Similar to shower walls, bathroom walls usually look best with tiles above the 4-inch by 4-inch size. Since bathroom walls can be longer than they are high, you can use tiles that also are longer than they are high. Tiles that are 12 inches high by 24 inches long work well if you want larger sized tiles.
Consider Large Format Tile in Small Bathrooms
A large format tile is great for small spaces. The reason has to do with grout joints. The larger the tile, the fewer grout joints you'll have and the greater sense of spaciousness you'll feel.
Larger tiles look good on shower floors if they match the bathroom décor. The most popular large-size tile measures 12″ x 24″, giving you plenty of floor coverage. Look for colours and designs that match your bathroom's colours and consider contrasting colours to bring more life and light into the room.
Making sure you use the right one correctly for your large format installation is essential. Heavy, large format tiles used on wall applications are best installed using non-sag adhesives. TCNA recommends medium bed mortars for large format floor installs. TCNA also recommends full coverage on the back of the tile.
Large tiles can't flex over raised areas or dips in the subfloor like smaller tiles can. If the substrate is not perfectly level, using large tiles can result in lippage, which is when the edge of one tile is higher than an adjacent tile.
For moderate- to large-shower walls, generally it is best to use larger tiles, from 4-inch by 4-inch tiles on upward to large format tiles in the 15-inch by 30-inch range. From a visual standpoint, tile smaller than 4 inches square creates a busy appearance. More importantly, smaller tiles are difficult to clean.
Because these tiles are larger and heavier than standard tiles, they can be difficult to handle and install. This means that installation costs can be higher than with smaller tiles. Additionally, if the tiles are not installed properly, they can crack or become damaged, which can be costly to repair.
If you want to create a spacious room or are craving that sleek modern look - large and extra format tiles are for you! But if you are after a more intimate feel or intricate design, smaller tiles might be for you!
Misconception #2: “Large format panels are more fragile and therefore, more likely to crack.” In reality: With proper installation, tiles that are larger in size are no more likely to crack than their smaller relatives.
Another great option is to go for a more modern design, such as using large format tiles (12"x24"). These tile sizes are easier to install and provide a sleek look. It works well in larger bathrooms but it does wonders in small bathrooms too.
Ceramic tiles are the most suited and most preferred tiles when it comes to bathrooms. Glazed or polished ceramic tiles make a great option for the walls of your bathroom however they aren't best suited for the floor as they can be slippery when wet.
Well, the answer is YES!
If you're looking to include large shower tiles, the solution is relatively simple if you plan ahead and specify the right products. You can also avoid lots of messy tile cuts in your shower base, and install larger tiles that run neatly down to your waste. Here's how…
Large tiles do make a room feel more spacious but only in a good-sized room. In a small bathroom they don't work quite so well and will tend to swamp the room if they're too large. Also, if there are lots of cuts involved, then this can just look messy.
That takes training and experience. Among other concerns, large-format tiles' weight and dimensions make it harder to handle for both floor and wall uses. Heavy stone floor tile especially can settle into the mortar bed and cause “lippage” where one tile's edge is higher than others.
Using large tiles makes a small room appear bigger
Got a small room you wish could appear bigger. Simply flip the catalogue to lighter colored larger tiles. This simple truth about tiles is something people wouldn't normally believe unless they actually see it.
The walls must be suitably level, clean, dry and free of dust, grease or any loose material. All surfaces must be completely secure without any obvious movement and capable of carrying the additional weight of the tiles and adhesive. When tiling onto walls you must consider the weight of the tiles.
The most popular and readily available tile sizes are (in inches) 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 12 x 24 and 18 x 18. The color of your tiles can hide wear and tear.
We now have numerous sizes of tile available up to 24″ and sometimes even larger. One easy way a homeowner can make their room appear larger is to select a larger format tile. A 16″ or 18″ tile will generally give a room a larger feeling than a 12″ tile.
It is something that should be addressed prior to installation by designing a pattern that will allow for that size / shape tile. Instead of a 50% stagger, manufacturers recommend these tiles should be designed with patterns that do not exceed a 33% stagger.
The size of the tile also affects the waste factor. Smaller tiles (e.g. 20x20 cm or 30x30 cm) entail a lower waste factor than larger ones. Then, you have to consider any critical element you may have to work around while laying the tiles.
Tiles can pop up or become loose due to improper installation, uneven subfloor, moisture-related issues, weak adhesive, heavy foot traffic or structural movement.
Large-format porcelain tiles are a trend that can respond to the design needs of all types of applications: walls and floors, kitchen counters and worktops, both for indoor and outdoor use.