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What size grout joint can I have when I install my 12x12 tile?
QUESTION
What size grout joint can I have when I install my 12x12 tile? - I am trying to get some specific specifications for ceramic tile made by Daltile. I hope you can give me your professional opinion. I am installing 12X12 ceramic tile in my kitchen and I need some specific instructions for installation. The tile is Devonshire DV-43. The manufacture specifies 3/16 of an inch for grout spacing. The tiles are not exact in size. They can be off as much as 3/32 of an inch. If I go smaller than 3/16 of an inch on my grout spacing would this cause the grout to crack. Also, my floor joist are 24 inches apart. What is the maximum spacing on floor joist to allow for installation of ceramic tile? I have one more question I need answered. If I go smaller than the recommended grout spacing of 3/16 would it cause me problems keeping the grout lines straight.ANSWER
ANSWER - Grout joints are meant to support the edge of the tile. The width of the grout joint is based on being wide enough to completely fill it and to compensate for the dimensional variations of the tile. If the grout joint is too narrow then the variations might show up by not making the grout joint look completely straight. Also the more narrow the joint the more it accentuates any tile lippage (one edge of an adjacent tile higher than the other).You could go with a smaller grout joint, but you will have to sort through your tiles and not use those that vary too much in size which will waste some of the tile so you may need to buy extra tile. I never recommend going with a grout joint less than 1/8" wide because it is hard to fully fill a grout joint if it is less than that. Industry standards state that minimum grout joint width should be 1/16" wide, but that requires that you have very precisely sized tiles and that you use a non-sanded grout. Sanded grout won't fit into a grout joint less than 1/8" wide. The sanded grout provides more resistance to cracking for joints larger than 1/8" wide.
We do provide some guidelines to tile installations that you can download as a pdf file. Good Luck.
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Please tell me what is a reasonable installation price laying 12 x 12 ceramic tiles for 584 sq,ft. (N.E. San Antonio TX) I want to pay a reasonable price without getting ripped off as my funds are limited. Also, are there any specific questions I should ask the person. Thank you for your help.
Pricing can vary a lot depending on what type of substrate you are installing over, what condition is the substrate and what needs to be done to prepare it, what installation method is being used (mortar bed is more expensive then direct bond to the substrate, what is the quality of the installation products being used, is there a need for a waterproof/crack isolation membrane, what pattern will the tile be installed in (diagonal pattern is more expensive because there is more waste from cutting tiles at perimeters), what type of tile is it (is it rectified and consistent in sizing or is it irregular in sizing and warpage), and what is the quality of the installer being used?
So prices can vary from $3 per square foot for direct bond to a concrete slab that doesn’t need any preparation using lower-end products to over $10 per square foot for a mortar bed installation. Adding membranes and other items will add to the cost. The quantity being installed can cause the price to go up or down. How far the installer has to travel can affect the price too. Prices do vary a lot depending on what part of the country you live in.
As they say you get what you pay for, but also beware that there are people who portray themselves as expert installers and will tell you they have been doing it right for over 20 years and who will cut corners, used cheap products, and will not properly install the tile. Note to the right margin of this page is a free installation guide that helps consumers know how to select installers and how to oversee their work to make sure it is done correctly.
Most installers have not had any formal tile installation training and don’t know what are the industry standards. Make sure the installers who are actually doing the installation have taken the UofCTS online Tile Installer Thin-set Standards Verification course that teaches installers the current industry standards, methods and practices. It is available in English and Spanish and only takes about 5 hours to complete. Go to http://www.UofCTS.org for more information.