Modular Floor Tiles problem

[Fireburst]

Hi,

I am currently putting a new tile floor down in the kitchen of a house I recently purchased. I purchased the tiles from Topps Tiles and was originally going to lay the tiles with a 5mm grout line.

The instructions that came with the tiles said a 2-3mm grout line must be used for the best ascetic effect. I laid the pattern out (3mm) dry and although there seemed to be a small deviation in gap size on the single repeat it did state that there can be small deviations in the tiles. Roll forward 4 hours and I have laid 1/3 of the kitchen floor and its all going very wrong. The tile set comprises of 4 different sizes and its the smallest tile that is giving issues. Even touching the surrounding tiles, it still needs more space which pushes the grout line wider.

I stopped at this point as it was getting late and I thought things would look better after some sleep and a reevaluation of the situation.

In the morning when going over my work it struck me they would have to be lifted and I would need to start again.

I have looked at the small tile and notice that if I put 3 together touching they are a few mm wider than the large tile. Surely this isn't correct? I understand that by the very nature of pre packed modular tiles that have to suit a number of patterns you are going to get some small differences in the gap but logic would dictate that the smaller tiles should be ... well a little smaller to allow for grouting?

I have made a complaint to Topps Tiles and they think they are fit for purpose but I though I would like the views of some professional tilers if possible?

 

[J Sid]

this is how that sort if tile normally comes. You need to lay and put the joint on by eye. Some may be 3mm and others may be 1mm.
worst case you can always cut the small tile down in size a mm if needed

 

[Kyle Knowles]

These 4 tile patterns always end up with a mishmash of grout joints I did a tumbled limestone 4 tile floor last year opus pattern if I remember correctly and they was the same u had 1mm joints up to maybe 5mm joints in some places

 

[Tile Shop]

Its rare that tiles are made purely for a modular design (with the exception of some natural stones).

Normal ceramic and porcelain for example (not rectified).... In one range, you have the 450x450, 450x300, 300x300 and 150x150 "nominal sizes". Each of these can be bought individually, so if you wanted just the 300x300 only, you can. The modular layout is normally only an optional "serving suggestion".

Over their manufacturing lifetime, each size of these tiles will be made to around 5 different calibres, meaning one batch will be 300, the next 298, the next 301.5 and so on. All sizes will be affected in the same way and thus because of stock turnaround, there will be no way of getting a 100% uniform grout joint.

Topps, like 'em or not, are also right in that they are fit for purpose. The tiles will confirm to BSEN14411 which states:

which with the correct setting out before fixing (not just one repetition) can be foreseen and adjusted accordingly. Extruded tiles can go anywhere between 3 and 11mm so count yourself fortunate.

If you are that lucky enough to get a modular layout that offers completely uniform 3mm grout joint, fix 'em quick and go get yourself a lottery ticket before the next draw.

 

[Fireburst]

Thanks for all the replies. I have been creative with my solution using the two larger tiles in the pack on the floor and utilising the two smaller tiles for the walls. Lost a few tiles lifting them and wasted a couple of bags of adhesive plus a weekend but at least it moves me forwards. Wife absolutely did not want variances in the grout lines so this was the best solution.

 

[Andy Allen]

Could just do a random pattern like I did with this floor...