Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

Tile expansion joints tile doctor ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

For installation of tile the tile ends at each control joint and the gap if filled with caulk rather than grout. Schluter systems prefabricated movement joint profiles protect tile edges and prevent sound bridges and surface water penetration resulting in a permanent maintenance free installation. If you tile over an expansion joint then you need to honor that joint in the tile as well. Here s where to put expansion joints.

The family of schluter dilex prefabricated movement profiles includes a variety of shapes sizes and materials to suit different applications. For ceramic glass and stone tile installation provides a very detailed explanation of the requirements and necessity for expansion joint construct design and placement. Learn all about expansion joints here. An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete.

Consult tcna handbook for ceramic glass and stone tile installation detail ej171 for this vital information. Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house. Every tile job needs expansion joints also known as movement joints they are critical to the success and longevity of the tile installation. Control joints are there because it s not a question of if the slab will crack but rather when the slab cracks it hopefully happens at the joint.

Recognizing that tile is a facade movement joints are needed to eliminate stresses that can occur between the substrate and the tile due to differing amounts of expansion and contraction. The short answer is that you do not span control expansion joints with the tile. The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type. Where should movement joints be placed.

It allows for movement in the tile. Over any isolation or control joints in the concrete. An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation.

Locate ctc joint in tile or stone surfaces directly above joints in sub floor full length may be fastened to sub floor using a construction adhesive trowel setting material making sure there is full coverage over the entire leg to ensure a smooth transition mortar bed may be feathered off both sides of joint. A movement joint is in the tile only.