Tile Calculator

Tile Sizing and Selection

Tile comes in a range of sizes, and the size you choose has a significant impact on the final look of the space. Smaller tiles (4×4, 6×6) create a more traditional look and can make a small bathroom feel busier. Large-format tiles (18×18, 24×24) create clean sight lines and a more modern aesthetic — they're also faster to install but require a very flat subfloor. UIR's tile work in bathroom remodels across Grayson County increasingly uses 12×24 and 24×24 formats in main baths and large-format mosaic accents in shower niches.

Waste Factor: Why It Matters

Every tile installation produces waste. Tiles cut to fit along edges and around obstacles can't be reused. The waste percentage depends heavily on the installation pattern:

• Straight grid (10% waste): Tiles run parallel to the walls. Minimal cuts, most efficient use of material.
• Diagonal (15% waste): Tiles rotated 45° to the walls. Every perimeter tile requires a diagonal cut — significantly more waste.
• Herringbone (15–20% waste): The V-pattern creates many small cuts at the perimeter and around obstacles.
• Complex patterns or many obstructions: Add 20% or more.

UIR always orders 10–15% extra material beyond what the calculation shows, because ordering additional tile later often means getting a different dye lot — a subtle color variation visible in the finished floor.

Tile Applications in Renovation

Tile is used in more places than most homeowners realize during a renovation:

• Shower floors and walls: Porcelain or ceramic, with moisture-rated grout. UIR uses Schluter waterproofing systems as the substrate — not traditional mud-bed construction — for a longer-lasting waterproof seal.
• Bathroom floors: Porcelain with a matte or textured finish for slip resistance.
• Kitchen backsplash: Subway tile, penny tile, or large-format porcelain panels.
• Laundry and mudroom floors: Porcelain for durability and easy cleaning.
• Fireplace surrounds: Any tile rated for heat exposure.

For flooring installations, UIR assesses the subfloor before laying any tile. Tile requires a very rigid, level substrate — any flex in the subfloor will crack grout joints within a year. Where subfloor repairs are needed, we address them before any tile goes down.

Grout Joint Size

Grout joint width affects your tile count slightly (wider joints mean fewer tiles fit per square foot) but more importantly affects the visual result. Rectified tiles (precision-cut to exact dimensions) can be set with 1/16" joints for an almost seamless look. Standard tiles with slight size variation require at least a 3/16" joint. Large-format tiles on floors typically use ⅛" to 3/16" joints. Ask UIR about tile selection and layout for your specific project.