Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Spacing

An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete.

Ceramic tile expansion joint spacing. Locate openings for expansion joints directly over cold joints and structural joints. It s quite common to see controlled breaks in concrete and those are usually expansion joints. When tile follows a depression in the floor the grout joint will narrow. Clearly grout joints also accommodate both changes in the thickness and profile of rustic hand molded tile.

It is essential that the movement joints be carried through the tile and the bedding. The as 3958 1 australian standard guide to the installation of ceramic tiles section 5 4 5 1 cautions that. For example if you take two 12 inch tiles and compare them side to side and there is a variation of 1 16 inch in the two tiles you are recommended to use at least a 3. Where should movement joints be placed.

Recognizing that tile is a facade movement joints are needed to eliminate stresses that can occur between the substrate and the tile due to differing amounts of expansion and contraction. It allows for movement in the tile. Install the caulk after the tiles have been set and before the grout is installed. In large areas expansion joints will be necessary for the concrete itself for all the same reasons as are needed for wall and floor tiles.

Ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment. Twelve inch tiles typically have at least 3 16 to as much as 5 16 inch spacing between pieces. Also some 12 inch tiles have a nub on the backside of the tile determining the spacing. If you tile over an expansion joint then you need to honor that joint in the tile as well.

Caulk the grout gap between two adjacent rows of tile all the way across the floor. A movement joint is in the tile only. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation. For example 12 inch tiles varying 1 8 inch piece to piece need a larger grout joint than perfectly consistent material.

Learn all about expansion joints here. If the ceramic tile floor is wider or longer than 25 feet you will need to install an expansion joint near the center of the floor. The tile council of north america and accompanying tile organizations recommend an average grout joint width of 3 16 inch for every 1 16 inch variation in the size of the tiles. Should tile go over a hump in the floor the grout joint will open.