Large-Format Tile Installation: What West Michigan Homeowners Should Expect

What Counts as Large-Format Tile

Large-format tile is generally any tile where the longest dimension is 15 inches or more, though the term most commonly refers to tiles in the 24×24, 24×48, or 36×36 inch range. At these sizes, you get minimal grout lines, a seamless continuous-surface look, and a contemporary aesthetic that smaller tiles cannot replicate. In the Grand Rapids area, 24×24 and 24×48 inch porcelain tiles have become the most popular floor choice for open-concept kitchens and living areas.

Why Large-Format Tile Is Technically More Demanding

Larger tiles are less forgiving than smaller tiles. With a 4×4 inch ceramic tile, minor subfloor imperfections are absorbed across many grout joints. With a 24×48 inch tile, there are very few joints, and any variation in the substrate shows as lippage — where one tile edge sits slightly higher than the adjacent tile edge. This is why subfloor preparation is more critical for large-format tile than for any other tile size. The subfloor must be flat within the tolerance specified by the tile manufacturer before a single tile goes down. For us, this means using a straightedge to assess the subfloor and using self-leveling compound or skim-coat mortar to correct any variation above the acceptable threshold.

What Subfloor Preparation Looks Like

Depending on the subfloor condition, prep may involve applying self-leveling compound to fill low spots on concrete, installing cement backer board or an uncoupling membrane over wood subfloors, or skimming mortar over an existing uneven slab. On older Michigan homes with poured concrete basements or subfloors that have settled, this prep phase adds meaningful time to the project — but it is what makes the difference between a floor that lasts for decades and one that develops lippage within a year. We always assess subfloor conditions before providing an estimate for large-format tile. If the floor needs significant leveling work, we include that in the scope upfront.

The Right Thinset Matters

Large-format tiles require a large-format thinset — a full-coverage, non-sag mortar that keeps the tile firmly supported across its entire back surface. Standard thinset applied in ridges, which is adequate for small tile, leaves voids under a large tile that lead to cracking and failure over time. We apply thinset using a combination of back-buttering the tile and applying a full bed to the floor so there is 95% or greater coverage under every tile.

Layout Planning for Minimal Waste and Maximum Visual Impact

Large-format tile requires careful layout planning before installation begins. The goal is to avoid narrow slivers of tile at walls or transitions — a sliver that is less than half a tile wide looks awkward and amateurish. We dry-lay the tile pattern first, planning from the center of the room outward or from a visually dominant wall, to ensure cut pieces at the edges are as large as possible. In open-concept spaces where tile runs from the kitchen through a living area or dining room, the layout lines must be perfectly straight across the entire run. Any drift in the pattern becomes visible in a large-format floor because there are so few joints to absorb it.

Which Rooms Work Best With Large-Format Tile

Large-format tile looks best in open, uninterrupted floor areas — open-concept kitchens flowing into dining or living spaces, wide foyers, and long hallways. The minimal grout line effect is most dramatic when tile can run continuously without being interrupted by transitions, furniture legs, or complex room geometry. For foyers and mudrooms, large-format tile also works exceptionally well — a 24×24 inch tile in a wide entry creates a dramatic, high-end arrival impression. Tile floor installation in large-format porcelain can extend seamlessly from the foyer through the kitchen into an adjacent dining area, creating a cohesive main-level floor without a single threshold strip. In kitchens, coordinating large-format floors with a tile backsplash in the same material or complementary finish creates a unified, intentional look. Contact Adam Baker Masonry at (616) 612-1284 to discuss whether large-format tile is the right choice for your project.