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Flooring Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Discussion about the performance of large-format floor tile

4 years ago

Supposedly a lot of people are having problems with large format tile cracking. Apparently it cracks if the floor joists & subfloor don't meet certain specific guidelines. Causative factors include: too much flexion in joists or subfloor, uneven subfloor, failure to stagger plywood or Advantech seams, OSB as subfloor, expansion & contraction from heat mats, moisture, etc. These days there are very few tiles to choose from if you want to avoid large-format tile. I'm considering 12x24's. Please share your opinions, experiences & knowledge. Let's get to the truth. Thanks.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Bspoke Homes
4 years ago
Ultimately, all tile requires proper installation which starts with appropriate structure. A well qualified tile installer will have the appropriate advice for your particular structure. That being said, our tile contractor installs large format tile in all sorts of applications, from turn of the century homes to new construction and we have never had a cracked tile.

I can tell you, that often installers don't use the appropriate setting materials for large format out of lack of knowledge or simply saving money. In addition, with longer large format, it's also not uncommon to see setters not herring sufficient thinset coverage under the tile (particularly if they are fighting a difficult substrate level if they choose not to float it out or use a liquid backer board).

Like I said, find a good installer, and use a tile that makes sense for your application and what you like, but don't let cracking being a concern.
Rachel thanked Bspoke Homes
cat_mom
4 years ago
Large format floor tile in our MB, no issues. Rectified Porcelain.

Larger tile in our ground floor FR, guest bedroom, and garage entryway, no issues. Honed travertine.

Very skilled tile guy with his very skilled assistant installed both.
Rachel thanked cat_mom
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We are also doing two bathroom remodels. Our tile installer is telling us that large tiles are the rage right now, however our master bath will be a wet room. I am very hesitant to put large tiles on the floor thinking that they could be very slippery. On the other hand, I really don't want to deal with discoloring of grout as time goes on. Now my mother installed lots of tile in the 80s and and the grout became very discolored. I am suspecting grout has come a LONG was since then. I have read about epoxy and urethane grout. Does anyone have suggestions for a bathroom wet room? Thanks so much for your opinions in advance!
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PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
ANY tile needs a proper and level sub floor. !2 x 24 is common these days. Grout lines and spacing are specific to tiles, these are rectified edges almost always. It's not the tile, .......its the sub floor and prep for any flooring, always, Matters not wood, tile, ,LVT, LVP......ETC.along with a skilled installer for all.. There's the truth.
Rachel thanked JAN MOYER
K R
4 years ago
We have 24x24 tile in our master bathroom, no issues whatsoever.
Rachel thanked K R
live_wire_oak
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
12x24 is standard anymore. Almost any goober can install them if they’ve been minimally paying attention. Yeah, there’s still a few $3 tile guys out there that haven’t gotten the message. You still need someone with a clue. Not a cheap hack. Thats everything and every job. All floors are required to be FLAT and L720. Standard prep. That always costs extra. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

I though you were going to be talking about the 60’”x96” tiles. Now those need some major stability and prep!
Rachel thanked live_wire_oak

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