Large format tiles have surged in both popularity and presence over the last few years, and more homeowners and professionals than ever are turning to oversized formats for everything from kitchen floors to feature walls. It's not hard to see why — with the expanded range of designs now available in larger sizes, fewer tiles are needed (which translates into real savings on material costs!). If you've decided to ride the large format wave and are gearing up for a project that uses sizeable tiles, take a moment to read through this guide before you begin. Below, we walk you through the five most essential tiling tools you'll need to get the job done right.
Table of Contents- Levelling System
- Suction Pads
- Profile Gauge
- Spare Blades / Discs
- Notched Trowel
Levelling System
The larger the tile, the more obvious any flatness inconsistencies become. A tile can fall well within the accepted British and International standards and still show small variations in flatness. This usually isn't a major issue when working with smaller tiles, but with large format tiles, even minor differences can become visible where the corner of one tile sits slightly higher than the next. This issue, known as 'lipping', is particularly noticeable on tiles with a 'rectified' edge (meaning they have a square edge rather than a softer 'cushion' edge). To keep lipping under control, we strongly recommend investing in a quality Levelling System — an absolute must-have for ensuring your large format tiles sit flush, even, and professionally laid.
Suction Pads
Handling oversized tiles can be both awkward and risky, so rather than wrestling enormous slabs around using only your hands (or roping in a helpful assistant!), it pays to invest in a proper set of suction pads. These tools are similar to the ones glaziers use to transport large sheets of glass through busy streets — narrowly missing the odd pedestrian (if you're a fan of classic slapstick comedy!) — and they're surprisingly affordable. Simply press them firmly onto your large tiles, lift using the handles, position the tile carefully, and then release the suction levers to free the pads. Using these will dramatically reduce the risk of breakage and make handling and manoeuvring large tiles a whole lot safer.
Profile Gauge
Cutting tiles to wrap around obstacles like door frames, pipes, or skirting can be incredibly tricky, which is why investing in a profile gauge is such a smart move. A profile gauge works as a kind of instant template — you press it against the shape you need to copy (a door jamb, a column edge, or similar) and the pins move to capture the exact outline, which you can then transfer directly onto your tile for a clean, accurate cut. You can technically do this with paper templates, but a profile gauge is far more precise and helps ensure your cuts are clean, sharp, and right the first time — minimising costly waste on those expensive large format tiles.
Take the Hassle Out of Cutting Large Format Tiles
For clean, precise cuts on oversized tiles, the right cutting system makes all the difference. Designed specifically for large format installations, this professional-grade tool delivers consistent, accurate results every time.
Spare Blades / Discs
Cutting large format tiles typically requires either a manual rail cutter or an electric cutter. Rail cutters use what's known as the 'score and snap' method — a blade is dragged across the tile to create a clean indentation, and then the tile is manually snapped along that score line (see how it works in action online if you're new to the technique). There are also two main types of electric cutters available on the market today: wet wheel cutters and mobile head cutters. Wet wheel cutters use a spinning diamond sintered blade combined with a steady jet of water to prevent the blade from overheating, while mobile head cutters resemble a table-top circular saw. Whichever route you choose, your blades will be working harder than usual with large tiles, so always have spare blades or discs on hand for when the original ones start losing their edge.
Notched Trowel
Last but certainly not least, a quality notched trowel is essential when working with large format tiles. Because of the sheer surface area involved, you'll need a trowel with deeper notches than what you'd typically use for standard-sized tiles. This ensures that adhesive is spread evenly and in sufficient quantity to fully support the back of the tile, preventing hollow spots and weak bonding that could lead to cracking or movement later on. Look for trowels with larger square or U-shaped notches specifically designed for big-format applications — your tiles (and your knees) will thank you.
Ready to Tackle Your Large Format Tile Project?
Equip yourself with the right tools and make every cut count. The Raimondi Raizor MkII PLUS is engineered to handle the biggest tiles with precision and ease.