Large Format Walls For High Impact Style

LARGE FORMAT WALL TILE – ENDLESS OPTIONS 

Large format tiles on walls have gone a long way to revolutionize how we view our interiors. Previously the reserve of kitchens and bathrooms tiling is giving way to ever increasing interesting options around the home, and in exterior spaces beyond pathways and patios. 

When we think about decorating walls, our minds jump to wallpaper and plain, painted walls. Both provide delightful results, but for a hard-wearing, easy to maintain surface with textural interest, and a high design feel you can’t go wrong opting for large format wall tiles. These oversized tiles, in a range of sizes from 16x32 to 60x60, curate a clean and crisp look in your home and commercial spaces, with an undeniably spacious feel. Whether you choose a bright polished finish to radiate light all around, or matte and honed options to create a cozy feel, tile makes a wonderful contribution to any space.

With thousands of large format wall tile options available, you are in a veritable stone and tile wonderland. Enjoy our tasteful range of neutrals with taupe and gray tiles in incredible patterns such as sparkling granite and mysterious swirls of marble to provide visual interest. We have lots of variegated options to provide a monochrome of shades for depth and fabric-like softness, as well as bold colored marble and metallic lustered slates.

Large format wall tiles can transform bathroom and kitchen backsplashes where porcelain is a popular option thanks to its water-resistant nature. Consider stone, or stone-look tiles to create a stunning living room feature wall for a fireplace. Similarly, this can look beautiful in a dining room, in earthy, caramel tones enhanced by subdued lighting for an intimate feel for socializing and entertaining. 

INSTALLING LARGE FORMAT WALL TILE – PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING

Installing large format wall tile need not be daunting. As large format tiles can be quite cumbersome to lift and carry, it is recommended to have someone else to help. Suction cups are a must to make maneuvering the tile safely as easy as possible. Tile can be sharp, too, so invest in some protective gloves.

The first step is to make sure your wall surface is well-prepared as heavy, large format tiles need a solid substrate to support them. Check your surface is level and fill in any dips and holes as these potential hollow pockets create points of weakness where there will be a greater risk to the tile of cracking or breaking. If the surface requires a substantial amount of reworking, it might be easier to install an underlayment such as backing board, to create a flawless, solid, stable surface for the tile to adhere to.

Once you are satisfied with your layout, begin by spreading adhesive mortar onto the wall. Start at the bottom, working upwards in rows. Spread adhesive onto the wall, and onto the back of the tile, in a generous 3/16” deep spread. Comb over with a notched trowel to create the all-important furrows that support a good bonding of the tile to the wall. 

Move the tile and press into position, tapping with a rubber mallet to really reinforce that bond. Apply the correct size of spacer for the width of joint you desire and repeat the process with the other tiles. 

Because large format wall tiles are so large, there isn’t the same rate of air circulation that standard tiles would be exposed to by more frequent tile joints. It is for this reason that any large format tiling can take a good amount of time to dry. Leave the tile to set for 36 to 48 hours before grouting.

When you are ready to grout, press your mixture deep into the joints with a grout float. You want to get as much in there as you can and fill the joint up to the surface level of the tile for a clean look with no dips to gather dirt and moisture. Let the grout begin to set for fifteen minutes before wiping the excess away with a damp cloth. This is an important step in the process. First wipe in circular motions, then diagonally to make sure all the excess is removed, with plenty of clean water changes in between. It is more than worth spending the time to do this properly, leaving no film behind, as grout is notoriously difficult to remove once fully hardened.

HOW TO LAY LARGE FORMAT EXTERIOR STONE ON WALLS? 

To prepare the surface, brush with a rough brush to remove any loose material. If the surface is too smooth sand with medium sandpaper to abrade the surface for tile to adhere to better. Apply adhesive on both the wall and tile to a depth of 3/16 inch. Apply tile in rows, starting at the bottom and working up. Place the tile and tap onto the wall with a rubber mallet to ensure good bonding. Insert spacers, using larger spacers horizontally every 8ft to incorporate a movement joint. Once the tile has set, fill the movement joint with sealant or caulk to match the grout used elsewhere.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN HOW TO INSTALL LARGE FORMAT TILE ON SHOWER WALLS?

It is important to remember to cover your fixings with protective covers as you will be carrying large tile in a contained space. Dropping a tile could scratch or crack a basin or shower tray. In addition, you are going to be using adhesive mortars and grouts; splashes from these can be a real nuisance to clean from fixings, so it is always best to plan ahead and cover these.

CAN I INSTALL LARGE FORMAT TILE MYSELF?

When people ask how to install large format tile on walls, they are often wondering whether it can be a DIY project, and if they have the necessary skills. In short, yes you can. However, it is probably a project you are best undertaking with someone else, as lifting and carrying large format tiles alone can be incredibly tricky, and risk unnecessary damage or breakage. There are so many resources available online that with the right amount of research you can proceed with confidence. If you have any concerns, remember you can reach out to our customer care line here at Stone & Tile, and we will do our utmost to help.