Tile Spacer Question

[lebbod]

Hello,

I am very new to tiling and I have recently tiled my second bathroom using 24 x 35(approx) tiles. I used 5 mm spacers for this job. The client was very happy with the result, however he did inform me that he had spoken to another tiler through a friend of his, who explained that he would have used 3mm tiles spacers as this would have reduced the showing of the edges of the tiles when grouted......I'm a bit confused as I wouldn't have thought this would have made much difference and would have thought this is more a defect with the tile and feel a bit deflated and unconfident that I've just done a bathroom using the wrong spacers Any feedback greatly received. Emma

[penno]

when you say 5mm spacers is that on the floor?

[lebbod]

Hello, no it was wall tiles

[penno]

Also new myself but i wouldn't have used 5mm on a wall, but if the customer is happy with the job there isn't a problem tbh.

5mm is bigger than average for wall tiles but I wouldn't say it was wrong. The most important thing is that the client was happy with the result. As for the edges of the tile showing I'm not convinced the size of spacer had anything to do with that.

Spacing is a personal choice. I personally prefer using a 2mm joint on wall tiles, others go for 3mm. I think the thing to remember is to offer the client the choice. As long as it's technically feasible then it doesn't really matter what client chooses.

[lebbod]

Thanks for your replies. I did ask the client for his preferred choice of spacer and he left it up to me and was happy with the 5mm but in retrospect perhaps I should have used a smaller spacer thank you.

[Fekin]

Most people I know of use 3mm spacers, never used 5mm, only difference is a wider grout line.

[TonyJ]

I too am a newbie to the tiling world and was thinking the same question. May be a few more experienced tilers would give us an idea of which spaces they use most of the time for wall & floor tiles.

Also, it would help new tilers to know which type & make of wall adhesive you all use for wall tiles on a plastered & plasterboard walls & which type of floor adhesive you all use for wooden floors & concrete floors. as well as which grout you all use. I know there are different senario's in the world of tiling, but most of the time it will be bathrooms & kitchens for most of us.

Maybe a seperate thread could be drawn up (call it 'what tilers use') so newbies can look there instead of keep asking the same questions when newbies come on board. Thus leaving the forum area free for more unusual problems that we all might (and will) come across. Something on the lines of:

wall spacers: 2mm
Floor spaces: 5mm
wall adhesive: bal white star
wooden floor adhesive: rapidset flexible
concrete floor adhesive: ect...
wall grout: ect...
floor grout: ect....

I think this would be a good idea. what do you think? don't forget it will be a 'most of the time' list, each member will only need to contribute once to give newbies an idea.

Tony

[Fekin]

It's not quite that simple really.

Like you say wall adhesive = Bal white star, but that's only if the tiles are of a light nature, if they are a bigger heavier tile then you need different adhesives, same goes if it's a shower area vs bathroom wall that dose not get wet, same again, different adhesives and grouts.

Same for floor grouts and adhesives goes, when movement come into play.

Read around the forums and you'll start to get the feel for it.

[Dave]

as fekin say's tony..there's loads of threads in the forums on adhesives+grouts used on particular projects.....dave..

[penno]

Most of all Emma is not to feel deflated. I am no expert as i am just starting myself but you had a customer who is happy with the job you did. However next time it is something you will double check before you do it, learn by "mistakes" (if it was one). Keep your chin up, the job was good, customer was happy

[lebbod]

Thanks for that I did feel a bit unconfident but as you say, the job was good and the customer was happy so all in all not a bad start...... but I may very well consider 3mm next time!!