Advice on expansion gaps

[dantheram]

Evening all,

i have my floor ready to tile and have an expansion gap all round the perimeter. So, when I come to the gaps do I fill them with Silicon and close the gap up with the tile on top?

At the minute I have 5mm all round the edge of my insulation and SLC.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[Martyn Leeds]

On any visible edges, won't we be having a wooden skirting or something fitted after?

 

[dantheram]

On any visible edges, won't we be having a wooden skirting or something fitted after?

yes sorry, I mean areas where I join up to units. All others will be covered by plinth or skirting board.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Your kitchen already fitted? end panels able to go on top of the tiles??

 

[dantheram]

Your kitchen already fitted? end panels able to go on top of the tiles??

End panels are in - I was thinking close the gap to 4mm with tile and Silicon the joint between tile and end panel?

 

[beanz]

In that situation, I'd lose the expansion gap, and just tile close to the end panel. Obviously, I can't see your layout though, so there might be exceptions.

 

[dantheram]

In that situation, I'd lose the expansion gap, and just tile close to the end panel. Obviously, I can't see your layout though, so there might be exceptions.

yeah sounds the best option.

in this case i can just come up to the end panel - is it usual to butt right up to the end panel with the tile or maintain the grout gap and grout accordingly?

sorry for the novice questions, i really do appreciate your help.

Dan

 

[beanz]

It's usual to go under the end panel (you'd normally fit it after tiling), but in this situation, I'd get it close maybe 1mm, grout, then a very thin bead of clear Silicon to hide where the grout will inevitably crack.

 

[dantheram]

It's usual to go under the end panel (you'd normally fit it after tiling), but in this situation, I'd get it close maybe 1mm, grout, then a very thin bead of clear Silicon to hide where the grout will inevitably crack.

this is exactly how the tiling was done before - the grout line was around 1/2mm and had cracked at the end panel join.

 

[beanz]

this is exactly how the tiling was done before - the grout line was around 1/2mm and had cracked at the end panel join.

It will always crack, no matter how wide the grout gap is. It's a different material, so expansion will occur at different rates.. The thin bead of clear Silicon will be enough to hide the crack.

 

[dantheram]

It will always crack, no matter how wide the grout gap is. It's a different material, so expansion will occur at different rates.. The thin bead of clear Silicon will be enough to hide the crack.

wont it just look like a clear line over a crack though - i'm going to do it as it makes sense but just wondered what the end product will look like.

 

[beanz]

It's enough to take your eye off it. The Silicon, sort of, reflects the colour of the grout. Or I suppose "refracts" would be more accurate.

 

[AliGage]

Does your floor have any under tile warming?
I wouldn't cut the tile slow close. Leave about 4/5mm and Silicon fill. Not grout. What colour grout are yet going for? Pick a matching Silicon or one that coordinates with the finish of your kitchen units

 

[beanz]

Does your floor have any under tile warming?
I wouldn't cut the tile slow close. Leave about 4/5mm and Silicon fill. Not grout. What colour grout are yet going for? Pick a matching Silicon or one that coordinates with the finish of your kitchen units

Thats a good point about the underfloor heating/warmup mats. Although technically correct, I wouldn't bother if there's no heat involved, as I don't think it's as nice a finish. Personal preference I guess.

 

[dantheram]

I have heating mats down so will have to use the 4mm gap and Silicon fill.

Grout is gunmetal, units are beech colour.