Question 1

What counts as a large format tile?

Accepted Answer

Any tile over 600mm in any one direction is generally considered large format. The term also covers tiles up to 1200x2400mm and beyond, sometimes called slabs or gauged porcelain panels. The installation requirements increase with size. Above 900mm, specialist lifting equipment is often required.

Question 2

Why is substrate preparation so critical for large format tiles?

Accepted Answer

Large format tiles are rigid. Any deviation in the substrate, including high spots, hollows or slight undulation, will cause the tile to rock, bridge or crack, often after installation when foot traffic puts point-load stress on an unsupported area. Flatness tolerance for tiles over 900mm is typically no more than 3mm deviation per 2m.

Question 3

Do you use self-levelling compounds before laying large format tiles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where the existing sub-floor requires it. We pump or pour a self-levelling compound, work it to the correct depth and leave it to cure before tiling. For a very large area or a slab job, we may work with a screed contractor to lay a bonded screed to the required tolerance.

Question 4

Can large format tiles be used on walls?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though wall application is more demanding than floor. The tile must be adequately supported while the adhesive cures, as the weight is significant. We use heavy-duty tile supports and a suitable non-slump adhesive. Full porcelain wall slabs at 1200x2400mm require a purpose-designed support system.

Question 5

What adhesive coverage is needed for large format tiles?

Accepted Answer

For any tile over 300x300mm, full-bed adhesive coverage is required, meaning the entire back face of the tile must be in contact with the adhesive with no voids. This demands a back-buttering technique in addition to the trowelled adhesive bed. Insufficient coverage causes tiles to crack under load.

Question 6

How do you cut large format porcelain tiles?

Accepted Answer

Large format porcelain tiles, particularly rectified porcelain slabs, are cut with a large-format tile cutter or a water-cooled diamond blade wet saw. Field cuts can be made with a score and snap cutter if the blade is long enough. Curved or complex cutouts are made with a diamond blade angle grinder or a waterjet cutter for very precise shapes.

Question 7

Do large format tiles show more lippage than smaller tiles?

Accepted Answer

They can, if the substrate is not flat enough. Lippage is the height difference between the edges of adjacent tiles. On a perfectly flat substrate with a precision-applied adhesive bed, large format tiles can achieve virtually zero lippage. Rectified tiles have machined edges that help control lippage.

Question 8

Are large format tiles suitable for bathroom floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and they are very popular. The fewer grout joints make cleaning easier and give the floor an expansive, seamless look. On a bathroom floor the tile must have an appropriate slip resistance, R10 as a minimum, R11 in a shower. There are excellent large format anti-slip porcelain tiles available.

Question 9

Can large format tiles be used in a small bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Large format tiles often work well in smaller spaces because the reduced number of grout lines makes the room feel larger. The critical factor is whether the sub-floor can be prepared to the required flatness. We assess this on site before recommending a format.

Question 10

What is the heaviest tile you have installed?

Accepted Answer

Full 1200x2400mm porcelain slabs at 6 to 9mm thick can weigh 40 to 60kg each. We have handled multiple panels of this size in Sussex bathroom renovation projects. Handling equipment and a three-person team are required to lift, position and set them safely.

Question 11

How much does large format tiling cost?

Accepted Answer

Large format tiles cost 50 to 100 pounds per square metre fitted, depending on the tile type and substrate preparation required. The substrate preparation and specialist handling increase the cost compared to standard tiling. We quote the full project after visiting the site.

Question 12

How long does large format tiling take?

Accepted Answer

A bathroom with large format floor and walls takes four to six days from substrate preparation to finish, depending on tile size and complexity. A full-height wall slab installation takes longer due to support systems and handling. We give you an accurate programme at quoting.

Format	Typical Use	Substrate Requirement	Key Challenge
600x600mm	Floors, shower walls	Good; minor levelling	Consistent bed depth
600x1200mm	Bathroom walls, floors	Very flat; levelling essential	Weight; trowel technique
1200x1200mm	Large floor areas, feature walls	Self-levelled screed	Handling; lippage control
1200x2400mm (slab)	Full-height bathroom panels	Perfectly flat; bonded screed	Transport, cutting, support
Rectified tiles	Minimal grout line finish	Perfectly flat	Zero tolerance on substrate

Large Format Tiling Across Sussex by a Specialist Installer

Large Format Tiling FAQs