How to choose the right width of the gap between tiles on the terrace?

You often struggle with deciding what width of the gap between tiles on the terrace to choose.

That is why we decided to create this article and explain what a grout is and what properties should be taken into account when selecting it.

1. What is the gap between tiles?

The gap (joint), unlike glued terraces (at this link you will find the disadvantages of glued terraces, i.e. terraces installed using the traditional method), it is a deliberately left grout lines adjacent terrace tiles. It sets equal distances from one plate to another.

When constructing ventilated, i.e. raised, terraces, it is a very important element of the terrace. Thanks to it, water can flow freely to the lower parts of the terrace. If we had not made the grout line between tiles on the terrace, the rainwater would have blocked the drainage path. It would stay on the surface of the tiles.

2. How to choose the right width of the gap between tiles on the terrace?

When deciding to install a ventilated terrace, we must be aware of the gaps. It is obvious that there will be gaps between the tiles.

The width of the gap on the terrace is determined by a gap spacer. It is part of the terrace pedestal which creates an even gap between adjacent tiles.

Spacers (grout line) have been specially designed to systematically define a specific slot width. Thanks to them, each disc is placed evenly.

The spacing between adjacent tiles remains equal for the entire duration of the terrace. Gap spacers are not removable. They remain attached to the bracket.

Thanks to the gaps left, the water can flow freely into the following layers and then to the rainwater drainage points.

DD Pedestals adjustable plastic pedestals have specially designed gap spacers.

Terrace support pads for laying terrace tiles on gravel and all other permanent support pads have built-in 3 mm gap spacers. These are top-installed widths of board joints.

Additionally, you can install gap spacers with a width of 5 mm. They are attached to specially designated places. We illustrate it below on the example of a 2 mm support pads.

The terrace pedestals of the SPIRAL series have specially designed rotating discs. It is in the discs that the gap spacers are installed. And here we also choose the width of the spacers 3 mm or 5 mm.

With the difference that the leaves themselves are not changed or added, but the entire disk changes.

In the case of adjustable pedestals of the STANDARD and MAX series, the gap spacers are selected individually.

When doing an order, we choose whether the gap spacers should be 3 mm or 5 mm and we receive these with the order.

We can mount them directly in the top flange of the adjustable pedestals as well as in the self-leveling head. Of course, if we bought one.

3. How to determine the width of the gap between tiles on the terrace

The width of the gap between tiles on the terrace can be determined very quickly.

It is enough to attach the spacers of our choice to the designated place. And then start arranging the tiles in the places marked by these grout lines.

The width of the gap spacers on the terrace largely depends on the visuals.

However, there are many other aspects to consider:

• the amount of rainwater that will fall onto the terrace - it depends on the gaps whether the flow of water under the tiles will be efficient. Will it be enough. Such that water does not remain on the surface.
  A 3 mm gap is fully sufficient for rainwater to flow freely from the surface of the boards.
• kind and quality of the tiles. Are their edges straight enough for the 3 mm joint distance to be sufficient to evenly arrange all the tiles on the terrace. It may be necessary to use 5 mm wide leaves.
• in the case of permanent terrace pads, especially modular ones, the gap spacers  allow for separating the distance gap from the edge boundaries. For example, walls, balustrades, thresholds, etc. It is worth choosing the right width of the slot so that you will not have problems with the terrace in the future.
• a left gap greater than 5 mm may generate problems in the future. When walking on the terrace in high heels, they can fall into gaps and lead to unfortunate accidents. They can also fall into small elements such as: pens, small children's toys, cigarettes, etc.

Gap spacer are very small in size.

Installed in a very narrow slot (either 3 mm or 5 mm), they become invisible.

Their height is also small in relation to the thickness of the terrace rectified tiles.

In our offer you will also find K3 distance cross spacer.

In short, they can be described as 4 grout gap spacers combined into one element.

This solution significantly speeds up the work. We do not have to make 4 movements to attach 4 separate spacers and with one move we have 4 slots.

It is used for the installation of internal terrace ceramic rectified tiles.

The disadvantage of the cross spacer is that we will not use it at the edge of the terrace. There, by withdrawing the adjustable pedestals, it is not possible to use a full cross. Single gap spacers should be used.

So you can see for yourself that the installation of the gap spacers  is incredibly simple, fast and fun.

A small thing and the work accelerates unimaginably.

Without them, even intervals would not be possible. Although it could be done during assembly, the ceramic tiles would move and generate huge unevenness.

Thanks to the gap spacers, we gain an aesthetically made terrace.
A terrace with the same slots.