Install Ceramic Tile Without Grout Lines

Grout is necessary.

Install ceramic tile without grout lines.

For most granite and marble tile i install i use either 1 32 or 1 16 inch grout lines. How to lay ceramic tile without grout. The tiles can be installed over concrete hardwood ceramic tile natural stone vinyl and linoleum. It keeps moisture out of the substrate helps keep tile lines straight and.

Groutless tile has a higher chance of breaking meaning that you would need to resume the work. There are cases when laying tile without grout will probably leave the job looking a lot better. Your best bet for minimal grout joints will be by using a rectified tile. Rectified tile has very exact edges.

But here s the thing. If you want the job to last then you need to use grout. In most other tile i will use 1 16 or 1 8 inch lines. How to lay tile without grout lines.

Minimal or zero grout lines will also accentuate any lippage between adjacent tiles. Without these precise edges much more grout is needed to even things out across the floor. The unsanded type of grout is best for the small grout lines that will be less than 1 8 inch. If your tile project is in a dry area you can install a specific kind of ceramic tile without grout.

Very few homeowners like the look of grout. Grout is a necessary and integral part of many tile jobs for several reasons. In a zero grout layout or even with a 1 16 grout joint any deviations in tile size will throw your pattern off as you move across the floor. They are smooth and uniform edges that let you get the smallest joint possible usually 1 8 or 3 16.

I try to use the smallest grout lines the tile will allow. Grout lines however are important for a few reasons. Grout can become dingy looking quickly making a tile installation look old. You ll also need a 25 pound bag of thinset mortar and a 5 pound bag of unsanded grout for the tile joints.

It can chip become stained and create a grid effect on an otherwise smooth tile installation. Because the tiles don t require mortar or grouting there s no drying time.