wood inlay against tile

[skyshark]

Hello
I am about to start tiling bathrrom floor.
I have a built a 14'6' x 8' 6" bathroom. 2x8 fllor joist on 16OC covered with 3/4 ply then 1/2 durock with seams filled and smoothed out.
I am usling 12 x12 tile but want to put in a 2 1/2" walnut inlay around edge of room. Planning to come out 6" (1/2 A tile) from wall and cabinets then put down the walnut.
Question: Grout up to the walnut on both sides? Install some type of metal border on both sides? I am wondering about contraction and expansion of the wood.

[David Taylor]

If the tile and wood heights are the same, you would silicone where the two meet (in the space where you're thinking of grouting).

If you're only doing 6" around the perimeter with tile, you could get away with 1/8" grout joints (3/16" would be better). Use painters tape on both surfaces, silicone and tool it, then remove the tape and tool it again to remove the ridge left behind.

Leave a 1/4" open air space between the tile and the wall, then cover it with baseboard.

[bbcamp]

Pre-finish the wood before you install it.