Large format tile is the current standard for a reason: fewer grout lines make a room feel calmer and bigger, and there’s less to clean. It’s also the least forgiving tile to install.
Why it’s harder
- The subfloor must be flat within 1/8 inch over 10 feet
- Every tile needs back-buttering for full mortar coverage
- Medium-bed mortar, not standard thinset, or the tile sags
- Levelling clip systems on every joint to control lippage
- Two people minimum to place each piece
Typical cost
$18 to $30 per square foot installed. The premium over standard tile is labour and preparation, not the tile itself.
Things worth knowing
If a quote for large format tile is the same as standard tile, the installer is planning to skip back-buttering or levelling clips. You’ll see the result in the lippage within a week.