What is a zero grout line?

Author: Tia Goyette  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Unlike traditional tiled surfaces, groutless tile eliminates the need for grout lines, which are prone to staining and require frequent cleaning and sealing. With groutless tile, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed to keep your floors looking pristine.

What is the thinnest grout line possible?

Finished grout lines will vary from 1/16" to 3/16". However, the actual finished grout spacing will vary from 1/8" to 1/4" if 3/16" spacers are used. If smaller spacers, like 1/8", are used it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile.

Can you lay tile with no grout line?

There are cases when laying tile without grout will probably leave the job looking a lot better. But here's the thing: if you want the job to last, then you need to use grout. Groutless tile has a higher chance of breaking, meaning that you would need to resume the work.

What flooring has no grout lines?

Groutless tile, also known as rectified tile, offers a sleek and modern look that appeals to many homeowners. One of the primary advantages of groutless tile is its seamless appearance. Without the need for grout lines, the surface of the floor appears smooth and uninterrupted, creating a visually appealing aesthetic.

What is zero joint tile?

I am also assuming that when you say zero joint you been the tiles are butted up to each other and there is no space for grout. Industry standards do not recommend butting tiles together whether they are a stone tile or a ceramic tile.

Grouting a zero thickness grout line. How do I grout?

What is a zero joint?

A “zero joint” in masonry refers to a construction technique where there is virtually no visible joint between the stones. This is achieved by placing the stones as close together as possible with little or no mortar in the joints.

What is the tolerance for grout lines?

The MIA says “Joint size: The grater of 25% of the joint width being used or +/- 1/32. Joints should always read true and straight.” Currently there is a suggestion in the ANSI A108 committee to add to standards "In no circumstances shall the grout joint width vary more than +/- 25%."

What are the pros and cons of groutless tile?

Groutless tile offers numerous advantages, including easy maintenance, a seamless appearance, durability, and hypoallergenic properties. However, it also comes with some disadvantages, such as installation complexity, limited design flexibility, a higher upfront cost, and a colder feel underfoot.

Can I use caulk instead of grout?

Using caulk instead of grout in areas where grout is traditionally employed is not advisable. This is because caulk lacks the structural stability and durability of grout. In tile installations, caulk cannot bear the same load as grout, and it is more susceptible to wear and tear from foot traffic and cleaning.

Will grout lines show through vinyl flooring?

Grout lines can create a slightly uneven surface, and if not smoothed out, they might become visible through the LVP, creating an unsightly “telegraphing” effect. To prevent this, a self-leveling compound is your go-to solution.

How long can tile sit without grout?

The humidity in the environment, and the temperature of the room will also affect the drying times. The shortest time after laying tile that you can grout is 24 hours. However, it is much better to wait at least 48 hours before grouting. This is to give the mortar ample time to set and dry before pressure is applied.

Can tiles be butted together?

Butt joint tile are tiles cut accurately enough to be set with no grout joints, butted up next to one another. This installation produces a unique appearance – textural and monolithic. It is also both labor and cost saving as grouting is a laborious process.

What is the minimum grout line for floor tile?

TCNA recommends a minimum 1/8" grout joint for rectified tile and minimum 3/16" grout joint for calibrated tile. They also suggest adding to this width the amount of edge warping on the longest edge. For example, if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1/32", the minimum grout joint is 1/8" + 1/32" = 5/32".

What happens if grout lines are too thin?

The problem is thinner grout joints are "unsanded grout" and break up a lot faster than "sanded grout joints." Sanded grout joints grab more dirt and grease and clean off easier. When unsanded grout gets greasy and grimy, there is no guarantee the grout lines will come back to their original color.

How to make grout invisible?

How to pull this off?
  1. Use rectified tiles that are precisely cut and symmetrical.
  2. Use a small tile spacer will create even gaps between your tiles and mark out the width of your grout line.
  3. Unsanded grout is recommended for small joints up to 1/8 inch wide.

Should grout be flush with tile?

Tiles with a square edge need to have the grout finished flush with the tiled surface. Tiles with a cushion or radius edge should have the grout finished to the bottom of the cushion or radius.

What is a good substitute for grout?

However, caulk is usually a better choice in areas where moisture will accumulate, thanks to its flexibility. Caulk is also much easier to clean. While it is porous, it doesn't absorb dirt as much as grout does.

What is a grout pen?

Grout pens are designed to cover old grout and fill in gaps between tiles, meaning they are an easy and effective way of refreshing bathroom or kitchen tiles.

Is there a flexible grout for tile?

DUNLOP FLEXIBLE FLOOR & WALL GROUT is a water and frost-resistant powder based grout. Flexible and highly durable, it can be used for grouting natural stone, mosaics, glazed and porcelain tiles, in joints up to 20mm.

What is the best tile for no grout lines?

When installing no grout tiles you must choose large-size rectified porcelain stoneware tiles, a special finish that makes the edges perfectly smooth and eliminates any imperfection: this way the slabs will have 90° angles and the contours will be even sharper, thus becoming invisible after installation.

Can you walk on tile you just grouted?

Grout Must Set and Cure

That usually takes between 48 and 72 hours. If you can avoid walking on your floor for that amount of time, that would be ideal. Once the grout is fully cured, you can walk on your new tile flooring with no concerns about damaging it or causing tile pieces to shift.

What tile will never go out of style?

Tiles in marble, limestone or terrazzo will never go out of style. These are the materials we consider to be the most classic and timeless.

Why do you have to wait 24 hours to grout?

In general, you need to wait 24 to 48 hours after installing tile before you can grout. Grouting too soon can cause many issues from tile damage to mold.

What is lippage?

Lippage is a situation referring to the difference in elevation between two adjacent tiles that are installed on the floor or wall¹. The larger the size of the tiles (length is more than 450mm), the higher possibility that they are not completely flat.

What is the recommended grout lines?

For standard patterns like offset or straight set, we recommend a 3/16” grout joint size. If you'd like a tighter install,1/8" is the absolute minimum size we suggest. However, if you want to install a more intricate pattern like parquet or herringbone, you may have to use a larger grout line.

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