Do You Put Expansion Joints In Ceramic Tile

The short answer is that you do not span control expansion joints with the tile.

Do you put expansion joints in ceramic tile.

Here s where to put expansion joints. Install the caulk after the tiles have been set and before the grout is installed. In large areas expansion joints will be necessary for the concrete itself for all the same reasons as are needed for wall and floor tiles. Control joints are there because it s not a question of if the slab will crack but rather when the slab cracks it hopefully happens at the joint.

The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation. Let me explain why they are so important. A and photo 5. If the ceramic tile floor is wider or longer than 25 feet you will need to install an expansion joint near the center of the floor.

An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature. If so what should be the spacing of these on a 14 x 20 floor. Learn all about expansion joints here. For installation of tile the tile ends at each control joint and the gap if filled with caulk rather than grout.

By using expansion joints you are creating smaller tiled areas or fields therefore significantly reducing the risk of movement affecting the surface. Whether you re setting tile on an old or new slab you must include expansion joints fig. When should i use expansion joints the larger the tiled area the more the tiles will expand and contract. Ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment.

Caulk the grout gap between two adjacent rows of tile all the way across the floor. If we do install the perimeter expansion joint should there also be other expansion joints within the tile. Recognizing that tile is a facade movement joints are needed to eliminate stresses that can occur between the substrate and the tile due to differing amounts of expansion and contraction. For perspective we originally published this article in august 2016 and expansion joints continue to come up in conversation during training sessions and also in comments.

Where should movement joints be placed.