Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

The sealant used in expansion joints should achieve a minimum shore a hardness of 35.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

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. 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. An expansion joint is in the substrate for instance in concrete.

Height to match tile stone or wood thickness. Over any isolation or control joints in the concrete. Manufacturer ceramic tool company. An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature.

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. 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. Available in clear bronze finish. Here s where to put expansion joints.

Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house. It is best to achieve a two sided bond only to the flanks of the open joint in the tile. Latasil or urethane sealant placed over a closed cell foam backer rod. Possibly the best type of expansion joint material that can be used is a flexible silicone e g.

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

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. Where should movement joints be placed. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every tile installation. 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 allows for movement in the tile.