All tile requires grout. Or else something else WILL fill the inevitable spaces between the tiles. That could be the cloud of baby powder, or the exploding shampoo from the dropped bottle, or the toothpaste flecks for when you’re trying to multitask tooth brushing and schedule coordination for the kids.

Unsanded grout, with a prior grout release coating applied on the MOP, will be a good idea.

I’m trying to post a photo.

I have some concerns with this install. The sheet lines are pretty visible. Please tell me that none of this is in a wet area!

Yes.. it is the back wall of the master bath, behind the sink. I am thinking that we will need to use grout... just wasn’t sure how it would look because the spaces are so small.

if sheet lines are visible now they may be more visible after grouting.

Jeffrey, is there another option or would you suggest just leaving it as is?

I would suggest contacting your installer and asking him if he finds the installation acceptable. This work would not be acceptable to a professional tile installer. It would not be acceptable work to me as a designer or homeowner. It’s either a 100% redo, or you see the sheet lines forever, no matter if you grout or not.

what she says.

Thank you both for your help!

I have no experience with this sort of tile. Can you tell me how the installer should have done it so that the sheets would not be showing in this way?

It looks like there is a slight bit of variation in the lengths of the "fingers" where the tile sheets go together, which is not totally unexpected. It would be very difficult for a tiler to make sure they were all at the perfect length so there would be zero gap. I am of the opinion that grout of a color that is close to the tile will make the gaps disappear. In any case, I don't really see you have a choice to not grout: if you don't, random crap will inevitably find its way into the crevices and show as unsightly, multi-colored, impossible-to-clean highlights where you should have grouted.

I would not be happy with the sheet lines. One way to make them blend in is to manually remove random tiles on adjacent sheets so you make it more like a puzzle piece and not a straight line. This takes a skilled and patient tile person, who charged you more for that level of installation.

Thanks Kudzu I hope you are right. I am going to have him make a sample board before he does the wall. He is a skilled installer and has done 2 other bathrooms perfectly. Chispa, would have been a great idea... hindsight! Thank you for your suggestions!

My concern is the result below. This one sticks in my head as a flaw that cost the builder many sales. Pretty sure I got one. The otherwise beautiful home had large expanses of this. $1.5 price range

Those tile should fit together without you being able to easily find the separation. THATS WHY YOU PAY A PREMIUM TO HAVE IT ON A MAT. If the material doesn't fit that way, it belongs in the $2 clearance pile at the big box that says NO RETURN.

Yikes Jeffrey, thanks. Definitely not what I’m going for.

I think you should post the in progress pictures of the other work that your tile guy has done. Often a more experienced eye can see more objectively. I would hate for him to have done similar work quality in more critical areas.

If he messed that up, he probably messed up other things. You really should examine his other work more closely. What waterproofing did he do in your wet areas?

While this wasn't MOP, the idea was similar in that they had to take out some of the edge tiles to make them fit correctly. It's a split face stone and there is no grout between the tiles. (A photo from my old condo.)

Cpartist, that’s beautiful!

"I have no experience with this sort of tile. Can you tell me how the installer should have done it so that the sheets would not be showing in this way?" m2dougherty great question.

There will be small random spaces between tiles as they are manufactured. If they don't interlock perfectly you will spend a month of Sundays shifting tiles. You could grout it except a minimum 1/16 joint is needed. Where tiles are butted together grout will just sit on the surface with nothing to hold it in place. Same reason I won't install sheet mounted river stones as some touch and will only leave a void beneath as grout can't be forced through. Creating a void below for mold on a shower floor. Install them one at a time and expect to get paid for it.

Many new tiles being produced nowadays without any thought as to installation method. It looks pretty and cost big $$$. Unfortunately the tile setter is the one taking all the risk. I don't like risk. Much easier to say no to the project and go on to the next one.

So to answer m2dougherty's question. Contact the manufacturer and follow their instructions if they have any if not don't take the job.

I am a homeowner looking to redo one of my bath rooms. I asked only because I have not looked at tile in a long time and am a little bewildered by all the fancy, complicated stuff I have seen in visitng two tile business. I would never attempt to do it myself. Very much appreciate the professional know how here as a guide to choosing what to do.

m2dougherty Use this link for questions to ask.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

Looks nice!