In recent years large tiles have become a major design trend, gracing everything from floors and walls to countertops and backsplashes, transforming ordinary spaces into luxurious, seamless environments. Their clean lines and fewer grout lines create a sense of spaciousness and modern luxury. But is there a difference between ‘large format tiles’ and ‘porcelain slabs’, or are they the same tile size?
In this blog, we will delve into the details to clear up some of the confusion around these mega-sized wall and floor tiles and help you decide which option is best for your next project.
What are Large Format Tiles?
Large format tiles refer to tiles that are typically larger than 12 inches (30cm) in any dimension. These tiles are designed to cover more area with fewer grout lines, creating a sleek and continuous appearance.
Common Sizes
Large format tiles come in a variety of sizes, commonly ranging from 24×24 inches (60x60cm) to 48×48 inches (120x120cm). Rectangular variations such as 12×24 inches (30x60cm) and 24×48 inches (60x120cm) are also popular. Their thickness generally falls between 6 millimeters and 12 millimeters.
Their increased size offers several advantages:
- Minimal Grout Lines: With fewer grout lines interrupting the surface, large format tiles create a more seamless and expansive look, perfect for achieving a modern and minimalist aesthetic. This is especially beneficial in smaller spaces where large expanses of uninterrupted tiles can create the illusion of space. Fewer grout lines also mean less maintenance and a more visually pleasing space overall.
- Wider Range of Design Possibilities: Because they come in various materials, finishes and patterns, large format tiles offer greater flexibility in creating a unique and personalised look for your space. From mimicking the natural veining of marble tiles to replicating the texture of wood grain or natural stones, large-format tiles allow for a more impactful design statement.
Material Composition
Large-format tiles are made from various materials, including ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. Porcelain is particularly favoured for its durability, low water absorption rate and versatility in design. Ceramic tiles are also widely used due to their affordability and ease of installation.
Applications
Large format tiles are versatile and can be used in various settings:
- Floors: They are ideal for creating a spacious and cohesive look in living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Due to their resistance and weatherproof makeup, you can even continue your floor tile design to your outdoor area for a flawless look.
- Walls: These tiles can make a dramatic statement in almost every room from shower walls, to accent pieces, backsplashes and more.
- Countertops: In some cases, large format tiles are also used to create a stunning surface for countertops, offering a cost-effective alternative to solid slabs.
- Fireplaces: For a fireplace surround with a difference, look no further than bold, statement-making large format tiles.
Porcelain Reigns Supreme
When it comes to large-format tiles, we must admit that porcelain reigns supreme. Porcelain boasts superior design qualities and comes in a breathtaking spectrum of colours and patterns, offering unmatched versatility. Regardless of shape or size, porcelain tiles are undeniably beautiful, but large-format porcelain tiles truly steal the show, giving a space that wow factor. They are the perfect choice for residential and commercial areas alike.
What are Porcelain Slabs?
As you can see, porcelain slabs are essentially supersized versions of large-format tiles.
Common Sizes
Porcelain slabs can measure up to a whopping 63×126 inches (160x320cm) and even reach up to a staggering 3.05 meters (10 feet) in length and width, offering a nearly seamless look. Custom sizes can also be produced to fit specific projects. Despite their size, the tile thickness generally ranges from 6mm to 12mm, depending on the application requirements, making them relatively easy to install. Due to their inherent strength, they can sometimes be even thinner.
Material Composition
Large porcelain slabs are made from refined clay and minerals fired at extremely high temperatures. Modern manufacturing techniques involve pressing the raw materials into large moulds and baking them at temperatures exceeding 1200 degrees Celsius. This process results in a dense, non-porous and highly durable material that mimics the appearance of natural stones or other materials.
Applications
This colossal size translates into unique benefits that regular tiles can’t quite match. For example, porcelain slabs create a dramatic visual impact, especially in grand spaces like open floor plans, high-ceiling living rooms or grand foyers. Their expansive surface minimises grout lines even further, creating an almost uninterrupted visual flow that enhances the feeling of spaciousness. These large-format porcelain slabs are ideal for various high-impact and visually demanding applications such as:
- Kitchen Countertops: Their large size and seamless appearance make them an excellent choice for countertops, offering a clean and modern look.
- Large Wall Surfaces: Porcelain slabs are perfect for creating expansive, uninterrupted surfaces in bathrooms, and living rooms and used as feature wall tiles.
- Commercial Spaces: They are ideal for high-traffic areas such as hotel lobbies, office buildings and retail spaces due to their durability and aesthetic appeal.
Key Differences Between Large Format Tiles and Porcelain Slabs
While both large-format tiles and porcelain slabs offer a modern seamless look with minimal grout lines, the crucial difference lies in their size and material composition.
👉 Size:
- Large Format Tiles: Typically range from a manageable 60x60cm (24×24 inches) up to 120x120cm (48×48 inches). Rectangular options like 30x60cm (12×24 inches) and 60x120cm (24×48 inches) are also common. Their thickness generally falls between 6mm and 12mm.
- Porcelain Slabs: Take things to the extreme, reaching up to a staggering 3.05 meters (10 feet) in length and width (304.8×304.8cm). Despite their size, their thickness can be similar to large format tiles, ranging from 6mm to 12mm or even thinner.
👉 Material Composition:
- Large Format Tiles: While porcelain is a popular choice for large format tiles due to its durability and design versatility, other materials can also be found in this category. These include ceramic, stone (such as granite or marble) and even quartz.
- Porcelain Slabs: As the name suggests, porcelain slabs are made entirely of porcelain. This material is renowned for its exceptional strength, low porosity, and ability to mimic the look of natural stones with incredible detail.
👉 Different Applications:
These size and thickness variations influence where each material shines:
- Large Format Tiles: Their smaller size makes them easier to handle and install, perfect for DIY enthusiasts. This makes them ideal for residential applications like floors and walls, where they create a modern, open and spacious look.
- Porcelain Slabs: These slabs offer a seamless, luxurious appearance best suited for expansive surfaces. Think grand countertops, large feature walls or commercial spaces. Their larger size translates to fewer joints, enhancing the visual appeal but requiring more care during installation.
👉 Installation Process:
- Large Format Tiles: The installation process for large format tiles is similar to standard tiling but with a greater emphasis on precision.
- Porcelain Slabs: The size and weight of porcelain slabs necessitate advanced skills and experience. Professional installation is highly recommended.
👉 Aesthetic Differences:
- Surface Finish: Both large format tiles and porcelain slabs come in a variety of finishes, including matte, glossy, textured and polished. Porcelain slabs often excel at mimicking natural stone or other materials with exceptional detail.
- Seam Visibility: Due to their smaller size, large format tiles naturally have more seams compared to porcelain slabs. However, these are still significantly fewer than traditional tiles. Porcelain slabs, with their massive scale, offer minimal seams, creating a nearly uninterrupted surface that elevates the luxurious look.
- Design Flexibility: Large format tiles offer greater flexibility for incorporating different designs and patterns. They can also be combined with other tile sizes and shapes to create unique effects. Porcelain slabs, on the other hand, excel at creating a seamless and uniform look, ideal for large, uninterrupted surfaces. Their design possibilities are limited by the need to handle such large pieces.
👉 Durability and Maintenance:
Both large-format tiles and porcelain slabs are highly durable, and resistant to wear, scratches and stains, making them suitable for high-traffic areas. However, some slight differences exist in their maintenance:
- Large Format Tiles: While highly durable, they require regular cleaning and occasional resealing of the grout lines.
- Porcelain Slabs: Their minimal grout lines make them easier to maintain. Regular cleaning is usually sufficient, with resealing needed less frequently.
Stunning Large Format Tiles and Porcelain Slabs at EMC
Whether you are captivated by the modern elegance of large format tiles or drawn to the dramatic impact of porcelain slabs, both offer unique advantages for your next project. Understanding the key differences in size, installation, aesthetics and maintenance will help you make the perfect choice.
At EMC Tiles, we are passionate about helping our customers bring their design vision to life. We offer a wide selection of large-format tiles and porcelain slabs in a variety of styles, colours and finishes to suit any taste and budget. Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and guide you through the selection process.
Shop With Us Today
Visit one of our showrooms or browse our online shop today to discover the perfect large-format tiles or porcelain slabs to transform your space. We look forward to helping you create a lasting impression!
