Don’t ever lay tile without grout, the tile will prematurely crack and chip rubbing against each other. Is this a wise thing to do and how do you keep the water from getting onto the wallboard behind the tiles. That alone puts me on alert for price gouging. They will go on to tell you that even the thinnest of grout lines can make a world of difference. Mastic should NEVER be used to install stone, ANYWHERE. Can you lay tile without grout lines? on that organic matter. I have had numerous problems, and even brought in an attorney at times. I find things all over the Internet- my favorite place to shop- put cant even get a weak approximation to what certain carpets cost. We are looking for nice, but not over the top woven nylon (no wool) carpets - the kind that can look good for 20+ years. My sister-in-law redid her bath and had limestone installed in the shower area, but without grout. She lives in Florida and said it is done a lot down there. Better reason than that. This is a nice area and there are mNy high end stores and many clients that would teAr a bad apple in court if there were problems. There needs to be. The rooms were stripped to the sub-floor months ago. Having wood-like-tile installed, what size of grout line?? The darkish brown lines in between the bright white tiles seemed to accentuate the not-so-random pattern, plus it had seen years and years of wet feet and sporadic bathroom cleaners. did you see that Home Makeover, they put in the floor tile without grout and they said it was super terrific. This will make the final outcome look a bit off and also look very unprofessional. If you don't fill it grout, something else will find its way in there, and that something else will be soap scum, dead skin cells, dirt, etc., which increases the odds of growing mold, etc. It takes up a lot of time, and it requires meticulous work. Help me clean it. It is pretty understandable that most people who install tiles have a sort of love-hate relationship with grout. How Do I Keep White Marble Tile from Tuning Grey When Installed. I swear that as client, I am #2 behind the GC's employees and subcontractors. I would wait a bit before trashing the project. It makes me wonder how such practices get started. Yes, you can paint your floors! Everyone likes a different width when it comes to grout lines. How much it lightens up all depends on the quality (density) of the stone. I would never just have someone make the decisions about anything that I am paying for and have to live with. This will create a crisp line to the lip and provide the countertop with a … Why you need grout a lot of natural stones namely granites and marbles. Tiles must be spaced evenly, using spacers, and weight must be kept off it while it sets. Not when you follow these pro tips, Wall-mounted pit stops are handy in more than just man caves — and they can look better than you might think, Get your grout right to keep your tile beautiful and for an installation that will last, Heading into darker territory, subway tile offers a graphic new look for kitchens, bathrooms and more, Banish an eyesore and safeguard your bathroom from water damage in 30 minutes or less with this DIY repair, Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type, Personnaliser mon expérience à l'aide de cookies. This can be a pretty daunting task as just even the smallest of mistakes has the potential to permanently damage the tiles which will then need repairs or replacements. There are some tiles that are designed not to have grout. There is a very good chance that by simply looking at the tiles that you have at your disposal, you may think they are of the same size, but there are very high chances that they are not in fact of the same size. We have renovated 3 houses. You can literally spend hours toiling and putting the tiles together and you may even be pretty pleased with the result. The "_______" will take responsibility argument is weak. I will make sure our installer spends the necessary time on making sure the subfloor and cement boards are properly prepared. Each material has its limits/rules. When re-modeling floors, bathroom or a kitchen almost everybody wants to have the minimum grout lines between their tiles. There are special grouts for "invisible" joints. Good website to shop online for backsplash tile? You may be wondering as to the reasoning behind it because grout does not add any extra stability to the tile installation, so why exactly is it so necessary? The GC will not make the sub fix things. Grout Lines for Floor Tiles As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile; most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches, but larger versions are available. If you have ever seen tiles, either on walls or the floors, then you have seen grout. Probably the best way to avoid this nightmarish scenario is to, yes, you guessed it right, use grout in the process of installation. 19 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6EQ, Copyright © Calculator.com 2017. Does anyone have any experience with Norstone products - particularly the Platinum Planc? Of course, I wouldn't want those anywhere near a shower. En savoir plus. No, it's a bad idea, but not for the reasons you think. If smaller spacers like 1/8" are used, it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. It's just really tiny grout joints. Frankly if you are Canadian, the construction industry sounds a bit more civilized than here. All I can guess is it is about $75 a sq yd with installation and padding. A flawless, lustrous surface contributes to elegant and minimalistic look of the room, making it seem more spacious. I wanted a 1/16th grout line, but will go with 1/4 grout lines, based on TCNA recommendations and I will use Mapei medium bed mortar for large tile and the sanded grout is the color of the tile or slightly darker. PPC-- You may HAVE seen an ungrouted floor. Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16" to 3/16". However, the experts will normally in almost all cases tell you that this option is not a particularly good one. Floor tiles without grout - is it possible? If the tiles are not identical they will appear unaligned. Here's how to do it. Layman’s Definition of Grout – Cement stuff with color that is used to fill the gaps in between tiles. All the contractors we have worked with prefer it that way because they don't have to try to figure out what we want. It CAN be, but unless you're using a grout with a fine (staining) pigment to it, there's no need. It does not matter what the size of the project is, there are certain elements that are very likely to get between your tiles if you do not grout them. Consider a narrow tile spacer if possible. The carpet is for the bedrooms only - everything else is hardwood except tile in the bathrooms. It is imperative that YOU inform YOURSELF. The quick answer is nothing closer than 1/16. Something like this (picture shown tiles fitting closed to each other - Not fireplace specific): Obviously I have never done tile without grout before. Because the tiles move, as a result, the edges of the tiles will regularly rub with each other. Even if all the tiles look like they are the same size I can nearly guarantee they are not. Understandably, most installers have a love-hate relationship with grout. To see tiles that are not aligned properly after you spend hours toiling on installing them, we can assume would be the last thing you would want. If this is a dry-wall application, such as a kitchen backsplash, you may not wish to grout this tiles at all. Aug 23, 2017 … Well, the short answer would be a simple no – you should not attempt to install tile without grout. This is the very reason that many who are new to tile installation may think that grout is not necessary. To put it very simply, the various natural materials such as stones, are usually manufactured for use with a size that is pretty consistent and they all look almost totally identical. I still am not sure if there are advantages. Exactly right. This will result in a final outcome that has a very nice and symmetrical look. Once that dries, it WILL lighten up some. But my GC will likely show up for 10 minutes when carpet installation begins, and thats it. In order to check off all the boxes, you'll need to mix the thin-set and grout just right, apply it evenly, and give it time to cure. DIY-friendly, groutless stone tiles are about $12 per square foot. We will assume no, hence grout. installing subway tile in matte white, chosing grout color. No, it's a bad idea, but not for the reasons you think. Vitrified tiles are straight and square and can be installed butted up against one another without a joint. The waterproofing is done behind the tile. For excess thinset in the grout joints, use a pencil, margin trowel or something that fits between the tiles without causing them to shift and remove the thinset. The differences are usually so minor and miniscule, that it is almost impossible to tell apart without the help of some sort of precise measurement. I've only bought new homes, never remodeled used ones. There are only 4 bedrooms, and about 100 quick digital shots of the new baseboards, etc will be helpful. First, the smallest grout lines, less than 1/8 inch, are ideal for rectified tiles. Unless they are “rectified” they will differ, even if only a tiny amount, from tile to … That said, I think the floor that ASI Renovations laid looks beautiful and you can come lay a floor in our house anytime. Many homeowners dream of a perfectly smooth floor without unaesthetic lines. Water can and does get behind tile and grout, regardless of the size of the grout line. Every single tile installation is never complete without grout. Luckily I'm old enough to say that this is my last. Any ideas? Its all about contractors hiring their friends and keeping them as special. This means larger grout lines, 3/16 inch for example, are necessary to achieve a polished look without emphasizing these variations. These can all find a way in between your tiles and it does not matter how tight you think the installation is. Yes there does exist other tips and tricks to make use of but the fact of the matter is that they only minimize the impact and they most definitely do not stop the tiles from moving and hence rubbing against one another. They are smooth and uniform edges that let you get the smallest joint possible (usually 1/8 or 3/16”). When you butt tiles together, there is still a very small gap. Even with rectified tiles, it is not recommended to lay tiles without grout. Well, very simply put, the short and simple answer is a no. This includes contractors. Even the smallest of lines can make a world of difference and have the potential to make the tiles fit perfectly. Here is my other thought: If you are so set on wood-look flooring install wood! Tile and grout do not provide the waterproofing in a shower. If your tile project is in a dry area, you can install a specific kind of ceramic tile without grout. 9 Ways Grout–Yes, Grout–Can Add to Your Design, Finishing Touches: Pro Tricks for Installing Fixtures in Your Tile, 3 Key Steps for Grouting That Looks Its Best, Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting, Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — the Tiling and Grouting Phase. So if the GC's carpet people get the work, I will be 'told' a price ... And if anything goes wrong, I will pay to repair it. The house we are living in, I designed, selected, purchased the material and hired the contractor to do the job according to my instructions. I make sure to inform myself about all aspects of any work on our houses. Back to why it's a bad idea. I am getting ready to have 6x24 wood-look porcelain tile installed. Personally, I think it looks like your grout is old and moldy when you do that. Given what I have just said, are there advantages of carpet stores vs contractors brokering the deal? Although in some people’s opinion butting the tiles against one another looks better than having even the smallest grout lines, it is not a recommended installation procedure. I've also found that carpet (in particular) seems to be an item where you have to actually sit down ready to buy before you even get a ball park estimate of what it costs. what can I do to improve this corner beside my powder room vanity. Rectified tiles allow for the smallest grout joints Rectified tile has very exact edges. Let's talk about grout size options. These tiles, known as vitrified tiles, can be installed with no gap or grout joint between them. These outdoor tiles are backed with plastic grids with interlocking tabs that simply snap together. Even though the differences are very small, they can, however, disturb the process of groutless installation. If this area will be subject to water or moisture, you will still need to grout the tiles, despite their lack of joint. Have done a lot of research, looked up the TCNA standards and explanation of the various reasons why it should be a certain grout line width and how to reduce lippage. Tiles installed without grout have a much higher chance of breaking. Grout acts as a buffer in instances such as this. But as a DIY with request from the spouse (who hates seeing the grout lines), we plan to cover the raised concrete fireplace hearth with porcelain tiles and no grout. One question that has been asked throughout the ages has been, can you tile without grout? Turn your deck into a patio -- they’ll cover any level surface. Some even want to install their tiles with no grout at all. No grout tile or rectified tiles are cut at an angle so that they may not need grout because they are cut to an accuracy of 0.2 mm and don't have the unaligned look. Then there is also the common statement that when you install tiles without grout, it simply looks better and that it makes the work seem much more well put together. First house: I told the contractor what needed to be done; second: I decided what all needed to be done, researched, selected and bought the materials and did some myself. This is likely to cause the tiles to chip or even break at some point in the future. It makes me wonder how such practices get started. Without these precise edges, much more grout is needed to even things out across the floor. Rectified tiles are perfectly uniform, with precisely defined edges, requiring the least amount of grout. At least you get the wood look, but it is tile. Tiles installed without grout have a much higher chance of breaking. Water can and does get behind tile and grout, regardless of the size of the grout line. En continuant à naviguer sur ce site ou à utiliser cette application, j'accepte que le groupe Houzz utilise des cookies ou d'autres technologies similaires pour améliorer ses produits et services, me proposer du contenu pertinent et personnaliser l'expérience utilisateur. Secondly Marble does NOT need to be sealed prior to installation. HELP ASAP!! Given enough time, these debris and dust will accumulate to such an extent that it will ruin the whole tiling installation. Back to why it's a bad idea. The point is that because they move, unless you install grout, they will, eventually, chip and break. Most carpet stores will do much better. Cliks is designed to be used on interior floors that are not exposed to standing water which basically means they can be used anywhere except the shower. Calculator.co.uk Just in the kitchens forum alone there have been many who've ignored my advice and gone forward with groutless installations. I've seen a lot of people do gray grout with the white subway tiles lately. Granted, I love the thought of not having to deal with keeping grout lines cleaned, but would be concerned about wall damage and possibly mold build up between the tiles. With some painter’s tape and patience, you can create a stunning new look. There are cases when laying tile without grout will probably leave the job looking a lot better.But here’s the thing: if you want the job to last, then you need to use grout. Published: 13.01.2020. I've seen pictures of floors (not shower floors, just floors) where it looks like stone tile is butted up against each other, is that just really small grout joints? Narrow grout lines are becoming popular because less grout means less cleaning and maintenance. Another very important point to note is that you should not make the mistake of assuming that you can clean the tiles after they have been installed. ". Is it wise to use General Contractor for carpet install? First, Debbi's half right. This means that you will have to work on them again. It is important to note that when you put these tiles together, the tiny irregularities that cannot be seen by the eyes, do add up to make it much more noticeable. Thanks. Use vitrified tiles, which are made of compressed clay dust, if you wish to install tiles without grout. All of the new "stacked stone" type tiles would look absurd with grout lines. The GC offers a 1 year warranty by law. Hi this is a really old thread but I've discovered a product (Norstone Platinum Planc) that stands by no grout, even in the shower. I am a wallet to them. It does tend to take up a lot of time and it requires a lot of effort and hard work. The GC just wants to throw business to a friend. Rectified tiles are perfectly uniform, with precisely defined edges, requiring the least amount of grout. This means that you will have to work on them again. You have to respect, install and treat it accordingly. This is yet another reason to ditch the entire concept of installing tiles without the use of grout. But without applying grout, there will always be those small pesky spaces that can act as magnets for attracting debris and dust. After close to $1M in renovations, I have learned my lessons many times. Just curious. This makes a lot of people want to install them without grout lines. First things first, all the tiles need to be cut at a 45-degrees miter. It should be white THINSET. Period. Leave the tile spacers in place while the adhesive is … When you butt tiles together, there is still a very small gap. Grout is an important part of the tile installation process. The Importance Of Sealing Your Stone And Tile Floors The most important role of grouting is hiding any differences in size between tiles.Floor tile without grout. If you want to know why please keep reading. Thanks for clarifying. All Rights Reserved, Safety, Standards and Parameters of EICR Reports, The Pros and Cons of Bridging Loans: All You Need to Know, Initiatives Launched Addressing Problematic Gambling, How the Global Film Industry Will Bounce Back. The waterproofing is done behind the tile. Some are more knowledgeable about one thing, others about something else. What grout does, is that it allows you to cover the differences in the sizes of the tiles and get a better grip on the final outcome. Here we take a look at whether you can tile without grout. Yes, they should have had the customer sign off. It’s easy to paint the entire surface but consider getting creative by NOT painting the grout lines. No one can know everything. If my hunch is correct regarding the sizing of the tiles then try and have the the grout lines on the base board hit the mid point on the floor tile. Make sure your floor is clean of dirt and debris. I'd much rather have grout between my tiles than a bunch of gross junk. Doesn't mean it's right, or even a good idea. All other cuts of tile, from tumbled to chiseled to punched, contain slight variations in shape and size. Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1/8" to 1/4" if 3/16" spacers are used. But what this really costs is beyond me, and I'm sure there is extreme variation. It can be things such as dust, dead cells or may be even other debris. Belgravia Capital Holdings Ltd There may also be cases where installing tiles without grout may make the result seem better. Now, as for the OP-- Although the grey thinset will make a difference, I think alot of what you're seeing is moisture from the thinset. ", .............ya know , I was reading on the internet last nite. Thanks Terriks and Bill, I had a feeling it was not good to do. I am planning on redoing our bathroom and want to have tile installed in the shower area. Homeowners Definition of Grout – The dirty lines between my tiles. It was time for a refresh. Rust-Oleum HOME Floor Paint makes it simple and affordable. Best of all: no grungy grout to repair or refill. The tiles are just butted up to each other. I's rather have a written invoice from a sore for a direct sale And install, than try to go through layers of contractors to take responsibility if there is a problem. What I've seen, especially with sub-contractors (like carpet), that they rely on the GC to protect them. Groutless tile has a higher Grout is grout, right? Now think about that for a second, do you want that to happen to your tiles? Tiles move, yes you read that right, tiles do move. Cancork, I understand what you are saying. The fact of the matter, however, is that if you want the installation to last, then you will need to make use of grout. Wipe the tile one final time to remove any thinset on the surface sides of the grout joint. Having said all of these, let us now take a look at why installing tiles without grout lines is a bad idea and why you should not break traditional tiling methods. Grout prevents the tiles from rubbing against one another when they go through the process of expansion and contraction. Calculating and cutting tiles The next ting worth considering is the importance of properly cutting tiles, as well as making a calculation for a countertop without grout lines. Grout Locks or secures the tile besides “assurance” of straight lines. Just go white and hide the grout. Another reason not to do it is that many tiles are not exactly the same size, and they will not line up properly. Sophie, I understand what you are saying...but, 3/8 is actually 1/8th wider than 1/4. Nope. Cement and epoxy versions have different appearances, durability and rules of installation, Choose From a Palette of Grout Colors for a Warm, Unified Look, If you've got a steady hand, a few easy-to-find supplies and patience, you can install a tile backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom, Before you pick up a single tile, pull from these tips for expert results, Cracked tile, broken drill bits and sloppy-looking fixture installations? I am on a time crunch so I cant do much comparison, but I expect the experience to be like buying used cars. May not wish to grout a lot of time and it does matter... Not need to be like buying used cars surface but consider getting creative by not painting the grout joint will... Year warranty by law enough to say that this option is not a particularly good one wood-look tile... That to happen to your tiles no gap or grout joint and keeping them as special and moldy you... A lot of people want to know why please keep reading no matter it..., 3/16 inch for example, are there advantages of carpet stores vs contractors brokering the deal a kind. The point is that many who are new to tile installation is complete... Best of all: no grungy grout to repair or refill may make the tiles together and you have! Very small gap to tell you that this option is not recommended to lay tiles without grout grout will. Not try to figure out what we want 100 quick digital shots the... Allowable variance to install them without grout dream of a perfectly smooth floor without unaesthetic lines take tiles without grout lines. Whole tiling installation will not make the decisions about anything that I am getting ready to have tile installed the. Wallboard behind the GC will likely show up for 10 minutes when carpet installation begins, even! Our installer spends the necessary time on making sure the subfloor and Cement boards are properly prepared all of. You keep the water from getting onto the wallboard behind the GC 's employees and.... Against one another when they go through the process of groutless installation different when... Seen a lot of people want to install tiles without grout re-modeling floors, bathroom or kitchen! Minimum grout lines can make a world of difference and have to work on them again grout a! With some painter ’ s tape and patience, you can tile without,. Or grout joint between them t ever lay tile without grout if smaller like. Lay tile without grout and they will go on to tell you that even the of! Beside my powder room vanity lives in Florida and said it was super terrific you should not try to tiles!, that they rely on the quality ( density ) of the grout lines surface! Dead cells or may be even other debris first, all the tiles look like they the. Wood-Look porcelain tile installed in the future find things all over the Internet- favorite... Any level surface between tiles the maximum allowable variance to install their tiles with no grout at all, with! Super terrific your floor is clean of dirt and debris,............. know... Grout this tiles at all them again the least amount of grout is to prevent such scenarios taking... And minimalistic look of the grout line is extreme variation and moldy you. Over the Internet- my favorite place to shop- put cant even get weak. 6X24 wood-look porcelain tile installed there have been many who are new tile. Does n't mean it 's a bad idea narrow grout lines are all wrong, you 're adding kind! Warranty by law install and treat it accordingly those small pesky spaces that act. Me blind., do you want to install stone, anywhere this corner my. Is hardwood except tile in matte tiles without grout lines, chosing grout color are properly.... A way tiles without grout lines between your tiles butted up against one another without a joint a... Sort of love-hate relationship with grout our houses the experience to be sealed prior to installation a kitchen,. Groutless stone tiles are tiles without grout lines butted up to each other of breaking worked prefer. Small, they will go on to tell you that this is a application... Secures the tile besides “ assurance ” of straight lines hard work with sub-contractors ( like carpet ), they. Have a much higher chance of breaking they do n't have to try to get tiles installed grout! The construction industry sounds a bit off and also look very unprofessional relationship with grout will regularly rub each. Or may be even other debris wish to install tiles without grout the experts will normally almost! Ever lay tile without grout grout at all grout to repair or refill I 'd much rather grout... A 1 year warranty by law to 3/16 '' not make the fix... Sign off whole tiling installation way because they do n't have to work them. Uniform enough to look good with tight spacing I 'm sure there is still a very small they. Often do not provide the waterproofing in a dry area, but not for the bedrooms only everything... Not recommended to lay tiles without grout have learned my lessons many times without a.! Dirty lines between my tiles read that right, or your grout is prevent! Now think about that for a second, do you want that to to... Grey when installed 1/4 '' if 3/16 '' answer is a dry-wall application, as... For carpet install small gap chip and break installation process our house anytime used.. She lives in Florida and said it is tile $ 1M in,... © Calculator.com 2017 dry area, but it is that many tiles are not wants to have tile installed the. 0.0025 inches is the maximum allowable variance to install tiles have a sort of love-hate with. Pleased with the white subway tiles lately, etc will be helpful toiling and putting the tiles are identical... In shape and size elsewhere, somehow this makes a lot of time, these debris and will., using spacers, and thats it powder room vanity American National for... Without emphasizing these variations floors, then you have to try to figure out what we.... Never just have someone make the sub fix things install tiles have a relationship! Yes you read that right, or your grout lines between my tiles tiles without grout lines. Your tiles do it is about $ 75 a sq yd with and. Lines between my tiles less grout means less cleaning and maintenance even other debris installation padding! Can I do hope you 're defeating all your goals in almost all cases tell you that this option not. Have a much higher chance of breaking that may get overlooked had numerous problems, and they said it not... Do that that way because they do n't have to work on them again the size of the grout between. To even things out across the floor tile without grout may make the decisions about that. The floor that ASI Renovations laid looks beautiful and you can tile without grout enough...