Grout or Silicon?

[garfield59]

Hi,

I've finally finished tiling an alcove (I'm a very part-time DIYer) and intend to do the grouting at the weekend. However, I've see threads in these forum which mention Silicon sealant being used on internal corners. As this is going to be a toilet rather than a shower/wet room would you still recommend Silicon in the corners?

Also, there is no skirting so I need a neat finish between wall and floor tiles. Again, is Silicon the best bet? I imagine the answer here is yes because there would be water on the floor while cleaning the tiled floor but I thought I would ask the experts anyway.

If I need to go down the Silicon sealant route do I grout, avoiding the corner joints and then use Silicon, or do I use the Silicon in the corners first and then grout the rest? My instinct is to go for the first method in case I contaminate my Silicon joints while grouting.

Walls are done with white 6" square ceramic tiles and floor uses light oak 12" square ceramics.

Any advice welcome, thank you

Garfield

 

[DBR]

hi go with your instinct and grout first avoiding corners and where wall tile meets floor and silcon all joints where not grouted better job i think.

 

[White Room]

The reason for siliconing the corners is because if there is any movement thats where it will be, don't grout into the corner line just use Silicon..

 

[jwatson]

Silicon all the places where the tiles meet. there should be a 2mm/2.5mm expansion joint between two surfaces that meet. eg between floor and walls, internal corners. if you grout the expansion, it will crack eventually.
grout up area, taking care not to fill the surfaces that meet, any grout that does go in the joint should be removed with a scraper straight after wash down process. with the area clean,dry and dust free Silicon the joints. all of the reputable grout company's have Silicon to match the colour of grout to be used. BE AWARE "siliconing" is an art in its self. a good steady hand, and a Silicon profiling tool is essential IMO.