Why are movement joints needed?
Today, Contract Flooring Magazine Online together with Schlüter®-Systems starts an in-depth series looking at movement joints – why they’re needed, where they’re needed, and the technical aspects that have to be considered regarding their installation. Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schlüter®-Systems, explains that a ceramic or stone covering can be compared to a sheet of glass, in that each is rigid by nature. Movement joints must be installed in certain areas and positions to prevent tiles or grout from cracking… and in some cases prevent the tiles from tenting and becoming debonded from the substrate. A movement joint is the interruption of the surface to allow for movement. Common terms are: • Movement joints • Expansion joint • Stress relieving joint They are needed because all tiles expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes. In almost every case the substrate will move differently to the covering material. The larger the tile field, the more it will expand an
Today, Contract Flooring Magazine Online together with Schlüter®-Systems starts an in-depth series looking at movement joints – why they’re needed, where they’re needed, and the technical aspects that have to be considered regarding their installation. Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schlüter®-Systems, explains that a ceramic or stone covering can be compared to a sheet of glass, in that each is rigid by nature. Movement joints must be installed in certain areas and positions to prevent tiles or grout from cracking… and in some cases prevent the tiles from tenting and becoming debonded from the substrate. A movement joint is the interruption of the surface to allow for movement. Common terms are: • Movement joints • Expansion joint • Stress relieving joint They are needed because all tiles expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes. In almost every case the substrate will move differently to the covering material. The larger the tile field, the more it will expand an
