Large Format Tile – Options As Far As The Eye Can See

LARGE FORMAT TILE – FLAWLESS BEAUTY

Large format tile ranges usually begin at around 12” in length and go all the way up to 60x 60 squares and 50 x 129 rectangles. As you can imagine these megalithic tiles make quite the impression when incorporated into your home interiors or business premises remodel.

The main benefit of large format tile is their ability to provide large-scale coverage for walls and floors, kitchens, and backsplashes around the home. With fewer visible grout lines they make generous rooms feel spacious and unhindered, and make smaller rooms feel larger when a well-balanced tile is chosen to cater to the room.

The entire range offers you every possible color and shade you could imagine, with solid colors and dynamic monochrome variegations, not to mention elegant, veined marbles and sparkling speckled granites. Choose from porcelain, ceramic, basalt, slate, dolomite, metal, onyx and sandstone. The list goes on. And if you needed more options, play around with finishes, exploring what honed, polished, matte and natural finishes could offer to your scheme.

LARGE FORMAT PORCELAIN TILE – AS POPULAR AS CAN BE

Large format porcelain tiles are immensely popular thanks to the host of advantages they bring. Porcelain is a lighter weight than stone and is almost entirely non-porous. As such it is anti-allergenic, not attracting and holding dust that causes discomfort to sufferers, as wood and carpet might. This also makes it moisture resistant, holding stains at bay and creating better traction in high traffic areas. Honed and matte finishes are ideal for places such as bathrooms and exteriors where slipping may be a risk.

With all the beautiful options on offer, large format porcelain tiles can make a statement backsplash in a kitchen or a bathroom. We have options to suit any trend, in any colorway or dimension you could dream of.

LARGE FORMAT SHOWER TILE – LUXURIOUS SPAS AND DOWN TO EARTH NATURALS

A large format tile shower space is immediately eye-catching. The reduction in grout lines creates a wall of seamless color and pattern that is both indulgent and alluring. The pristine look it creates works well for any scheme that seeks to create the feel of a boutique hotel or luxury spa. Marble is enduringly popular for shower stalls, as is natural honed stone for flooring. These are decadent, reliable options that marry high-end style with practicality. 

For those who prefer the subdued charms of the natural world, soothing textured large format tiles and unpolished stone will make a tranquil cocoon of your shower space. Add plants and deep green accessories to create a feeling of drawing the outside in.

Making the most of your bathroom and shower allows you to create a sumptuous space from a room that is all to often considered as utilitarian. Any room should, and can, be a pleasure to spend time in. 

HOW TO CUT LARGE FORMAT TILE? 

How to cut large format tile depends on the material you are using. For marble and other natural stones, it is advisable to use a wet tile cutter with a diamond blade to get as clean a finish as possible for your cut. This also prevents chipping. The downward sawing action of the rotary blade provides a better pressure for the tile that discourages splintering and cracking in the process.

In contrast porcelain and ceramic tiles can be cut using a large-scale manual tile cutter. To do this the tile is scored along the marked and measured line by the cutting wheel in an nice firm, consistent action, before lifting the arm and pressing it down with a brief, solid bump, to snap the tile along the line.

HOW TO INSTALL LARGE FORMAT TILE

Large format tile is best installed by two people as larger tiles can be unwieldy to manage and the largest of the range can be difficult to maneuver independently. Wearing work gloves and using suction cups to lift and move the tile is a safer approach, avoiding injury to yourself and not risking damage to your tile.

Prepare the site by filling in any gaps and holes to create a level surface. If the surface is too irregular and spackling would be too time consuming, you can consider using an underlayment to provide a reliable, sturdy level surface. When you are ready to tile, spread adhesive mortar onto the surface with a trowel before smoothing over with the notched-edges of the trowel to create deep ridges. 

Then apply adhesive mortar to the back of the tile in a process known as back buttering. This double application ensures a strong bond is created between tile and surface, with a minimum of 90-95% coverage for dry and wet areas respectively. When you are ready, use suction cups to lift the tile in place. 

Press down until mortar squeezes out at the side and smooth over until you are satisfied a good bond has been achieved. Insert spacers and repeat the process.

Once tiled, wipe away excess mortar before leaving to set. Once dry you can apply grout, pressing it into the full depth of the joints and up to the surface level of the tile. Leave to dry for 15-30 minutes and then wipe away the excess and any on the tiles’ surfaces with a damp cloth. Leave to dry fully and avoid use for up to 48 hours.

WHAT IS LARGE FORMAT TILE?

Large format tiles are those at the largest end of the size chart. They enable large spaces to be tiled flawlessly without the distraction of too many grout lines that make a space look too busy. Instead, large format tiles have the ability to ‘carpet’ the space, creating a tranquil scene, in a highly practical and attractive material.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED LARGE FORMAT TILE?

Any tile with an edge of at least 12” is considered to be a large format tile. Although they can range as far as enormous 60 x 60 tiles which are excellent for large open rooms around the home, or for vast commercial floor spaces.

WHAT SIZE TROWEL FOR LARGE FORMAT TILE? 

It is important to choose the right size trowel for the size of tile you are using in order to provide proper adhesive coverage and to spread it in a consistent thickness. For large format tiles of around 12 x 12 use a 1/4″ x 3/8″ notched trowel. From 16” upwards, use a 1/2” x 1/2” notched trowel.

HOW TO GROUT LARGE FORMAT TILE 

Once the mortar has dried you can begin to grout. The first step is to remove any spacers and loose mortar from the joints that would weaken the grout’s bond with the tile. If you are not using a ready mixed mortar, it is imperative to follow the mixing instructions carefully. Adding too much water will not only create a less stable grout, but it will also dilute the color of the grout which could alter between batches, risking a patchy look in the finished application.

Spread the grout deep into the joints with a tile float to completely fill the gaps all the way up to the surface level. After the grout has started to set, wipe over the entire surface with a damp cloth, using a circular motion to pick up any residue. Rinse the cloth regularly and do a second wipe over with clean water, using a diagonal motion this time to make certain every surface has been cleaned. 

It is worth the time to do this thoroughly as grout is difficult to remove once fully set and scraping can spoil the surface of the new tile.

SHOULD I STAGGER LARGE FORMAT TILES?

Larger tiles can have some minor irregularities in their edges that don’t show up so readily in classic linear stacked tiles. It is recommended to not use large format tiles in a 50% stagger as this can place the widest edge of one tile into the middle of the narrowest edge of the other. 

Although the difference is miniscule to the eye, it creates an uneven joint for the grout to bond both tiles well. Instead, large format tiles can be staggered at 33% to benefit from the visual interest the layout provides, while maintaining the integrity of the bond.