Tiling

[dustypuss]

Hi all. Why do we use 4mm tile spacers . I just returned from Tunisia they dont seem to use any spacers look ok to me and must be a lot faster to tile not having to fiddle about with spacers . And they dont seem to have to use grout !

[Clanad]

Many experienced tile intallers rarely use grout line spacers, they rely on a very good eye for lines... However, even experienced tilers use spacers when the customer requests an unusually small or large grout line or in the case of an exceptionally long run. They are indispensible for the amateur or beginner though...

[dustypuss]

hi clanad . yes i under stand but why have a 4mm gap at all . i dont see the need for it at all .is it just the way we do it and if so why.

[buildersmate]

Perm any of the following reasons.

If the surface is intended to be splashproof then grout is needed to achieve that.

If grout is going to be used at all, a minimum bead is really about 2mm - any less and it just falls out again because it can't stuck to the backsurface/sides of the tile.

Spacers are a lot quicker than fiddling about without them.

Some people think the end product looks better with evenly spaced tiles.

[PAUL55]

I agree with the above, if the gout is to narrow it could fall out when dry. Other reasons spacers are used is to stop the tiles sliding whilst also giving an even groutline. sometimes if the tiles are handmade and not acurate in mearurements or out of square, tilers will use bits of card to pack the tiles in order to get a happy medium with the groutline and keep the overall lines straight. hope that makes sense.