Do I really have to grout between ceramic floor tiles?

Posted by Ray on November 2, 2005, 7:56 pm

I'm planning a 38" x 61" tile project just inside the front entrance.
The design of the 6x6 tiles is such that they look very good in direct
contact with each other. Being just inside the front door, they will get
wet when people enter from a rainy outside. The concern is that water
will get into the spaces between the tiles and wet and weaken the
adhesive below.

They will be laid on a concrete slab that's in direct contact with the
soil. I don't think there is any chance of the slab ever reaching
freezing, here in central New Jersey.

So should I grout (and seal) merely to prevent water from getting
beneath the tiles?

Thanks

Ray

Posted by on November 2, 2005, 8:15 pm

"So should I grout (and seal) merely to prevent water from getting
beneath the tiles? "

What's the alternative to grout? I've never seen tile installed
without grout. Not only would it look stupid, the spaces between the
tiles would become a dirt trap.

Posted by yaofeng on November 2, 2005, 8:15 pm

Of course you do. Follow installation instructions. I hope you are
not trying to change practices which have been well established and
proven to work.

Posted by John Hines on November 2, 2005, 8:29 pm

>So should I grout (and seal) merely to prevent water from getting
>beneath the tiles?

Yep. Use an un-sanded grout for narrow joint gaps.

Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on November 2, 2005, 10:37 pm

> So should I grout (and seal) merely to prevent water from getting beneath
> the tiles?

No one can make you grout them. If you want to live with dirt and shit
between the tiles, that is your choice to make. Some people put a compost
pile in the back yard far from the house. Stupid when you can have it right
in your front entry where your guests can enjoy it.

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