plus a good sealer is a practical, reliable solution.
Getting the Right Grout for Your Soho Surfaces Tile
When you’re shopping tile from Soho Surfaces, you don’t have to guess. A few quick steps will help you choose the right grout:
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Check the recommended joint width and installation notes for your tile.
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Decide whether your space needs sanded or unsanded based on joint size and tile surface.
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Choose a grout color that either blends for a seamless look or contrasts to highlight the pattern.
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Plan to seal your grout after installation, especially in wet or high-use areas.
If you’re ever unsure, you can reach out to your installer or our support team with the specific tile you’ve selected and where you’re installing it (floor vs. wall, room type, and joint width). A few details are all we need to point you toward the best grout choice.
Shop Tile and Plan Your Grout
Ready to choose your tile and grout together? Explore our tile collections, note your joint width and surface type, and pair them with the right grout so you get both the look and performance you’re after.
Recommended Grout Brands:
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Would you like a shorter “grout cheat sheet” version of this post that you can use as a PDF or a link on product pages?
