Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

Learn all about expansion joints here.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

Every tile job needs expansion joints also known as movement joints they are critical to the success and longevity of the tile installation. An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete. A movement joint is in the tile only. Consult tcna handbook for ceramic glass and stone tile installation detail ej171 for this vital information.

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. Control joints are there because it s not a question of if the slab will crack but rather when the slab cracks it hopefully happens at the joint. It allows for movement in the tile.

An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature. Here s where to put expansion joints. Too many tile. The short answer is that you do not span control expansion joints with the tile.

For installation of tile the tile ends at each control joint and the gap if filled with caulk rather than grout. The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type. For ceramic glass and stone tile installation provides a very detailed explanation of the requirements and necessity for expansion joint construct design and placement. The family of schluter dilex prefabricated movement profiles includes a variety of shapes sizes and materials to suit different applications.

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. If you tile over an expansion joint then you need to honor that joint in the tile as well. Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house. Where should movement joints be placed.

Locate ctc joint in tile or stone surfaces directly above joints in sub floor full length may be fastened to sub floor using a construction adhesive trowel setting material making sure there is full coverage over the entire leg to ensure a smooth transition mortar bed may be feathered off both sides of joint. It is important to note this detail for both ceramic tile and stone applications recommends a movement joint be placed at one or both ends of the tile bridging the underlying crack as recommended by the membrane manufacturer.