Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint.
Medium size tile bond pattern shower wall tile grout sizing.
Although 1 16 of an inch may seem unimportant for example on a 12 tile it represents a 50 variation in a grout joint 1 8 inch wide.
Though if you re tiling a closet sized shower a medium size tile such as 4 x 8 and 6 x 8 could work better for the floor larger tiles square hexagon or rectangular with tighter and fewer grout lines can similarly make a room seem more open.
Especially in a small shower a larger white tile can make it feel less cramped.
Tcna recommends a minimum 1 8 grout joint for rectified tile and minimum 3 16 grout joint for calibrated tile.
We recommend a 3 16 grout size for our ceramic tile line.
Medium sized grout line widths 1 8 to 1 4 inch require the use of sanded grout and are typically featured when moderate size variation occurs among the tiles or when tiles with lugs are used.
For example if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1 32 the minimum grout joint is 1 8 1 32 5 32.
They also suggest adding to this width the amount of edge warping on the longest edge.
Tile patterns one size pattern tile size percent a 4.
Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1 8 to 1 4 if 3 16 spacers are used.
Finished grout lines will vary from 1 16 to 3 16.
It creates strong diagonal lines in the pattern and is often used instead of the basic offset pattern with larger tiles to hide imperfections like in this danish home from nordic design.
If smaller spacers like 1 8 are used it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile.
From a visual standpoint tile smaller than 4 inches square creates a busy appearance.
For tile having a total variation of 1 6 inch in facial dimensions a minimum of 3 16 inch grout joint shall be used.
Nominal centerline of all joints shall be straight with due allowances for hand molded or rustic tiles.
This is a twist on the basic offset pattern where each tile s edge is only offset by one third of the width of the tile above or below.
This will help to visually stretch every inch of the room.
Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time.
Tile size percent a 6 x24 100 running bond brick.