Putting in a tile backsplash at my sister's place last month sparked a debate about grout vs no grout lines

I was helping my sister do her kitchen backsplash in Austin last month. She wanted big format tiles with barely any gap, like 1/16 inch. I told her that's asking for trouble because the floor wasn't perfectly level and those tiny lines would make any mistake stick out. She pushed back saying she hates cleaning grout and wanted that seamless modern look. We ended up compromising with 1/8 inch lines and a color-matched grout. Now I'm wondering if she was right and I'm just stuck in old habits. Has anyone else tried the super tight grout line trend and actually had it hold up after a year?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan223d ago

Grout free sounds nice till you realize mold don't care about your aesthetic.

kelly.nora24d ago

OH man, the hidden issue nobody talks about with those tiny grout lines is that they trap moisture way longer than wider joints because there's less airflow. I've seen it cause mold behind the tile itself in humid climates like Texas.

martin.paige3d ago

Ketchups my sister's house already has grout discoloration in spots where water sits and that's only been 6 months. The color matched grout she picked is supposed to be stain resistant but it's already looking dingy around the sink area. 1/8 inch really isn't that much gap and at least you can get a brush in there to scrub if needed. I'd rather deal with a little grout cleaning than rip out moldy tile down the road.

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