Tile Gaps & Grouting – Should You Leave Space?

Tile Installation: Should You Leave Gap Between Tiles & Fill Grout?

When laying tiles, many people ask:

👉 “Tile vache jagya raakvi joi ke nai?”
👉 “Grout bharvu necessary chhe ke no?”
👉 “Joint line rakhvi ke tight-fit?”

Here is the clear, realistic, and professional answer…

⭐ Short Answer:

✔ Yes, you MUST leave a small gap between tiles

✔ Yes, you MUST fill it with grout

This is the correct method, recommended by all tile experts worldwide.

Let’s understand why.

⭐ 1. Why Should You Leave Gap Between Tiles?

✔ 1. Tiles Expand & Contract

Tiles expand slightly due to heat, cold, and moisture.
If there is no gap, tiles press against each other and this causes:

❌ Tile popping
❌ Corner cracking
❌ Bulging floor
❌ Uneven surface

✔ 2. Gap Prevents Tile Damage

A controlled gap keeps tiles safe even when they expand or shrink.

✔ 3. Proper Leveling & Straight Lines

Using tile spacers gives:

✔ Perfect alignment
✔ Professional straight lines
✔ Clean design

✔ 4. Better Bonding with Adhesive

A small gap allows tile adhesive and grout to settle properly.

⭐ 2. How Much Gap Should You Leave?

Tip:
Always use tile spacers for accurate gap.

⭐ 3. Why Grout Is Important?

Grout is not just for design — it has a technical purpose.

✔ 1. Prevents Water Leakage

Grout seals the gap so water cannot slip under the tile.

✔ 2. Prevents Dust & Insects

Open gaps without grout allow:

❌ Dust
❌ Dirt
❌ Small insects

to settle inside.

✔ 3. Gives Strength to Tile Edges

Grout holds tile edges together and reduces chipping.

✔ 4. Beautiful Finishing

Matching grout color gives:

✔ Smooth lines
✔ Neat look
✔ Premium finishing

⭐ 4. What Happens If You Don’t Leave Gap or Don’t Apply Grout?

❌ Tiles will press and break
❌ Hollow sound will come
❌ Tiles may pop out
❌ Uneven flooring
❌ Water leakage under tiles
❌ Shade variation becomes more visible
❌ Weak installation

Most tile failures happen due to no gap + no grout.

⭐ 5. Best Grout for Tiles

✔ Cement-based grout (normal areas)

✔ Epoxy grout (kitchen, bathroom, wet areas)

Epoxy is the strongest, stain-proof and waterproof.

⭐ 6. Should You Match Grout Color to Tile?

Yes!

For example:

White tile → White grout

Grey tile → Light grey grout

Beige marble tile → Cream grout

Matching color = premium look.

⭐ 7. Professional Recommendation

✔ Always leave 2–3 mm gap
✔ Always use tile spacers
✔ Always fill gaps with good-quality grout
✔ Never install tiles “tight-fit”

Tight-fit method is old, unsafe and leads to future damage.

Leaving a gap between tiles and filling it with grout is not optional — it is mandatory for:

✔ Strength
✔ Durability
✔ Waterproofing
✔ Alignment
✔ Professional finish
✔ Crack-free tiles

✨ Correct method = Gap + Spacer + Grout
This guarantees long-lasting and beautiful tile installation.