In today’s tile market, there is a vast array of tile products to meet the consumer’s needs and desires. However, just because a tile product is for sale on the shelf doesn’t mean that it is applicable to every job or design. Determining the suitability of a tile to a particular pattern needs to be determined before the installer is ready to begin his or her work.
The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook, under the heading of Grout Joint Size, Layouts, and Patterns – System Modularity (currently page 41), it states, “Nominal sizes only provide a general idea of tile size and cannot be relied upon as an indicator of size compatibility or pattern compatibility with other tiles having the same nominal size, including for tile from the same tile line. Grout joint sizing or patterns can only be determined based on actual tiles ready for installation.”