grout between bevelled edges of granite tiles?

Hi Everyone,

I hit enter and my message disappeared. Here goes again. Hope you can help my tiling neurosis.

I used 1/16 spacers between 12x12 granite tiles and was pretty happy until I grouted. The size and angle of the bevelled edges are not uniform, so when grout is filled it, the spacing is at least 3/16, much wider at the tile corners where the bevel is greatest. I was having 10:30 meltdown last night.

Should the spacing between the bevelled edges be grouted, or should grout only be filled up to the bottom of the "V" formed by the bevelled edges? If the bevel is ungrouted, I would have narrow and uniform lines but I would have grout valleys. Which is the norm?

Thanks!

You want the grout to be as flush with the top of that tile as possible, when you wipe the grout the first time it will pull back some of the grout, The key is uniformity. I have never seen a granite with a 1/16 bevel. I'm not looking at a piece but I believe the bevels are closer to 1/32 maybe smaller.

The bevels are generally very uniform and it is the manner in which the grout is cleaned that would cause the variations. There are no rules that say the grout can't be cleaned out to the base of the bevel. The grout doesn't have to be to the surface unless that's the look you want but you lose the bevel in the process. The slight depression doesn't hurt a thing if the grout is cleaned to the bottom of the bevel.

Thank you both for your help!
Unfortunately, the bevel is not uniform on these tiles, and some towards the corner the bevel is larger. It would be good if they are uniform at 1/32.

I'm not good with decisions: it's either larger grout lines that are not of uniform width but flush, or more uniform lines with depression between 1/32 - 1/16 - either choice has its con.

Which would you go for?

If you fill the grout to the top, the joint will obviously look wider tthan the 1/16 space you used. It will look more like 1/16" if you go below the bevel. Try a small area both ways and see what looks best to your eye. The color of the grout and how it compares/contrasts to the color of the tile will also affect your decision.

Sometimes the bevel is applied by a combination of hand and machine. If the person lifts the tile to soon it will be tilted and could cause the situation you described. Or sometimes the guy is drunk.