Conclusion
Excessive lippage can lead to damaged tile edges as various objects sliding on the floor hit these unsupported tile edges. It can also cause trip-and-fall incidents, particularly for those who shuffle when they walk and/or use walkers. Even in commercial settings, tile lippage can be problematic and annoying as carts and other equipment clack as they run over tile edges.
Excessive tile lippage can be avoided with quality architectural specifications that include adequate QA testing and QC processes. Excessive tile lippage is typically due to a combination of substrates not properly prepared, improper installation methods, improper use of materials, and poor installer workmanship. Perceived excessive tile lippage is typically due to improper lighting design, too narrow grout joints, and not following industry recommendations. In some cases where perceived excessive tile lippage is unavoidable, it may be due to false expectations by the specifier or client.
To avoid these problems, architects must write thorough detailed specifications that are specific, complete, and clear. Installers must be current with industry standards, and follow those standards and the manufacturers’ directions while installing the tile. Installers are mechanics with the skill level to provide quality workmanship, but they should not be expected to make architectural decisions—architects must give the installers the information and details they need to do their job correctly.
Most installers learn their skill on the job and do not have the opportunity to learn the industry standards. So it should be specified and verified that tile-installers are up to date with the current industry standards.
This author has never investigated a tile or stone failure and found all the industry standards and manufacturers’ instructions were followed. The problem is never due to one deficiency, but is always because of many compounding problems. Simply put, the key to a successful tile and stone installation is to follow industry standards and to write good specifications. MasterFormat and SectionFormat provide the structure for good-quality specifications, which, if used correctly and thoroughly, will limit both the designer’s (and the client’s) risk and liability when ceramic tile, glass tile, and stone applications are specified.
Donato Pompo, CTC, CSI, CDT, MBA, is the founder of Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants (CTaSC) and the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS). He has more than 35 years of experience in the ceramic tile and stone industry from installation to distribution to manufacturing of installation products. Pompo provides services in forensic investigations, quality control (QC) services for products and installation methods, training programs, testing, and onsite quality control inspection services. He received the 2012 The Construction Specifier Magazine Article of the Year Award. Pompo can be reached at donato@ctasc.com.
I’ve noticed that in some homes I’ve been in, that there is significant lips on the edge of tiles. I do think it is important that there is a slight lip, but nothing too big. Having one too big would be a home for dirt and other things to get caught in. Just be sure if you are doing something like this yourself, that you do it to the proper specifications.
Good take on what is acceptable and what isn’t with tile lips. I think a slight lip is great but it’s easy to go overboard. Thanks for sharing.
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What percentage of floor tiles that are at the 1/32″ limit for lippage, is acceptable? In 340 Sq. ft. we have 40 spots that are at 1/32″ lippage and 8 spots that are above. I have yet to see the percentage question addressed. Imagine a floor where all tiles are at 1/32 lippage. Would it technically be acceptable? With the above specs our floor looks terrible. we can”t even push our kitchen chairs under our table without having to lift them>
I have the same issue..exactly the same! I know this is an old post, but please share if you received a reply to your question. Thank you in advance.
My Question is similar to Mike B.’s. I have a 2000sqft house that is tiled throughout. Nearly each tile has at least one adjacent tile that is uneven (i.e., there is lippage throughout the house) and I would be hard pressed to find a tile with an no lippage. The RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GUIDELINES states: “…Lippage greater than 1/16″ is considered excessive…except where…tile [is] larger than 13 × 13 inches.” My tiles are about 20″. For me, it is not that there is lippage, but the fact that there is lippage THROUGHOUT the house. What is the corrective measure for this?
I also have the similar problem. Any inputs in this matter are highly appropriated.
There is no percentage of tiles with lippage in excess of the ANSI standard stated. I guess the installers are expected to complete the job with no lippage beyond what is allowable. This is the same as other floor covering categories. Manufacturers have a realistic 5% error rate but installers, as the final quality control step, have no acceptable error rate. They could always follow the NAHB performance guidelines which are more forgiving for imperfect situations.The NAHB, as stated by Mark S. does not even list an acceptable lippage measurement for tiles larger than 13″. Maybe whatever lippage is present is acceptable to them? As stated in the article, there are usually several contributing causes for the final lippage.
There are tiles that are sunk in lower that the adjacent tile. What is the remedy to laying them even. We would like these tile removed and reinstall. Is it possible if tile is pulled it will make the floor weak and the other tiles may become loosen. So disappointed in the overall job. About 20% of the floor has lippage.
You are joking right when you fix a tile bigger than 600 mm long they don’t make them straight so you will always get lippage if you want no lips buy a vinyl floor
Buy he way 3 mm is the industry standard in the uk
I have an 80 square foot bathroom set with 12” by 24” porcelain tiles. The first tile job was ripped out because the lippage was severe among other problems. The second installation I still think is not right. When two tiles are next to each other i expect them to be smooth when I run my hand from one to the next. The contractor laid a credit card down on a tile edge where there was Lippage and once the card was pushed against the next tile the adjoining surfaces where smooth. I expect all the tiles to be laid like that. He said the credit card differential was acceptable with some tile industry standard but if it is not acceptable to a customer how can they make that excuse? I don’t know what to do or who to trust.
Tile is not perfect. Tile is not square. The same tiles in a box are not all the same size that is why there is an ANSI standard so the contractor can sue you for his money if it comes within the standards. You cant make a tile job perfect since tile is not made perfect. Just use common sense about the amount of lippage there is. Some home onwers are just cheap and dont want to pay and some tile setters are hacks. The card trick is a good way to check lippage for a commercial job. In residential, home onwers are more picky and expect more perfection so the contractor should bid accordingly, knowing how most home owners are with expectations. That is why I stopped doing residential.
If you expect/want no lipage plan to purchase an excessive amount of tile.
I’m having the same battle with KB Home. I paid for an upgraded rectified Emser tile with zero discernible warpage. They laid every single tile 7/32 to 9/32 averaging 1/4 grout line with zero tile warpage. One quarter of the 900 SF area has lippage that exceeds or surpasses 1/16. They are trying to kus replace the tiles in questions but when they replace them adjacent tiles become the problem.
There’s an arrow on the back of most floor tile. Point the arrow in the same direction as the others and there’ll be no 👎lippage.
I have a few areas of tile Lippage in a newly laid kitchen with large format 9×47 non-rectified tiles. There is one area in particular that although to the eye is not bothersome I can really feel under my feet. Am I better off leaving this alone..can it do more harm than good replacing a tile on an already grouted floor? I know it shouldn’t be acceptable, but should I just leave well enough alone if it looks good?
I should add that the Lippage is about a “quarter” high in the areas I speak of.
Fran. I have a similar issue. Did you ever get an answer? Or did you just leave it alone?
Isn’t there a term for intentional tile lippage as to give tiled surfaces a rustic effect
Do these lippage requirements apply to travertine or limestone around a pool outside?
I would hope so, since the tripping hazard is potentially fatal, however I understand that outdoor is a different set of conditions. Just wondering what is acceptable outside when the stones are first laid.