Putting spacer between first tile and kitchen work top to allow for movement of work top

[james hailwood]

Kitchen fitter on a job I'm gonna be on Monday said to put a spacer between the first row of tiles and the wooden work top for silicone. I've never seen this before in 11 years. does any one do this? seems bit extreme, I'd usually just start off the work top and silicone at end. it's for the movements of the work top but seemed bit ott.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If it's 'real' wood you may have more expansion/contraction in the material.
However IMO nothing looks worse than a wide bead of silicone at that joint.
Love it when your told how to do the job by another trade.

 

[J Sid]

yes

 

[J Sid]

2mm is wide now

disagree TJ

​

 

[Dumbo]

I always space of of the worktop. British standards says something like you should have a movement joint where tiles meet another surface . If you silicone tidily it is the same width as other grout joints .

 

[Time's Ran Out]

2mm is wide now

disagree TJ

​

On the contrary - a 2mm joint would necessitate a 4mm silicone joint and that is absolutely perfect, especially colour matched.
But how many turn out 8mm and more till all you notice is the joint.

Never understand why people go for 'real wood' worktops. So unhygienic and when you get there to start tiling they are always going to seal them after you've finished!

 

[Martyn Leeds]

better than a joiner telling you to grout between tile & worktop

 

[Dumbo]

On the contrary - a 2mm joint would necessitate a 4mm silicone joint and that is absolutely perfect, especially colour matched.
But how many turn out 8mm and more till all you notice is the joint.

Never understand why people go for 'real wood' worktops. So unhygienic and when you get there to start tiling they are always going to seal them after you've finished!

Don't really understand your first paragraph. Maybe I'm stupid .

 

[J Sid]

Don't really understand your first paragraph. Maybe I'm stupid .

I think it's Pension Day, so is mind might be on other things.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I think it's Pension Day, so is mind might be on other things.

Where I can spend it! But only every other week.

Don't really understand your first paragraph. .

If you leave a 2mm spacer gap as suggested by the member for Essex, then in my opinion it allows a 1mm covering to tile and worktops = 4mm of silicone visible.