Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

Here s where to put expansion joints.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

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. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation. Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house. The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type.

Too many tile. An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete. Learn all about expansion joints here. Every tile job needs expansion joints also known as movement joints they are critical to the success and longevity of the tile installation.

Schluter systems prefabricated movement joint profiles protect tile edges and prevent sound bridges and surface water penetration resulting in a permanent maintenance free installation. Where should movement joints be placed. Tile expansion joints tile doctor ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment. For ceramic glass and stone tile installation provides a very detailed explanation of the requirements and necessity for expansion joint construct design and placement.

Consult tcna handbook for ceramic glass and stone tile installation detail ej171 for this vital information. Over any isolation or control joints in the concrete. 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. The short answer is that you do not span control expansion joints with 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. For installation of tile the tile ends at each control joint and the gap if filled with caulk rather than grout. A movement joint is in the tile only. 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. 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.