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Joint-free installation ?
Joint-free installation : strictly speaking, it is prohibited according to the DTU (Technical Standards for Building Works)!
Lack of grout is prohibited according to the DTU (Unified Technical Document), which serves as the French specification defining rules in the building industry. This prohibition is primarily due to long-term risks. Tiles expand and contract with temperature changes, which could lead to them cracking or breaking if installed without grout. The exact wording is: "Installation with zero grout is prohibited."
Grout also serves as a sealant, especially outdoors, and prevents dirt from embedding deeply, making it difficult to clean later.
For regulatory compliance, durability over time, and ease of maintenance, we always recommend grouting.
However, we understand the desire for minimal and refined joints. You can adjust your choice of finish to accommodate this preference. Nonetheless, the DTU specifies the minimum joint width for bonded installation (DTU 52.2 for bonded installation): 2 millimeters indoors and 5 millimeters outdoors for flooring. For bonded wall coverings, it's 2 millimeters indoors and 4 millimeters outdoors.
Rectified paving to minimize joint size
Our honed or brushed straight-edge paving allows for minimizing joint sizes, as our slab cuts are perfectly straight. In ceramic tiling, particularly Italian ceramics, this is referred to as rectified tiling.
The choice of grout can also influence this : for interior spaces without underfloor heating where you prefer fine joints, consider using fine bathroom-type grouts like Mapei rather than sandy joints.
Certain finishes do not support narrow joints, such as those with aged or chipped edges: Antique Finish, Monastery, Old Burgundy Slabs, etc.
For more details on our finishes, please visit our page showcasing these flooring finishes.
