How to Install Large Format Tiles? - The Best Guide for Exemplary Results!

1. Prepare the Substrate for a Perfect Installation:

Ensure you have a strong, flat, clean, and dry substrate before installing large format tile. Keep your surface free from wax, grease, dirt, repairs, damaged or uneven areas. It’s because a well-prepared substrate helps you attain perfection and durability. To prevent lippage, weak adhesion or potential breakage, you can use a straightedge on the surface. Pick a straight tool like ruler or leveling bar to check if the surface is even. Say, for example: for a 10” straightedge on the surface, allow a gap that doesn’t exceed ⅛”, for a 24” span, the variation should not be more than 1/16”.

2. Plan Your Layout for Large Format Tile Installation

Like any other tile, before installing large format tiles, planning your layout is crucial. You are sure to achieve a balanced design and get rid of issues like lippage or early damage. Firstly mark the center points of all four walls or on the floor, wherever you are planning to install. Then snap chalk lines to create a perfect grid. Double-check that your lines are square and adjust if needed.

Next, dry-lay a row of tiles along the center lines in both directions, using spacers to maintain uniform grout joints. Further dividing the room into smaller grids makes installation easier. Choosing the right offset patterns also matters when it comes to lippage issues. While running bond or brick is not recommended, you may opt for ½, or ⅓ offset to minimize unevenness. If you wish, you can try herringbone layouts, but requires careful cuts and adjustments for a professional finish.

3. Choosing and Applying the Right Adhesive for Large Format Tile

Pick the right large format tile mortar, and apply it perfectly, durability and long lasting nature is rest assured. For a rock solid installation, use polymer-modified LHT mortar such as Laticrete 4-XLT, Mapei Ultraflex LFT, or Custom ProLite for large format tiles. It is a polymer-modified, thin-set mortar that delivers good bond strength, and is suitable for heavy, oversized tiles.

Ensure you mix a quantity that can be used in 30 minutes depending on the labour involved. It is recommended that you apply a ¼” coat on the surface using the flat side of the trowel and then comb the adhesive into ridges using the notched side at 45 degree angle. Rather you can also use a zipper, slant notch, square notch, or a U-notch trowel to complete the task in one shot. Note that when you spread, you tile them up within 15 minutes, because spread adhesive dries more quickly.

4. How To Cut and Set Large Format Tiles For a Perfect Fit?

Large format tiles can be cut without chipping, using a wet saw with a diamond blade. Pass on the tile slowly into the cutter, leaving the blade to do the work. Don’t forget to fill the reservoir and keep the blade cool. You can also score and snap the tile or use an angle grinder for cutting irregular shapes or trimming any edges.

Once you cut the tiles, make sure you set them with the right grout joint width (refer step 5 explained below). Mix tile from multiple cartons when they have a V4 - substantial variation. Use spacers to maintain even joints and also don’t fail to tap the tiles gently with a mallet for a levelled surface. Wipe excess adhesive and let tiles set for 24 hours before walking on them.

• To avoid breakage, support the tile while cutting.
• To reduce chipping you can also use masking tape.
• If you wish to cut thick porcelain tiles, ensure you use a wet saw with a diamond blade.

5. Grouting Techniques for Large Format Tile

It’s always better to wait for 24 hours after tiling to start the grouting process. You can follow the adhesive package for more specific details. We recommend a minimum grout joint width of 1/16”. Still, you can try between ⅛” to 3/16” which doesn’t seem to much affect durability. For 50% or 33% offset patterns, you can consider using a minimum 3/16” grout joint.

Remove the tile spacers before you begin the grouting process. Use a rubber grout float, tilt it by 45 degree angle and spread the grout into the joints evenly. Remove excess grout immediately and wait for 15-20 minutes for the grout to be set. Use a damp sponge to remove the residue and make the grout joints smooth. Ensure grout haze is not formed, even if it does occur, clean it as early as possible with clean water and a sponge. Wait for 72 hours before any heavy usage.

6. Sealing and Protecting the Surface

We recommend sealing marble large format tiles, whereas when it comes to ceramic or porcelain tiles, the choice is yours to give that extra layer of protection. Sealing protects your tiles from discoloration, damage, mold, mildew, stains, and is considered essential for moisture prone areas. First clean the surface and let it dry, before using any sealant. Apply the sealant with a sponge and wait till it dries completely before usage.

7. Final Inspection and Finishing Touches

• A thorough final inspection keeps you confident of the installation strength and longevity.
• While ensuring there is no lippage, also check for consistency in width and depth of grout joints.
• Address misalignment of tiles before adhesive fully sets.
• Do not disturb the grout joints while removing excessive grout or adhesive.
• Use a grout haze remover to clean grout haze if it has been formed.
• Check if pencil, bullnose, baseboard tile trim, or chair rails are required for tile edging where tiles meet walls.

How do I maintain large format tiles after installation?

It is quite easy to maintain large format tiles, with regular sweeping and moping using a pH-neutral cleaner or vacuum on a daily basis. Better to avoid acidic cleaners. When it comes to grout maintenance, cleaning with a soft brush is recommended. Periodic sealing can be done for marble tiles. For wet areas, it’s better to be assured of proper ventilation to prevent mold. Occasional deep cleaning helps to have a refreshing surface.