Why Large-Format Tile Requires Professional Installation

Large-format tile is not just a finishing material but a real challenge for any craftsman. At M-STONE, which specialises in installing large-format tile in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, we face projects every day where the tile size reaches 120×60 cm, 120×120 cm or even 160×80 cm.

Such formats are popular in modern interiors of private houses in the areas of Obukhiv, Brovary, Irpin and Bucha, as well as in commercial properties on Khreshchatyk, Velyka Vasylkivska or in the Podil district of Kyiv. But why can’t you entrust the laying to a “handyman by the hour”? Let us look at it in detail.

First, the weight of the tile. One large-format tile can weigh from 20 to 50 kg, depending on thickness (usually 6-12 mm). Lifting and positioning such a tile by hand accurately is a task that requires special vacuum suction cups and lifters. At M-STONE we use professional equipment from brands such as Raimondi or Rubi to avoid cracks and deformation. Without this the tile can break during transport or installation, which leads to extra costs. Imagine: you ordered Italian porcelain stoneware for the bathroom in your townhouse in Vyshneve, and because of improper handling half of the batch of material goes to waste.

Second, substrate preparation. Large-format tile does not tolerate unevenness. Even a deviation of 1-2 mm per metre can cause a “butterfly effect”: the tile comes off, voids appear, and in a year or two the floor or wall needs to be redone. At M-STONE we always do laser levelling and use self-levelling compounds to achieve a perfect plane. For facades of natural stone or porcelain stoneware it is even more critical: weather factors are added, as in Kyiv with its damp winters. “Wet facades” are our specialisation, where we use waterproofing and mesh reinforcement so that the structure lasts 20-30 years.

Third, cutting and fitting. Ordinary tile cutters cannot cope with large format. Waterjet equipment with diamond blades is needed to avoid chips. In our projects on sites in the Kyiv region, such as cottages in the Obukhiv district, we often cut tile at a 45-degree angle for seamless joints. A minimal joint of 1-2 mm can be achieved only with wedges and levelling systems such as SLS (Self-Leveling System). Mistakes by non-professionals: crooked joints and air pockets under the tile that lead to cracks from vibration or temperature changes.

Fourth, following the technology. For porcelain stoneware and natural stone the right adhesive is important: flexible, with high adhesion (for example Ceresit CM 117 or Mapei Keraflex).

The fifth aspect is safety and ecology. Working with large format generates dust, so we use vacuum cleaners and respirators. For “wet facades” we use eco-friendly materials without harmful substances.

If you are planning a renovation in Kyiv or the region, do not take risks. Contact M-STONE: call +38 068 100 27 96 or +38 050 914 18 99, write to [email protected]. Visit our profiles: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube. We will calculate the cost for your project free of charge!

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.