A large format tile wall changes a room. One feature wall in 24×48 porcelain, a kitchen backsplash with almost no grout lines, or a shower lined in tall tiles all read as a single surface rather than a grid. Walls are also where large tile is easiest to get right: they are smaller than floors, they carry no foot traffic and they do not slope to a drain. This guide covers how to choose and plan large format wall tile: sizes and orientation, what the wall has to be, layout, grout lines and lippage. If you already have the tile and want leveling tips for walls, see using a tile leveling system on walls.
What is large format wall tile?
Large format wall tile is tile with at least one edge longer than about 15 inches installed on a wall, such as 12×24, 24×24, 24×48 or larger. It is usually rectified porcelain or ceramic, set with narrow joints, and used on shower walls, bathroom walls, backsplashes and feature walls.
The 15-inch line is the industry’s general threshold for large format, as TileLetter explains, and it is also where TCNA flatness guidance tightens. Tile sold for walls is often thinner and lighter than floor tile of the same size, but many porcelain floor tiles can go on walls too when the tile maker allows it. The full definition and size list are in what is large format tile.
Can you put large format tile on walls?
Yes. Large format tile goes on walls with three conditions: a flat, sound, properly supported backing; a mortar rated for large format tile on vertical surfaces; and full contact between tile and mortar. The tile maker’s and mortar maker’s instructions decide what backing and mortar are suitable for your tile’s size and weight.
Weight is the main difference from small wall tile. A large porcelain tile is heavy, so it needs a backing that can carry it and a mortar that will hold it without sagging while it cures. Check the tile maker’s instructions for approved wall substrates and the mortar bag for vertical use with large tile. In showers, the waterproofing system has its own requirements, and TileLetter notes that wet areas need 95% mortar coverage. For how to keep wall tile from sliding while it sets, see our wall tile leveling guide.
Large format wall tile sizes and orientation
The most common large format wall tile sizes are 12×24, 24×24 and 24×48 inches. Set vertically, rectangular tile makes a wall look taller; set horizontally, it makes a wall look wider. Pick the size that gives balanced cuts at the ceiling, corners and openings of your wall.
| Size | Feel on a wall | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12×24 | Clean, versatile | Showers, bathrooms, backsplashes | Offset limit if laid horizontally in running bond |
| 24×24 | Calm, square grid | Bathroom walls, feature walls | Cuts at windows and outlets |
| 24×48 | Nearly seamless | Shower walls, accent walls | Weight, handling, wall flatness |
| Larger panels | Almost no grout lines | Feature walls, showers | Specialized installation methods |
Orientation also affects lippage. Long tile in a horizontal running bond puts warped edges next to each other, which is why ANSI A108.02 section 4.3.8.2, quoted in LATICRETE TDS 164, limits the offset to 33% when the offset side is longer than 18 inches, unless the tile maker specifies otherwise. A vertical stack avoids that problem entirely.
How flat does the wall need to be?
For tile with any edge 15 inches or longer, TCNA guidance quoted in LATICRETE TDS 164 allows no more than 1/8 inch variation in 10 feet from the required plane and no more than 1/16 inch in 24 inches. Walls that miss that need to be corrected before tiling, not fixed with extra mortar.
Check the wall with a long straightedge in several directions, including diagonals. Studs that bow, a crooked corner or a bulge at a seam all show up as lippage on large tile. A leveling system keeps neighboring edges in the same plane, but it cannot make the whole wall flat. More on why flatness matters is in what is tile lippage.
How do you lay out a large format tile wall?
Lay out a large format tile wall from the center of the most visible wall, so cuts at both corners match. Plan grout lines to land at the niche, window or backsplash edges, keep a full tile at eye level when possible, and start the first full row on a level support rather than on an uneven floor or tub.
Draw the wall to scale or mark the layout on it before mixing mortar. Large tiles leave fewer chances to hide an off-center layout, so a cut of a few inches at one end and a near-full tile at the other is very visible. In a shower, the valve and shower head positions usually decide where the grid starts. For step-by-step installation on walls and showers, see large format tile installation.
What grout line for large format wall tile?
Rectified large format wall tile is commonly set with 1/16 or 1/8 inch joints. Use 1/8 inch, a narrow but visible line, for most ceramic and porcelain tile; go to 1/16 inch only with very consistent rectified tile when the tile maker allows it. Calibrated tile needs wider joints.
In a running bond, tile with any side over 18 inches needs at least 1/8 inch on average if rectified and 3/16 inch if calibrated under ANSI A108.02 section 4.3.8.1. For the most common size, read grout line size for 12×24 tile, and compare joints on the grout joint size chart.
Why does lippage show on large wall tile?
Walls are lit from the side by windows, vanity lights and wall washers, and that raking light throws a shadow from any raised edge. Large tile has long edges and narrow joints, so a small height difference becomes a visible line. LATICRETE TDS 164 lists side lighting of walls as a common way lippage becomes noticeable.
Leveling clips are the simplest fix during installation. The Next Level tile leveling system combines clips in 1/32, 1/16 and 1/8 inch with reusable wedges that hold edges flush while the mortar cures.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use floor tile on a wall?
Often yes, if the tile maker approves it for walls and the backing and mortar are rated for its size and weight.
Should large wall tiles go vertical or horizontal?
Vertical makes walls look taller and avoids offset warpage; horizontal makes walls look wider. Both work with planning.
Do you need leveling clips on wall tile?
On large format wall tile, yes, in most cases: long edges and side light make lippage easy to see.
Key terms
- Large format wall tile: tile with an edge over about 15 inches installed on a vertical surface.
- Feature wall: a single wall finished differently from the rest of the room to draw attention.
- Vertical orientation: setting rectangular tile with its long side upright.
- Horizontal orientation: setting rectangular tile with its long side level.
- Wall washer lighting: lights aimed down or across a wall, which make lippage easy to see.
- First full row: the first row of uncut tile, set on a level support so the rest of the wall stays true.
- Vertical substrate: the wall backing tile is bonded to, which must be flat and able to carry the tile’s weight.
Sources
- TileLetter (NTCA), Large-format tile: know your numbers for installation success
- LATICRETE TDS 164, Lippage: Causes and Prevention (TCNA flatness, ANSI A108.02 4.3.8.1 and 4.3.8.2, side lighting)
Tiling a wall in large format? Next Level clips hold big wall tile flush and set 1/32, 1/16 or 1/8 inch joints, with reusable wedges. The Next Level tile leveling system is sold nationwide by quote. Request a quote for clips and wedges for your wall.