Any tiliing experts here?

[..]

I had to have tile laid to replace some warped bamboo flooring. Job finished Dec 23rd.

The tiles are 8" x 48" and rectified "square edged".

I'm saying the grout  should be level with the tiles.

Here's the result.
http://s198.photobucket.com/user/britman45_photo/slideshow/BMS%20Tile%20grout

It's an epoxy grout so more can be added without having to remove the old grout.

[Bighead]

No expert here but no the grout should not be level with he tiles. When cleaning he grout off the tiles while still wet you use a sponge and it naturally drags a bit of the grout out of the line. Look at any tile anywhere and the grout will always be lower than the tile. Also. The reason it is more noticable on that tile is because of the square edge. Most tile has a slightly tapered edge making it not "AS" noticable but is still lower than the tile surface.

[Patrick]

The square  edge is to give a more rustic look which is what you have. That said, there are spots that are more rustic than others. If it was more consistent I'd say it was fine unless you had made it clear to the installer just what you wanted. i wouldn't be happy because of the inconsistency and can probably be redone without issue. But then inconsistence is rustic.

[Hook#3287]

But then inconsistence is rustic.

That's what we in the residential construction business call "Character"

What Bighead and Patrick state is correct and the only thing I would add is the grout guy could have used more grout and not used as much pressure when sponging.

[f6john]

Expert is a strong term, but I made a good deal of income over 20 years as a tile setter. So let's say that this is my opinion based on observing your pics on my IPhone. For the size and style of tile I would have strongly suggested a narrow grout line, no more than an 1/8" width. It appears that there may be some "high corners" made when the tile was set. If so, it's almost impossible not to have grout issues. Not always the tile setters fault as the substrate must be perfectly flat to set a tile this size and not run into high spots in the subfloor. At this point, I guess trying to add more grout is the only "fix" or leave it alone. When I was doing a job I would discuss the issues before and during the installation. Tile jobs from the sixties on back were usually set on a solid mortar bed that was floated out level. Thin set mortar used today is not a leveling agent and few if any subfloors are level enough for a truly perfect installation of a 8 x 48 tile.

[..]

Expert is a strong term, but I made a good deal of income over 20 years as a tile setter. So let's say that this is my opinion based on observing your pics on my IPhone. For the size and style of tile I would have strongly suggested a narrow grout line, no more than an 1/8" width. It appears that there may be some "high corners" made when the tile was set. If so, it's almost impossible not to have grout issues. Not always the tile setters fault as the substrate must be perfectly flat to set a tile this size and not run into high spots in the subfloor. At this point, I guess trying to add more grout is the only "fix" or leave it alone. When I was doing a job I would discuss the issues before and during the installation. Tile jobs from the sixties on back were usually set on a solid mortar bed that was floated out level. Thin set mortar used today is not a leveling agent and few if any subfloors are level enough for a truly perfect installation of a 8 x 48 tile.

They did try to level the floor (old slab form 1978) but the main disaster recover HA-HA company pressured them to be finished Friday so I would be back in my house for Christmas.

The tile layers told me that 3/16 was the best width for grout.

[..]

But then inconsistence is rustic.

That's what we in the residential construction business call "Character"

What Bighead and Patrick state is correct and the only thing I would add is the grout guy could have used more grout and not used as much pressure when sponging.

Yep then it would have ended up more level with the tile.

[..]

The square  edge is to give a more rustic look which is what you have. That said, there are spots that are more rustic than others. If it was more consistent I'd say it was fine unless you had made it clear to the installer just what you wanted. i wouldn't be happy because of the inconsistency and can probably be redone without issue. But then inconsistence is rustic.

 

I mentioned the grout depth to the sub contractor and the disaster recovery HA-HA company project manager. My concerns fell on deaf ears.

The choice of tile and grout color was to get a visually seamless look.

[cookiedough]

I think it looks o.k., but grout I believe is not suppose to be level with the tile as said but pretty close,  would be nicer to not catch as much gunk in the grooves over the years.

Less gap would be nicer as well but that cannot be undone though unfortunately.   Add more grout to a few sections and see what it looks like to see if worth to do it on all of them or not?

 

[Jess from VA]

Looks OK to me.

But how many coats of sealer will they put down for you, and have fun doing that every so often.

Tile looks nice when new, but it's all downhill after that.

[..]

The square  edge is to give a more rustic look which is what you have. That said, there are spots that are more rustic than others. If it was more consistent I'd say it was fine unless you had made it clear to the installer just what you wanted. i wouldn't be happy because of the inconsistency and can probably be redone without issue. But then inconsistence is rustic.

I told the guy doing the grouting. I told his employer. I told the disaster recovery HA-HA project manager.

[..]

Looks OK to me.

But how many coats of sealer will they put down for you, and have fun doing that every so often.

Tile looks nice when new, but it's all downhill after that.

No sealer needed on the grout. I'm told because it's epoxy grout no sealer.

http://www.mapeihome.com/kerapoxy-cq-so#categoryID=54

[Hooter]

The grout is supposed to be uinform throughout the entire job. Just a hair below the edge of each tile. My dad did this for 30 years and I've done the same as a second job working with my dad most of my adult life. I'm by no means an expert but I guess I'm one that says this isn't right.