Choosing the Right Tile Size
Small mosaic tiles (1”–4”) work well in showers and backsplashes. Standard 12”×12” ceramic covers exactly 1 sq ft, making math simple. Large-format tiles (18”×18” and up) visually expand a space and have fewer grout lines—but require a very flat substrate (no more than 1/8” variation per 10 feet for tiles over 15 inches). Subway tile (3”×6”) is the default for classic kitchen and bath installs.
Waste Allowance Guidelines
Standard straight-lay patterns: add 10%. Diagonal (45°) or herringbone patterns: add 15–20% because edge cuts waste more material. Irregular room shapes with many cut-outs (toilets, doors, cabinets) push waste toward 15%. Always buy from the same dye lot—a future reorder may not match in color.
Grout and Adhesive Estimates
Sanded grout for joints wider than 1/8”; unsanded for narrower joints or polished stone. As a rough guide, 1 lb of sanded grout covers about 10 sq ft of 12”×12” tile with 3/16” joints. Mosaic tile with 1/8” joints needs roughly 2–3× as much. For thin-set mortar, a 50 lb bag typically covers 40–50 sq ft at a standard 3/16” notch trowel depth.
Roughly 1 lb of sanded grout per 10 sq ft for 12×12 tiles with 1/8" joints. Larger joints or smaller tiles need more.
Should I buy extra tiles?
Always buy 10-15% extra. Some tiles break, patterns require cuts, and having spares for future repairs is essential — dye lots vary.