Are there advantages to avoiding the Twitter Bootstrap grid system?

I implement websites using Bootstrap 3. Our front end developer is of the opinion that it is best to avoid using the grid system classes and control the positioning of elements from the css.

I don't understand this statement - Bootstrap is css. How much of it you use is up to you.

The grid system was originally meant for rapid prototyping and not for live sites

No the grid system is to facilitate a responsive layout - one that adapts dynamically to the screen size it is on.

There is less clutter in the HTML

This is pretty subjective - it is entirely dependent on the site in question.

You can control the precise positioning from the style sheets

What does precise positioning mean - to the pixel? Great when you want a pixel perfect render of a design but falls off the bus when you move to mobile.

We live in a mobile first world - mobile is the predominant point of access in many cases. Google is now optimising searches based on a sites mobile readiness.

Yes you can create a very nice render of a designed page with "positioning" but you can forget about responsiveness.

Responsiveness means a tradeoff - you go with a fluid design to accommodate the devices your clients will be using.

The comments above seem to indicate that a lack of understanding about what a responsive (mobile first) site is all about and why frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation are important to achieving this.

Thanks for your comments Julian. One of the main reasons for posting this is to decide whether to continue with our current approach or embrace the grid classes.

Regarding responsiveness, the sites we have created using Bootstrap without the grid classes are indeed responsive. We still use the Bootstrap screen sizes of xs, sm, md and lg. We make use of the media queries in the css to correctly position elements for all devices including mobile. We don't have a problem with this.

Just to clear up a one of your points:

"I don't understand this statement - Bootstrap is css. How much of it you use is up to you."

I simply meant that instead of referencing the column classes in the HTML, we would do the equivalent within the css.

Thanks Julian, I really value your feedback. I am starting to reconsider my position.

I'll hang on a little longer to receive further feedback.

Thanks for this. I am satisfied that there is no reasonable case to avoid using the grid classes.

You are welcome - good luck with it.