Where tile movement joints go — perimeter and field spacing (TCNA EJ171)

Per TCNA EJ171: a soft caulk joint around the whole perimeter and at every change of plane, plus field joints every ~20–25 ft indoors (8–12 ft in sun) and over every slab control joint.

A floor plan of a tiled room marking where movement (expansion) joints belong. A soft joint of caulk or sealant runs the entire perimeter where tile meets walls, cabinets, and columns, and interior field joints break the floor into sections roughly every 20 to 25 feet indoors (8 to 12 feet outdoors or in direct sun). Movement joints are also required over every control joint in the slab, at every change of plane, and where tile meets a different material. Grout is rigid and cracks if the assembly cannot expand; these soft joints absorb the movement instead. — Source: TCNA Handbook EJ171 (movement-joint guidelines)

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A floor plan of a tiled room marking where movement (expansion) joints belong. A soft joint of caulk or sealant runs the entire perimeter where tile meets walls, cabinets, and columns, and interior field joints break the floor into sections roughly every 20 to 25 feet indoors (8 to 12 feet outdoors or in direct sun). Movement joints are also required over every control joint in the slab, at every change of plane, and where tile meets a different material. Grout is rigid and cracks if the assembly cannot expand; these soft joints absorb the movement instead.

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