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Old 10-15-2007, 01:02 PM   #1
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Tile installation question


I am in the early stages of planning a master bath renovation and I am planning on building an open "free form" shower stall. I have selected the tile for the walls of the shower (okay, my wife did ) and it is very large... 24x24 tiles. The online brochure for the tile shows it installed where there is hardly any noticeable grout line at all, almost as if they installed the tiles flush to each other. However, the picture in the brochure is obviously a space designed just for looks, and probably isn't truly functional.

So my question is, what are "rules" about grout width? Is it purely done based on the look you want? Is there a minimum grout width based on the tile material and size of the individual tiles (I would think there would be, due to expansion possibilities). I do not see any info in this particular tile catalog about recommended grout line width.....

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Old 10-17-2007, 09:37 PM   #2
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Tile installation question


I'd also like to know, free bump...
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Old 10-17-2007, 10:00 PM   #3
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Tile installation question


I think it's purely asthetics, with some consideration for the grout. Below 1/8 wide (if my memory serves me) you use unsanded grout, and presumably there is some minimum spacing that allows you to squish grout into the crack with a float. I think 1/16" would be plenty of space for that, and on a 24" tile, that's going to basically be invisible.

A more important consideration here, is that your walls are perfectly dead FLAT! A tile that large is very unforgiving with wall irregularities.
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Old 10-17-2007, 11:50 PM   #4
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Tile installation question


Quote:
Originally Posted by NateHanson View Post
I think it's purely asthetics, with some consideration for the grout. Below 1/8 wide (if my memory serves me) you use unsanded grout, and presumably there is some minimum spacing that allows you to squish grout into the crack with a float. I think 1/16" would be plenty of space for that, and on a 24" tile, that's going to basically be invisible.

A more important consideration here, is that your walls are perfectly dead FLAT! A tile that large is very unforgiving with wall irregularities.

Agreed.. grout lines are purely what you want them to be. 1/16 would be your best bet if you dont want to show any grout lines... use a grout color that blends in well and it will be invisible. and yes UNSANDED grout! Sanded is for floors!
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Old 09-21-2008, 12:29 AM   #5
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Tile installation question


My experience working with tile is that you would want a 1/4" grout joint on a tile that large. It gives you a little wiggle room with installation. Also you need to consider how smooth and straight the edges of the tile are. Is this a rustic tile with distressed edges? Is this a travertine tile with crisp eased edges?

The tiles I see bumped up close with little to no grout joint are marble and travertine. The rest have a grout joint.

My vote goes for 1/4" grout joint.

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Old 09-21-2008, 12:29 AM   #6
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Tile installation question


Please post a link to the online brochure you mentioned.

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Old 09-21-2008, 11:10 AM   #7
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Tile installation question


jonblack, this thread is almost a year old, so I'll be surprised if you get a response.
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Old 09-21-2008, 12:29 PM   #8
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Tile installation question


Yep, you are right. I didn't even look at the date. I was just going down the list of subjects and thought this one looked interesting.

Thanks
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