Wall Tile Expansion Joint

Expansion joints are areas of space between rigid surfaces that allow for expansion and contraction of materials.

Wall tile expansion joint.

Balco expansion joint systems and seismic joint covers are the vanguards of architecturally specified products. Floor to wall expansion joints when you install ceramic tile on the floor you must take care to create an expansion joint between the walls and the tiled floor. 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. Expansion joints for wall and floor tiles should ideally be located directly over the building s own expansion joints.

Learn all about expansion joints here. The as 3958 1 australian standard guide to the installation of ceramic tiles section 5 4 5 1 cautions that. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation. In large areas many factors will determine how often a joint will be required.

Locate openings for expansion joints directly over cold joints and structural joints. Where tile work is exposed to direct sunlight or moisture or for above ground concrete slabs the university of ceramic tile and stone uofcts recommended that the expansion joints in tiles shall be installed at every 8 to 12 2 5 to 3 65m for exterior areas. Movement joints are an integral part of any tile assembly and must be incorporated within the tile field at doorsills and at transitions to walls and other restraining structures to allow movement of the assembly and prevent stresses that can damage the system. However in order to not make cuts the tile actually overlays the expansion joint by 1 5 tiles are 18 36.

It is essential that the movement joints be carried through the tile and the bedding. Each situation is different and needs to be assessed on its own merits. Types of movement joints the different types of movement joints are shown in the tcna handbook in the ej171 section. Images courtesy of emac a leading manufacturer of trims and expansion.

We constantly innovate and incorporate the latest technology to protect commercial buildings from damage due to fires and movement from thermal expansion wind or earthquakes. The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type. Expansion joints are normally considered structural joints that can possibly move vertically. Ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment.