How do you size your floor and wall tiles? Find out how many tiles you need
Have you decided to lay tiles on the floor or wall? Installing them yourself is not difficult at all. If you have the right equipment, a little patience, and a bit of willingness, you will certainly be able to handle this challenge. In this guide, we answer the question of how to measure tiles on the floor and how to measure tiles on the wall. We encourage you to read on.
How to Measure Tiles on the Floor? It's Easy!
Measuring tiles on the floor should begin with choosing the right porcelain tiles. Then, measure the floor area and create a rough sketch. This will definitely simplify your future work, as it's quite common at this point to realize that not all tiles suit a particular space.
Before you buy floor tiles, pay attention to the quality of the product. It is best to choose rectified porcelain tiles, which are known for their perfect dimensions. They do not require much cutting and alteration of their natural shape. Another excellent choice is mosaic sheets mounted on a special mesh. Also, try to carefully match the size and shape of the tiles to the needs of your space.
The next step is to gather the necessary accessories without which measuring and laying tiles is impossible. You will primarily need tile spacers, mortar or adhesive, finishing trims, a spirit level, a grout float, and a tile cutter.
Measuring Tiles on the Floor – Symmetry is Important
Have you already chosen the tiles you like? Now it's time to get to work. Step by step, you should follow the guidelines so that the final result meets your expectations.
Don't know how many floor tiles to order? Start measuring floor tiles by measuring the length and width of the surface. After multiplying these two results, you will get the floor area. That's how many square meters of tiles you need to buy.
Now proceed to the next stage. First, clean and level the subfloor for tiling. Then, start laying the porcelain tiles "dry". You need to take into account not only the size of the floor, but also expansion joints (space for grout) and the size of the tiles. A basic understanding of geometry, specifically the principle of axial symmetry, will help you with this.
Mark several axes on the floor to define reference points, in relation to which you will plan the final tile laying. Have you decided to install the porcelain tiles in a parallel manner? In that case, start measuring the tiles from the corners of the wall, preferably from the one where the room door is located. Laying the porcelain tiles in this place will ensure that the tiles requiring cutting will be located on the final wall. As a result, they will not be noticeable and you will be able to hide them under furniture.
Once you have laid the first row of tiles, add the planned grout width, and then mark a horizontal line that will run to the second corner. In the same corner, you need to mark a vertical line, taking into account the grout width. The intersection point of the vertical and horizontal lines is the place where you should start laying the first row of tiles. It is worth marking this place with a strip so as not to forget about it. As you can see, measuring floor tiles is not as difficult as it seems.
Learn How to Measure Tiles on the Wall – Here's the Method!
Don't know how many wall tiles to buy? Measure the width of each wall and add all the results together. Then multiply this result by the height to which you want to lay the tiles. Do not subtract the area of planned openings for doors or windows. A reserve of wall tiles will be useful for material losses.
Before you start gluing tiles to the wall, the best practice is to lay them out dry. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises. A trial layout guarantees an aesthetic execution of the room visualization, and at the same time minimizes the number of tiles needed for cutting.
The first step is to plan the placement of tiles in relation to the edges of windows, doors, walls, ventilation openings, and sockets. These are particular places on the wall that are eye-catching.
"Walls with symmetrically cut tiles look best. Measuring wall tiles should begin from the center of the wall, so that the крайние (skrajne - edge/outermost) tiles are at least half of their original width." – advises the Raw Decor expert.
If you do not have a strictly defined cladding height in the interior, start gluing tiles from the bottom. If its height is defined and is not a multiple of the tile size, then start installation from the top, so that the trimmed elements are visible in the bottom strip.
How to Measure Tiles on Stairs?
Don't know how to measure tiles on stairs? It's not difficult at all. Lay the tiles dry, without using adhesive mortar. This step allows you to verify deviations in horizontal and vertical planes. When laying tiles on outdoor stairs, maintain a two-degree downward slope, either downwards or to the sides. This slope will ensure proper drainage of rainwater.
Large tiles that cover the entire surface of the steps look best on stairs. If you have opted for small tiles, start laying the ceramics in the center of the stairs. Cut elements will be placed on the sides. You can achieve expansion joints using spacers. The grout joints on stairs should be between 8 and 14 mm wide.
And what to do when there are columns, chimneys, or recesses in the room? Then how to measure tiles? There is a certain way to do it: measure the tiles so that full tiles are in the external corners, and cut tiles in the internal corners. Follow the unwritten rule that the fewer cut tiles, the better. That is why it is so important to take accurate measurements even before laying the tiles with mortar.
Wall and Floor Tiles – Do it with Raw Decor!
Now you know how to measure tiles on the floor and on the wall. Are you still wondering which tiles to choose? A wide selection of floor and wall tiles can be found at Raw Decor.
If you want to keep the surface perfectly clean and at the same time slightly enlarge the room, opt for glossy ceramic tiles. These products are perfectly suited for modern kitchens and bathrooms. They are resistant to dirt, moisture and changing temperatures inside.
Or maybe you are looking for something more original? In this case, mosaic will be an excellent choice. This material is perfect for arranging glamour, oriental, and modern rooms. The richness of patterns will surely make your head spin, and the effect after arranging them into a coherent whole can play with the interior in literally any style.
If you want to add a luxurious shine and charm to your space, then opt for glass tiles. Glass mosaic available in the Raw Decor store is popular not only due to its high aesthetics, but also attractive price and wide color selection.
Check out the wide assortment of the Raw Decor store and choose wall and floor materials made of the highest quality materials. Tiles, mosaic, and ceramic tiles will transform your interior for years to come, and you certainly will not have problems with their planning and laying.
