Is it good to put spacer between tiles?

Author: Alessandra Cartwright  |  Last update: Friday, June 26, 2026

Spacers are an excellent way to ensure that the grout lines are uniform and well-proportioned. Accuracy and uniformity are two of the keywords of a successful installation project.

Should you use spacers when tiling?

The gaps between tiles or stones allow for expansion and contraction, which is necessary to prevent damage to the flooring or wall over time. The use of tile spacers ensures that the gaps are uniform, and the tiles or stones are evenly spaced, providing a consistent and aesthetically pleasing finish.

What are the disadvantages of tile spacers?

Disadvantages: Currently there are some shortage in trained/experienced tile masons who can work with Spacer joint. This system requires additional tools like Spacers & additional material – grouts when comparing with Paper joint.

Is space between tiles necessary?

aesthetics aside, the grout still needs to provide enough space for the tiles to expand and contract naturally with temperature changes. if the grout joint is too narrow, it won't accommodate expansion and could lead to cracking.

Can I lay tile without spacers?

Spacers are optional, but spacing is mandatory. Some installers feel like they are above using spacers and it slows them down. More times than not, their installation looks like crap to an experienced eye. The best & fastest installer that I know uses spacers/clips & wedges. They help guarantee a good outcome.

How to use tile spacers & levelling wedges

What happens if you don't space tiles?

Tile tends to expand when the room temperature reaches a certain level. That is why you should never install tiles next to each other and always leave a small space between slates for the grout lines. That is where tile spacers can come in handy.

Can tiles be butted together?

Butting tiles together can lead to various problems such as a chattered edge. A chattered edge is when the edge of the butted stone chips do to the compression stress it is subjected to when the stone naturally expands due to moisture, temperature or it moves from structural movement.

What is the best gap between tiles?

If rectified tiles are used, a standard grout width of 2mm or 3mm can be used along each tile edge to create a professional and seamless finish. However, non-rectified tiles often require larger widths of between 3-5mm to allow for possible variations in the tile dimensions.

Why leave a gap between tiles?

If the gap is not laid, the crevice is too small. If dirt is found, it will be more difficult to clean. Others think that the color of the sealant is monotonous and the placement effect is not ideal.

Can you tile without gaps?

If the area in which you'd like to install tiles isn't heavily trafficked and is relatively dry—or if you just really hate grout lines—it is possible to install tile without grout by laying the tiles directly next to each other with no space between.

What are the negative effects of spacers?

The main issue with a wheel spacer is that it moves the wheel to a wider position whilst the rest of the suspension arms remain in the same place. In particular, the king pin inclination axis remains in the same place. Therefore, fitting a wheel spacer moves the wheel outboard and alters the scrub radius of the car.

What happens if you leave tile spacers in?

While things may look fine for a few weeks – or even a few months – leaving spacers in place will damage the structural integrity of the grout.

How many spacers do I need per tile?

Whichever tile joint solution you choose, you need to calculate how many tile spacers you need. The simple way to do that is multiply the number of tiles you've got by the amount of corners on each tile. So, if you have 105 tiles, 105 tiles x 4 corners per tile = 420 tile spacers needed.

What is the minimum gap between two tiles?

A minimum gap of 2mm for wall tiles and 3 mm for floor tiles is recommended. It absorbs minor tile movement and its impact in the future. Getting a straight line during tile placement gives a clean look. A laser level or chalk line is helpful in achieving it.

Where do you put tile spacers?

To use them, place spacers at each corner of your tile as you're laying it. Then push the tiles together until the spacer has contact with each corner. You can remove tile spacers shortly after you finish the tile installation and you can usually reuse them in a future project.

Why is spacer required?

It is important for everyone to use a spacer each time they use their inhaler. A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of your inhaler. If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach, instead of your lungs, where it works best.

How much space should I leave between tiles?

The gap you opt for will depend on a few factors: The size of tile you're using: smaller tiles often look great with thinner grout lines, around 2-3mm. For larger tiles or tiles with uneven edges, however, wider grout lines (3-5mm) can help with alignment and hide any imperfections.

How to tell if a tile is rectified?

The first non-rectified or pressed tile back has a regular border around the edges. This non-rectified tile has a regular outline around the edges. Compare that to the rectified tile below where the regular border isn't present on the side where the cutting or grinding took place. This is a tell-tale of rectification.

What is the thinnest grout line for tile?

ANSI defines the requirement for grout joints in ceramic and natural stone tile installations in A108. 02 Section 4.3. 8. This section states that under no circumstances should the grout joint be less than 1/16" (1.6 mm).

Is spacer necessary for tiles?

Spacers play a crucial role during the process of tile laying, and their proper use is essential to ensure a successful and long-lasting tile installation. Tile spacers or tile wedges, are small plastic or rubber devices that are inserted between tiles during installation.

What do you put in between tiles?

Mortar is the adhesive used to hold tiles to a surface or substrate. Grout, on the other hand, is the substance applied between the tile spaces to fill and seal the gaps. There's a mortar or grout product for every type of tile and tile location. It's important to choose the right product for the job.

What gap should I leave between porcelain tiles?

Allow a 3mm minimum joint, up to 20mm maximum between tiles (if using ProPave grout, other brands may differ). To aid full coverage and adhesion to the bedding mortar, check that the tiles are level using a spirit level. Allow the paving to fully cure (approx. 24-48 hours*) before grouting.

Should I grout between tiles?

You must always use grout joints between tiles, as they allow the tiles to move ever so slightly, preventing cracks or further issues down the line.

How do you transition between two tiles?

Use Borders or Trim Pieces: Borders or trim pieces can define transitions and give a polished look, especially between different tile types. Metallic trims, wood-look borders, or dark tile edges can create a clean divide and add structure to open-concept layouts.

Should tiles have gaps?

When it comes to tiled surfaces, those unsightly gaps between tiles can detract from the overall aesthetic and even pose structural issues. But fear not! Filling these gaps, a process called grouting is essential for a beautiful and resilient tiled surface.

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