grout or silicon in the corners? - Tile Advice

[brendanbreeze]

On what occassions should grout be used in the corners (where 2 walls meet, from floor to ceiling) in stead of silicon?

Cheers - Brendan

 

[david campbell]

never!
it's bad practice and over time it will crack and need replaced also allowing awater to penetrate behind the tiling work causing more serious problems,use an anti bacterial/anti mould silicone always

 

[brendanbreeze]

Thanks for that David. And how about round the floor edges?

 

[Aston]

as david cambell above...and yes around the floor edges for expansion reasons.

 

[user123]

Just remember as a rule: inside corner = silicone :smilewinkgrin:

 

[brendanbreeze]

Ok, And if the floors and walls are both tiled but different colours..say black floor white walls. Sholud I match the silicone to the floor or walls? sorry if these sound like daft questions, just trying to get it straight in my head.

 

[Peter]

On plastered/rigid walls I always grout the edges. Looks so much neater having tight cuts and a clean uniform grout line down the corners than a dirty bead of silicone. 10x the finish imo.

 

[user123]

There is no such thing as a daft question.. :smilewinkgrin: At the floor, as a rule, stick as closely as possible to the floor grout colour, much less obvious, and easier on the eye so to speak.

 

[user123]

On plastered/rigid walls I always grout the edges. Looks so much neater having tight cuts and a clean uniform grout line down the corners than a dirty bead of silicone. 10x the finish imo.

But,Wingn, there is no such thing as a rigid wall, houses move all the time. A clean sharp silicone line really finishes things off nicely.

 

[Peter]

Suppose it's personal preference really - I often think silicone can ruin the neat look of corners. Would use it in flexible situations but don't see the problem with grouting the corners of the majority of plastered substrates. My own bathroom has had all corners grouted for 15 years and all are still 100%.

 

[Dontiler]

I use silicone too, there is special silicone tool for nice silicone finish, if you do it right and neat i think looks also great

 

[thevinnyofoz]

I asked this very same question to atime served tiler today and he said it's up to the tiler to make a decision as it doesn't matter ! I think it does as everyone leaves a gap around the floor to allow for expansion and fill with silicone why on earth would this very science not be applied to the walls ? after all as a tiler you are responsible for preparing the substrate and maximising the life of the new install.

 

[brendanbreeze]

Well I think I'll start getting in the habit of using silicone on the floor and the walls.

cheers.

 

[Aston]

your right vinny

and your also right about it/expansion being a science rather than an opinion so that means its been proven. i can see where he's coming from about it looking more aesthetically pleasing on the eye but expansion needs remedies or theres every chance the tile installation will fail and so will you reputation mate.

just because someone tells you they are time served, dont believe all you hear?. they may have spent 4 years doing the same kind of tiling day in day out whereas on here the information is vast and backed up by some very creditable tilers and technical depts. if your getting 8/10 on here singing from the same sheet, then you know you are on the right lines...

 

[Peter]

Understand the science and the reason, but I suppose it comes down to real world scenarios as well. Never known a job to fail from grout being used in corners rather than silicone, but I suppose this game's all about covering your back.