Backsplash installation costs vary by tile type, design, kitchen layout, and contractor. Find out how much your dream backsplash will cost you.
Best Grout for Kitchen Backsplashes: 5 Types to Consider
We fill you in on the best grout options for your kitchen backsplash
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Grouting a kitchen backsplash requires choosing the right type based on moisture exposure, tile size, and durability needs for your specific space.
Expect to pay $15 to $40 per square foot for professional backsplash installation, which includes the grout work and ensures proper application.
Epoxy grout works best behind stoves and in high-moisture areas because it resists stains, moisture, and mold without requiring additional sealing after installation.
Hiring a local backsplash installation professional takes the guesswork out of grout selection and application, especially with fast-drying materials like epoxy that require precise timing.
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While tile often takes center stage, the impact of the best grout for kitchen backsplashes should never go unchecked. After all, when it doesn’t turn out as expected, it can stick out like a sore thumb. So, with all of the numerous grout options available, which is the best grout for your kitchen backsplash project? The answer depends on your priorities, personal preferences, and your kitchen backsplash design. Let’s review the different types of grout available for kitchen backsplashes.
1. Epoxy Grout
Epoxy grout is a highly durable and stain-resistant option for a kitchen tile backsplash. It consists of epoxy resins and a hardener, making it resistant to moisture, cleaning chemicals, and mold or mildew growth. It’s also available in various colors and doesn’t require additional sealing once installed.
With its extreme durability, epoxy grout is ideal for kitchens with lots of heavy use, and it’s particularly suitable for a tile backsplash behind a stove. It also dries fast and has a short working time, making it difficult for a DIY install. Any error in installation can make removal particularly difficult. Consider hiring a local backsplash installer to ensure smooth, flawless results.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely durable | Removal is difficult |
| Resistant to moisture | Discolors over time |
| Many color options | Not as precise as other materials |
Best for: Behind stoves and other high-traffic kitchen areas, as well as bathrooms.
2. Acrylic Grout
Photo: Tim Stocker Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Pre-mixed acrylic grout is a DIY-friendly option that combines acrylic resins with cement-based grout. It’s easy to work with, doesn’t require sealing, and is resistant to staining and cracking. There are specific additives in acrylic grout that make it very flexible, which is excellent when working with areas that might require a more forgiving material.
Acrylic grout is also available in a wide variety of hues to match your tile and kitchen cabinet colors, plus it offers excellent color payoff, too.
While acrylic grout is suitable for most backsplashes, it may not be as durable as epoxy or cement-based grouts. It can also be pricier than other grout options, which can drive up your backsplash installation cost, which runs between $15 to $40 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible | Not super durable |
| Doesn’t require sealing | Can be expensive |
| Easy to work with | Discolors over time |
| Many color options | Requires mixing |
Best for: Sensitive areas that aren’t high-traffic and require grouting finesse.
3. Unsanded Cement Grout
Unsanded grout is similar to sanded grout, but lacks sand as an aggregate material. Because of this, it can flow easily into narrow grout lines, making it an excellent choice for smaller-format tiles. Its smoothness and workability are also ideal for delicate tile surfaces such as natural stone, metal, glass, and ceramic. Additionally, it doesn’t require additional sealing after installation.
On the flip side, the absence of aggregate (sand) in unsanded grout makes it prone to discoloration, shrinkage, and cracking as water evaporates. Unless you’re working with a stainless steel or other metal tile, it’s not typically the best choice for a kitchen backsplash.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily fills narrow space | Discolors easily |
| Doesn’t require sealing | Cracks |
| Easy to work with | Shrinks over time |
Best for: Working with smaller tiles that require precise lines in small spaces—especially metal tiles.
4. High-Performance Polymer Cement Grout
High-performance polymer cement grout is a cement grout that’s been modified with polymers, making it stronger and more resistant to damage. This grouting is highly moisture-resistant and holds up against many chemicals. This is an industrial-grade grout, and it’s seen in areas of extreme use and where safety is a concern. For most homes, it’s a bit much for backsplash.
The grout is heavy and requires mixing, but if installed correctly it results in a durable and resistant grout that’s one of the toughest to damage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wildly durable | Heavy |
| Chemical resistant | Complicated |
| Chemical resistant | Difficult to work with |
Best for: Floor tiles that get a ton of heavy foot traffic.
5. Single-Component Grout
Single-component grout is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a sanded grout that requires no mixing and is less expensive than other types of grout like epoxy. It’s a simple formula and is equally simple to work with, which is why it’s a great choice for more relaxed projects and areas that may not need a specific material.
Single-component grout dries quickly and is non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed and is resistant to stains and other damage. However, single-component grout isn’t as strong as other types. It will crack much easier than epoxy and doesn’t offer the same wear resistance as a high-performance polymer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive | Lacks strength |
| Easy to use | Dries quickly when applied |
| Versatile | Lack of color options |
Best for: Simple applications or those that don’t require super hard materials like epoxy. It’s also a solid choice for any repair work as it blends well into existing grout.
How to Choose a Grout Type for a Backsplash
Choosing grout can be confusing. The color of your tile, the purpose of the room, and even humidity levels can all impact the best grout choice for your space. Here are a few tips to help you make a confident choice in grout:
Lighter grout: Better with light-colored backsplashes.
Dark grout: Offers striking contrast with light-colored tiles and dramatic flare with dark-colored tiles.
Epoxy grout and other hard grouts: Better for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other high-moisture areas.
Unsanded grout: Good for areas that don’t see a lot of moisture or stress, like walls.
If you’re still unable to decide which exact type to use, it’s better to discuss with a backsplash installation pro before moving forward. Removing grout is time-consuming and expensive, so you definitely want to do it right the first time.
Angi Tip
Kitchens benefit from green drywall instead of white drywall because it's more moisture- and mold-resistant. If your kitchen doesn't already have green drywall, hire a pro to install it during a remodel.
Ceramic tile services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 42 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Manoj K.
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring Solutions - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Stephanie S.
For several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House Development - Timothy C.
It went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E Remodeling - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - Locke M.
Very pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford Xteriors - Jeffrey B.
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling - Gary D.
He did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom Remodeling - Michael S.
I was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
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