Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 15:03 Written by Dave McErvale Wednesday, 13 May 2009 14:42

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Recommended spacings and sizes for expansion joints and control joints are as follows:
• Interior tile - control joints 4878 mm to 6098 mm in each direction - minimum 6 mm width. Areas exposed to moisture or direct sunlight - 3659 mm to 4878 mm in each direction- minimum 6 mm width.
Exterior tile - Due to high temperature fluctuations, use minimum 10 mm wide control joints from 2439 mm to 3659 mm in each direction. In areas of extreme temperature variations (over 40ºC) between summer highs and winter lows joint width shall be a minimum 13 mm. The consultant shall specify the required joint width and required distance between joints.

Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile expands and contracts with thermal and moisture changes in the environment as do all building materials. The expansion or contraction will rarely be seen with the naked eye. However, it is still present. As we know from previous sections, stone, porcelain,  or ceramic tile is very sensitive to movement. It does not take much movement to cause a failure in these tile installations. Ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile can shear, buckle, and break as a result of improperly placed or designed expansion joints.

The most common location of expansion joints is in large expanses of tiled floors. The width of a tile installation can result in the necessity of a joint. That means the tile will expand and contract one tile to another. Also, ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile installations need to be isolated from adjoining hard surfaces and between the tile and dissimilar surfaces. Expansion joints are necessary in both horizontal and vertical installations.