Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Aug 03, 2009 2:06 pm Hi, My builder has laid the tiles throughout our living area, however, there are 2 areas where silicone (or something similar) has been used as opposed to grout. This runs from one side of the wall to the other. Both are in high traffic areas, and after 1 day the silicone is already discoloured (I was advised it was easy just to grab a sponge and wipe it - but every day?!!). My question: is this normal? I was told that is was done to allow for movement / expansion with the tiles, but I thought if anything it would be done round the edges, or at least, not in a high traffic area. Can anyone shed some light on this? Many thanks. Re: Silicone in floor tiles 3Aug 03, 2009 2:23 pm Yes normally the perimeter, unless the floor area is large. Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: Silicone in floor tiles 4Aug 03, 2009 3:12 pm I have just moved in, so need to unpack the camera But I wouldn't have thought the floor space was large - my old house (almost 5 years old) was a larger tiled floor space and it didn't have any silicone instead of grout. This is the rough dimensions: Entry: 1.5m wide x 5m long One of the silicone places is at the end of this entry and just before the kitchen. Kitchen: 5.5m x 3m One of the silicone places is right at the start of the kitchen - just over from the first silicone place. Dining: 4m x 4m Little hallway: 2m x 1m Another little hallway: 1m x 1m All of this is flows into each other - one continuous floor - open plan. Hope this helps! Re: Silicone in floor tiles 7Aug 03, 2009 4:12 pm An update that also others may be interested in if they experience the same problem. I received some technical advice from Davco, and my floors were done correctly in line with the Standard: AS3958.1; however, where my expansion joints are in very obvious places, it doesn't have to be - so for instance, on this occasion if a little more thought was put into it, the expansion joints could perhaps have been put, for instance, near doorways. This is what Davco's literature also says in respect to the Standard AS3958.1: * Expansion Joints: In internal floors, not subjected to sunlight, where any dimensions exceed 9m * Expansion joints: internal floors, subjected to sunlight, where any dimensions exceed 6m He also said that, if for instance, your room is 5m but subject to heat, then a lineal expansion joint may be necessary - it all depends on one's tiles, room etc. These expansion joints should both be perimeter and lineal They make the room much easier to clean for one, reflect more light (if light colour tiles are used), and you dont end up with dust on the top edge of tiles (cause most… 3 7739 CDC Housing Code 3 When to apply Floor Area external face of wall vs Gross Floor Area internal face of wall. Reading thru CDC Housing Code 3, lets take a lot 915sqm.… 0 11673 isn't a garage level with the rest of the house a given? pretty sure they 'came around' long time ago. if you have a flat block, the garage is usually level with the rest… 1 13364 |