Things to Consider Before Buying Large-Format Tiles

Dec 2025

When designing or renovating a large commercial space such as a mall, corporate lobby, airport lounge, or premium retail store, selecting the right floor tile can transform both aesthetics and long-term functionality.

Why go for Large-Format tiles?

Seamless, Spacious Look

Large-format tiles cover much more area per piece, meaning significantly fewer grout joints. With minimal visible lines, spaces feel cleaner, more continuous, and visually expansive. This uninterrupted look instantly elevates the sense of scale, a major advantage for commercial environments aiming for sophistication and minimalism.

Minimal Maintenance & Easy Cleaning

Because there are fewer joints, there are fewer places for dust, stains, or moisture to settle. Cleaning becomes quicker and more efficient, which is essential for high-traffic public spaces like malls and showrooms. 

Contemporary Aesthetic & Luxurious Appeal

Many designers choose these tiles because they make a space feel more open and less visually busy. And when paired with grout in a similar shade, the floor gains a clean, elegant look that quietly becomes a beautiful design feature on its own.

What to evaluate before choosing 1200×1800 mm Large-Format Tiles?

Choosing large-format tiles requires more thoughtful consideration than selecting regular standard-sized tiles, because their scale affects installation technique, visual impact, maintenance, and overall structural performance.

Before investing in 1200×1800 mm slabs, take time to evaluate the following considerations thoroughly.

Subfloor Readiness and Structural Integrity

Large-format tiles need a perfectly even and stable subfloor. Any minor undulation becomes visible when laying large slabs, leading to tile lippage, hollow sounds, or cracking over time.

Before installation:

• Inspect the substrate for dips, slopes, or irregularities.
• Use professional floor-leveling compounds wherever required.
• Ensure the structural slab can support the tile weight, adhesive thickness, and foot traffic load.

Material Choice Considering Usage

When tiles are going to be installed in busy public areas, material selection matters more than ever. Make sure you choose options that provide:

• High mechanical strength and durability
• Very little water absorption
• Reliable resistance to stains, scratches, and surface wear

In environments like malls, showrooms, and airports, premium quality slabs, such as the large-format range from Lavish Ceramics, maintain structural strength and finish even under heavy footfall.

Tile Thickness & Weight Handling

The structural strength of a 1200 × 1800 mm tile is closely linked to its thickness and body composition. While thin slabs offer a beautiful, sleek look, they can be more susceptible to stress and impact in busy public spaces.

Before finalizing, review:

• Recommended traffic rating for commercial applications
• Tile thickness relative to expected load and movement
• Whether additional reinforcement is required in certain zones (like moving load areas with carts or trolleys)

Understanding weight implications also helps plan installation teams, tools, and lifting methods to avoid breakage.

Grout Strategy & Layout Planning

Grout planning significantly influences the final visual and structural outcome of large-format tiles. To maintain seamless elegance while ensuring long-term stability:

• Use minimal joint spacing while allowing for correct expansion tolerance
• Match grout shade closely with tile color for continuity
• Finalize layout planning to maintain symmetry and avoid awkward cuts

Logistics, Handling, and Storage Preparedness

Managing the logistics of large-format slabs requires precision from delivery to installation.

Plan for:

• Safe transportation with protective packing
• Proper vertical storage to prevent bending or cracking
• Dedicated manpower and tools like suction lifters, slab cutters, and leveling systems
• Space for staging tiles before installation

Slip Resistance and Surface Finish

The finish of the tile must correspond to safety requirements and daily practical use. In commercial environments, choosing the wrong finish can lead to avoidable slip hazards.

Evaluate:

• Matte or textured finishes for wet or busy areas (entrances, restrooms, food courts)
• Polished finishes only in controlled dry zones with lower footfall
• Compliance with slip resistance ratings relevant to local safety standards

Design, Scale, and Space Coordination

The beauty of 1200×1800 mm tiles lies in their large, uninterrupted surface. However, they must visually complement the dimensions and flow of the space.

Ask yourself:

• Does the tile size enhance architectural scale rather than overpower it?
• Will the design pattern or veining maintain continuity across slabs?
• Do room shapes, lighting, and furniture placement support large, uninterrupted flooring?

Why is Lavish Ceramics a strong option to consider?

Lavish Ceramics offers a comprehensive range of premium commercial flooring solutions, including large-format tiles in 1200 × 1800 mm dimensions that are well-suited for high-performance environments. 

These products are manufactured using vitrified and glazed porcelain technologies, providing high durability, surface strength, low water absorption, and long-lasting finish quality. This makes them particularly suitable for spaces such as malls, showrooms, hospitality venues, corporate facilities, and luxury interiors.

Their portfolio includes multiple surface textures and finishes designed to meet diverse technical and aesthetic requirements, allowing architects and designers to align safety, visual appeal, and structural reliability within a single material specification. 

Consistent manufacturing standards and rigorous testing further ensure that these tiles perform effectively under heavy foot traffic and demanding commercial conditions.

Wrapping Up

Creating a commercial space is really about shaping how people feel when they walk through it. A sense of openness, calm, and effortless flow can completely transform the experience of a place, and that is where large-format tiles like 1200 × 1800 mm make a meaningful difference. 

With fewer joints to maintain and surfaces built to stand strong against constant movement, they help spaces stay welcoming and polished, even with heavy foot traffic and years of use.

Partnering with a reputable manufacturer like Lavish Ceramics ensures precision, material integrity, and design excellence, helping you achieve the grand architectural vision you have in mind.