Tile Inlay and Hardwood

[Tmex]

I am looking for some pointers on installing a tile inlay. What I am looking to do is to have a inlay of tile about 3 x 2 (12 inch tiles) at the front door that will be surrounded by hardwood. Nothing is done yet so I will be starting with a blank canvas.

What someone suggested to me was to create the inlay on a piece of plywood and then glue it into place and then put my hardwood around it. Ultimately the tile will be the same height as the hardwood. Should I put a surround around the tile?

Any tips or suggestions or videos I could view?

[opiethetileman]

timex........i would install the wood floor first and let it dry. Then you will know exactly how much float you will have to bring the tile up to be same level.

Are you goona use t cap or try and butt them together... the wood has to move so you will need at least a 1/8 joint filled with either matching silicone to the grout or grout that in...i would do the silicone route myself

[Deckert]

I'll second the soft joint versus grout. If you grout it it will likely crack out.

[opiethetileman]

or you could always run a schulter trim on the joint

[Tmex]

Thanks for the suggestions. Schulter sounds like a good idea but the design maven (wife) will have to vote on that. And thanks for the silicone tip.

[Shawn Prentice]

Here is an excellent article (Nov 2008 JLC) written by Michael Byrne on just that. It is not free, but it is very informative (maybe someone you know has the issue): http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlc.../View/0811inla

[Davy]

Myself, I would tape off the wood and install a matching caulk. Nice finish look in my opinion.