Ceramic Tile Expansion Joint Detail

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.

Ceramic tile expansion joint detail.

If you tile over an expansion joint then you need to honor that joint in the tile as well. Over any isolation or control joints in the concrete. 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. The appropriate design of a movement joint is based on the tile or stone assembly s configuration and substrate type.

Consult tcna handbook for ceramic glass and stone tile installation detail ej171 for this vital information. Too many tile. For installation of tile the tile ends at each control joint and the gap if filled with caulk rather than grout. It s quite common to see controlled breaks in concrete and those are usually expansion joints.

Here s where to put expansion joints. The short answer is that you do not span control expansion joints with the tile. 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.

An expansion joint is a strip of flexible material in this case caulk that lets tile expand and contract with changes in temperature. It allows for movement in the tile. The tcna handbook recommends allowing for expansion and contraction in every 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.

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. Where should movement joints be placed. Anywhere tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the foundation of your house.

A movement joint is in the tile only. Tile expansion joints tile doctor ceramic porcelain and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment.