Is there anyone out there who can help me with a flooring issue? I am finishing a bathroom floor that is rather large for a bathroom. I don’t want to tile the entire floor. I have a batch of birch flooring kicking around that I want to use as well. so here’s the question…Can I combine the two products (tile and wood) in this floor (one half of the floor in tile then one half in wood) without having a problem with the expansion and contraction of the wood due to humidity that occurs throughout the course of the year?
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Yes and no. You need to allow for a couiple of things: difference in thickness of the wood & tile, and expansion of the wood in a humid environment. Custom brand makes grout caulk that matches the colors of their grout, and you can get it in sanded or unsanded. Leave out the grout in the joint between the tile & wood, and fill it with the caulk which will allow some room for movement. Tile stores that sell Custom thinset and grout usually stock the caulk.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
I have a picture (need to find it) that I saved of a wood/tile floor. It's a basic grid where the wood, which I believe was 4"+ was laid in a grid with 12" centers where the tiles were laid. I don't know how they matched the heights or if they did anything special to grout. The room was a wine cellar and had field stone walls so the floor looked very appropriate given the dark stain of the wood and earthy tones of the tile. I'm waiting until I have a room that fits and then I'm going to attempt the same approach.
Edited 2/16/2005 4:25 pm ET by Mojo
I just took a run downstairs to be sure- after about 3 years the joint between the southern yellow pine strip t&g floor and the area I did (about 3'x5') in tumbled slate tiles is still just fine. I've done it alot on jobs too. Be sure to cut a tongue in the wood flooring's accent frame ( I usually do a 2" frame around the area to be tiled) and seal with the rest of the wood fool before tiling. Then be sure when grouting to force the grout into the joint between the wood and tile where you cut the tongue, this locks the grout into the wood's tongue and under the tile. I'd do it this time of year when it's dry and contracted,too.