Wall Tile Grout Spacing

Oftentimes the tile material choice dictates the proper spacing for wall tiles.

Wall tile grout spacing.

Grout lines for floor tiles. And tile as large as 48 is becoming common. Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1 8 to 1 4 if 3 16 spacers are used. As a general rule floor tiles should have grout lines of 1 8 inch or larger depending on the type and size of tile.

You have a choice among common sizes which will depend on what size grout line you envision. Insert them vertically in floor tile and horizontally in wall tile one pair per each edge of the tile. If smaller spacers like 1 8 are used it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. Large format tile installation needs to be considered differently from regular tile installation.

In other cases an experienced tile setter installs wall tiles with the smallest grout joints possible. Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time. That includes grout joints too. The bevel is often a glazed surface which is intended to transition from one tile to another.

Special types such as slate or quarry tiles often do not have edges uniform enough to look good with tight spacing. The most important thing it to make sure the tiles are even at the joints so you don t stub your toe or trip on the edge of a tile. 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. Tile spacers make beautiful results easy when used properly.

Wall tile spacing is a balancing act determined by the consistency of tile sizing overall design and overarching future maintenance issues. If you prefer larger grout lines you need to take into consideration the grid effect. If you do not use a grout that somewhat matches the tile color you may end up with an installation that looks more like a grid made of grout than tile with a grout accent. For uneven tile we really like to use the tile levelling clips.

Avoid the mistake of placing them in the corner where four tiles meet. Large tiles give you so much design freedom. But large tile can be challenging to install. Most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches but larger versions are available.

The majority of tile made today has a beveled edge and grout should not be installed on the bevel. Tile spacing is measured between tile edges not from the top edge of the bevel on the tile. Finished grout lines will vary from 1 16 to 3 16. The smaller the tile the more pronounced this effect may become.