Slabs of 120 by 240 centimetres promise seamless stone looks with porcelain's shrug-proof maintenance. We specify them weekly — for kitchen islands, shower walls and fireplaces. But large format punishes poor planning, so here is the honest ledger from our specification desk.
The pros: calm, continuity, easy care
Fewer grout lines mean calmer surfaces and faster wipe-downs — a genuine win in kitchens and family baths. Book-matched veining across a full wall delivers the drama of rare marble at a fraction of the quarried price, and porcelain shrugs at heat, acids and UV that would stain natural stone.
The cons: weight, waste and skilled hands only
A single slab can weigh 60 kilos and needs two certified fixers plus suction frames — small bathrooms can cost more in handling than in material. Offcuts are brutal: order 20 percent over, and check your elevator and stairwell dimensions before you fall in love. Finally, lippage shows cruelly on big tiles, so levelling systems and an installer with a portfolio of large format are non-negotiable.
"Specify large format for walls you see whole — behind the range, inside the shower. For chopped-up cloakrooms, smaller tiles win every time."
Our specification checklist
Confirm slab access routes, a dead-flat substrate, epoxy or high-polymer adhesive, and a fixer who warranties lippage below half a millimetre. Get those four right and large format is the hardest-working surface in your home.
Renovating a kitchen or bath? See how our residential renovation service handles specification, supply and install under one roof.