Wall Tile Grout Lines

If you re working on vertical surfaces you ll find that it s a lot easier to use unsanded grout for wall installations given that it is a lot stickier than other materials.

Wall tile grout lines.

Don t scrape too hard or you may chip the tile glazing on your how to grout tile project. Grout lines for wall tiles small tiles such as the 4 inch by 4 inch style commonly used on bathroom and kitchen walls often are self spacing. As a result it won t fall off as you try to fit it into the grout lines. When tiling over a hump the grout joint opens up.

Sanded grout is a little more difficult to work with than non sanded but it s stronger and helps prevent cracking in wide joints. The secret no professional will tell you is there is really no set or absolute proper size for your grout lines. It keeps moisture out of the substrate helps keep tile lines straight and prevents tiles from rubbing against one. A non sanded grout is suitable for grout joints up to 1 8 inch wide.

A rectified edge allows for smaller grout lines because the tile has been more precisely cut unlike our other handmade tiles. Premixed grout comes in tubs and is convenient for small jobs. A tight 1 8 grout space will allow the pattern to flow nicely from one tile to the next. Use unsanded grout for lines smaller than a inch wide since it will shrink as it dries.

The size of grout lines for tile is something that comes up on almost every tile installation. There are some guidelines that need to be followed but the actual size is more of a personal choice than it is a set width. Traditional grout is a mixture of sand and cement though more modern options include latex and other polymers to help boost their stain resistance. They have small protrusions called lugs that fit against adjoining tiles and create an automatic space for grout normally 1 32 to 1 16 inch wide.

It also allows for variation in the manufactured tile different types of application and warpage that may be present in large tile. Grout joint size for large and heavy tile a sufficient grout joint gives the tile room to breathe so to speak for building movement and thermal expansion. And when tiling across a depression the top of the grout joint narrows. Vacuum the grout lines then scrape any protruding grout using a stiff putty knife and vacuum again.

Grout is a necessary and integral part of many tile jobs for several reasons. Scrub the grout lines time to turn your attention to the grout lines between those clean tiles. Sanded grout is best for joints over 1 8 inch wide. Where the floor or wall is not level the grout will slope from one tile to another.