For years, the industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16" grout joint. The wider spacing will help to accommodate placement of tile and maintaining straight lines. Tile Variation (Differences in Shape) There is less variation in rectified tiles, which produce the same size tile. As stated, the grout is rectified porcelain ceramic tile so there isn't a pillowed edge. However, some tiles are specifically machined to be all exactly the same size in which case it is common to take the grout gap down to 2mm and even 1mm. Quarry tiles can also need larger grout joints — up to a 10mm joint — because they are subject to thermal movement and will expand and contract in different climate. This would be immediately noticeable and unattractive. So tile with a 3/16" grout joint should have no more than 1/16" lippage. Rectified edges allow for a clean, symmetrical installation. Grout can take a tile and elevate it to something unique. All Rights Reserved. Once the new document is adopted, it will hopefully bring more clarity to the marketplace regarding what is and what is not rectified tile. Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. A narrow grout width can give an almost seamless look with a matching colored grout, and it is a stunning look when it’s installed properly. This means larger grout lines, 3/16 inch for example, are necessary to achieve a polished look without emphasizing these variations. ” Even with the most modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, no two porcelain tiles are identical. $165/12” x 24” tile. This allowable warpage can create a scenario where lippage is inevitable given the overlapping pattern. Pick a grout color that blends with your tile. $165/12” x 24” tile. Please speak to your representative on a case by case basis if you feel your project needs to employ minimal grout lines. However, from the contractor’s perspective, installations have become more time consuming and difficult to ensure compliant installations when attempting to install a Rectified tile with a 1/16" grout joint. Running bond (staggered) tile installations with any side greater than 15 inches, the grout joint width is recommended to be 1/8” for rectified tiles and 3/16” for calibrated tiles. Both porcelain and ceramic tiles can create up to a 1.5% variation in size during the firing process. TCNA recommends a minimum 1/8" grout joint for rectified tile and minimum 3/16" grout joint for calibrated tile. The Appropriate grout joint width for Rectified Tiles Provided by Jeff Eassa of Daltile Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. If you want a 1/16" grout line, and the tile is 1/32" too big or small, that's 50% of the grout width right there. Choosing a Grout Width Small Grout Joints. The size of grout lines for tile is something that comes up on almost every tile installation. by JanFreeman. This creates a clean, symmetrical, seamless appearance that some modern homeowners prefer. 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. However, the price also depends on other factors, such as the sizes, … The concrete style shading of our Rectified Light Grey Matt Porcelain Floor Tile is perfect for creating an urban-inspired project, its rectified precision-cut edges allow for 2mm grout joints giving the surface fewer distractions and a seamless feel. When laying rectified tiles, grout joints are almost invisible, resulting in a seemingly continuous flooring. So, for those that aren’t a fan of the “natural look” or “classic look”, rectified tile grout lines will do wonders. 8:42 pm #1. Grout lines on walls usually do not exceed 1/16 inch because the tiles need to be stacked to help support them during installation. A rectified tile is a great thing for small grout lines where the tiles are butted closely against each other. And tile as large as 48” is becoming common. All other cuts of tile, from tumbled to chiseled to punched, contain slight variations in shape and size. 1/11/2010. 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. It also allows for variation in the manufactured tile, different types of application, and warpage that may be present in large tile. A small grout line width, about 1/16 inch, is possible if the flooring tile is consistent in size (also called a rectified tile as mentioned above). Grouting a Rectified Tile Installation. Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time. A small grout line width, about 1/16 inch, is possible if the flooring tile is consistent in size (also called a rectified tile as mentioned above). There are primarily two reasons for a rectified tile: a larger tile size (i.e., greater than 15" or 16" in any direction) and minimal grout lines. South Cypress explains: "For the most part, 12" by 12" would be the smallest rectified tile. There are primarily two reasons for a rectified tile: a larger tile size (i.e., greater than 15" or 16" in any direction) and minimal grout lines. Lippage should be no more than 1/3 the width of the grout joint. You Want a Clean, Precise Grout Line. A rectified edge allows for smaller grout lines because the tile has been more precisely cut (unlike our other handmade tiles).There is less irregularity with rectified tiles, so less spacing is needed between each piece. Associated with Rectified Tile and Narrow Grout Joint Installations Right:Tile rectification commonly involves equipment with precision saws and grinders. One of the most common questions about tile and grout is, “what’s a rectified tile? Larger Sized Tiles (Less Grout Needed) Editorial Note: There are other rep groups that will provide statements about the suitability of the use of large format rectified tile with the 1/16th grout line. All ceramic and stone large format tile (greater than 15”) requires a minimum 1/16” grout joint according to ANSI. A rectified tile is a ceramic tile that, after firing, is subjected to a precise mechanical grinding of the edges. Should grout be darker than tile, lighter or match? Minimize the likelihood that the tile pattern will be thrown off upon installation. Rectified tiles laid with 3mm & grey grout. The Appropriate grout joint width for Rectified Tiles Provided by Jeff Eassa of Daltile Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. This kind of tile is cut down to an exact square, at a 90-degree angle. All rights, Creative Solutions to architectural library management. Medium-sized grout line widths — 1/8 to 1/4 inch — require the use of sanded grout and are... Large Grout Joints. © Copyright 2020 Daltile. Shower designs that feature impressive large-format tiles make envied focal points. Like. $5,000 WASTED! More. Rectified tiles generally allow for thinner grout lines at least 1/8”. There are many factors that should be considered before selecting an appropriate grout joint width for porcelain and ceramic tiles. Grouting tile too soon, before the setting material has set-up, can lead to problems. For example, if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1/32", the minimum grout joint is 1/8" + 1/32" = 5/32". Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16" to 3/16". What is rectified tile? Even with rectified tiles, it is not recommended to lay tiles without grout. Go to page 1, 2 Next. So, for those that aren’t a fan of the “natural look” or “classic look”, rectified tile grout lines will do wonders. Uncured setting material may bleed through the joints and discolor the grout. I have read they are designed to be butted up beside each other (ie no grout visible at all); and elsewhere that 1.5mm is the minimum; but still elsewhere that 1.5mm is the minimum on walls but 3mm is the minimum for floors. Rectified tiles are Plain Porcelain tile whose edges have been precisely cut such that the length and width of the tile have the exact dimensions and are same. I just know the builder will say 3-5mm is standard..... so I probably don’t have a … 01 Nov 2010. The Tile Council of North America and accompanying tile organizations recommend an average grout joint width of 3/16 inch for every 1/16 inch variation in the size of the tiles. Installing large format tile is more than just getting the grout joint right. 7. A rectified tile is one that has had all sides mechanically fin-ished to achieve a more precise facial dimension. We have several mosaics that are 1" by 1" or 2" by 2" and are cut (and therefore technically rectified), but they are mesh mounted and the grout joint is predetermined." To mitigate this effect, Dal-Tile will be removing the brickwork pattern from our catalogs and literature. Share. ⅛” is a common grout line for rectified tile. For example, if you take two 12-inch tiles and compare them side to side and there is a variation of 1/16 inch in the two tiles, you are recommended to use at least a 3/16-inch grout joint to hide the inconsistency. You may be able to live with ones that are just slightly out of tolerance, but if they bother you, they should be removed and set properly. Daltile recommends that large tiles have a 1/8” or 3/16” minimum grout joint for the most successful installation. Now, 12" x 24" is the new 12" x 12". It's a nice neat job. Rectified tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been precisely ground and machined to give them near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions. Daltile recommends that large tiles have a 1/8” or 3/16” minimum grout joint for the most successful installation. It is because the exclusivity of this tile comes from its finishing. The minimum grout joint width should be increased by the amount of edge warpage it has; assuming it … These tiles provide a very clean, symmetrical look, and allow for extremely fine grout lines of 3mm or less (typically using unsanded grout, which is most appropriate for thin grout lines). Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1/8" to 1/4" if 3/16" spacers are used. Rectified tiles are a relatively new option in the tile industry. I’ll post some photos, I think the gap looks smaller in the photos compared to when im standing looking at it. The edges of the rectified tile means a closer installation. Rectified tiles with a square edge can have tight tile joints but if your tile has a cushion edge, you would most likely need a 3-5mm grout joint. For example, if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1/32", the minimum grout joint is 1/8" + 1/32" = 5/32". To simplify: Rectified tiles, regardless of size, shall have a grout joint width no less than 1/8". The minimum grout joint width should be increased by the amount of edge warpage it has; assuming it … There are some guidelines that need to be followed but the actual size is more of a personal choice than it is a set width. Tile longer than 15” tends to have slight variations to it that cause complications for successful installation in a brick joint pattern. Small ceramic tiles can be very forgiving but large (18 to 20 square inch tiles) demand perfect installation conditions … Grout lines on walls usually do not exceed 1/16 inch because the tiles need to be stacked to help support them during installation. With the rise in popularity of long porcelain planks, even though the edges of such tiles may be rectified and the tiles may not have any wedging, the widening of the grout joint width may be necessary to address any inherent warpage that those products tend to display along an edge or diagonal due to their elongated shapes. In response, the new TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook addresses this issue by recommending that the width of the grout joint used be determined by the ANSI A108.02 specification which states that the actual grout joint size shall be at least 3 times the actual variation of facial dimensions of the tile. This will be replaced by a new pattern that will be referred to as a "Staggered" brickwork pattern where the overlap does not exceed 33%, and the grout joint width must be a minimum of 3/16". Namely, the precision-cut edges and sharp corners of rectified porcelain make very thin grout lines possible, as the tiles can sit much closer together (as little as 1/16 th of an inch). A small grout line width, about 1/16 inch, is possible if the flooring tile is consistent in size (also called a rectified tile as mentioned above). But, allow tile to set firmly before grouting. “The width of the joint should be wide enough to accommodate the variances in size of the tiles as permitted by the manufacturing standards” – AS3958.1&2. They also suggest adding to this width the amount of edge warping on the longest edge. When Do You Need a Rectified Tile? A thicker grout joint will accommodate these irregular edges. Running bond (staggered) tile installations with any side greater than 15 inches, the grout joint width is recommended to be 1/8” for rectified tiles and 3/16” for calibrated tiles. This results in having thin grout lines (less than the traditional ⅛” needed by most tile types). Made in the USA … They are 1.6mm thick. … Rectified Tile Installation Preparation. The tiles in bathroom and powders are 455 x 455, tiles in ensuite are square edge 300 x 300 and 300 x 600. These tiles go through an additional process of edge cutting such that they form a perfect square and the sides are perfectly at an angle of 90 degree.Non-Rectified tiles are Plain Porcelain Tiles. The issue of ceramic tiles cracking grows exponentially as the size of the tile gets bigger. Note the side where no regular border appears; that's where the tile was cut. Large tiles give you so much design freedom. 3. Those tiles look great. Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint. Ann Sacks Reveal metallic glass tile, Available through Empire Kitchen & Bath. A tight, 1/8" grout space will allow the pattern to flow nicely from one tile to the next. TCNA recommends a minimum 1/8" grout joint for rectified tile and minimum 3/16" grout joint for calibrated tile. It also says that for tiles with any side greater than 15" installed in an offset pattern (called running bond or broken joint pattern) that the grout joint width should be a minimum of 1/8" for rectified tiles (more precisely sized by grinding) and a minimum of 3/16" for calibrated tiles (not rectified). Non-rectified tile are tiles with natural uneven edges that require a wider grout line. Due to this precision, rectified tiles are the perfect choice for fitting with a finer grout joint creating a clean, even and seamless finish. So in general there is not a specific standard for the size of a grout joint especially when you consider what a large tile is and there being no reference to rectified tile. For years, the industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16" grout joint. Browse Forums. Because the installation of rectified tiles is generally done with a tight grout joint, with only a sliver of grout separating them, the subtle differences between each tile can be magnified, resulting in a less than perfectly flush look. Keep in mind, however, that there is still a little ‘wiggle room’ during installation. The very thin grout line makes for an almost-seamless look (especially if you choose a grout color that closely matches the color of your tile). Copyright © 2002-2011 Library Resources & its licensors. From 16 inch tile and larger, browse our extensive collection of stunning large format tile. The cleaner edges also make it easier to create intricate laying patterns as you have more flexibility with the grout line width, a prime example being basket weave. Rectified tiles are perfectly uniform, with precisely defined edges, requiring the least amount of grout. Although 1/16" of an inch may seem unimportant (for example, on a 12" tile), it represents a 50% variation in a grout joint 1/8 inch wide. The benefit of rectified tiles is that they may be laid closer together, with as little as a 1.3mm, to create a nearly seamless look. Thinner Grout Lines: The edges of the rectified tile means a closer installation. My understanding is the grout should be flush with the surface of the tile for rectified tile and up to the pillowed edge for non-rectified tiles. I plan to lay 300×600 rectified tiles on a bathroom floor and have read conflicting information about the minimum grout width between the tiles. The reason for this is that the allowable warpage for a tile based on ANSI specifications can create an installation issue when large format rectangular tiles are installed in a brickwork/running bond pattern. “The width of the joint should be wide enough to accommodate the variances in size of the tiles as permitted by the manufacturing standards” – AS3958.1&2. Large tile combined with minimal grout joints creates a host of installation issues and this article both explores and explains some forthcoming changes as well as challenges in achieving an aesthetically pleasing and correctly installed rectified tile product. Rectified tiles are Plain Porcelain tile whose edges have been precisely cut such that the length and width of the tile have the exact dimensions and are same. However, large tile can be challenging to install. Rectified tile is available in both porcelain and ceramic. Rectified tiles generally allow for thinner grout lines at least 1/8”. Non-rectified tile are tiles with natural uneven edges that require a wider grout line. Flooring & Floor Covering. We recommend unsanded grout for joints up to 1/8 inch wide. As a result, Dal-Tile is changing its recommended grout joint width to be 1/8" for all of its Rectified tiles. The same size tile recommended that rectified tiles can be installed with a 3/16 grout. ” tends to have slight variations to it that cause complications for successful in! This creates a clean, symmetrical, seamless appearance that some modern homeowners prefer 48 ” is a tile. Now, 12 '' x 12 '' x 24 '' is the new 12 '' be. Joint right selecting an appropriate grout joint according to ANSI and machined to them. To lay tiles without grout | Previous topic back to flooring & Floor next. Brickwork pattern from our catalogs and literature at a 90-degree angle there are factors., from tumbled to chiseled to punched, contain slight variations to it that complications. 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Before grouting of size, shall have a 1/8 ” and elevate it to something unique joints almost... Saws and grinders the likelihood that the tile if adjustments are not made in kiln.