What Sort of Floor Would Have Grout Flush with The Tile/Surface

tebbybabes on 13/05/2016 - 13:57

Hello all, I'm wondering whether any Ozbargainer might be able to answer a question I have about floors.

All the houses I've lived in have either had tile or carpeted floors. We actually perfer the tile because of ease of maintenance and we just like how clean it looks. The one thing that bothers us is the grout lines. Not so much that they get dirty because I can manage to clean them just fine, and no, the lines themselves don't bother us at all. It's more of the fact that the grout lines aren't flush with the tile. Thus when sliding stuff on the floor, the edges of the tile can catch.

Now the main question I have is, what are the kind of floors that some malls have? I mean, I've seen tiles or some with manufactured stone(?) - main point being they still have grout lines, but these grout lines are pretty much flush with the rest of the floor.

I've tried to google it, but not knowing what it's called or even how to describe it very well, I've hit a wall. Maybe some of you folks would have an idea?

Home & Garden

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nocure on 13/05/2016 - 14:36

Stone tiles are generally layed with very small grout line.
JimB on 13/05/2016 - 14:41

+1

You want porcelain rectified tiles which have been cut so the edges are sharp (not cut yourself sharp but no edge on them).

You can then grout it flush to the tiles.

However, floorboards > tiles.
- tebbybabes on 14/05/2016 - 12:07
  
  Yep, rectified tiles came up in my googling. Thanks. Also, when you said floorboards > tiles were you giving your opinion or are they inherently better?
  
  Personally, we like the fact that tiles are pretty much bomb proof (against furniture, pets, kids, etc.) and clean up so well, and so far maintenance free. Am I missing something with regards to floorboards?
  - JimB on 16/05/2016 - 10:01
    
    +1
    
    IMO tiles are cold (on feet and to look at) in a living area.
    - tebbybabes on 16/05/2016 - 11:13
      
      ahh, got it.
inherentchoice on 13/05/2016 - 14:43

I think it's called terrazzo flooring?

https://youtu.be/VHfev4H3AWM

Polished concrete may be an option too. May give your room a bit of an industrial feel but I saw them do it on a TV reno show. I think you can get all different types, and they add stuff into the concrete for different finishes.

http://www.boral.com.au/productcatalogue/CategoryDirect.aspx…
- tebbybabes on 14/05/2016 - 12:04
  
  Thanks for the links. I am actually looking into this whole polished colored concrete thing. It seems like they can get them to look amazing.
airzone on 13/05/2016 - 15:20

My inlaws have a polished marble floor. When it's done well it's great (like theirs). Anything less and it's an eyesore. You can polish out imperfections in the initial installation with stone, but not with porcelain tiles.
PVA on 13/05/2016 - 17:57

porcelain tiles.
in the shopping centras they are then polished and ground, you wont do that at home.
gooddealmate on 13/05/2016 - 19:20

+4

Tiler here, yes the shopping centre floors you mentioned are usually made from Terrazzo floor tiles which are grouted with an epoxy grout then polished down afterwards giving a smooth, flush joint.

As mentioned above, the closest you'll get to a full grout joint at home is by using a rectified edge tile (which holds the grout in the joint better) and a very small grout joint (typically 1-1.5mm). Bear in mind that some tilers won't want to lay tiles with this thin a grout joint due to the fact that it is less than the minimum 3mm required by Australian Standards, can become problematic when tiles are not a consistent size (which can often happen) and the fact that there is less allowance for natural movement.

Technique is also very important. A dryer mix, allowing it to set in the joint a little longer before washing off and using a soft slow sponge-off with little water on a 45 degree angle to the grout joints will get a flusher finish.

Also, you mention about sliding objects across your floor. If, for example, you mean a bucket or paint tin, it should slide across the floor well regardless of whether the grout joints are full or not. If it isn't then you have lippage in your floors causing the tile to get caught on the next protruding tile.
- tebbybabes on 14/05/2016 - 12:04
  
  Thanks for all that info. I think that lippage problem is exactly what I have. It can get pretty annoying.
  
  We really don't mind how thick the grout lines are at all.
tebbybabes on 14/05/2016 - 12:02

Thanks so much, folks! It's all been a huge eye-opener. I'm so glad I asked here.

Now I understand that having that flush joint that I see in malls is probably a no-go. LOL.
captobvious on 15/05/2016 - 17:00

Seemless poured resin flooring. Looks great. No grout. Edge to edge. Looks luxurious. A few of my clients have been requesting this over tiling.

If you dont like grout lines this would be the floor for you.
tebbybabes on 15/05/2016 - 19:19

I just looked it up, it certainly seems very very posh. I wonder how it will compare, cost-wise, to the polished concrete stuff.
Pumpkin_rrr on 16/05/2016 - 10:07

I agree with JB, tiles are cold both in temperature and looks, and also hard on your feet especially if you have older persons or bad bed. They are very echo'y. I wont say it's bomb proof because once you have one chipped tile, it looks pretty yucky, depending on the location. They are costlier to construct, which will affect the decision to change in future…
For fornal lounge I much prefer carpet for the looks and quietness. Otherwise I'd go for timber or at least laminate.
- tebbybabes on 16/05/2016 - 11:15
  
  Hmmm, I understand where you and JB1 are coming from. I didn't realise that they're much dearer to install. But I suppose lasting forever goes both ways. :)
  - Pumpkin_rrr on 16/05/2016 - 11:26
    
    +1
    
    I dont want my handbags and shoes to last forever;
    I want to have new season ones all the time Mwahaha

What Sort of Floor Would Have Grout Flush with The Tile/Surface

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