![]() As such, you can install them without worrying that the final result will look unaligned and unprofessional. Rectification is a mechanical process that requires milling the edge of the tile at a specific angle, which suggests that the materials will have the same size. You might have heard about rectified tiles and wondered if these mechanically cut materials don’t require grout for the installation. To know how the pros grout tile, read our guide to prepare your grouting material, how to apply it and how to remove it. The biggest issue you might face with the process of grouting has a lot to do with getting the right thickness for the mix or having it dry solid before you even get the chance to use it. In no circumstance shall the grout joint be less than 1/16″. Nominal centerline of all joints shall be straight with due allowances for hand-molded or rustic tiles. Example: for tile having a total variation of 1/16″ in facial dimensions, a minimum of 3/16″ grout joint shall be used. The actual grout joint size shall be at least three times the actual variation of the facial dimensions of the tile supplied. “To accommodate the range in facial dimensions of the tile supplied for a specific project, the actual grout joint size may, of necessity, vary from the grout joint size specified. ![]() ![]() It is the key difference between tile work that stands the test the time and those that end up in need of tweaks.Ībove all, remember what the ANSI specification says about the minimum grout joint size (A108.02-4.3.8): At the end it even completes the entire look for your work. It’s the last step of your tile installation process. After all, grouting is like the biggest, most impressive scene right before the grand finale. Grout, on the other hand, acts as a buffer and prevents the tiles from making contact while they expand or contract. Sure, there are other tips and tricks you can use, but they only minimize the impact and don’t stop the tiles from moving and rubbing against each other. Because the edges of the tiles will continuously rub against each other, they are likely to chip or even break at some point. Yes, They MoveĪnother reason you should reconsider the entire concept of groutless tile installation is that tiles move. One of the easiest ways to avoid this nightmare scenario: you’ve guessed it – use grout when you install tiles. That can prove to be quite a difficult task because even the slightest mistake is enough to damage one of the tiles and require you to work more than you’ve initially planned just to fix the error. In time, these small differences between the tiles will have gathered enough dust and debris to ruin the entire ensemble.ĭon’t assume that you can just clean the tiles after the installation process is over. But without grout, there will always be a tiny space between the tiles that acts like a magnet waiting to attract debris. ![]() You can spend hours putting the tiles together and be pretty satisfied with the result. It can be dust, dead cells or other debris that will find a way between your tiles no matter how compact you think the installation looks. Regardless of the size of the project, certain elements might get between your tiles if they are not grouted. In fact, even the smallest lines can make the tiles fit perfectly with one another, giving the final result a nice symmetrical look. Grout allows you to mask the differences in tile sizes and control the outcome. The last thing you want after you’ve worked for hours to install tiles is to notice that they are not aligned properly. When you put the tiles together, those tiny irregularities will add up, making the final result look a bit off and unprofessional. The differences could be relatively small and impossible to notice without measure, but they can interfere with the groutless installation process. Your tiles might look like they have the same size, but chances are they don’t. With these considerations in mind, this article will discuss some of the reasons tilling without grout is an ineffective method and why you should stick to the traditional practices. Groutless tile has a higher chance of breaking, meaning that you would need to resume the work. There are cases when laying tile without grout will probably leave the job looking a lot better.īut here’s the thing: if you want the job to last, then you need to use grout. It takes up a lot of time, and it requires meticulous work. Understandably, most installers have a love-hate relationship with grout.
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