Question 1

How many tiles do I need for a 10x12 room?

Accepted Answer

For a 10×12 foot room (120 sq ft) using standard 12×12 inch tiles, you need 120 tiles at minimum. Adding the recommended 10% wastage, order 132 tiles. For 18×18 inch tiles, the count drops to about 54 tiles with wastage. Always round up when ordering.

Question 2

How much tile wastage should I plan for?

Accepted Answer

Plan for 10% wastage on standard straight-lay installations. For diagonal layouts or complex patterns, increase to 15%. Large-format tiles (24 inches and above) in small rooms may need 15-20% due to more cuts along edges. Always keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.

Question 3

What tile size is best for a small bathroom?

Accepted Answer

For small bathrooms (under 40 sq ft), 12×12 inch or 12×24 inch tiles work well. Larger tiles create fewer grout lines, making the space look bigger. Avoid very small mosaic tiles on floors as they require more grout maintenance. For shower floors, smaller tiles (2-4 inches) are better for drainage slope.

Question 4

How do I calculate tiles for an L-shaped room?

Accepted Answer

Break the L-shape into two rectangles. Calculate each rectangle separately (length × width), then add the areas together. Enter the combined total as your room dimensions in the calculator, or calculate each section independently and sum the tile counts.

Question 5

How many tiles come in a box?

Accepted Answer

Standard box quantities vary by tile size: 12×12 inch tiles typically come 10 per box, 18×18 inch tiles come 6 per box, and 24×24 inch tiles come 4 per box. Always check the specific product packaging, as counts can vary by manufacturer and thickness.

Question 6

Should I buy extra tiles beyond the wastage calculation?

Accepted Answer

Yes — buy 2-3 extra tiles beyond your wastage calculation for future repairs. Tile batches have slight colour variations (called lot or dye lot differences), so tiles purchased later may not match exactly. Store extras flat in a dry area for years of perfect colour-matched replacements.

Question 7

What is the difference between floor tiles and wall tiles?

Accepted Answer

Floor tiles are thicker, denser, and rated for foot traffic with slip-resistant surfaces. Wall tiles are thinner and lighter, not designed for weight bearing. Floor tiles can be used on walls, but wall tiles should never be used on floors. Always check the tile PEI rating — floors need PEI 3 or higher.

Tile Flooring Calculator — How Many Tiles Do I Need?