Is it preferable for tiles to be installed with open or closed grout joints?
With closed joint (or butt-jointed) installation, adjacent tiles are in contact. The thickness of the joint is minimal so it has a very low visual impact. Installation is quick since each tile placed in position provides an immediate reference for the subsequent tile. But this is where the advantages end. The risks (which correspond to the advantages of open joint installation) are certainly more significant. With closed joint installation, the tiled surface is more rigid and considerable mechanical stress can arise. This is particularly marked in external tiling exposed to high temperature variations, especially in certain climatic areas. These stresses can pose a risk to the integrity of the tiled surface. Furthermore, with closed joint installation it is much more difficult to ensure that the joints are straight and uniform. Every small difference between tiles, even if within the tolerances established by standards, is accentuated. With open joint installation the opposite is the c
