How to Calculate The Number of Tiles You Need
Whether you're performing a total kitchen remodel or putting up a simple bathroom backsplash, determining exactly how much tile to purchase is the crucial first step. If you buy too much, you waste budget. If you buy too little, you run the risk of different dye lots not matching perfectly upon a re-order.
The 10% Waste Rule in Home Improvement
Our tile estimation tool automatically factors in a 10% overage buffer. Why?
- Cuts: Very rarely does a room perfectly divide into 12x12 or 24x24 tiles. You will have to cut tiles at the edges of the room, around toilets, cabinets, or electrical outlets. Cut pieces are mostly unusable elsewhere.
- Breakage: Ceramic and porcelain are fragile before installation. Expect a few chips in transit or while cutting with a wet saw.
- Spares: It is standard industry practice to keep half a box in your attic or garage. If a pipe bursts or a heavy object cracks a floor tile 5 years from now, that exact dye lot will no longer be manufactured. Replacing a broken tile with an attic spare saves thousands.
Always verify your measurements twice before ordering, and consult with your local contractor on specific intricate patterns like Herringbone, which might require a 15% to 20% waste buffer.