Using Different Grout & Glaze Options for Tile Design Variation

More than other materials that you can use in the home, tile styles offer the greatest level of design capability for truly creating one-of-a-kind spaces. With a wide variety of constructions, finishes, colors, shapes, and sizes to select from, the personalization that you envision can be achieved and last for decades. To take your custom look even further, you can explore all the different types of grout and tile glaze options to complete your installation. These design factors can both enhance your home style and set your unforgettable rooms apart!

Grout is used to seal joints, fill spaces between tiles, and can even be color-tinted when it is kept visible as part of the overall visual. Tile glaze is liquid glass or enamel fired on the tile that helps the surface better resist scratches and scuffs. You can use both grout and glaze choices to help finalize the look of your tile and differentiate your home. Let’s take a deeper dive into creating tile design variation with grout and glaze options:

Different Types of Grout for Tile Design

In addition to filling the gaps between tile, grout helps create a more water-resistant surface and enhances the attractive geometry that tile offers. Here are a few of the most popular ways to use grout with tile:

• Traditional Grout – No matter where the tile is in your home, traditional grout work can be found in a wide range of colors to match or contrast with the tile. Grout is used to blend within an overall design as opposed to creating a bold appearance.
• Colored Grout – Treat colored grout options including black, white, grey, and bold tones as another featured shade within your room’s color scheme. We recommend using colored grout for standout design elements like backsplashes, accent walls, and creative floors.
• Contrasting Grout – Just like it sounds, contrasting grout color to tile color will produce a striking design. Start with black grout for light tiles, white grout for darker tiles, and adjust the contrast until it’s balanced and both tones fit your color scheme.
• Patterned Grout – Patterned grout lines will require greater precision and skill to complete, but will elevate the luxurious, expensive feel of your tile surfaces. Colored grout and decorative grout with embedded materials will cost more to purchase and you will need to be mindful of this added expense to your installation budget.
• Epoxy Grout – For long-lasting design that can perform in high traffic, high moisture, and even outdoor areas, epoxy grout offers superior performance and stain resistance. More expensive to purchase, use epoxy grout to craft matching or contrasting looks.

Different Types of Glaze Options for Tile Design

The best type of tile glaze for your rooms will depend on the look you aim to capture and the functionality you need. Here are some of the most popular tile glaze options:

• High-Gloss Tile Glaze: A glossy tile glaze will produce a sleek shine that reflects light and helps smaller spaces feel brighter and larger. This popular tile glaze is also easy to clean and a great fit for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Matte Tile Glaze: On the flip side, a smooth matte tile glaze is perfect for modern and contemporary rooms, with a non-reflective finish that creates a warm feel.
• Textured Tile Glaze: For greater visual interest, a textured tile glaze will add depth and dimension to your backsplash and accent walls. A raised, crackle, or embossed tile surface will produce a standout design element for a memorable impression.
• Metallic Tile Glaze: True to the name, a metallic tile glaze adds a luxurious shimmer to your decorative tile elements, backsplashes, and accent walls.

How to Choose Tile Glaze and Tile Grout

The experts at Dolphin Carpet & Tile can easily help you weigh the most important factors for choosing tile grout and tile glaze for your design. These are the 4 key components that we will review together:

• Your Home Style: Do you want tile to create a modern, traditional, or creative feel?
• Tile Function: Is your tile used in normal, high traffic, or high moisture conditions?
• Tile Maintenance: What level of maintenance are you willing to take on?
• Tile Budget: After the cost to purchase the tile, how much of your budget is left?

Once you have narrowed your favorite tile styles, visit one of our ten locations to get tile samples, ask any questions you have, and then you can choose the perfect tile glaze and grout for your exciting new project!