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For glass tile, you want to use unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a stronger and grittier cement grout that is great for installing tiles with wider gaps and into joints. However, it is susceptible to scratching glass tile and is more difficult to use in thinner gaps. Unsanded grout, while more expensive, is easier to fit between thin gaps and is less harsh on delicate materials, like glass tile.

Uniform spacing between tiles is important for a professional and clean appearance. To achieve this spacing, tile spacers should be placed between the tiles and left in place until the mortar hardens and the tiles are secure. You can use X-shaped spacers vertically in between the tiles and laid flat at the corners.

Glazed ceramic tiles don’t need to be sealed because the glazing already offers some protection against moisture. Unglazed ceramic tiles need to be sealed to keep the porous tile safe from moisture and staining. However, both types of tile can benefit from sealing. Sealant can make the tiles easier to keep clean and offer more resistance to water, spills, and stains.

Updating your backsplash without removing the tile is possible in a couple of different ways. First, you can remove the old grout and replace it with new grout to give your backsplash a fresh look. You can also change the grout color, which can have a surprisingly large impact on the final appearance of the backsplash. Finally, you can paint the original tile to totally change the look of the backsplash without removing it.