Planning Your Tile Project
Tile is one of the most durable and beautiful flooring options available. Proper planning ensures you buy the right amount of tile, grout, and supplies for your project.
Before you start:
- Check tile rating: PEI rating 3+ for floors, 1-2 for walls only
- Inspect for level: Subfloor should be flat within 1/4" over 10 feet
- Plan your layout: Dry lay tiles to check for small cuts at edges
- Buy extra: 15% waste for straight lay, 20% for diagonal patterns
- Match lot numbers: All tile boxes should be from same production run
Types of Tile
| Type | Cost/sq ft | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1-10 | ★★★☆ | Walls, low-traffic floors |
| Porcelain | $3-15 | ★★★★ | High-traffic, outdoors, wet areas |
| Natural Stone | $5-50 | ★★★★ | Luxury applications, entryways |
| Mosaic | $5-30 | ★★★☆ | Backsplashes, accent walls, showers |
Grout Selection Guide
Sanded Grout
Use for: Joints 1/8" or wider
- Most floor tile installations
- Stronger and more durable
- Less shrinkage in wider joints
Unsanded Grout
Use for: Joints 1/16" to 1/8"
- Wall tiles and backsplashes
- Polished marble/glass (won't scratch)
- Smoother finish appearance
How to Calculate Tile Needs
1. Area = Length × Width (in sq ft)
2. Tile Size = L × W (in sq inches) ÷ 144 = sq ft per tile
3. Tiles Needed = (Area ÷ Tile Size) × Waste Factor
4. Grout = Area × 0.25 lbs (for standard tiles)
Example: 10×12 ft Bathroom Floor
Scenario: Tiling a 10×12 ft bathroom with 12×12 inch porcelain tiles.
- Room area: 10 × 12 = 120 sq ft
- Tile size: 12×12 = 144 sq in = 1 sq ft per tile
- Base tiles: 120 ÷ 1 = 120 tiles
- Add 15% waste: 120 × 1.15 = 138 tiles
- Grout: 120 × 0.25 = 30 lbs (3 bags of 10 lb)
Result: Buy 138+ tiles plus 30 lbs of sanded grout and thinset mortar.