Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

Movement joints are an integral part of any tile assembly and must be incorporated within the tile field at doorsills and at transitions to walls and other restraining structures to allow movement of the assembly and prevent stresses that can damage the system.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

Manufacturer ceramic tool company. An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete. An expansion joint is needed at least every 10 linear feet and an expansion joint at least 1 4 wide is needed around the perimeter of the installation if you re meeting to a solid surface or a wall. Expansion control joints provide prefabricated caulk joint consisting of two solid extruded l angles with factory installed two part polyurethane sealant color to match grout joint color specified by architect.

It allows for movement in the tile. Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house. Height to match tile stone or wood thickness. To help protect your tile from future damage you ll need to include expansion joints into your installation.

Possibly the best type of expansion joint material that can be used is a flexible silicone e g. If you tile over an expansion joint then you need to honor that joint in the tile as well. It s quite common to see controlled breaks in concrete and those are usually expansion joints. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation.

Available in clear bronze finish. Thus 12mm joints can be compressed to about 10mm and extended to about 14mm 6mm compressed to about 4 75mm and extended to about 7 25mm. An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature. Where should movement joints be placed.

Over any isolation or control joints in the concrete. Latham standard loc strip hard flooring expansion joints are capable of absorbing extension and compression equivalent to 16 or 20 of the undeformed width of their elastic neoprene cores. 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. It is best to achieve a two sided bond only to the flanks of the open joint in the tile.

Here s where to put expansion joints. Tcna s handbook mandates a soft movement joint every 20 25 feet 6 7 6 m for interior installations closer if exposed to sunlight and moisture and every 8 12 feet ba 2 4 3 6 m for exterior exposure installations ej171 09. Latasil or urethane sealant placed over a closed cell foam backer rod. The sealant used in expansion joints should achieve a minimum shore a hardness of 35.

The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type.