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Grout lines - 1/16" vs. 1/8"

8 years ago

We are remodeling two buildings into a law office and are about to order flooring. We've chosen Happy Floors Apollo tile 12"x24" for our reception area. Our installer is charging about $1.50-$2 sf more than other installers in the area, which they attributed to (i) using a Raimondi clip system that is more labor intensive and (ii) being better than others in this area. Mainly due to timing on our project, we want to hire this installer, but I did negotiate a small discount on labor. When they called me back to give me the discount, they said that they will do 1/8" grout lines vs. 1/16" grout lines. They made it sound like it's what they recommend anyway, not just because of the discount, but I have concerns. I've read on here that many have had installations with 1/16" grout lines and are happy with them, but I've also read that from one installer's point of view that not only are 1/8" easier, they are more likely to satisfy the owner because of less lippage. I've also read that Daltile has changed its recommendations on rectified tile from 1/16" to 1/8" and I confirmed that on Daltile's blog, but I haven't found a recommendation on Happy Tile's website.

My questions are: 1. which grout line size better for this size tile generally, 1/8" vs. 1/16"? 2. Has anyone installed Happy Floors tiles and, if so, what grout line did you use and were you happy with it? 3. Does the Raimondi system increase difficulty of install significantly? Thank you!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
8 years ago
Stay with the 1/8" lines if possible. Smaller is definitely more difficult to use and avoid lippage....particularly on the larger tiles you are using. Also, "rule of thumb" is this...line up a number of the tiles and measure the biggest difference between the largest and the smallest...and there WILL be a difference, trust that.

Whatever the number....let's say 1/8." Your minimum grout width should be three times that number. 3/8" in that case.
mo142 thanked Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
8 years ago
A lippage tuning system is more labor but I would also take that approach. 1/8" would be my choice if the tile allows it. So far your installer sounds like they are worth the extra $$$.
mo142 thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
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Staceyneil, Thank you for your input. The tile is rectified and a 4 rating and has this taupe bevel around it. I am still not sure what the bevel is for. I just felt less than 1/32nd grout width especially since I had wanted to install the tiles in the running bond method could cause problems. Both installers seem to feel my concrete slab floor is fairly flat but I am sure it is not 100% flat since the place is around 21 years of age and I already see a crack in the concrete near the sliding door when I lift the ripped Linoleum floor up. The tile is discontinued so it is so difficult to find much on the tile but I did find out the Ilva 18" X 1" Porcelain tile was rectified and when I measured several tiles, they all seem to be a 17.25" X 17.25" perfect square. Amazingly Ilva calls the tile White but it is more beige, grayish ivory, taupe, touch of reddish beige with gray veins.
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PRO
Cabot & Rowe
8 years ago
Clickhere then scroll down about half way and start reading. Before any grout width is determined, the overall flatness of the tiles must be tested. This varies from batch to batch. The more pillowed the tiles, the less the offset (as noted at the bottom of the manufacturers' link you provided) and the wider the grout joint. Also - The substrate flatness for tiles of this size needs to be no greater than 1/16" over 24 inches and 1/8" over 10 feet measured peak to peak. Click here. If you have grout color concerns, use Flexcolor CQ, Plasma, or Fusion Pro and have no color or staining worries.
mo142 thanked Cabot & Rowe
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
8 years ago
Depending on the tile and the substrate, very tight joints are possible
mo142
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the responses, and to Cabot & Rowe for that link. I really appreciate it!

I finalized our order today and we worded it as 1/8" or smaller grout lines, but the order includes regular grout (vs. non-sanded grout) so effectively we've chosen 1/8" grout lines. We did agree to meet when the tile comes in and double check how uniform (or not) it is once it comes in. This is a new tile for the installer and supplier, so fingers crossed the tile is of expected quality and all goes well.

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