What Is Tile Lippage?

What is tile lippage?

Tile lippage is the height difference between one tile and the tile sitting next to it. If you run your hand or boot across a tiled floor and feel a raised edge at the grout joint, that is lippage.

On a finished job, tile lippage can show up as uneven tile edges, shadow lines, raised corners, or a floor that does not feel flat under foot. It is especially noticeable with large format tiles, porcelain tiles, narrow grout joints, and strong lighting.

Real Examples Of Tile Lippage

Uneven tile edges become especially noticeable under lighting, across large format tiles, and in high traffic areas.

Why tile lippage matters

A little variation can happen on any tiling job, but excessive lippage quickly makes the install look unprofessional. Even when the tiles are expensive and the layout is right, raised edges can ruin the final result.

• Trip hazards can be created when tile edges sit too high
• Grout can wear unevenly when one tile edge is proud of the next
• Light catches raised edges, making lippage more obvious
• Large format tiles show faults faster because they cover more surface area
• Customer complaints become more likely when the floor feels uneven
• Rectified tiles are less forgiving because the edges are sharp and consistent

What causes tile lippage?

Tile lippage usually comes from a mix of site conditions, tile shape, adhesive technique, and how carefully the tiles are levelled during installation.

Uneven substrate

If the floor or wall is not flat, the tiles will follow the highs and lows underneath. Before laying, check the surface with a straightedge and correct dips, humps, or rough areas.

Warped or bowed tiles

Large format tiles and porcelain tiles can have slight bowing from manufacturing. This is where a proper tile levelling system becomes important.

Poor adhesive coverage

Uneven adhesive coverage is one of the biggest causes of tile lippage. If one tile sits on more adhesive than the next, the finished surface will not stay level.

• Use the correct notched trowel for the tile size
• Keep your trowel angle consistent
• Collapse adhesive ridges properly
• Back-butter large format tiles where required
• Avoid hollow spots under the tile
• Check levels regularly during installation

Rushing the job

Small height differences build up quickly. If tiles are not checked and adjusted as you work, tiny variations become obvious lippage later in the install.

Skipping tile levelling clips

On modern tiling jobs, especially with larger tiles, skipping tile levelling clips makes it harder to control lippage. Clips and wedges physically hold neighbouring tiles level while the adhesive cures.

How to prevent tile lippage

The best way to prevent tile lippage is to combine good prep, proper adhesive technique, and a reliable tile levelling system.

1. Apply adhesive with the correct notched trowel.
2. Place the base of the 1.5mm levelling clip under the tile edge.
3. Lay the next tile against the clip.
4. Push the wedge through until both tiles are level.
5. Check levels regularly as you work.
6. Allow adhesive to cure before removing clips.

What size levelling clip should you use?

For RedFox, the answer is simple, 1.5mm tile levelling clips. This size creates a clean, modern grout joint while still giving enough spacing for practical installation on common floor and wall tiling jobs.

Does Australian tiling standard mention lippage?

Australian tiling work is generally guided by AS 3958.1. In practical terms, if you are working with modern tiles and tight grout joints, controlling lippage is critical for achieving a professional finish.

Using 1.5mm tile levelling clips correctly helps keep edges aligned while the adhesive cures, making it easier to stay within acceptable tolerances.

Are tile levelling clips worth using?

Yes. Tile levelling clips help speed up alignment, improve consistency, reduce lippage, and give tilers more control while the adhesive is setting.

They are especially useful for large format tiles, rectified porcelain, floor tiling, and jobs where a flat premium finish matters.

Final thoughts

Tile lippage can make a good tiling job look average very quickly. The good news is that most lippage problems can be prevented with proper prep, correct adhesive technique, and the right tile levelling system.

RedFox 1.5mm tile levelling clips are built for tilers who want simple, reliable gear that works properly on site, helping deliver flatter tile work and cleaner grout lines across every install.