Tile Grouts and Expansion Joints

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
1 LU/HSW

The performance and longevity of any tile installation depend on choosing the right grout, designing effective joints, and maintaining the assembly over time. Explore the grout categories defined in ANSI A118 standards, including Standard Cement, High Performance, Epoxy, and Premixed Grouts. Each type offers distinct characteristics that affect color consistency, cleanability, abrasion resistance, and durability. We’ll also look at how grout selection influences both performance and aesthetics, from color choice and joint width to alignment and layout. Learn the expansion joint requirements outlined by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), including best practices for spacing, perimeter detailing, and movement accommodation. Finally, review recommended maintenance procedures, from initial cleaning and grout haze removal to sealer application and routine care, to ensure lasting performance, safety, and visual appeal.

 Learning Objectives:

  • Identify grout types in ANSI A118 and explain how proper selection prevents moisture issues and supports occupant health and safety.
  • Discuss how grout selection, color, and joint width impact the performance, appearance, and long-term serviceability of tile systems.
  • Explain how correctly detailed expansion joints prevent cracking and trip hazards while maintaining tile stability.
  • Describe cleaning and maintenance practices that improve indoor health, reduce slip risks, and extend system durability.

About the Speaker

Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Scott Conwell-2

For the past 3 decades, Scott has dedicated his career to educating design professionals on best design and construction practices in masonry, stone, tile, and terrazzo. He has presented over 1000 AIA-registered seminars in the U.S. and abroad. Scott has written dozens of technical articles for trade journals like Construction Specifier, Licensed Architect, BAC Journal, and 093000 Contractor, where he has a quarterly column. In recognition of his educational contributions to the national design community, Scott was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in 2015, and a Fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute (FCSI) in 2018.

Scott leads IMI’s tile, marble, and terrazzo industry development program. He sits on the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook committee, the ANSI committee for tile standards, and is a founding member and advisor to the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) committee. He has organized IMI’s national series of multi-city tile, marble, and terrazzo educational conferences and workshops with the participation of top material suppliers and other tile industry organizations, helping designers navigate the changing world of tile standards and installation practices. In recognition of his work, in 2021, Scott was bestowed the Carl V. Cesery Award for Service to the Ceramic Tile Industry by the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA).

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