Skip to Content

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Tile Installation 101: What Size Grout Line for 12×24 Tile

Tiles are as attractive as they are functional. They provide enhanced surface protection in any area of the house while making the floors look great. They play a significant role in the design of the home interior, crafting an aura that helps you see and feel what living spaces should be like.

It’s easy to receive knowledge about tiling through the internet and its endless supply of information and facts. We are here today to help you understand what the recommended grout line size for a 12×24 tile is. Tiling is a tricky process, but you will not have to go through it alone as we have got your back. So, let’s dive right into this DIY tiling project! We will also answer a few of your questions you may wonder:

  • What grout line options are available for 12×24 tile?
  • How big should my grout lines be?

Recommended Grout Line Size For a 12×24 Tile

In every modern home, an increasingly popular feature of their floors includes large tiles like the 12×24 inches tiles. They are used for both floors and walls, adding to the design factor.

Another advantage is that it efficiently fills up the space required. This, in turn, helps you use fewer tiles as you will need fewer tile pieces as compared to smaller tiles.

It is best suited for 12×24 tiles to be fixed on either walls or floors, as fewer grout lines are needed due to their large size.

This means you need not clean or maintain the tiles as much as required when using smaller tiles. They also have a fashionable look due to their size, providing rooms with a larger appearance than they are.

3/16”

3/16” is well recommended for large format tiles like 12×24. This grout line is thicker than others and will help differentiate natural sizes. If there are any damaged tiles, the grout will strew itself among the imperfect edges perfectly, establishing a new type of design.

An advantage to using 3/16” grout lines is that you use fewer tiles due to the thick lines in between taking up the space. However, the tiles must be rectified for the grout lines to work at their best.

1/8”

A 1/8” sized grout line is used for rectified tiles with a precisely cut edge that is sharp. If a tile has rectified edges, it allows the use of smaller grout lines due to the clear-cut edges of the tile. There is less need for spacing between each tile piece, giving the room a cleaner look.

However, it cannot be used on handmade tiles. Using a 1/8” will provide a tighter look and allow the patterns on the tiles to appear to flow between one tile and the next nicely.

1/16”

The 1/16” grout line is recommended for your tiles to look good with small margins between them for adjustments. Although they are known to be hard to ace because if the colors you use do not correspond to each other, it will be pretty noticeable using this grout line.

It will be harder to hide your mistakes if you do not seek professional help with the 1/16” line. But, if you do it well, the spacing will look straight and make the floors or walls look great.

Grout LinesProsCons
3/16”thick lines require more space & fewer tilesdo not work well with non-rectified tiles
1/8”provides a tighter and cleaner lookcannot be used on handmade tiles
1/16”spacing is straight & looks good when similar colors are usedis hard to ace & hide mistakes
what size grout line for 12×24 tile

Things To Consider While Picking a Grout Size

Tiles vary in various things, from size to material. Some tile formats are more prominent, and some are thicker. So, you must consider the tile size when choosing a grout line that will be suitable for these tiles.

The closer you fix the tiles together, the size of the spaces in which they are settled is also evident, and they look smaller.

Larger tiles like 12×24 need larger grout lines due to the exact nature of their installation and less noticeable appearance. Once you’ve decided on what grout line to use, you must consider the space where you’d like to install the tiles.

Larger grout lines provide more traction, so the angle of the surface should be well investigated. Flattened surfaces will reduce the chances of an uneven tile installation and also prevent cases of grout sloping from one tile to the other.

what size grout line for 12x24 tile
what size grout line for 12×24 tile

What Size Trowel Should I Use for 12×24 Tiles

Every tile needs a trowel, and the trowel size is dependent on the tile size. This also means it depends on how thick the tile is and what type of working surface you will fix it on. For tiles that are 12×24 inches, it is required for you to use a trowel that is square-notched with a notch that is ¼” by ½” or ½” by ½.” Notch sizes determine where the mortar falls so they are essential for tile installation and pressing the tiles down.

What Is the Thinnest Grout Line Used for 12×24 Tiles

1/8-inch grout lines are very thin lines that you use for grout. The thinnest grout lines are less than 1/8” and are only used on rectified tiles with clear cut & sharp edges. These types of tiles are well-defined and will fit perfectly on the surface, looking uniform.

Wrapping Up – What Size Grout Line for 12×24 Tile

Grout lines may be too tight or too broad, and this may cause an issue with the tiles themselves, as they may chip. However, you might have understood tighter grout lines bring about more differences in your tiles.

To make them look less sloppy, you can pick larger grout lines that work best for handmade tiles. It is a make-it-or-break-it situation, and if you cannot correctly install it, you may lose your chance to display a gorgeous tiled floor. Instead, you will see grid lines filled with more grout than tiles. So, be careful with your choices and ensure you know what you’re doing.

Recommended Reading

https://shawfloors.com/flooring/how-to/tile-and-stone/look-feel/grout-line-width