Grout. Equal parts friend and foe. This longtime enemy of all things clean and pure, is in fact necessary for interior tile installations both great and small. Why??
Grout prevents dirt and debris from lodging between tiles and becoming a permanent addition
Grout helps to emphasis orderly lines within the tile layout and can often de-emphasize disorderly lines based-on the color selection
Grout can protect the tile edges from exposure to cracking and shifting
Now that we know why these nasty little lines are needed, what can be done to optimize them?
Utilize smaller grout lines where allowed by the manufacturer’s recommendations. Rectified tiles (completely straight edges and corners) can often achieve 1/8” grout lines, whereas non-rectified tiles usually need at least a 3/16” grout size. Grout size recommendations can also be effected by the overall tile size.
Opt for a pre-made acrylic base or urethane grout. Unlike the typical sanded grout, these pre-mixed grouts are stainproof, consistent in color, and offer additional features such as no cracking. They can also be used with glass and stone tiles (sanded grout will scratch the material).
Select a grout color that blends with the tile in situations where you have a large surface area that is more of a background or the tile has a busy pattern or layout. Select a high contrast grout color where you want high impact in limited areas such as a backsplash, Powder bath floor, or focal wall.
With the material options now available, scrubbing grout with a toothbrush can be a thing of the past. Make sure to arm yourself with knowledge or lean-on professional help when making selections for long-term satisfaction.