How Wide Grout On 16x8 Wall Tile
Although 1 16 of an inch may seem unimportant for example on a 12 tile it represents a 50 variation in a grout joint 1 8 inch wide.
How wide grout on 16x8 wall tile. As a general rule floor tiles should have grout lines of 1 8 inch or larger depending on the type and size of tile. Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time. If smaller spacers like 1 8 are used it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. This thickness leaves room for the natural variation in.
A non sanded grout is suitable for grout joints up to 1 8 inch wide sanded grout is best for joints over 1 8 inch wide. Most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches but larger versions are available. Eliminating grout surface area disallows these things from taking hold and makes wall tile easier to maintain. Some care is required if using sanded grouts on highly polished tiles as the sand can actually scratch the surfaces.
Sanded grout is normally recommended when the grout seams are 1 8 inch wide or more as the sand provides extra bonding power that prevents cracking. Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint. Powdered grout must be mixed with water before use premixed grout comes in tubs and is convenient for small jobs. We recommend a 3 16 grout size for our ceramic tile line.
First the smallest grout lines less than 1 8 inch are ideal for rectified tiles. The additional structure of sanded grout is needed for wider grout joints from 1 8 to 5 8 and some even can go as wide as 1. Finished grout lines will vary from 1 16 to 3 16. Rectified tiles are perfectly uniform with precisely defined edges requiring the least amount of grout.
Generally unsanded grout is used for tile applications with narrower grout joints from 1 16 to 1 8. Grout comes in premixed and powdered forms and in sanded or non sanded types. Testing the grout on sample tile is a good idea. A higher quality tile could allow for a 1 16 or 1 8 grout line and maybe even a brick layout as lippage may not be an issue in a perfect tile world where as a lower quality tile might have major lippage risk so laying the tile in 1 3 s and having a 1 4 grout line is recommended.
All other cuts of tile from tumbled to chiseled to punched contain slight variations in shape and size. An important diy consideration for tile spacing comes long after the job is done. The cementitious properties of tile grout attract mildew hard water stains and a wide variety of grunge. Thinner grout lines require less maintenance.