Movement joint guidelines for internal floor tiling

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Dwain Edwin Bennett
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1 I N N O V A T I V E P R O F I L E S Movement joint guidelines for internal floor tiling

2 Every substrate presents unique challenges Movement joints are an integral part of any tile and stone assembly. The various components of a tiled assembly (covering, adhesive, substrate, etc) have unique physical characteristics that affect their behaviour. Specifi cally, these components will expand and contract at different rates, according to each component s intrinsic physical properties, with changes in moisture, temperature and loading (both dead and live loads). The differential expansion/contraction of attached components residential installation shown above. It is almost certain that the homeowner will resist the idea of placing movement joints across any of the rooms, despite British Standards and Schlüter -Systems guidelines. However, the need for movement joints in this installation is undeniable, given the extended size of the tile fi eld. The question then becomes, How does one provide the movement joints necessary to ensure a durable installation without compromising the aesthetic qualities of the continuous tile fi eld? Key Nook Kitchen Family Room Study/Office Tiled Floor Movement Joint Wall/Restraining Surface Living/Dining Room Master Bedroom results in internal stresses. Furthermore, structures that restrain overall expansion of the tile fi eld (walls, columns, etc) cause stress build up within the system. If this movement is not accommodated through the use of movement joints in the tile fi eld and at restraining structures, the resulting stresses can cause cracking of the grout and tile and delamination of the tile from the substrate. Thus, movement joints are an essential component of any durable tiled assembly. Due to the increased popularity of continuous tile installations (i.e. tile continuing from room to room on a given fl oor), movement joints have become both increasingly important and increasingly diffi cult to educate end user customers about the need to use them. For instance, consider the The easiest way to accomplish this goal is to begin by providing movement joints at the perimeter of the installation. Perimeter joints are absolutely necessary and do not interrupt the tile fi eld. The next step would be to place movement joints at the thresholds between rooms or where a tiled hallway meets a larger tiled room. These locations are relatively inconspicuous and the lines formed by the movement joints are logical in that they refl ect the natural perimeter of each room. Finally determine if any other characteristics of the floor plan require the placement of additional movement joints. In this example, the intersection of the nook area and kitchen/family room may be a reasonable choice.

Schlüter -Systems understands that tile fi xers must take into account the needs of their clients in determining the placement of movement joints in a tile installation.

3 Schlüter -Systems understands that tile fi xers must take into account the needs of their clients in determining the placement of movement joints in a tile installation. For example, a client may not wish to interrupt a continuous tile fi eld that spans multiple rooms. However, as indicated by the orange lines illustrated on the previous page, there are ways to meet industry guidelines that will serve to provide the client with a durable installation that remains aesthetically pleasing. Movement joints in tiling should not be confused with structural movement joints. Joints should be a minimum of 6 mm wide and extend at least through the tile and its bed. Where required they may also be carried through the screed to any separating layer. Where do we need to consider the incorporation of movement joints for internal ceramic tile flooring? In general they should be positioned in the following locations in fl oor tiling: Over existing structural movement joints. Where tiling abuts restraining surfaces, e.g. perimeter walls, columns, kerbs, steps, etc. In large fl oor areas, where perimeter joints are more than 10 metres apart, intermediate joints in normal fl oors should not exceed 8-10 metre intervals in each direction. The tile fi eld should be as square as possible. The ratio between length and width should not exceed 1:2, e.g. 5 metres x 10 metres. On suspended fl oors the frequency of the movement joints may need to be increased to allow for fl exing of the substrate. Movement joints should be placed directly over any supporting walls or beams. Where the fl oor is subject to high thermal gain or moisture, e.g. exposure to direct sunlight or applications with underfl oor heating, movement joint intervals should be more frequent. With underfl oor heating the fl oor should be divided into bays of up to 40 m² with a maximum bay length of 8 metres. A movement joint should be positioned directly over the junction of two substrates, e.g. screed to timber. Additional considerations: Movement joints can be formed in the floor by using suitable sealants or pre formed movement joint profi les, e.g. Schlüter -DILEX profi les, typically comprising PVC or metal anchoring legs connected to a fl exible synthetic rubber movement zone. Normally sealants can be used in low traffic fl oors, e.g. where the arris of neither the tile fl ooring unit nor the sealant will be exposed to high levels of impact or abrasion. In high traffic environments the sealant will not protect the edges of the stone fl ooring and these will quickly become damaged. The British Standards BS 5385, defi nes light and heavy traffic loads as follows: Light loading is defi ned as normal, low density pedestrian traffic with possibly lightweight soft wheeled trolleys, e.g. domestic and light offi ce locations. Heavy loading areas are those where high density pedestrian traffic and/or heavy loads, static, moving, dropped or dragged, are likely to occur. Joints in heavy duty areas should have edges reinforced with metal or rigid PVC anchoring legs.

Schlüter -DILEX pre formed surface movement joint profiles Schlüter -DILEX-BWS is a

The top movement zone is made of soft CPE and creates the 5 mm wide visual surface.

Light Schlüter -DILEX-BWB is a The top movement zone is made of soft CPE and

Profi le heights: 6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm and 20 mm.

Note: 15 mm and 20 mm heights only available in Grey (G).

aluminium connected to a soft PVC movement zone.

4 Schlüter -DILEX pre formed surface movement joint profiles Schlüter -DILEX-BWS is a movement joint profi le with side sections of rigid, recycled plastic. The top movement zone is made of soft CPE and creates the 5 mm wide visual surface. Profi le heights: 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm and 12.5 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG), and Soft Peach (SP). Light Schlüter -DILEX-BWB is a movement joint profi le with side sections of rigid, recycled plastic. The top movement zone is made of soft CPE and creates the 10 mm wide visual surface. Profi le heights: 6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm and 20 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG), and Soft Peach (SP). Note: 15 mm and 20 mm heights only available in Grey (G). Light Schlüter -DILEX-AKWS is a movement profi le with side anchoring legs of aluminium connected to a soft PVC movement zone. Profi le heights: 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12.5 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 21 mm. Colours: Grey (G), Black (GS), Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG).

Schlüter -DILEX-KS is a movement joint profi le with edge protection, consisting of side anchoring

synthetic rubber. Profi le heights: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 18.5 mm, 21 mm and 25 mm.

Colours: Grey (G), Black (GS), Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG).

recycled rigid PVC and soft CPE, to create a durable, fl exible and maintenance free perimeter joint.

O - Wall tile/skirting thickness: 7 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG).

Schlüter -DILEX-RF is a two part corner profi le made of recycled, rigid PVC and soft CPE for

5 Schlüter -DILEX-KS is a movement joint profi le with edge protection, consisting of side anchoring legs of brass, aluminium or stainless steel, connected to a replaceable movement zone of soft synthetic rubber. Profi le heights: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 18.5 mm, 21 mm and 25 mm. Note: aluminium only available in 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm and 14 mm. Colours: Grey (G), Black (GS), Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG). Industrial (brass and stainless steel only) Schlüter -DILEX-EK is a two part corner profi le made of recycled rigid PVC and soft CPE, to create a durable, fl exible and maintenance free perimeter joint. U - Floor tile thickness: 8 mm, 11 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 24 mm. O - Wall tile/skirting thickness: 7 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG). Note: sizes over U=15 mm and O=14 mm are only available in Grey (G). Schlüter -DILEX-RF is a two part corner profi le made of recycled, rigid PVC and soft CPE for durable, fl exible and maintenance free perimeter joints between fl oors and walls. U - Floor tile thickness: 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm and 22 mm. O - Wall tile/skirting thickness: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm. Colours: Grey (G), Pastel Grey (PG).

U - Floor tile thickness: 8 mm, 11 mm and 15 mm. O - Wall tile/skirting thickness: 7 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm.

Note: aluminium only available in 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm and 14 mm.

Industrial (stainless steel only) Schlüter -DILEX-BWA provides a flexible connection between tiled surfaces and

6 Schlüter -DILEX-EKE is a corner movement profile that effectively absorbs movement at internal wall corners and at floor/wall transitions in applications where no large movement is expected. U - Floor tile thickness: 8 mm, 11 mm and 15 mm. O - Wall tile/skirting thickness: 7 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG). Schlüter -DILEX-KSA is a connection profile with edge protection. The profile s anchoring legs, made of brass, aluminium or stainless steel, are connected to a replaceable movement zone made of soft PVC. The profile is used for creating transitions between coverings and fixed structures such as windows. Profile heights: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 18.5 mm, 21 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm. Note: aluminium only available in 8 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm and 14 mm. Colours: Grey (G), Black (GS), Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG). Industrial (stainless steel only) Schlüter -DILEX-BWA provides a flexible connection between tiled surfaces and existing coverings or structures such as door and window frames. Profile heights: 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm and 12.5 mm. Light Beige (HB), Pastel Grey (PG). F:\Windata\Technical Masters\Internal Movement Joint Guidelines 0609 Schlüter-Systems Ltd Units 4-6 Bardon 22 Beveridge Lane Coalville Leicestershire LE67 1TE Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) sales@schluter.co.uk Web:

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