Tile Calculator

Tile is an irreplaceable material in home furnishing. In the bathroom, it can withstand moisture and humidity while creating a hygienic space. In the kitchen, tile can stand up to spills and stains from cooking and food preparation. Thanks to the variety of colors, materials and sizes of tile available, there is something for everyone. Plus, tiling is one of the projects that committed DIY enthusiasts can handle on their own. Use this tile guide to calculate the average costs of installation and purchase.

As always, if you need help along the way, ImproveNet can connect you with up to four tile pros in your area for free!

Number of Tiles

The first step in any tiling process will be determining exactly how many tiles you need. Whether you are tiling the floors, the shower or the walls, you should start by getting exact measurements of the area. When you know the area's total square footage, multiply that number by 115 percent. This accounts for mistakes, the edges of the room or even slight miscalculations in your measurements. Once you know exactly how much tile you need, you can start crafting a budget. Try to get your figure down to a specific price per square foot, which will make it much easier to compare materials.

Average Cost

There are pros and cons of the various types of tile on the market, but only you can decide which material is best for your home and budget. At the lower end of the spectrum will be vinyl, linoleum and laminate. Each of these materials comes in sheets, but you can choose squares that replicate the look of porcelain or stone tiles. Expect to pay $2 to $7 per square foot for these materials, including installation costs. In the middle of the price range is porcelain and ceramic tiles. Both are durable and suitable for wet environments, and they run anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot when you include the cost of installation.

Installation

If you are happy to have the professionals come in and install your tile floor for you, then you can enjoy peace of mind and the knowledge that it is being done correctly. However, you will definitely be paying for the privilege. On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $2,005 and $2,873 for tile installation in a single room.

Tile Installation as DIY Project

If you have some DIY experience and a bit of time, you might want to consider this project on your own. While it can save you money, it will be labor intensive. If you are working with ceramic or porcelain tiles, you will also need to have a wet tile saw, which you can rent for the day at many building stores. Expect to take two days to tile a bathroom completely and three days for a larger kitchen.

Tiling the floors or walls of your home is a smart way to protect the home from moisture and give it a striking new look. The variety of tiles and project sizes means that prices can vary depending on what you plan to install and how big the area will be.

To save some time and stress, ImproveNet can connect you with as many as four tile pros in your area with no cost to you. Let’s get started!

Last updated on Aug 3, 2017