Grouting between VINYL tiles: discuss

[Gerrydelasel]

Today I came across the concept of laying vinyl floor tiles and then grouting between them.
http://www.gracegumption.com/diy-herringbone-peel-n-stick-tile-floor/

This opens up some interesting possbilities for me to cut out my own tiles and make interesting Victorian patterns for my hall floor, without the expense, effort, and wooden sub-floor difficulty of real tiles.
But is this really a viable idea? The tiles in the article are apprently advertised specfically as groutable, but what is is the likely difference from regular vinyl? She swears blind the floor is holding up OK after 2 years, even with the very thin grout.
I'm guessing no one here has actually tried to do this (?), but I'd still love to hear thoughts on the prospect. I happen to like vinyl, but the lack of decent designs frustrates me.

EDIT: Some more found info. This insists on acrylic grout:
http://vinyltilesquares.com/installing-vinyl-tiles-with-grout/
But this DIYer used regular grout?!
http://www.addicted2decorating.com/five-reasons-i-love-groutable-self-adhesive-vinyl-floor-tile.html

 

[vinn]

I'd never heard of this before now.
It strikes me as a foolish innovation that will cause wholly unnecessary problems.
Are there fitters out there who guarantee this method?

 

[geraldthehamster]

It seems to me that the grout is hard, and the vinyl tile is softer and will compress. Therefore over time the grout will crack and come out. But that's only a guess.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Gerrydelasel]

Indeed. I guess that's why the second link specifies acrylic grout, whatever that is.

 

[geraldthehamster]

Indeed. I guess that's why the second link specifies acrylic grout, whatever that is.

Ah OK, that's sold specifically as a vinyl tile grout, so I guess it's not grout as we know it

 

[geraldthehamster]

I still find myself wondering how easy it would be to remove once it's turned to ratsh1t

 

[Gerrydelasel]

I still find myself wondering how easy it would be to remove once it's turned to ratsh1t

I suspect not much worse than regular vinyl, and a lot easier than ceramic tiles!

 

[geraldthehamster]

I suspect not much worse than regular vinyl, and a lot easier than ceramic tiles!

True. Although I suspect I'd have less reason to want to take up ceramic tiles.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Gerrydelasel]

I wonder if acrylic sealant would work as an alternative to 'acrylic grout' (which seems to be very rare in this country). Hmm...

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I suspect it would get fairly grubby quite quickly - being soft wouldn't dirt walked in off the street be an issue in an entrance hall?

 

[Gerrydelasel]

I suspect it would get fairly grubby quite quickly - being soft wouldn't dirt walked in off the street be an issue in an entrance hall?

True, although you might not notice on black 'grout'.

 

[Gerrydelasel]

I'm turning this thread into a personal library resource on the concept of grouting vinyl tiles. Here's another example:
http://www.magentaandlime.net/2013/03/grouted-vinyl-tile.html

 

[vinn]

The reference you give above is for a DIY installation.
Good luck to the DIY'ers but how could a professional fitter give a guarantee of any kind?
Another thing is it might work as a layout in a small bathroom but imagine laying larger areas this way - it just wouldn't work.
I would also imagine that Armstrong would run a mile from such a use of their vinyl tiles.