Your outdoor tiles expand and contract over time, in much the same way that other building materials do. These movements can have drastic effects on your home structure, though. If you don’t leave your tiles room to grow and expand, it could lead to entire installations being destroyed. That’s where expansion joints come in.
What are expansion joints?
These refer to spaces in between tiles filled with a flexible sealant instead of grout, The Spruce says. The sealant is typically weather-resistant and essentially provides outdoor tiles the space to expand or move. If you’re putting in expansion joints in areas with plenty of traffic, you’ll need to make sure you pick a sealant that’s going to be sturdy and strong enough to hold up to all that pressure.
Why buy expansion joints?
If you don’t use expansion joints, your building materials may crack or pop themselves off the concrete slab. You could end up with a ruined installation or structure. That’s going to mean a lot of problems and costs down the road. By installing driveway caulking expansion joints, you’re making a sound preventive measure.
Where to put the joints?
It’s essential that you pick the right location for the expansion joints. Placement matters. If you’re putting in outdoor tiles, then conventional wisdom states the need for an expansion joint every 8 feet to 12 feet, in each direction. However, it’s best that you stay on the safe side of things by using the smaller measurement instead of going for distances of 12 feet.
Where to shop for expansion joints?
Check out reputable brands and distributors for driveway caulking expansion joints. Make sure the brand has a reliable reputation in the business. To know more, read through reviews about the brand and company along with its services and products online.
