b'TECH TALK that the tiles supplied will have cer- width depending on the manufactur- Even tainfl anddimensionaltol- ers recommendations instead of theatness eranceswithinaparticularrange.standard recommendation of 3/16 Since these standards allow for facialforpressedceramicsduetotheirMother dimension variations, the joint widthinherent size irregularities. With the needs to properly account for theserise in popularity of long porcelain variances so that grout joint center- planks,eventhoughtheedgesofNature linescanremainstraightthrough- such tiles may be rectifi ed and the out the application and adjacent tiletiles may not have any wedging, the modulesdonttouchatanypoint.wideningofthegroutjointwidth The joint width itself may narrow andmaybenecessarytoaddressanyCant widen throughout the application toinherentwarpagethatthoseprod-account for facial variations and fl ooructs tend to display along an edge fl thisbystatingthejointordiagonalduetotheirelongatedStopatness. ANSI A108.02 Section 4.3.8 addressesshapes. As such, it may actually be width shall be three times the actualbest to install some rectifi ed plank variation of the facial dimensions ofproducts with a 3/16 joint instead the tile supplied.thatisoftenof the generic industry recommen- CracksOnecriticalpointdationof1/8tohelphideany missed in ANSI A108.02 4.3.8.2 isinherentlippage.Inotherwords, the additional verbiage that recom- due to nuances of manufacturing of mends widening the joint of neces- certain product types, the manufac-sity past the standard recommenda- turers recommendations always pre-tiontoaccommodatethespecifi cvail over a generic industry guideline tile being installed. Without havingto achieve the best end result.NAC Membrane Systemstomeasureeachtile,itisalwaysThe fi nal layer that provides guid-besttoaccountforthemaximumanceinpropergroutjointwidthare Guaranteed Fracture Freeallowable tolerances whenever pos-sibleduringspecifi cation,whichMother Nature could learn something from NAC. Our surface wouldbeapproximately3/16forprotection systems for crack isolation, waterproofing, sound andpressed porcelain and ceramic tiles and approximately 1/8 for rectifi edmoisture control protect tile, stone and wood flooring from lateral products. This is just a general guide.substrate movement up to 3/8, are mold & mildew resistant, and In some instances the variations inexceed ANSI A118.10 and A118.12.making them the highest tiledimensionswillbeminimal,performing, longest lasting, most reliable on the market.whileinothercasestheymaybe riding the maximum tolerance limits or beyond. For example, glazed red- A larger grout joint is needed for tiles thatNAC PRODUCTSbodyceramicsaretypicallydevel-opedasabudget-friendlyproductdo not meet the rectifi ed requirements,Floor Protection Systems From The Ground Upandmayrequireupto1/4jointespecially in an offset pattern. 800.633.4NAC (6422) NACproducts.com80 TileLetter | November 2019'