Installation Guide

MOVEMENT JOINTS 17
Every substrate presents unique challenges
MOVEMENT JOINTS
DISCUSSION
Movement joints are an integral part of any tile assembly. The various components of a tile
assembly (tile, mortar, substrate, etc.) have unique physical characteristics that affect
their behavior. Specifically, these components will expand and contract at different
rates, according to each component’s intrinsic physical properties, with changes
in moisture, temperature, and loading (both dead and live loads). This differential
expansion/contraction of attached components results in internal stresses.
Furthermore, structures that restrain overall expansion of the tile field (walls, columns,
etc.) cause stress buildup within the system. If the aforementioned movements
are not accommodated through the use of movement joints in the tile field and at
restraining structures, the resulting stresses can cause cracking of the grout and tile
and delamination of the tile from the substrate. Thus, movement joints are an essential
component of any durable tile assembly.
SOLUTIONS
Movement joints must be incorporated within the tile field, at doorsills, and at transitions
to walls and other restraining structures to allow movement of the assembly and prevent
stresses that can damage the system. Schluter
®
-Systems’ prefabricated movement joint
profiles protect tile edges and prevent sound bridges and surface water penetration,
resulting in a permanent, maintenance-free installation. The family of Schluter
®
-DILEX
prefabricated movement profiles includes a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to suit
different applications. Please see Schluter
®
-Systems’ Illustrated Price List and visit www.
schluter.com for more detailed information on DILEX movement profiles.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Association
of Canada (TTMAC) provide guidelines (EJ171 and 301MJ, respectively) for the
placement and construction of movement joints in and around the tile field. Schluter
®
-
Systems accepts these guidelines. However, given the increased use of larger tiles,
smaller grout joints, and lighter building materials, which are more susceptible to
movement, Schluter
®
-Systems recommends that movement joints within the tile field be
placed at more frequent intervals, as indicated below.
Guidelines for the placement of movement joints
Field size not to exceed 400 ft
2
(37.0 m
2
)
Interior applications: 16' - 20' (4.9 m - 6.1 m) in each direction
Interior areas exposed to direct sunlight, moisture, or heated floors: 12' - 16'
(3.7 m - 4.9 m) in each direction
Exterior: 8' - 12' (2.4 m - 3.7 m) in each direction
Place around the perimeter of any size floor and/or against all restraining surfaces
Fields should be as square as possible. The ratio between length and width should
not exceed 1:1.5.