grout spacing for 16x16 tiles

I am installing (soon) 16x16 tiles on my countertop and have based my layout on 1/8" grout lines. After reading some of the posts here I was thinking 1/8 may be too small based on the tile size.

So any info on grout lines would be helpful, also trowel size, I was thinking 1/4 x 3/8 x 1/4.

Side Question- what is the difference between modified and un-modified thinset????

Thanks.

 

Shaun in my experience most folks like smaller grout lines especially on countertops and you should get away with 1/8" eaisly. The problem is that not all tiles from the same lot are always the exact same size and smaller grout lines cause problems with tile spacing. The saving grace is that those problems come on floors where many tiles are being used. On a countertop a few misized tiles shouldn't be an issue. I think you'll be OK.

Modified thinsets contain additives that increase holding/bonding power of a thinset and allow thinsets to be used in varying special applications. In your case you should use modified thinset. Good Luck

 

FYI - I am using a Shaw tile, if that helps at all with uniformity in tile, based on manufacturer.

 

Means nothing. Shaw tile is a tile offered by a carpet manufacturer simply to latch onto a marketshare of the tile industry.

From what I've seen retailers around here that know absolutely nothing about ceramic tile or the installation thereof also offer some Shaw tile in hopes that they can sell something else to a rug shopper.