tile size variations

[metze]

I am starting a job right now and the tiles are way out of spec. Some are 18 1/2" some are 18 1/2 strong, some are 18 5/8 and some are 18 5/8 strong. Is there an way to make this look good or is it impossible to not notice this. Even if you grid this it will it still be very noticeable in my opinion. I am just wondering if any of you refuse to lay tiles if they are that out of wack. I am noticing this more and more with the tile i am getting and its really aggravating me. By the way it dal-tile.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Brad, according to the TCNA you would need to use 3/8" or bigger grout joints. Obviously nobody is going to go for that so you can either walk away, show the customer the quality of tile you are working with and have them approve it or get something else, or use the 3/8" spacer. If you try with a 3/16" grout joint you are going to have problems and there won't be any way to hide it.

[tilejoe]

It hides better in a brick joint. I'll add that the last tile I have used from said distributor was the worst cupped/ calibered / warped I have seen in memory.

[Bill Vincent]

I'd be recommending to the owner to replace the tile. That's going to be a pain in the ass to set, and it'll look like crap.

[PetrH]

sometimes tiles are rectangular,rather than square, and orienting them all the same way will help. I orient my tiles according to production direction regardless. IMO 1/16" variation on 18" tiles is normal, but 1/8"+ seems a little ridiculous.

Yes, show the customer and explain the difficulties. A matching grout color will hide a lot of sins.

[dhagin]

Let me guess, they want 1/16 or 1/8 joints?

[metze]

all the boxes are the same lot number and caliber. I opened up all the boxes and sorted them into four piles, Fortunately there is not that many with the 18 5/8 strong dimensions. The homeowners that i am doing this for are very easy to work for. Might try to talk them into doing a brick joint pattern with 3/16 to a 1/4 inch grout lines. I think i can make that work and look decent. Thinking about cutting the biggest tiles down on my wet saw and using them in closets and out of the way areas. Maybe ill try to find a grout color that matches the tile too.

[Hank B.]

if they don't want to get new tile, grid the floor for a 3/8 joint and roll with it. Big grout joints aren't as bad as little jagged ones. Approve it, grid it move on.

[dhagin]

Industry standard is *minimum* grout joint is 3x the difference in tile sizes. If you can sort em so all tiles in a given room are within that spec, you should be fine. Of course, the transitions might require a border or pattern to hide the different tile sizes.

For 3/16 joints, all tiles sizes must be within 1/16 of each other.

[Hank B.]

I would be VERY certain to check EVERY tile. I've shot myself in the foot more than once like that. don't struggle through it pulling your hair out when you can just stretch them joints.

[cwilde72]

Lemme guess-Daltile Cliff Pointe?

Had the pleasure of working with these last year and it sucked. The worst size variations I've ever seen. Ended up laying em as straight as I could then came back the next day and used a grinder down the grout lines to square em up.

[jwmezzanotte]

Originally Posted by cwilde72

Ended up laying em as straight as I could then came back the next day and used a grinder down the grout lines to square em up.

Nice trick
Does it chip the tile much?

[cwilde72]

These were color-body porcelain's John-no glaze. Had they been a glazed I woulda been SOL. Used my favorite grinding wheel on em and it worked beautifully.

[jwmezzanotte]

I see...
I manage to chip edges even on porcelain when I use my angle grinder (not too bad, maybe I'm just fussy). Pretty sure I need to invest in some better blades.

Seriously though, Nice trick! I'll remember that one

[Higher Standard Tile]

Here is what we ran into today.

Out of square 16" x 32" 'rectified' porcelain. Found at least four tile like this, of course after they were dropped into the mud.

And these are expensive Italian porcelain.