Butting up Natural stone tiles.

[Sean Kelly]

I’ve been asked to do a bit of tiling work with natural stone (unknown type). I’ve been asked to butt the tiles up to each other in brick bond and not to use any grout. All materials on site (inc. Toppfix white rapid flex). I’m only allowed to work between 08:00- 16:00 because the hotel is still open to guests for breakfast/evening meals. I’m hoping that there will be no electric sockets to cut around. The tiles are 220x75. I also believe that I will be tiling 6sqm but that is made up of 3 separate areas. i.e. the tiles will be on a breakfast bar wall (where the tea coffee machines are). The job is also in the middle of London! I would love this just to be a one day job, but I am allowing 2 days for this, but more importantly I wish to know any tips about butting up. Cheers Sean

 

[White Room]

They would want to be spot on for that kind of fixing.........

Even if you used a 1mm joint to allow some flexibility, never butt jointed myself though

 

[Alan.P]

Not best practice but on an average of 2 m2 each area, you MIGHT get away with no grout joint, I say might because there shouldn't be too much in the way of movement of the substrate.possibly.

Still would advise a joint if they can be talked into it.

You've allowed 2 days,is this taking into account monies for parking and congestion charges, all mounts up.

 

[White Room]

Some good points from Alan

 

[jolly fix]

iv'e been asked many times to butt up tiles ,9 out of 10 times i will set out a few dry with 2mm ,even 3mm spacers,and the client would say "yep thats what i want",so many people think that theres going to be this huge 10mm + joint etc.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Use a 1mm joint to be safe and tell them the tiles self space if they ask...

 

[Sean Kelly]

Thanks Alan, I think possibly it is the designer/architect that has maybe come up with the idea. It looks good on paper, but is not possible in reality. I will see later on this week. Parking free. Congestion charge will be charged to the customer. I will double check the spec with site manager.

Dave, Yea, a 1mm joint sounds good, but it’s the no grout bit I find confusing, especially as the tiling will be close to food & possible drink spillage. I’ll report back at the weekend with what I eventually did. Cheers Sean

 

[Sean Kelly]

Thanks Alan, I think possibly it is the designer/architect that has maybe come up with the idea. It looks good on paper, but is not possible in reality. I will see later on this week. Parking free. Congestion charge will be charged to the customer. I will double check the spec with site manager.

Dave, Yea, a 1mm joint sounds good, but it’s the no grout bit I find confusing, especially as the tiling will be close to food & possible drink spillage. I’ll report back at the weekend with what I eventually did. Cheers Sean

 

[Alan.P]

Good point about food area, you'll have to insist on a joint ( epoxy grout ) at least I would, for health reasons, imagine all the bits and pieces that would collect in-between the tiles if there wasn't grout in there.

 

[david campbell]

defo use a grout joint mate even if it's only 1mm,if there is any movement you will be back time and again to sort it,if they refuse i would let the job pass

 

[Stewart]

All valid points above........ just make sure the grout is suitable for 1mm grout lines. Most only go down to 2 or 3mm. I've used the one by Mapie a few times and it works a treat.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Tiles turned out to be 300x50 slate. I only had to tile just over 5sqm, but due to other trades onsite it took 2 days. Also, due to the size of the tile I had to make about 300cuts!!! Very slow (but enjoyable) process. As requested by the customer I did not put in a grout joint. Strangely enough I was on the platform of Paddington station at the weekend, I walked passed McDonalds and saw the very same tile (no grout). It goes without saying that I did advise about having no grout, but as they say ‘The customer is always right’ Cheers for your help. Sean