Not sure it’s a spacer issue….it seems to me the tiler pushed some tiles deeper into the thinset…..hence the unevenness. I don’t think it was done well, but whether you want it replaced depends on if you can live with it; it sounds like you probably don’t want to, so talk to your tiler about redoing it.

That's as good as it's going to be. The tile manufacturer usually specs how they need to be installed (1/3 offset likely to minimize lippage) yours look to be half offset. That can be done if the quality of the tiles allow it and the installer's skill set is up to the job.

The installer is ready to do it again. Should we go with 1/3 offset this time? Also will adding spacer makes any difference?

Your tiler is not capable of doing the job or he wouldn't have done that. Another terrible job will be more costly than starting again with an experienced tiler that who's work you've inspected first.

It looks like a 20 ft wall. try moving the lights so that the imperfections whould not case a shadow

Light a great piece of art in the center.

I want to be clear because no one else is saying it. That is the worst tile job I've ever seen. Something like that, that is lit from above needs to be flat or you get shadows.

Consider using porcelain slabs instead and bookmatch them to make a statement wall.

I am not sure i totally understand. This is the better view in sunlight. Are you recommending to do bigger porcelain slabs? These are 12*24 tiles. What size may look better?

Also will bigger porcelain slabs be safer for this 20ft wall? Many installers told us they are not even comfortable to put 24*48 size in this big wall

I would find an installer experienced in the big 10ft porcelain slabs... they are 55in wide. They are safe when installed correctly. You would need four to reach the 20ft height and to wrap around the sides with a nice bookmatch down the center. Your house looks worth it.

first off, why didn't the installer read the specs on this tile install? as mentioned above, 1/3 offset is usually the max just because of what you are experiencing.

this is a proper offset for these tiles. Actually looks less than 1/3. I don't particularly like this layout w/this tile on this surface. but thats me.

Sometimes you can do 1/2 or 50/50 offset. usually fully rectified or natural stone. This one looks good. lit from above too.

Personally I think 12x24 is too small for the size of your fireplace. I'd go larger.

This example is well done and looks very nice. 18X36 size in a vertical. (larger tiles would be better for your height)

take two of those tiles and place them back to back and front to front. any daylight? any bowing? usually they are not 100% flat/level.

Do you know if he used these levelers?

Second, how did he apply the thinset to the back? Ask him if he used the 'spot bonding' method. If he says, "sure did", it's a do over. large tiles like that on a wall need a minimum of 95% coverage on the back, as well as trowled mortar on the wall surface.

these are examples of spot bonding and are a strong NO.

This is the proper way:

so back to your fireplace. whenever you light from above, it's going to cast shadows from the tile that protrudes. during the day it doesn't look bad.

What to do? I don't know what you paid for that job, but it prob wasn't cheap. He should have known what was going to happen w/these tiles. If it was jus one or two lippage issues, I'd say, maybe he got bad tiles. But this is consistant. and expert tile setter knows this and would have explained how the tiles need to laid. (plus, he would have stopped what he was doing when he kept seeing the lippage)

12x24 is a smaller size for the size fireplace. I'd want a 24x24, 30x30 or even 24x48. These tile sizes all take expert tile setters.

maybe you want a stack set if staying w/the 12x24. find out from the manufacturer of that tile if this will work. you also need to know optimum grout lines.

these look better than the offset layout

30x30 maybe?

this is a 24x48 size (notice the offset size)

Super XL panels. this is beautiful. not cheap tho.

That is awesome information, Beth. Thank you so much. Installer is ready to give the money back for tile installation. Now we need to search a good installer, buy new tiles. I am definitely leaning towards bigger tile.

one more thing. how wide is the fireplace? you do NOT want thin slivers along the edges or tops or bottoms. this is where math and a dry layout comes into play. before the tile goes up, the tile guy should have the complete layout mapped out on paper or from a dry layout on the ground. You just don't "start in the center and wing it".

yours isn't even symmetrical. look at the right side, then the left. diff cuts. Tiles on the right are too narrow. Plus, those edges are horrible.

Looks like your guy just started on the left side and worked to the right, never even thinking about the cuts he'd end up with. Just really bad.

here's a proper laid 12x24- 50/50 offset. (not saying it's right or looks good, just commenting on the tile job). you see the center tiles and how each side is worked 'out' from it? both sides are equal cuts.

The area around the firebox is just unfortunate. looks horrible. This is where a dry layout would come in handy. (or a diff size tile or some type of border) And the white grout? Just, NO

compare to this. perfect sides and edges.

vertical straight set w/12x24. Look at the sides. perfectly symmetrical. this is a decent job (cuts at the top are a little small, but he prob had no choice.

either get a bullnose edge tile for the outer sides, a Schluter jolly or some other type of pencil/liner.

Take you time and find a tile you like and a size that FITS your specs.

I would insist he refund money and DEMO the terrible tile job.