Has anyone else opted for large format tiles for their shower walls, particularly 24x48" porcelain tiles, and ended up regretting the decision? A family member is considering these heavy tiles to reduce the number of grout lines, but it seems like it could be a risky move. They're planning to cover 9-foot high walls all the way to the ceiling in a 60x32" shower stall, which feels like quite the project.
3 Answers
I think large tiles can look great, but they're a bit tricky. One idea is to center a tile on the long wall and then fill in the ends with cut pieces. That could reduce the visible grout lines, but it might make for an awkward seam down the middle. Just a thought before you dive in!
Larger tiles can definitely create a different vibe, but they do come with risks. Warped tiles can lead to lippage and if they're not installed right, you could end up with bigger problems down the road. If they're really worried about grout lines, maybe consider something like a 12x24" or even larger porcelain options that are still manageable.
We have large tiles in our bathroom, but I think the biggest I've dealt with is 12x24". I’m not sure I’d choose the really big tiles if I was starting from scratch. The larger the tile, the more it draws your attention, and I'm wondering if it makes the space feel smaller instead of bigger!
12x24" sounds a lot more manageable! I feel like going with 24x48" is a bold choice. They did use 24x24" for the floor and it looks fine, but those wall tiles will really stand out.
That's interesting! The installer mentioned a center seam to align with the floor's large tiles. They’re hoping a matching grout color will help hide the lines since cleaning is a big concern. I suggested they get one of those electric scrubbers for the grout, but they seem hesitant.