Recently I was browsing one of my favorite tile showrooms here in London, and found myself discussing tile trends with one of the salespeople. While that sentence might be enough to bore some of you to tears, bear with me: there's big news in the tile world. Well, big and little.
For a few seasons now, the trend in both kitchens and bathrooms has been for tile which appears as a single expanse of surface, with minimal breaks to disturb the effect. There are two ways this look can be achieved: by using small mosaic tiles over a large surface, or by using extra-large tiles.
Mosaics have been trending for years, but some of the newer micro mosaics put penny tile and the like to shame. Often only a few millimetres in size, these tiles are so small that once installed, you're left with a wall that's 50% tile, and 50% grout. Not a look for everyone, but the faceted effect of micro mosaics play with the light in a really interesting way, and when used over an entire wall, can really increase the sense of space in a room.
On the other end of the spectrum, recent technological advances in the tile world (basically, extra-large kilns and extra-thin porcelain) mean that tiles have also been getting big. Really big. With sizes up to 48" square, these days a kitchen backsplash can be constructed of only 2 or 3 tiles. When using these mega-tiles, a skilled tradesperson who can make extra-thin grout lines is a must; you don't want to ruin that smooth effect with an obvious line.
So, over to you - do you like the seamless trend? How would you choose to go about it, mini or mega?
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I like the textural element of the mini-tiles, and how they're less kitschy than penny tiles, but I wonder about keeping all that grout clean.
I like larger tiles. They should make a small room seem less small, at least that's what I read about floor tiles.
Gosh, those huge tiles are wonderful! I don't know about using them on an older home, though, where you can expect some movement over time...or in an earthquake-prone area. My contractor always says "a house is a living, breathing thing," when tiled walls pop a crack at the edges, or drywall buckles.
I installed a large amount of Bisazza mosaic in a bathroom five or six years ago and have been fighting the grout ever since. A tile fell off in the shower the other day. I do not recommend mosaic tile for the shower.
I detest ceramic tile on counters -- if you've ever had to deal with it, you know what I mean. Trying to wipe off the counter is an exercise in futility. The grout lines catch every crumb and, if you should spill a colored liquid, you'll never get the stain out without chipping out the grout and re-doing it. Needless to say, ceramic tile on a counter just means unclean to me.
I love the look of the huge tiles on the wall, but I would worry about what happens as the house settles...
I love the large tiles. Can you tell me the type of tile?
thanks
I'm planning on replacing the flooring in a condo we just purchased with large tiles, I've always hated fighting the dirty grout in my apartments with small tiles.
We had 16x16 inch Crema marble tiles in our shower surround with very fine grout lines. The tile setter even matched the veining of the tile over the wall. The effect was beautiful. We got the tile from a discount/overstock tile showroom at $ 2.00 a tile.
I prefer large tiles. But i bet they are WAY more expensive than the micro tiles.
to install the large tile you have to have 100% flat surface. the smaller tile is much more forgiving.
I have 17x17 porceline tile on my kitchen floor set in a diagonal pattern, it was the biggest tile we could find (retail) and the install was diy. I wanted a bigger tile like that because the space was almost 400sq ft, thought 12x12 standard tile would look too busy with all those grout lines, never thought about it making the space look larger.
Can't imagine a 48" sq tile, it would look awesome but something that large would really stretch a diy install, I mean how the heck would you physically handle it?
I don't think mosaics make much sense as a back splash. too much grout to clean off all that splash, i mean if you actually cook. And I know grout lines really drive people crazy cleaning tile counter tops. I do think mosaics give nice grip for your feet say small hex marble mosaic in the bathroom floor. A large smooth tile can be very very slippery, but makes for easy cleaning.
I don't have a strong aesthetic preference on size - any size can look great depending on where and how they're used. But after the rare east coast earthquake this past year, we now have a hairline crack from one end of our bath to the other - right through the middle of the large tiles. Ugh. Not worth the heartbreak.
We had a mini tile backsplash in our old home and it was gorgeous. We used a rich palette with several colors that came together. The grout was no trouble, but in a shower it might be harder to gauge. Maybe try a filler to make it flat?
Love the idea of large tiles but never the reality unfortunately, it always looks too much like a hotel for me and too heavy...love those small tiles, where do we get them????
The tiles are great at all sizes. i can see applications for all the options. What advancements have been made to grout? That's the issues, isn't it?
We rented an apartment in Limours, France about 4 years ago. The use of mega large tiles in the bathroom is great! It presents a modern clean look. I love it and will be repeating it when we renovate our apartment that's in the south eastern part of France. Like this bathroom that bathroom has no window so there is no direct light. When you are able to control the light then these tiles are a consideration worth the price.
The availability of pre-sealed grout and additives like Miracle Sealant's Grout Shield, which permanently seals the grout, makes mold, mildew and staining issues a thing of the past. A tile installation is only as good as the substrate it is attached to and the skill of the installer. In the previous comments, I've read that some do not like mosaic tiles. Let me just say that it is not the tile. It sounds like faulty installation and grout that has not been sealed or maintained, that causes the headaches. Also, large format tiles are beautiful and very practical, but as your tile gets larger, it is even more important that your substrate is level, plumb, and thick enough to accept the size and weight of the tile being applied. The Tile Council of America recommends, for floors, at least an 1-1/4 inch substrate to attach tile to, with the appropriate concrete backer board or underlayment in place. Sorry to be such a "tile dork", but I have been a kitchen/bath designer, specializing in tile, for the last 15 years, and have had customers with similar issues.
Wow! That is great work.
http://mosaictiledirect.net/mosaic-tiles-1/onyx-mosaic-tiles.html