Please settle an argument. Which would you use?

itsanne

I'm not sure if this should go in the DIY forum, but it's not actually the DIY aspect needed. I think one thing, OH the other so we've not done either for a year!

New kitchen, tiling completed (tiling after units fitted, as advised).
Should it be grout or silicone where the tiles and units / door frames meet?

If silicone, clear or white? Grout would be white as that is what the rest is.

Thanks in anticipation.

aileth

Our kitchen has white silicone where the tiles meet the units and door frame. We didn't choose this, our house is newbuild and that's what they've done, so whether it's right or not I can't say. Good luck

Lara44

We cut the tiles nicely and simply grouted up to the cabinet bases and sides. They were white tiles with white grout which makes them even more unobtrusive. As we are DIYers it makes for a neater finish, although maybe if you were a silicone whizz kid using a shaping tool it might look good too.

itsanne

I knew it - 2 replies, with opposite views!

You can see why we've procrastinated, oops delayed.

aileth

I'd take Lara's view to be honest! The fellas that did the tiling in our house were rather pitiful. They didn't seat the bath correctly with tiling so we have had major leaks and caused some right damage to the living room ceiling! Kitchen seems fine but who knows...

Fluff15

I work for a building company and one of the guys just said you should use silicone where two different materials meet, or at two different planes. For all other circumstances, use grout. So I think you'll need silicone! If the grout is white, I'd just use white silicone too.

Edited to add: he just said that's because silicone is more flexible, and is more suitable for when surfaces change planes or different materials as it won't crack (like grout would) if there's any movement.

itsanne

Lara44 wrote: »

if you were a silicone whizz kid using a shaping tool it might look good too.

:rotfl::rotfl:

I wish! I very carefully (and slowly) use electricians tape (thinner than masking tape) to mask everything, so I can now manage a quite good job but I HATE silicone. OH does the tiling while I am the general dogsbody and cleaner, I do the grouting / siliconing while he is the dogsbody, mixes the grout etc.

Liking or disliking silicone is irrelevant to the question, by the way.

clearing_out_my_pockets

Fluff15 wrote: »

I work for a building company and one of the guys just said you should use silicone where two different materials meet, or at two different planes. For all other circumstances, use grout. So I think you'll need silicone! If the grout is white, I'd just use white silicone too.

Edited to add: he just said that's because silicone is more flexible, and is more suitable for when surfaces change planes or different materials as it won't crack (like grout would) if there's any movement.

I work in construction too and second this - silicone is more flexible and allows for a bit of movement and 'shrinkage'

CupOfChai

Thirded. Use white silicone.

itsanne

Thanks for your input, everyone.

Looks like it's silicone - my favourite thing. Just need to convince OH now. Bet that way round surprises you!

Still unsure about white or clear. The units are wood and the tiles are mostly beige with white grout. I wonder if white silicone would stand out a bit around the units but we have already used white silicone in the corners. Lara, we were careful with the tiles - oh the joys of being perfectionists.

We're visiting my mother tomorrow and will have another look at her kitchen with its clear silicone. Other thoughts re colour appreciated.

Shelldean

white silicone and shaped with a wet finger, no need for tools