Nerang Tiles | Floor Tiles & Wall Tiles Gold Coast
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WHAT TILE GROUT JOINT SHOULD I USE?

This is basic information regarding the Australian Standard for tile grout joint widths for ceramic and porcelain floor tiles and wall tiles.

Grout Joint Size

The size of the grout joint can change the way your overall tile installation looks. It is important to use the right size grout joint for technical reasons and also for aesthetic reasons. Most end users desire very small grout joints; indeed, many would prefer no joint at all.

​Questions often asked are:
• What is the standard for determining the size of a grout joint?
• Can it be bigger or smaller?
• Does it need to be a specific size?
 
The current Australian Standard ‘Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tile’ gives little guidance to tile joints. It states that “Joint widths should be consistent throughout the installation unless otherwise specified.”
 
“The recommended joint widths for dust-pressed floor tiles should be 3 mm and dust-pressed wall tiles 1.5 mm.”
 
“Wider joints may be required to accommodate larger tiles, dimensional irregularities in the tiles or to maintain modular discipline.”
 
“The width of the joint should be wide enough to accommodate the variances in size of the tiles as permitted by the manufacturing standards” – AS3958.1&2.
 
So in general there is not a specific standard for the size of a grout joint especially when you consider what a large tile is and there being no reference to rectified tile. The relevant parameters that should be considered when determining the grout joint size are:

Variations in the size of the tile
All types of ceramic tile shrink in size as they are fired. The larger the tile the greater the possibility of size variation. Even a rectified tile that is made by either sawing or grinding the tile that has already been fired to a specific size, still has some minimal variation between pieces. 
 
Tight grout joints will highlight any variation from tile to tile. Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint.
 
For pressed edge floor tiles anything less than a 3 mm joint may not accommodate the size variation in the tile. However, for example, a 1.5 mm variation in a grout joint between 3 mm and 5 mm would not be noticeable.

For rectified tiles, as AS3958.1 gives no guidance to joint size, then the manufacturers recommendation should be referred to.

Also, due to tile size variation and other factors, it is normal that the same width grout lines between wall and floor tiles may not line up. Unless you can adjust the width of the grout lines satisfactorily, it may be better that the grout lines between the wall and floor tiles are purposely offset so as to have the best aesthetic look.
 
Note: Using floor tiles on the wall obviously requires the same accommodating grout joints as on the floor.

Changes in the flatness of the substrate and tile
Installed tiling is a surface finish that will follow the plane of the substrate, as such, variations in the substrate will be reflected in the tiles unless additional levelling is performed. Substrate flatness is even more important with rectified tiles which do not have a cushion edge.
 
Additionally, all tiles have some amount of warpage as part of the firing process that is within the manufacturing standard and not considered a defect unless excessive. So unless there is an adequately flat substrate small grout joints will highlight any lippage, where one edge of the tile is higher or lower than its adjacent tile. As grout joints can accommodate differences in the flatness of the surface, tiling on substrates that are not level may require wider grout joints that can slope from one tile to another.
 
Movement of the substrate
Substrates can be flexible, shrink while curing and move due to environmental conditions. An adequate size grout joint that is much more compressible than the tile itself must be maintained to accommodate these movements.
 
Grouting process
The smaller the grout joints the greater the difficulty for the installer to fully compact the grout into the joint which may result in the grout material crumbling.

Grout colour
Your selection of grout colour will affect the overall look and feel of your tile installation, which allows you to be flexible with grout joint width, depending on your choice of colour.
 
Light grouts against light tiles tend to hide imperfections in size which means you can tighten your joints if you desire. Darker grouts against light tiles, on the other hand, bring out those size variations.
 
Conclusion 
When selecting the grout joint width it should be made by mutual consent of all the interested parties before installation commences after considering all of the above points and any instructions given by the manufacturer.

​Credit: Australian Tile Council. 

​
(07) 5596 1916
83 Lawrence Drive Nerang QLD 4211

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You'll be smiling, doing your tiling, when you shop at

Picture
Most awarded Queensland Tile Showroom
Voted Best Tile Showroom, Nerang Tiles hosts one of the largest Australian tile showrooms displaying thousands of floor tiles and wall tiles at discount prices at its Gold Coast Tile Showroom.

The Nerang Tiles Website is a gallery snapshot only. Displaying a sneak preview of the thousands of tiles on display at its Gold Coast Tile Showroom. Visit in store to see the full range and take advantage of the Nerang Tiles expert team.

Nerang Tiles is a one stop tile showroom, providing full and free colour and design consultation to assist builders, architects, retail and interior designers tile all areas from floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, pools, outdoor areas, offices to driveways.

Showcasing the latest in tile design and interior tile trends, including all classic and traditional tile designs, Nerang Tiles has it all. Some of the tiles available include tiles suitable as kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles, floor tiles, wall tiles, outdoor tiles, pool tiles, feature tiles and much more. 

Tile Types available at Nerang Tiles: Bathroom Tiles, Kitchen Tiles, Pool Tiles, Outdoor Tiles, Wall Tiles, Floor Tiles, Feature Tiles, Timber Look Tiles, Marble Look Tiles, Stone Look Tiles, Concrete Look Tiles, Pattern Tiles, Mosaic Tiles, Stone Veneer Cladding, Cladding Tiles, Brick Look Tiles, Subway Tiles, Talavera Tiles, Capping Tiles, Listello Tiles, Pencil Tiles, Vinyl Tiles, Safety Tiles, Geometric Tiles, Tessellated Tiles, Mercatto Tiles, Terracotta Tiles, Anti Slip Tiles, Commercial Tiles, Textured Tiles, Sealed Tiles, Structured Tiles, Scored Tiles, Pressed Edge Tiles, Rectified Tiles, Vitrified Tiles, Step Tread Tiles, Coving Tiles, Bullnosed Tiles, Glazed Tiles, Bejmat Tiles, Zellige Tiles, Kit Kat Tiles, Finger Tiles, Unglazed Tiles, Floral Tiles, French Pattern Tiles, Terrazzo Look Tiles, Glow in the dark Tiles, Glass Tiles, Encaustic Tiles, Mosaic Tile Murals, Pool Mosaic Murals and much more. 
​
You are sure to be smiling doing your tiling when you shop at Nerang Tiles.

Find more tile inspiration for your wall tiling or floor tiling through the Nerang Tiles' Pinterest Page, Instagram Page,  Houzz Profile or Facebook Page.  The Nerang Tiles Social Media pages are constantly updated with new tiles arriving in store and designed inspiration from tile factories and customers for our viewing pleasure. 

*Photos are an indication of colour only. Actual goods may vary from images shown due to device display settings, product batch variations and fine detail, and may not be available. Please contact Nerang Tiles to check availability, request samples or view display items .

Information on this website is to be used as a guide only and should not be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and we exclude all representation and warranties in relation to the content of this website. All consumers should seek professional advice through their local Builder's Association for specific and individual application.
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      • Low & Medium Density Residential Projects
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    • Area >
      • Bathroom Tiles
      • Kitchen Tiles
      • Outdoor & Pool Tiles
    • Timber Tiles
    • New Tiles & Images
  • Services
    • Tile Selection
    • Interior Design
    • Tiling Professionals
  • Contact
  • Tile Knowledge
    • Why Choose Tiles >
      • The Qualities and Benefits of Tiles
      • Healthy Living
      • Tile Safety
      • Tile Sustainability
      • Pet Friendly Flooring Solution
    • Tile Standards and Codes >
      • Tile Safety & Slip Ratings
      • Tile Standards and Tolerances
    • Commercial Tile Guides >
      • Health Care Tile Guide
      • Retail Tile Guide
      • Hospitality & Recreation Tile Guide
      • Residential Tile Guide
      • Public & Community Tile Guide
      • Stair Case Tile Nosing
    • FAQ >
      • Why Do My Tiles Appear Different To What Was Ordered
      • What Tile Grout Joint Should I Use?
      • Why Are There Stains On My Polished Porcelain Tiles
      • Are Tiles Cold
      • Why Have I Received Wrong or Damaged Tiles
      • What is the difference between glazed and unglazed porcelain tile?
      • Why are some of my tiles uneven
      • How to Match Existing Tiles
      • Why do my tiles have small cracks?
    • Tile Facts >
      • Silica Dust & Ceramic Tiles
      • Tile Characteristics >
        • Shade Variation
        • Tile Flatness
        • Tile Water Absorption
        • Tile Resistance to Humidity and Temperature Change
        • Tile Chemical Characteristics
        • Tile Size Variation
        • Crazing of Glazed Tiles
        • Optical Hazing in Polished Tiles
      • Tiling Terminology
      • Aluminium Trim Information
      • Types of Tiles
    • Tile Applications >
      • Bathroom
      • Kitchen
      • Swimming Pool
      • Stair Case
      • Living Space
      • Fireplace
      • Driveway
      • Outdoors
    • After Installation >
      • Tile Cleaning & Maintenance >
        • Tile Cleaning and Maintenance
        • Tile Cleaning Hints and Myths
        • Tile Cleaning Terminology
        • Guide to Stain Removal For Unglazed Tiles
      • Efflorescence
      • Problem Solving - Grout Haze, Mould, Wax Coatings & Efflorescence
    • Tile Installation >
      • Installation Materials >
        • Tile Adhesive
        • Primers
        • Waterproofing Membrane
        • Tile Grout
        • Tile Sealer
      • Installation Tips >
        • Installing Floor Tiles
        • Installing Wall Tiles
        • Preparing Your Surface
        • Tiling Techniques: Back Buttering and Spot Fixing
        • Tile Joints - The Basics
        • Gradient falls in wet area floors
        • How to Deal with electrical outlets when tiling
      • DIY Tiling Essentials
      • Tiling Checklist
      • Grout Selection Guide
    • Before Installation >
      • Tile Layout Patterns
      • Selecting Your Tiler
      • Tile Delivery and Transport
      • Important Information Before Installing Tiles
      • Choosing Grout
  • Blog