| How to measure for tile when completing a | | | | waste factor when setting tile. Keep in mind the tile |
| bathroom remodel | | | | could be discontinued, the tile could be on back order |
| Imagine this, you are thinking of remodeling a | | | | for numerous weeks, or many other problems could |
| bathroom and already have an established budget. | | | | arise if you run short of tile when remodeling your |
| You are at a tile shop and see a tile sample you like. | | | | bathroom. An additional 20% of tile for 66 square |
| The price of the tile is $5.00 a square foot. How do | | | | feet equals an additional 13.2 square feet of tile. I |
| you know if this $5.00 a square foot tile is within | | | | suggest rounding up the tile to 14 additional square |
| your budget? In addition to the tile, how much should | | | | feet for the waste factor. |
| I budget for the grout and sealer? | | | | 66 square feet+ 14 square feet = 80 square feet of |
| In a recent article I provided information on the | | | | field tile. |
| different types of tiles that are available for your | | | | Next you need to measure for the trim pieces to |
| bathroom remodel. Now it is time to learn how to | | | | finish the edges of the tile. The trim pieces will finish |
| measure for your tiling project and calculate the cost | | | | off the edge of the tile running horizontally on each |
| for your tiles and related tiling supplies. | | | | of the two end walls, and the top of the tile on all |
| There are different types of tile you will need to tile | | | | three walls running vertically. Trim pieces are sold in |
| your bathroom: | | | | linear feet. Trim pieces usually range from 8 inches to |
| Field Tile | | | | 12 inches in length. |
| Trim Tile | | | | In our example, the one wall is 5 feet in length and |
| Field tile is the main body of tile for your remodeling | | | | the two end walls are each 3 feet in length. The tile |
| project. For example, if you are tiling your shower, | | | | is set 6 feet above the top of the tub deck; the tub |
| the field tile is the tile on the walls of your shower. | | | | is 14 inches tall. Again, I always round up the |
| The field tile covers the largest area of your tiling | | | | measurement to the next highest foot measurement. |
| project. A common size for field tile is 12 inches by | | | | In this case, I would round 14 inches up to the next |
| 12 inches. Field tile is sold by square footage, so you | | | | highest foot measurement, which is 24 inches (2 |
| need to take the area for the field tile and calculate | | | | feet). Add these two measurements together: |
| the square footage. | | | | 6' + 2' (14" rounded up) = 8' |
| Trim tile is divided into two categories: | | | | Remember, you have to finish off the edge of the |
| Accent trim tile (to be set in with the field tile) | | | | tile on both end walls, so you need to double this |
| Border trim tile (to finish off the field tile) | | | | measurement: |
| How to Measure | | | | 8' + 8' = 16' |
| Let's go through an example to help you go through | | | | In this example, you need 16' (linear feet) of trim tile |
| the tile measuring process. In this example, we are | | | | to finish off the edge of the tile for each of the two |
| going to install tile for a bathtub with a shower | | | | end walls. |
| surround. | | | | Next, you need to measure for the top of the tile in |
| For a bathtub with a shower surround, you will need | | | | the shower surround. This is simple since we already |
| tile for the three walls. The tile will be installed to a | | | | know that the one wall is 5 feet in length and the |
| height of 6 feet (6') above the tub deck. | | | | two end walls are each 3 feet in length: |
| The first wall is 5 feet wide. The two end walls are | | | | 5' + 3' + 3' = 11' |
| each 3 feet wide. To determine the tile square | | | | Lastly, you add up both measurements to determine |
| footage, you need to measure the width of each of | | | | the linear feet of trim tile that is need for the |
| the three walls and multiply it by the height of your | | | | shower surround. |
| shower surround. | | | | 16' + 11' = 27' of trim tile |
| Let's start measuring the first wall: | | | | In addition to the tile, you must budget for grout and |
| 5' wide (60 inches) by 6' feet tall. 5 X 6 = 30 square | | | | sealer. I budget $1.00 for every square foot of field |
| feet. | | | | tile being ordered to cover the expense of the grout |
| Then you need to measure both end walls: | | | | and sealer. This method is a quick and simple way to |
| 3' feet deep (36") X 6' tall. 3 X 6 = 18 Square feet. | | | | establish a budget for your tile and to stay within |
| 3' feet deep (36") X 6' tall. 3 X 6 = 18 Square feet. | | | | your overall bathroom remodel budget. |
| Then, you need to add the measurements of all | | | | It is now time to measure the area you are going to |
| three walls together: | | | | install tile on. These measurements will allow you to |
| 66 square feet of field tile is needed for the shower | | | | know the cost of any tile you are thinking of installing |
| surround. | | | | in your bathroom. |
| I recommend to my clients to account for a 20% | | | | |