Grout Joints for Large Format Tile

Large tiles give you so much design freedom. Now, 12" x 24" is the new 12" x 12". And tile as large as 48” is becoming common. However, large tile can be challenging to install. Large format tile installation needs to be considered differently from regular tile installation. That includes grout joints too.

Bedroom with white canopy over a king-sized bed on gray stone look porcelain slab flooring and raised platform, and gray marble look porcelain slab headboard wall.

GROUT JOINT SIZE FOR LARGE AND HEAVY TILE

A sufficient grout joint gives the tile room to breathe—so to speak—for building movement and thermal expansion. It also allows for variation in the manufactured tile, different types of application, and warpage that may be present in large tile.

All ceramic and stone large format tile (greater than 15”) requires a minimum 1/16” grout joint according to ANSI. Daltile recommends that large tiles have a 1/8” or 3/16” minimum grout joint for the most successful installation. The difference is not really noticeable visually, but can make a big difference to the quality of the installation. 
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GROUT JOINT FOR STAGGERED BRICK JOINT PATTERNS

Tile longer than 15” tends to have slight variations to it that cause complications for successful installation in a brick joint pattern. If the overlap is placed at 50% like most brick joint patterns, the joint will bring together the ends of the tile (where there is less bowing) and the center to the neighboring tile (where the bowing is at its greatest) and that makes for a floor that will tend toward unevenness.

If the stagger of the brick joint pattern will be greater than 18”, ANSI and Daltile recommend that the offset not be greater than 33% to avoid unevenness. Daltile also recommends a minimum grout joint of 3/16” to decrease any unevenness in large and heavy tile installations.
Large open bathroom with vanity countertop, floors and walls of polished gray natural quartzite with black veining and soaking bathtub in front of floor-to-ceiling windows.

BEYOND THE GROUT JOINT

Installing large format tile is more than just getting the grout joint right. For more information about installation requirements read our expert advise, How To Install Large Format Tile.

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