What Is Lippage and Why Does It Matter?
By Granite Heroes Team · 2025-03-02
Those uneven tile edges aren't just ugly—they're a safety hazard. Learn about lippage and how professional grinding solves it.
What Is Lippage and Why Does It Matter? If you run your hand across your stone floor and feel uneven edges between tiles, you're experiencing lippage . It's one of the most common issues we address at Granite Heroes. What Causes Lippage? Installation Issues The most common cause is poor installation. If the substrate isn't perfectly level or tiles aren't set properly, edges won't align. Tile Warping Natural stone tiles can have slight variations in thickness. Without proper adjustment during installation, these differences create lippage. Substrate Movement Over time, building settlement and seasonal expansion/contraction can shift tiles out of alignment. Why It Matters Safety Protruding tile edges create trip hazards, especially for: - Children - Elderly family members - Anyone in socks or bare feet - Rolling carts or wheelchairs Aesthetics Lippage disrupts the smooth, uniform appearance of your stone floor. It creates shadow lines that make even clean floors look unkempt. Cleaning Uneven edges collect dirt and grime in the gaps, making floors harder to clean and maintain. Stone Damage Exposed edges chip more easily, leading to progressive damage. The Solution: Professional Lippage Removal Our process uses diamond grinding to level tile edges without removing the tiles: 1. Assessment — We measure lippage across the entire floor 2. Grinding — Diamond abrasives level the edges 3. Honing — Progressive grits smooth the entire surface 4. Polishing — Restore the desired finish lev