Expansion gap help please

[Filip]

I have searched but not found the info I need - perhaps it its just too oblivious a question but what size Silicon filled expansion gap should I leave around the perimeter of the area.
Room - Kitchen
Floor concrete
Build New - floor dry
3x3 m ish giving 10m2 plus a 1x1 section
Skirting is staying and will be tiling under the cupboards
Tiles 600x300 porcelain
3 mm tile spacers

 

[Bill]

Expansion gap where?....

Perimeter? Middle of the floor?

If your floor is only 3m x3m then you really do not need an expansion gap you may need a movement joint though caused by shrinkage from your concrete floor which would be a perimeter joint. Ideally, this would already be on the concrete base next to the wall.

A movement joint after tiling would not need to be any more than 5mm to 10mm wide.

 

[Filip]

Sorry yes - I was thinking of perimeter movement joint between the tile and skirting - which is staying.
So are you saying that the tiles themselves will not move at 10m2 but the concrete they are attached to will shrink.
I was thinking of going with a 3 mm Silicon space from the tile to the skirting will that be ok do you think as that will match the grout line

 

[High Peak Tiling]

I personally would of removed the skirting, if for what ever reason you can't/wont, then I would go round with a multitool cutting skirting to allow the tile to go under.

 

[Ajax123]

Perimeter edge joint should be 10mm. Could be siliconed or dry jointed.

 

[Filip]

Not my house or call on the skirt remove.
I respect the advice but 10mm all the way around between the tile and skirt sounds big on a 3x3m room - does it need to be that big

 

[High Peak Tiling]

Not my house or call on the skirt remove.
I respect the advice but 10mm all the way around between the tile and skirt sounds big on a 3x3m room - does it need to be that big

So your doing to job for someone else, so you will be wanting to do the best job you can..If your going under the units then you will already be cutting the plinths to sit on the new floor height.

 

[Filip]

So your doing to job for someone else, so you will be wanting to do the best job you can..If your going under the units then you will already be cutting the plinths to sit on the new floor height.

Job is for my daughter who does not like the sound of removing the skirt, yes I am removing the plinths and cutting them down to replace. I personally would remove the skirt and cut the bottom of the architrave off but if I do not do that what is the smallest perimeter expansion gap I can get away with between the tile and skirt for the neatest finish.

 

[Flintstone]

Myself and many others on here won’t cut a plynth! I wouldn’t multi tool a rooms worth of skirting either. For me, if it’s not suitable to remove skirting then I leave a small joint usually 3mm and Silicon and it looks good.

 

[GoneGuy]

I did a job last year on a new build and the customers got the house builders to get the on site carpenter to come back and fit the skirting on top of the tiles I laid.

 

[Filip]

I don't mind cutting the plinth as I have the right gear to cut off what I need.
So a 3mm Silicon join to the skirt will be ok then. I have found a good Silicon match to the grey tile colour and will be using a darker grout.

 

[Dumbo]

I don't mind cutting the plinth as I have the right gear to cut off what I need.
So a 3mm Silicon join to the skirt will be ok then. I have found a good Silicon match to the grey tile colour and will be using a darker grout.

I would colour match the grout . Looks better I think imho

 

[Filip]

I would colour match the grout . Looks better I think imho

My thinking was that as it looks the same colour its almost like
the tile is going under the skirt
Am I ok with a 3mm perimeter

 

[Dumbo]

Personally I think so . Can't remember british what standards say about perimeter joints but on movement joints on a large area they say something to effect of every 40 sqm metres you need a 6mm movement joint with the longest run being 8 linear metres between joints . With two 3mm joints each side of the room you have equivalent to 6 mm over a 3 metre run . Therefore I see no issues .

 

[Filip]

Thank you for the advice.