Large format tile

Large Format Tile: The best option to add luxury to your floors and walls!

Are you unhappy with the conventional dimensions of your tiles? Looking to create a big impact in your space and embrace the allure of grandeur? Large format tiles are a great choice! Gone are the days when they were limited to commercial venues like restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and cafes! Now you can also add a stylish edge to your interior home décor with their uncluttered lines, and streamlined appearance both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy the numerous colors, sizes, finishes, and materials available at Apollo Tile!

What is a large format tile?

A simple definition for a large format tile would be – “Any tile with one of its sides greater than 305 mm or 31 cm or 12 in.” This size classification may differ from one brand or style to another.

The demand for large format tiles has grown significantly, along with their size options. These sizes, such as 18x18, 12x22, 36x36, 16x48, 12x36, 24x48, 20x40, 24x24, and 18x47 inches, which we offer exude beauty and charm in your spaces. The grace and glamour of the tile are emphasized because of minimal grout lines leading to fewer distractions.

Why use large format tiles?

• Fewer grout lines are the sole reason why large format tiles are the most preferred. Cleaning those grout lines becomes a breeze, isn’t it?
• The feeling of spaciousness can never be denied. They create an expansive effect – a bigger space and add unexpected drama to your homes or business areas.
• An all-rounder tile that’s suitable for varied applications in homes and commercial spaces like spas, boutiques, restaurants, and hospitals.
• Available in different materials like porcelain, ceramic, and marble tile, and varied patterns like subway, field, chevron, or slate tile, they give a graphical touch to your décor.
• Large format tile can be installed on both walls and floors creating a fabulous impact and highlighting the overall ambiance and aura of the space.
• Durability is assured when you pick materials like porcelain or marble. Thanks to their ability to handle heavy traffic and moisture.
• The reduced gap between tiles helps to prevent dirt accumulation.
• Cleaning and maintenance of bigger tiles is super easy with fewer grout lines.

Practical insights for large format tiles

To create an open, contemporary look and feel you can place modern tiles in different types of spaces as listed below:

• Simple flooring option: Our Lappato green porcelain tile gives a fresh look when installed on large, open spaces like living rooms, entryways, lobbies, reception areas of business space, restaurants, and boutiques
• Accent walls: When the usual way to decorate walls is using mosaics, you can be unique and place these supersized beige porcelain matte tiles in bedrooms, bathrooms, commercial spaces or as large format tile backsplash to spice up the aesthetics of your spaces.
• Outdoor spaces: Patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, pathways, balconies, and terraces also deserve these wonderful textured blue large format porcelain tiles, as they accentuate the design elements and highlight the aura of your spaces with a nature’s touch.
• Gardens: The continuity of large format tiles, mingled with their earthy tones, beautifully blends with the garden décor. Why not choose the Citadel matte porcelain tile to decorate your garden space and give it a more nature-inspired look?
• Fireplaces: If you have a tall ceiling you can go in for these chevron matte ceramic tiles to line up your large format tile fireplace surround. While the matte finish adds depth to your space, the vertically placed chevron tiles in a neutral shade would make your space look more open and spacious.
• Staircases: Wouldn’t it be an amazing option to match the tiles on your stair treads with the ones on the elevator or lift? Pick these matte gray porcelain wall and floor tiles for faster and more efficient installation in these connectivity zones. You can also go in for our star-embossed Citadel matte green porcelain large format tiles to raise the charm of your stair risers.

The art is hidden in large format tiles

Think of a room where floors and walls are a fun mix of subtle hues of nature or bold colors that create an artistic canvas. Will you not feel happy to watch the warm beige to the dramatic black that creates gallery-like spaces that are breathtaking and also have minimal grout tiles that allow the eye to flow uninterrupted across vast surfaces? Whether it's the sleek expanse of a living room floor or the serene backdrop of a bathroom wall, you can count on us for large format tiles. We have it all from beige tiles, to white, green, black, blue, or gray tiles!

Tile size guide: Helps you choose wisely!

Choose to fit the large format tiles in different dimensions and create your dream space with the desired effect. While picking tiles, you have to match them with your space's size, range, and design. The list below would help to pick the right large format tile sizes:

• 18X18 inch or 24X24 inch tiles would be the best option for living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens that can be staggered or aligned with the square grid and provide a modern look to floors or walls.
• A slightly larger option like 36X36 inch or 24X48 inch would be required to add a statement look to larger areas like open-plan kitchens, foyers, large commercial areas, or spacious lobbies. They create an uninterrupted flow across these wide-open spaces adding to the beauty and charm of the spaces.
• While installing large rectangular tiles of size 12X24, 18X36, or 20X40 the common challenge faced is crowning. Instead of using an aligned layout or 50-50 offset pattern, choose to lay one-third offset. Here the highest point of one tile does not align with the lowest point of the adjacent tile, thus resulting in a smooth and even surface. Added advantages are stability and a professional look.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What size tile is considered a large format tile?

Those which have one side greater than 15 inches are considered large format. Usually rectangular or square, but other shapes such as field tiles or even slate tiles fall under large format depending on their dimensions.

2. Is large format tile cheaper to install?

They reduce labor in some installations but have an added factor to consider – surface preparation, handling, and cutting which may offset those savings. When your surface is flat and straightforward, it's cheaper. Consult a professional for an accurate estimate.

3. Do I need a special thin set for large tiles?

The first step is to make sure the thin set is compatible with the flooring. The regular thin set would be fine but it needs to be a little thicker than usual to give better support to these heavy tiles. We recommend Laticrete 254 platinum, but you can get in touch with your contractor for further details.

4. Do large format tiles make a room look bigger?

Yes, of course, with their fewer grout lines and a luxurious grand appeal, it makes a room spacious, open, and airy. That’s the reason why they are preferred for compact or expansive spaces.

5. Are large format tiles hard to lay?

No, with the required expertise, proper planning, and apt tools, it’s quite an easy process and not hard, so no worries.

6. Do large format tiles need grout?

Yes, but since the tiles are large, fewer grout lines are sufficient to ensure the safety of the tiles and prevent moisture penetration, seepage issues, and dirt accumulation.

7. Where do I start with large format tile?

You can begin installation from the center of the room and finish each grid before moving to the next.

8. Is it ok to use a large tile in a small shower?

Yes, they make the space more expansive and larger, consider using them in smaller areas.

9. What is the best spacing for large format tiles?

We recommend a space of 1/16, 1/8, or 3/16 inches for a successful installation, you can use tile leveling systems to ensure there is no lippage and the gaps are uniform.

10. What is the best offset for a 12 X 24 tile?

Rather than a straight or ½ brick offset pattern, you can go in for a 1/3rd offset pattern to avoid any crowning issues, and the installation stays balanced with the lowest point of one tile not aligning with the highest point of the adjacent tile.

11. Should large format tiles be staggered?

Yes, when they are square tiles, you can either align or stagger, whereas when they are rectangular, it’s advisable to lay them staggered to get rid of crowning problems.