Tile Installation Calculator

01

㎡ (square meter) is the tile installation area, and calculating the required number of tiles is essential. Basic formula: Tiles needed = (Room area ÷ Tile area) × 1.1 (10% waste). Example 1: Room 5m × 4m = 20㎡, Tile 30cm × 30cm = 0.09㎡ (0.3×0.3). Tiles needed = (20 ÷ 0.09) × 1.1 = 244 tiles. Example 2: Bathroom 2m × 1.5m = 3㎡, Tile 20cm × 20cm = 0.04㎡. Tiles needed = (3 ÷ 0.04) × 1.1 = 83 tiles. Box ordering: Tiles are sold by the box. 30×30cm tiles usually come 11 tiles per box (1㎡), 20×20cm come 25 per box. For 244 tiles needed → 244÷11 = 22.2 boxes → Round up to 23 boxes.

02

Large tiles (60×60cm, 80×80cm, 100×100cm): 3~5 tiles per ㎡. Pros: Fast installation, fewer grout lines, space looks larger. Cons: Hard to cut, expensive to replace, leveling critical. Recommended: Living room, entrance, office. Installation cost: $20~30/㎡. Medium tiles (30×30cm, 40×40cm): 6~11 per ㎡. Most commonly used size. Pros: Reasonable price, easy installation, various designs. Recommended: Kitchen, bathroom, balcony. Cost: $15~25/㎡. Small tiles (10×10cm, 15×15cm, 20×20cm): 25~100 per ㎡. Pros: Works for curved/narrow spaces, detailed patterns. Cons: Slow installation, many grout lines, high labor cost. Recommended: Bathroom walls, kitchen backsplash, accent walls. Cost: $25~40/㎡.

03

Causes of waste: ① Cutting damage (30%), ② Transport/handling breakage (20%), ③ Installation cracks (20%), ④ Corner/edge trimming (20%), ⑤ Color/pattern defects (10%). Waste rate standards: Straight layout 10%, 45-degree diagonal 15~20%, complex patterns 20~25%. Curved or narrow spaces (bathroom walls) can reach 25~30%. Budget planning: Tile material + installation + supplies. Example: 20㎡ living room, 60×60cm tiles. Tiles needed: (20 ÷ 0.36) × 1.1 = 61 tiles. Tile price: $6 per tile → Total $366. Installation: $25/㎡ → 20㎡ = $500. Supplies (cement, grout, adhesive): $80. Total budget: $946 (about $47/㎡).

04

Straight layout: Most basic installation. Tiles aligned horizontally and vertically. Waste rate 10%. Pros: Fast, cheap, neat grout lines. Cons: Plain. Recommended: General homes, offices. 45-degree diagonal: Tiles rotated 45 degrees in diamond shape. Waste rate 15~20%. More corner cutting increases waste. Example: 20㎡, straight needs 244 tiles vs 45-degree needs 267 tiles (10% more). Pros: Space looks larger, premium feel. Cons: Installation cost 20~30% higher, time 1.5×. Recommended: Living room, hotel lobby. Herringbone pattern: Rectangular tiles in V-shape. Waste rate 20~25%. Pros: Unique design, luxury. Cons: Complex, cost 2×. Recommended: Entrance, boutique.

05

Installation cost components: ① Labor (tiler + assistant), ② Materials (tiles + grout + adhesive), ③ Removal (existing tile demolition), ④ Leveling work (floor leveling), ⑤ Miscellaneous (waste disposal). Tiler labor: Skilled worker $150~250/day, assistant $100~120/day. Per ㎡ cost $15~40/㎡. Large tiles/straight layout cheaper, small/pattern expensive. Material costs: Budget tiles $4~8/tile, mid-range $8~25/tile, premium (imported) $40~80/tile. Grout: $25~40 (20kg), adhesive: $30~50 (20kg). Removal: Existing tile removal $8~12/㎡, concrete breaking $15~25/㎡. Leveling: Cement plastering for uneven floors $12~20/㎡.

06

By purpose: Bathroom floor → Non-slip tiles, 20×20cm or 30×30cm, rough matte surface. Bathroom walls → Low absorption porcelain, 15×30cm rectangular, bright colors. Kitchen floor → Acid/oil resistant, 40×40cm large, fewer grout lines for easy cleaning. Kitchen backsplash → Glossy tiles, 10×30cm, oil stain easy to clean. Living room → Luxury marble/wood pattern, 80×80cm or 100×100cm, thin grout. Entrance → Durable porcelain, 60×60cm, dark color (hides dirt). By material: Porcelain → 0.5% absorption, indoor/outdoor, mid-high price. Ceramic → 1~3% absorption, most common, mid price. Earthenware → 10%+ absorption, walls only, cheap. High-end porcelain → Ultra-low absorption, premium, expensive.