Receiving Helpdesk

how big should grout lines be for 12x12 tile

by Caroline Witting Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

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.

Full Answer

What size notched trowel for 12x24 tile?

With your 12×24 tiles you should use a 1/2" notched trowel on the wall and back butter each tile, but just with a skim coat. Tile trowels come in many shapes and sizes, generally starting out from a 3/16″ v-notch up to the 1/2″ square notch.

How large should grout lines be?

The following tile materials all need grout lines that are at least 1/16”:

  • Ceramic
  • Porcelain
  • Natural stone

How to choose the width of the grout lines?

The most important include all the following:

  • Tile edge type (rectified/perfectly straight or non-rectified)
  • Tile use (flooring, cladding, interior or exterior space)
  • Tile type (porcelain stone, monoporosa, laminated)

How much to pour a concrete slab 12x24?

Steps to Calculate Cubic Yards of Concrete

  • Measure the length, width, and height of the slab, footing, or column. ...
  • Convert dimensions to feet if they aren’t already. ...
  • Multiply the width times the length times the height (W × L × H), or use our volume calculator to find the cubic feet.
  • Convert the volume to cubic yards from cubic feet. ...

More items...

How big should tile grout lines be?

As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile. Special types, such as slate or quarry tiles, often do not have edges uniform enough to work with tight spacing. These tiles usually are spaced with grout lines 3/16 inch or wider.

How wide should grout lines be?

Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1/8" to 1/4" if 3/16" spacers are used. If smaller spacers like 1/8" are used, it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16" to 3/16". Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time.

What size notched trowel for 12x12 tile?

What size trowel for 12×12 wall tile? A ¼ inch x ⅜ inch square notch trowel works well for most 12 x 12 tiles (30cm x 30cm).

How do you grout 12x12 tile?

1:373:46How to Grout Tile Floor Like a Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing medium pressure on a damp sponge. Work the surface to loosen the grout haze. And then to shapeMoreUsing medium pressure on a damp sponge. Work the surface to loosen the grout haze. And then to shape the joint. You can add a little grout as needed to fill low spots or voids.

What is the thinnest grout line for tile?

First, the smallest grout lines, less than 1/8 inch, are ideal for rectified tiles. Rectified tiles are perfectly uniform, with precisely defined edges, requiring the least amount of grout. All other cuts of tile, from tumbled to chiseled to punched, contain slight variations in shape and size.

What is the smallest grout line for porcelain tile?

1/16″Smallest size grout lines should not be less than 1/16″. This is an acceptable space that can be properly grouted. When the space between tiles is so little like 1/32″ which is often referred to as “credit card lines” or “penny lines”, it's not possible to fill that space all the way through the bottom of the tile.

How thick should thinset be under tile?

Plan for a layer of thinset 3/16-inch to 1/8-inch thick beneath your tile. A 3/16-inch layer of thinset will be enough for tiles with a smooth back to bond the tile to the floor or backer board. For natural tiles with an uneven surface on the back, you may need to spread a 1/8-inch layer of thinset during installation.

Which tile spacer size should I use?

The general rule is to use tile spacers of 2 - 3mm for a ceramic wall tile installation and tile spacers of 5mm for a ceramic floor tile installation, but there are numerous factors that can influence the size of the tile spacers you use. Porcelain, granite and marble tiles are generally installed with a 3mm spacer.

Can you use 12x12 tile on walls?

You can still put it on a wall. It will just be an extra durable wall. Just about any 12 x 12 inch tile is commonly referred to as a 'floor tile' simply because of the size without taking any of the above into consideration. This is simply another example of misinformed dealers, stores, and installers.

How long leave grout before wiping?

15 to 30 minutesLet the grout set for 15 to 30 minutes, and wipe up the excess grout with a dense grout sponge soaked in water. (If you think it's going to take you longer than 30 minutes to grout all of the tiles and be ready to move onto cleanup, you may have to work in smaller sections.)

How big should grout lines be in shower?

Grout Joint Width for Corner Tile Shower tiles should have a 1/8″ joint between their edge and backer boards or adjacent tiles. For example, if tile is being set on the main shower wall, then leave a 1/8″ expansion joint between the tile edge and adjacent backer board.

What happens if you put grout on top of grout?

Benefits of Putting New Grout Over Old Grout Putting new grout over old grout is not as complicated as a complete re-grout as it does not require the removal of the old grout. It can also strengthen the surface to increase water resistance and make it less susceptible to impurities.

When choosing grout size should you consider the tile?

Also, grout size should be considered when there is a difference in the angle of a surface.

When should grout size be considered?

Also, grout size should be considered when there is a difference in the angle of a surface. If your surface is not level, the grout will slope from one tile to another. You should also keep in mind that when tiling over a corner, your grout grout joint will open up and when tiling into a recess, the top of the grout joint will narrow in.

How thick is fireclay tile?

When it comes to thickness, our ceramic tiles are ~5/16" thick; our brick is ~1/2" thick, and our glass tile is ~1/4" thick.

Is there a width requirement for Fireclay grout?

While we definitely have recommendations for grout size for each Fireclay product line, there really is no set width requirement. Instead, the thickness of your grout joint should be based on a number of factors including everything to tile size and amount of variation to your desired style or aesthetic. To help you out, we've put together ...

How wide should grout be for tile?

The Tile Council of North America and accompanying tile organizations recommend an average grout joint width of 3/16 inch for every 1/16 inch variation in the size of the tiles. For example, if you take two 12-inch tiles and compare them side to side and there is a variation of 1/16 inch in the two tiles, you are recommended to use at least a 3/16-inch grout joint to hide the inconsistency. Larger size variations have larger grout recommendations.

What is the process of installing porcelain tile?

Installing ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles is a process that involves a combination of mandatory guidelines and recommended installation procedures. When you are installing 12-inch porcelain tile, for example, there are some recommendations for the size of the grout joint you use, but the finished results are completely up ...

What is a rectified tile?

Rectified tiles are any man-made tile such as porcelain, and are specifically designed to have as little variation in size as possible. However, the reality is that 1/16-inch variations are rarely the norm.

What size tile spacer should I use?

Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1/8″ to 1/4″ if 3/16″ spacers are used. If smaller spacers like 1/8″ are used, it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16″ to 3/16″. Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time.

What size should grout lines be?

Grout lines need to be at least 1/16” for the grout to even fit, and often larger than that depending on a variety of other factors. For some grouts, like sanded cement grout, 1/8” is the minimum line size.

Do subway tiles need spacers?

Yes. Most subway tile has grooves on the sides so you don’t need to use spacers at all because it’s an automatic 1/16″ grout line.

How many mm of grout do you need between tiles?

What grout spacing do I need between tiles? We usually recommend between 3mm and 5mm for floor tiles and no less than 1.5 mm for wall tiles. Grout spacers are a fantastic way to ensure your grout lines are level and even, and are available from all Beaumonts store.

Do professional tilers use spacers?

Tiling & Bath Contractor I always use spacers. The only time I don’t use spacers is when there are irregular tiles and I need to fudge the tiles around. For floors I use tavy spacers that sit on top of the tiles so they’re easy to take out and can be reused over and over again.

Can you lay floor tiles without spacers?

All floors endure movement and without spacers the tile will absorb all of the lateral movement resulting in broken tiles. Spacers are not necessary for laying floor tiles.

How do I know what size trowel to use on tile?

Finding the right trowel for the job is quite simple when you know that, generally speaking, the trowel size should match up to the tile size – the smaller the tile, the smaller the trowel; the larger the tile, the larger the trowel.

How do I know what size trowel to use on tile?

Finding the right trowel for the job is quite simple when you know that, generally speaking, the trowel size should match up to the tile size – the smaller the tile, the smaller the trowel; the larger the tile, the larger the trowel.

What size tile spacer should I use?

Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1/8″ to 1/4″ if 3/16″ spacers are used. If smaller spacers like 1/8″ are used, it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16″ to 3/16″. Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time.

How thick should floor tile mortar be?

The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick. For example, a 3/8″ notch trowel will produce a 3/16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.

What size notched trowel for wall tile?

All tile manufacturers offer a recommended trowel size. Mosaic installations up to 2 inches can use a 1/8-inch notch, as can wall tiles of up to 4 inches, as a general rule. 16-inch tiles need a 1/2-inch-deep notch, and anything over 24 inches should use a 3/4-inch notch.

Should you use spacers on subway tile?

Yes, you should use spacers to install a subway tile backsplash. Spacers will make it easy to keep the lines between your tiles equal, and skipping this step can make your finished product look cheap and rushed.

What happens if Thinset is too thick?

Bathroom tile typically requires less thinset than larger, natural stone. In addition to producing an uneven surface, applying too much thinset can create costly cleanup headaches and add unnecessary time to a project. Simple installation rules eliminate the possibility of this potential problem.

What is the best trowel for tiling?

Square-Notch Tile Trowels As a general rule, square-notch trowels are used for most floor tile and any tile over about 2 inches square. A variation of a square-notch trowel is the U-notch trowel. This delivers a bit less mortar than a square-notch and can be used wherever a square-notch makes sense.

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