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A guide to large format tiles

At large & on trend

It's hats of to technology that tile sizes have steadily increased in recent years.

Large format tiles are becoming the go-to for home renovations and new builds large or small. Once the domain of commercial projects, these statement tiles are making it into our homes and they are beautiful, practical and striking in equal measure.

When we say large format tiles, what exactly do we mean. The answer will differ depending on who you ask, but we could say anything over a 600 x 600mm size. Large format tiles come in all kinds of sizes.

Does size matter?

Size of tile can have a dramatic impact on design and that's mainly due to grout lines. Tiling with large format tiles means fewer grout lines and that makes for a more minimal feel - regardless of size of space or room. Smaller tiles create a very different effect. You may want to make a feature and highlight grout lines - perhaps using a contrasting colour - it really is about the look and feel you want to create.

Large format tiles really are for those seeking pared back design and a 'more tile, less grout' approach. All our porcelain tiles have rectified, or straight edges and that means for floors, grout lines are at an absolute minimum of 3mm enhancing the feel of seamless design.

Installation

Large formats can look really spectacular, but with a host of sizes to choose from, how do you decide which is right for your project? Whilst it really is personal choice, thinking about the combination of cost, design, and some additional considerations regards handling and installation can help you make an informed decision.

So, let's take a walk through some of our large format porcelains and feel free to visit our Installation and Helpful Information pages for more details on handling and installing large format tiles.

800 x 800mm

At 800 x 800mm, this is a tile size that is big enough to feel large format, yet still easy enough to handle from an installation perspective.

And in the case of Artisan Rope featured here, there is a matching 20mm thick porcelain slab for outside so you can seamlessly blend inside and outside space with a beautiful large format tile.

Add an 800 x 400mm and you can alternate across floors, as shown here with our Artisan Grey tile.

Our collections featuring an 800 x 800mm porcelain tile size include:
Flow, Blend, Artisan, Forge and Aria.

900 x 900mm

Our 900 x 900mm tiles really do feel large format and in this case, we have a multitude of collections that feature this wonderful tile size - they really do make brilliant large kitchen tiles. Most of our 900 x 900mm tiles have a matching outside tile so whether it's inside or out, these tiles are brilliantly versatile, have the wow factor and those minimal grout lines.

1000 x 1000mm

At 1000 x 1000mm we're getting bigger, with 3 of our collections featuring these large formats. As tile sizes increase, in this case, tile thickness reduces with our Patina and Belleza Bianco collections in 8mm thickness and our Beat collection in new 6mm thickness. With thinner large format porcelains it is even more important to ensure that substrates are suitable to take your chosen tiles and are correctly prepared.

If you've fallen in love with our Patina, Beat and Belleza tiles and want to know more, get in touch with us!

1200 x 1200mm

If you are seeking something very special then 1200 x 1200mm is it. This is a gorgeous tile size. And, if you are looking for matching 1200 x 1200 in 20mm thickness for outside, take a look at our Flow, Pave and Ethos collections.

If you are prepared to stretch to it, it is hard to beat this size of tile. It just has luxury written all over it.

1200 x 600mm

So many of our collections feature this lovely large format tile size. With rectangular tiles you will also need to think about the direction you want to run your tiles as well as the pattern. If you decide to offset them, the overlap should not exceed 33% in a staggered brick-joint pattern. This helps prevent cracking and lippage (where one tile edge is higher or lower than the adjacent tile). It is not appropriate to use a standard 1/2 offset pattern that is often used for smaller tiles.

1510 x 750mm

This is a super format. Most of our Spanish marbles are available in this size as are some of our Stone effect tiles. It's big, but if you are prepared to go for it, it's worth it. Same applies here regards staggered brick bond - the overlap should not exceed 33% to prevent lippage.

Large format wood effect porcelains

Wood effect porcelains come in all shapes and sizes. Ours are a stunning 1510 x 240mm plank. Not only is the format amazing, the Contour finish makes for an ultra realistic wood effect as pattern and design align perfectly. Plus there are 36 individual plank patterns per colour. We challenge you to tell the difference between this and the real thing!

Large format ceramics for walls

We couldn't finish without mentioning our large format Docklands ceramics for walls in 900 x 320mm size and featuring rectified edges. These large format tiles in ceramic are designed to co-ordinate with their respective porcelain tile collections.

They are an exciting and easy way to add a touch of texture to rooms.

If you need any help in choosing the right large format tiles for your project, please get in touch with us. We'd love to be your partner in design!

Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Large format tiles are heavy and it is really important substrates are capable of taking the weight of the tiles and the tiles are handled and installed correctly. Using the correct fixing products and grout for internal and external conditions and correct application is essential to ensure a successful installation. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of tiles for your project. Please visit our installation page for more details or contact us for more information.

The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the -extra-tile’ service and video design consultancy. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch. www.thetileportfolio.co.uk.

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Hey there!

Want to keep up to speed with the latest tile trends, new products, fabulous offers and inspiration from The TilePortfolio?

It's all in our monthly newsletter!