The Bigger The Better? The
Bold Modern Aesthetic of Large
Format Tiles.

How big is too big for my home?

Tile is one of those design elements that is simple and versatile yet
packs a design punch when used well. Before we dive into Large Format
Tiles and how the aesthetic found it’s way from commercial use to homes,
lets take a moment and learn about the history of tile. According to
historians decorative tile has been dated all the way back to ancient Egypt
as far back as 4,7000 BC ( Source ). From the ancient Greek mosaics to the
birth of porcelain in China, tile continued to grow in popularity across
Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Around the 18th and 19th
centuries, it became a standard feature in homes, thanks largely to its
appeal and hygienic qualities, both of which still hold true today!

Now that you know where they’ve been, you can see where they are
going. Tiles are getting larger and lager as the years go on and Large
Format Tiles are becoming extremely popular in residential applications.
From minimal grout lines, to less maintenance and creating a sense of
spaciousness, it’s easy to understand why these styles of tiles are in such
high demand. 

It’s David vs Goliath and in this article we’re going to break
down why Goliath is becoming the new household aesthetic.

What is a Large Format Tile?

Tiles become considered “Large format” once the edge is greater
than 15 inches. Thanks to new technology, It isn’t uncommon to find them
to now be 18”-by-36” or even as large as 5-10 feet! They are available in a
variety of different materials such as, Natural stone, glass and porcelain,
with advances in digital printing helping them to be made to look like any
material.

Keep in mind Large Format Tile is not a new thing, the style has been                                                                                  around for years in the style of large and expensive marble tiles that
were most commonly used for commercial use, not residential until the last
few years. Back then it just wasn’t possible to produce any material besides
marble larger than 24”-by-24”

So why the switch? What is it about Large Format Tiles that made
homeowners and designers begin using them in homes? Well…

Where Large Format Tiles work best.

One of the many benefits of Large Tile Format is the reduced visual
interruption it gives to your floors and walls. Being larger tiles, when
installed, they have fewer grout lines and fewer grout lines means less
cleaning while bringing a sleeker look to your homes decor.

Using Large Format Tiles in small spaces is, in my opinion, one of the
most beneficial aspects to the design. Combining the wall and floor tiles in
matching colors is a great way to expand the look and elongate the feel of
a room if done correctly. If done incorrectly, say using a critically contrasting
grout colors, larger tiles can overwhelm a room and make even a large
room feel choppy and visually busy.

Large format tiles can, however, be cut into many different shapes
and styles. Having the ability to shape and size the material create one-of-
a-kind visuals and designs that can be customized to your liking.
So be sure to consult with your designer on which tiles are the right fit
for your home, because too large or too small of tiles can make all the
difference for a rooms aesthetic.

Things to consider…

One consideration with large format tiles is that installation could be
more costly than for traditional tiles. Because of their size, special care
must be taken during transport to ensure minimal breakage. Also labor
costs will usually be higher for the fact that it takes team lifting and at least
two people to install. Not only is the price of installation considerable, but
the installation itself. Wall and floors must be perfectly flat to accommodate the                                                                      larger tiles, if even one edge is slightly higher than the next the floors or
wall will be uneven. The larger the tile, the less room for error.

So if you’re considering committing to this dramatic tile size, have
your contractor assess the viability of installing them based on your floor
conditions. Some floors may to be too irregular and out of level for a large-
format tile to be possible.

Are LFT’s right for me?

In the end of the day, your home is your deign. Looking for a sleek
modern and futuristic look to be brought to your home, then Large Format
Tiles are definitely the way to go. Just remember to talk with your designer
to see if LFT’s are a possibility for your next project!