When you’re planning to install new tile flooring it is important to make sure you have considered all the factors that impact how much you’ll need to complete your project. Tile is priced by the square foot but sold by the box. Depending on your total square footage and the amount of tile per box you might have to order more than one extra box to be sure you don’t fall short.
Account for Breakage and Mishaps
Tile is incredibly fragile material before it’s installed. One of the more unique challenges when working with tile is simply getting it to the site in one piece. Unfortunately, no matter how carefully packed it is, you can almost always expect to have some broken or chipped tiles in each box just from the delivery process. And unfortunately, even working with experts – some tiles are also likely to get chipped during the install process.
The good news is that once tile is fully installed by a team of professionals, the tile becomes a much more hardy material. We recommend having 10% extra tile on hand just for breakage.
Keep Some Extra Tile On Hand
Tile styles and color ways are frequently discontinued. So, finding replacement tile even a year after your initial install might not be possible. While installed tile is generally durable, cracked tiles do happen. Having some additional tiles to store for future repairs is the best practice. An additional 5% is usually enough to cover future repairs.
Unique Sizes and Shapes
The size and shape of the room(s) and the chosen tiles needs to be taken into consideration as well. Hexagonal tiles will need more overage on hand for install because their unique shape means it’s likely more of them will have to be cut to fit. By the same token, if your room has multiple angles or areas where tiles will need to be custom cut you will need to increase the amount you have available.
As experienced flooring professionals we can take all the uncertainty out of the process for you. When we do an estimate, we will figure in the necessary overages for you regardless of the type of flooring you choose.
