Spacing Wall Tiles?
#1
11-13-03, 04:30 AM
Spacing Wall Tiles?
Yesterday I had my wall tiles delivered. The guy who delivered them also installs for the tile company I purchased them from. He pointed out a few things about grouting and spacing wall tiles.
The tile size is 8" x 12" ceramic
1. He said not use no more than 1/8" spacers as I would have to resort to a sand based grout which could scratch the very shiney surface of my tiles. I didn't get his reasoning for resorting to sand based for wider spaces. Although I have sand based for my floor which he says is a must.
2. He said to always empty the entire contents of grout into a bucket and dry mix it. Especially for floor sand based grout as the sand settles away from the color pigment. Mixing the grout dry gives you and even mix. The leftover dry grout can then be used in the future and there shouldn't be a color change.
His advice.
3. He also stated that I could butt the wall tiles with no spacers. He installs quite a few bathrooms in this manner with no problems or concerns . COULD THIS BE DONE WITHOUT FUTURE PROBLEMS?
Any comments and advice on the above.
My projects starts about Nov 21st. I haven't done a ceramic tile job in 25 years. And that one was the only one I did. All 4" wall tiles.
The tile size is 8" x 12" ceramic
1. He said not use no more than 1/8" spacers as I would have to resort to a sand based grout which could scratch the very shiney surface of my tiles. I didn't get his reasoning for resorting to sand based for wider spaces. Although I have sand based for my floor which he says is a must.
2. He said to always empty the entire contents of grout into a bucket and dry mix it. Especially for floor sand based grout as the sand settles away from the color pigment. Mixing the grout dry gives you and even mix. The leftover dry grout can then be used in the future and there shouldn't be a color change.
His advice.
3. He also stated that I could butt the wall tiles with no spacers. He installs quite a few bathrooms in this manner with no problems or concerns . COULD THIS BE DONE WITHOUT FUTURE PROBLEMS?
Any comments and advice on the above.
My projects starts about Nov 21st. I haven't done a ceramic tile job in 25 years. And that one was the only one I did. All 4" wall tiles.
#2
11-13-03, 02:18 PM
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Well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad. 
1. I agree with the 1/8" maximum unsanded grout line on a wall tile. His reasoning is that if it's more than 1/8" wide, you'll need a sanded grout: if you put an unsanded grout in a joint that's wider than that, it'll likely crack. The larger grout joint can be made not to crack with the addition of sand.
2. Good advice. Pigments do settle in shipping and this is one way to ensure you get a well-blended, consistent mix.
3. Yikes! You always should have a grout line between tile.
Take this simple scenario: One of the tiles is a bit smaller than the others. There will be gaps around where the smaller tile meets the bigger tile. There's nothing to stop that crack filling with things you don't want in there. Water, soap, etc..... get the picture?
Even if you had nice flat walls and perfectly-made tiles, you'd still need grout in between them. The joint can be as small as 1/16" or as large as 5/8", but the tile still has to be grouted.
25 years since the last job? Well, we're here to help
1. I agree with the 1/8" maximum unsanded grout line on a wall tile. His reasoning is that if it's more than 1/8" wide, you'll need a sanded grout: if you put an unsanded grout in a joint that's wider than that, it'll likely crack. The larger grout joint can be made not to crack with the addition of sand.
2. Good advice. Pigments do settle in shipping and this is one way to ensure you get a well-blended, consistent mix.
3. Yikes! You always should have a grout line between tile.
Take this simple scenario: One of the tiles is a bit smaller than the others. There will be gaps around where the smaller tile meets the bigger tile. There's nothing to stop that crack filling with things you don't want in there. Water, soap, etc..... get the picture?
Even if you had nice flat walls and perfectly-made tiles, you'd still need grout in between them. The joint can be as small as 1/16" or as large as 5/8", but the tile still has to be grouted.
25 years since the last job? Well, we're here to help
#3
11-13-03, 05:25 PM
Member
Some wall tiles (usually just the smaller tiles) have spacers built into the tile itself. Because his other advice sounds good, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that that is what he was talking about.
#4
11-14-03, 04:21 AM
I agree with all of you on spacing. I didn't plan on butting them up. Not sure why he would say it but he was clear that he does it. I will use 1/8 spacers on the walls and 1/4" on the floor tiles. The floor is 13" tilese the walls are 8x13. Are these gaps sufficient?
Sand mix grout on floor. No sand mix on walls.
I plan on installing the wall tiles first. I will grout the walls prior to starting the floor. I don't want to make a mess on the new floor when applying the grout to the walls.
Since I only have weekends to tile, I will do the walls next weekend and the floor on Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanks for all the advice.
Sand mix grout on floor. No sand mix on walls.
I plan on installing the wall tiles first. I will grout the walls prior to starting the floor. I don't want to make a mess on the new floor when applying the grout to the walls.
Since I only have weekends to tile, I will do the walls next weekend and the floor on Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanks for all the advice.
#5
11-14-03, 10:21 AM
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Considering the size of the tile being used (8x12), I can't see there being a spacer on it. In fact, I've never seen a tile over 6x8 with ones on it.
1/4" might be a bit wide for the floor tiles. The tile might have a cushioned edge and make the grout appear even bigger. I'd suggest using 3/16".
It really does boil down to personal preference. Personally, I'd rather show off the tile more than the grout line.
1/4" might be a bit wide for the floor tiles. The tile might have a cushioned edge and make the grout appear even bigger. I'd suggest using 3/16".
It really does boil down to personal preference. Personally, I'd rather show off the tile more than the grout line.
#6
11-15-03, 05:39 AM
Thanks a lot. I have 3/16" spacers and I couldn't find the ones I wanted as I was looking for 1/8". I agree with you, I don't like large grout lines. You guys have been a great help. I will keep you posted on the results of my project. I have a total of 70sf of floor tile to install and a little over 100 sf of wall tiles. The walls are only going up to about 44" high which include a border tile and bull nose. The shower area will not be tiled. Has a full surround tub/shower enclosure. This project should be completed between painting/tiling by the end of November. I only have weekends to work on it.
