In order to calculate the amount of tiles for the bathroom, you first need to decide on the following questions:
- What type of installation will you use;
- Which color scheme you plan to apply;
- Will it be necessary to adjust the drawing;
- Will you lay only tiles on the walls or add decorative elements to the decoration?
Selecting the installation type
Floor
When working with flooring materials, they are usually used following types styling: 
- standard - when the edges of the tiles are laid along the walls;
- diagonal – the edges are laid at an angle of 45 degrees;
- diagonal checkerboard – when laying ceramics different color they alternate.
Walls
When laying wall ceramics, you can choose the following types of cladding:
- ordinary “straight” - when the elements are laid parallel to the floor;
- regular with borders (one wide or narrow and wide, alternating);
- diagonal;
- checkerboard (regular direction or diagonal).
The choice of laying type is important, because with a diagonal direction, material consumption increases, because you will have to do a lot of trimming of the corners of the tiles to fit from the center to the corners of the walls.
When fitting to a pattern, you will also have to do a lot of trimming of the edges.
And it is also necessary to take into account that it is better to make the joints of the first rows away from the walls so that possible unevenness of the wall is not noticeable.
General calculation rules
There are general rules on how to correctly calculate the number of tiles, whether for the bathroom or for other rooms where you decide to lay tiles.
- measure (in centimeters) the length and height of each wall on which you will lay tiles, and the length and width of the floor;
- from the dimensions of the wall in which it is installed Entrance door(or which has a bathtub) subtract the dimensions of this door (bath);
- decide on the size of the plates that you will lay (on the floor - 30x30, 33x33, 40x40 cm, etc.; facing - 20x30, 25x33 cm, etc.);
- calculate the result in advance square meters, and to clarify, you will need to count the number of tiles individually.
Moreover, keep in mind that the required amount of building materials must be immediately increased by 10%, because such a reserve will be required for trimming at the edges of the walls, in case of careless damage to the tiles or cosmetic repairs some section of the wall (floor) in the future.
When calculating the number of tiles, it is better to immediately do without an online program, because no matter how perfect it is, it still allows for errors. For example, it does not take into account the width of the seams between the rows, and its postscript still recommends checking all the results manually.
Laying tiles on the floor: calculation example
In order to make a specific calculation required for laying on the floor, we take the following data as the initial data:
- Floor width – 150 cm
- Length – 170 cm
- Product size – 33x33 cm
Standard installation, tiles of the same color
- To find out how many tiles you need, first divide the width of the floor (150 cm) by its side (33 cm), we get the result - 4.54 (the number of tiles in one row in width), round to the nearest whole - 5 pieces.
- Now let’s calculate how many such rows are needed along the length of the bathroom: divide 170 cm by 33 cm, we get 5.15 rows, round up to 6.
- Next, we multiply 5 tiles in one row by 6 rows, we get 30 pieces. We add 2-3 in reserve, and that means we will buy 33 ceramic tiles.
If the calculation of the number of tiles was carried out not by piece, but by floor area, then it would be allowed serious mistake. Floor area – 1.70m x 1.50m = 2.55 sq.m, divided by the area of one tile 0.33m x 0.33m = 0.11 sq.m, we get 24 (rounded) pieces. That is, 6 tiles (plus extra) would not be enough for the floor. After all, the piece count actually took into account the cutting of the plates during laying.
Bathroom wall cladding
- 270 cm (wall height) divided by 30 cm (tile height) = 9 elements in one row in height.
- 150 cm (surface width) divided by 20 cm (product width) = 7.5 – round up = 8 pieces in width.
- We multiply 9 by 8, we get - 72 units measuring 30x20 cm are needed for one wall 150 cm wide.
- Using similar calculations for a wall 170 cm long, we get the result - 81 tiles.
Taking into account the doorway
To calculate the amount of tiles required for cladding the wall in which the door is installed, it is necessary to subtract the amount that corresponds to the dimensions of the doorway from the number of elements for the opposite wall.
For example, divide 200 cm (the height of the doorway) by 30 cm (the height of the tiles), we get 6.7 - round down = 6 pieces in height; Divide 70 cm (the width of the opening) by 20 cm (the width of the product), we get 3.5 - round down = 3 pieces in width. We multiply 6 by 3, we get 18 pieces, which we subtract from (for example) 81, we get 63 pieces.
If you will completely cover the wall next to which the bathtub will be installed, then it is easy to calculate the number of tiles on it. If you do not plan to tile the space occupied by the bathroom, then the calculation for this wall is carried out similarly to the calculation for the wall with a door.
Calculating the amount of grout
After completion of the installation work, the joints are grouted. To do this, use grout that matches the color of the main color of the coating, or a contrasting one (white for black tiles, etc.).
To calculate the amount of grout for tiles, you need to know the volume of space to be filled. The seam width is recommended from 1.5 to 3 mm. To the joint depth, approximately equal to the thickness of the tile, you need to apply a coefficient of 1.5, which will take into account material shrinkage, humidity, etc.
To calculate the volume of grout, divide half the perimeter of 1 tile by its area and multiply by the thickness. Multiply the result by the width of the seam and by 1.5 (coefficient). The result will be the mass (in kg) of grout required for 1 sq.m of coverage. For example, with a joint width of 2-3 mm and a tile area of 0.04 sq.m, one kilogram of grout is enough for 3.5 sq.m.
Let's sum it up
As a conclusion, we can say that determining the area for laying tiles is not always effective and accurate, especially for small rooms. Apply in small rooms The calculation formula is also too complicated and impractical. It is better to make piece by piece calculations.
In the above examples, for simplicity of calculation and understanding of its very principle, the dimensions were taken as the initial data standard apartment and single-color ceramics without decoration or borders. These examples are quite enough to calculate according to the rules described. required amount tiles in different colors, when installing borders, etc.
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Discussion:
Denis said:
The commentators are amazing. You really had no idea how to count the number of pieces without this article? Unfortunately, the article did not touch on the topic: what size tile to choose, which wall to use as a base, so that you don’t have to cut pieces.
Sergey said:
Whoever wrote the article must be a genius. I could not even imagine that everything is so simple! I just got around to renovating my bathroom and thought I couldn’t handle it at all. Well, not my profile at all. It turned out that everything was just like that! Now I can check with people at hardware stores to see if they are trying to sell me a lot more tiles than I really need. This information really turned out to be very useful and timely.
Konstantin said:
For the most accurate calculation, so that there is no extra costs on the material, first decide on the choice of tiles. Knowing its size, it will be mathematically simple to calculate exact amount tiles on a specific surface, which will save your waste. Also, do not forget to take into account and discard when calculating the tile joint. Since the tiles do not fit joint to joint, and when laid under the “crosses” there remains a gap of 2 to 5 mm.
Plitkin said:
The calculations for the bathroom in the comments are not entirely correct. Because modern tiles carried out in the following sizes - for the floor 30x30, for walls 20x3 0, etc. Therefore it should be calculated like this:
Floor length 2.50m. - these are 8 rows of 30 cm = 2.40 + 10 cm. pruning
width 1m is 3 rows + 10cm. trimming, total: 8 x 3 = 24 pcs + trimming 8+4 = 12 divided by 2 (the middle will most likely have to be thrown out) = 6 pcs.
30 pcs per floor + 4 pcs stock.
Walls - width 2.5+2.5+1+1-0.75 (doors)=625 mm. – 32 rows of 20cm tiles.
height 2.5 x 30 cm. = 8.5 rows
32 x 8.5 = 272 pcs.
If you decide to lay tiles on the floor, then the first step is to walk around all construction stores. Then he takes a closer look suitable option. And then many realize that the worst difficulties are yet to come. Rises main question– how to calculate ceramic tiles for the floor and how much to buy so that there is nothing left over.
Why is this necessary?
The thing is that the process of laying floor tiles is more complex than wallpapering walls. Most people, who very rarely face serious repairs, are sure that it is enough to purchase such a quantity that there is only enough material to spare, and if there is not enough, then purchase the missing amount. But professionals do not recommend this approach.
The production technology of such a material as ceramics is quite complex. In different batches of products, the same pattern from the same manufacturer or brand may have different shades. It is far from certain that you will be able to purchase tiles with the required shade.
You can easily get out of this situation if you purchase ceramics with a reserve, but the cost of high-quality tiles is quite high, and if there is a lot of material left after the work, it is unlikely to be returned. Keeping it at home is also a bad option. There is only one correct way out - to spend an hour and calculate the number of ceramic tiles on the floor.
Let's start the calculation
There are simply no unique methods and formulas. The thing is that the final amount of materials depends on a huge number of factors. Many will say that it is enough to know the area of the room - but not everything is so simple. It is very important what configuration the subfloor has, what kind of finishing floor is planned, what size one tile is, whether the base is ideal for the installation process, and of course, the pattern is very important.
Method No. 1
First of all, let's see how you can count the tiles in the bathroom on the floor. The house is a typical high-rise building. Often, in standard premises The size of the bathroom is approximately 1.75 m x 1.7 m. Let's imagine that this room has a classic rectangular shape without any protrusions or niches. Let the tiles also be standard size– 333 x 333 mm.
Next, read the area, 1.75 m multiplied by 1.7. The result is 2.975 m. This value can be safely rounded to 3 m2. So, according to preliminary calculations, it turns out that only 27 whole tiles will be needed for finishing. However, there are nuances here - you need to count individually.
To do this, the width of the rectangle is divided by one of the sides of the ceramic tile - 1.7 m/0.333 mm = 5.1 pcs. This value can also be rounded - the result is 5.5 pcs. Then, the same calculations are performed for the other side. After rounding, the same figure is obtained - 5.5 pcs.
Next, you should multiply the results obtained. So, 5.5 x 5.5 = 30.25 pcs. You can round the value up again. So, the end result is 31 tiles. As can be seen from these calculations, the results differ greatly by as much as 4 pieces. It is not at all necessary that the length of the row during the laying process be a multiple of the length of one tile. Using this method, you can calculate the exact number of tiles for any floor.
In addition, one should take into account production defects, as well as various waste, because when laying the tiles you will have to cut them. It is worth adding to this also various niches in the room, as well as ledges. They can be quite complex configurations. As a result, it is worth taking 34 pieces. The most economical installation method is the seam-to-seam method without any shifts. However, here too you need permission for various expenses.
When laying, do not try to make seams along the lines of the walls. If the wall is not too smooth, then visually, from the cut, this unevenness will be very visible.
If you decide to do all the work yourself, rather than take the help of qualified specialists, but have no experience in this matter, you should not take on complex ornaments and designs. It’s best to start with classic solutions – butt-to-edge.
Method No. 2
The first method is simple. And the second one is even simpler and is suitable even for lazy craftsmen. In many construction supermarkets, as well as in decent online stores, you can calculate floor tiles using a special calculator. This simple program, which can make life much easier.
However, the calculator will only help you perform necessary calculations. You will still have to take accurate measurements of the premises, otherwise inaccurate dimensions may lead to incorrect results. And such calculators are needed for accurate calculations. The best option, of course - count everything manually. Then, having received the final figure, you can check the program. If there are minor discrepancies, then everything is correct.
Method No. 3
This method can be used when laying tiles with a rather complex pattern. It can be a herringbone pattern or the pattern runs diagonally across the tile. Also, this method is suitable if the floor does not have the shape of any regular geometric figure.
Naturally, you can divide the floor surface into more simple figures, and then perform the calculation using the first method for each piece separately, and then simply add up the results obtained and, with a minimum 15% margin, calculate the required amount of material. However, this is not an accurate and time-consuming option.
Tile laying specialists, based on experience, recommend using a checkered sheet or graph paper. An exact copy of the floor is drawn on it on a convenient scale. Then, according to the intended drawing (while respecting the scale), you should draw out exactly where each tile will be laid.
After this, all solid tiles are counted, and marks are set on the plan. Tiles that will then be cut to less than half are marked separately, since 1 tile (if cut) can be laid in two places.
This way you can find out exactly how many ceramic tiles you will need to finish the floor in any room. It is very convenient to know this figure in advance - then you can purchase the strictly required amount of material and a little more in case of defects.
We count the glue consumption
When laying ceramic tiles, many factors influence adhesive consumption. This includes the type of tile, its thickness, the quality of the base and the laying technology. Also, the type and brand significantly influence the consumption. adhesive composition, weather, master's qualifications.
Tiles can be porous and hygroscopic. The base may not be level enough. Porous tiles can absorb more adhesive solution than glazed. Many manufacturers offer to purchase universal glue that is suitable for different types ceramics. You should pay attention not to products with an uneven surface - such tiles require a lot of glue.
Ceramic tiles of larger sizes and weight will increase consumption. So, for a product 10x10 cm with a layer of adhesive solution it should be 2 mm. If the tile has a size of 20x30, it will be from 2 to 3 mm. For all products that have larger size, the adhesive layer is from 4 to 5 mm.
The base on which the tiles will be laid must be as level as possible. If the height differences are up to 3 mm, then thin-layer laying technology can be used. This is where the glue is applied thin layer just so that the tile adheres to the base. If the height differences are large, then the layer thickness will be greater. However, modern manufacturers produce special leveling compounds. They are applied in a layer of up to 3 cm. This is a thick-layer technology.
The first method involves a special calculator, which is necessarily available on the manufacturer’s website. With its help, you can easily determine the amount of adhesive solution per 1 m2 and for the entire area of the room. You just need to provide the program with information about the brand of adhesive, surface area and type of tile. The result is given in kilograms.
According to the second option, you will have to count manually. If you need to know the amount of glue per 1 m2, you need to take half the thickness of the tile and average consumption adhesive composition. These numbers need to be multiplied and the result will be ready. However, it should be borne in mind that the obtained figures are not very accurate.
The third method calculates the consumption of cement-based glue. It is better to purchase these compounds in bags weighing 1.3 kg. So, its mass of 1.3 kg should be multiplied by the thickness of the glue. The number will ultimately be the required expense.
The average consumption is written on the bag. However, this figure was obtained on an ideal base and an adhesive layer thickness of 3 mm. For example, for 21 sq. m. about 76 kg of mixture can be consumed. However, ideal subfloors in apartments are still worth looking for. Therefore, glue must be purchased in large quantities. But this is not entirely important, because the material can be purchased at any convenient time.
We calculate the grout consumption
Grouting the joints is the last stage of installation. To correctly calculate the amount of grouting materials, you can use a simple formula.
So, take half the perimeter of one tile and divide this figure by the area of the same tile. The resulting figure is then multiplied by the thickness. The result is multiplied by the width of the seam, and then multiplied again by the shrinkage factor. This coefficient is 1.5. As a result, the required mass of materials per 1 m2 in kg is obtained. So, if the seam is 2x3 mm, the tile area is 0.04 m2, then judging by the calculations, 1 kg of grout mixture should be enough for 3.5 square meters. m.
Typically tiles are sold in square meters. For order floor tiles It’s enough to know the square footage of the room: if your kitchen area is 10 square meters. meters, then you will need to order 10 m of tiles + a reserve for trimming and breaking (usually around 10 percent).
However, sometimes you want to imagine exactly how many tiles will go for each meter. If you just want to imagine this number in order to visualize the picture (how many tiles will go per meter: 4, 10 or 20 tiles), then this is very easy to do. If you need to calculate the exact number of tiles in pieces that you will need to buy in order to lay out a square meter in your room, then this is a little more complicated. (These two values may be slightly different, yes)
Let's start with the easy one: how many tiles per square meter(any meter, completely abstract)
Calculating the area of the tile
First you need to calculate the area of one tile in square meters. For this her length(in meters) needed multiply by width(in meters). It is better to multiply in meters rather than in centimeters, so as not to get confused with the conversion of square centimeters to square meters)
For example, let's take a tile measuring 20x20 cm. Since there are 100 centimeters in one meter, 20 cm is 0.2 meters (20/100 = 0.2). Multiply the length by the width 0.2m x 0.2m=0.04 sq.m. Thus, a 20x20 cm format tile has an area of 0.04 sq.m.
If the tile measures 30 cm by 60 cm, the calculation gives 0.3 m x 0.6 m = 0.18 m2. For a tile 12.5 cm x 120 cm, the area will be 0.125 m x 1.2 m = 0.15 m2.
Counting the number of tiles
Knowing the area of one tile, it is enough to divide 1 square meter by this area to get the number of tiles. For a 20x20 cm tile, the calculations will be: 1m2 / 0.04m2 = 25. Thus, there will be exactly 25 20x20 cm tiles per meter.
For a 30x60 cm tile the results will be 1/0.18 = 5.555(5). About five and a half tiles.
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Number of tiles per meter for popular sizes (with slight rounding)) Tile 10x10 cm - 100 tiles per square meter |
It is important to understand that this value is approximate, calculated. In reality, another number of tiles may be needed per meter. Let's see why.
Let's say our room measures one meter by one meter (that is, the same square meter of area), and the tiles measure 30x60 cm. According to preliminary calculations, we needed 5 and a half tiles, right? In reality, we may need 7 tiles
Why is this happening? Because in the calculations the entire area of the material is considered as a whole, as if we had poured it or laid it in tiny pieces. If desired, of course, the scraps from tiles 4, 5 and 6 can be used to cover the area of the seventh tile. This is quite enough, as calculations show. But the length of the remaining pieces is shorter than needed (they are 20 cm each), so it will all look questionable.
Bad news, we'll probably need eight tiles. We want the tile to look beautiful, small pieces are not very aesthetically pleasing, so we’ll align it in the center.
Well, you may decide that the whole problem is that we took a large tile of the wrong size (30x60 cm) for such a small area (1 square meter). Nobody does this, you have to take a small tile. Okay, let's take a 10x10 cm tile. What can happen to it? It would seem like nothing. Exactly 100 pieces of such tiles fit in a square meter (1/0.01=100).
Well, no.
The fact is that a square meter is not necessarily a square room measuring one meter by one meter. It could be narrow corridor measuring 2 meters by 50 cm. What's worse, it could be a passage with the exact dimensions of 57 cm by 1.76 m. Multiple sizes of 10 will instantly give us waste. As a result, the area will require 108 tiles. 18 horizontally, 6 vertically.
Of course, as the footage increases, the percentage of extra tiles usually decreases. In any case, before calculating the number of tiles, decide for yourself for what purposes you need it: just for guidance or for ordering. If you are ordering and you want to count the number of tiles accurate to the piece, you cannot divide the area of the room by the area of the tile. You need to either draw and look, or divide the length of the room by the length of the tiles, the width by the width, and decide how you can combine the remains.
See also articles
Tile is the most suitable material for, but also quite expensive. Therefore, in order not to have to buy more or throw away excess, you need to correctly calculate the tiles for the bathroom, and for this we can use special or programs online calculation and layouts.
Correct calculation of tiles during repairs allows you to save not only time spent on purchasing missing materials, which, it should be said, may not be in the store, but also money that will be spent on surplus. And in order to avoid these troubles, there are several ways. A classic and accessible method for calculating materials on paper, and a more modern and convenient method - online tile layout.
But in each case there are certain nuances that need to be taken into account in order to calculate the material as accurately as possible.
The layout of the tiles is important in the further calculation of its quantity. Depending on the location of the seam between the tiles, there are several types of layout:
- Standard or basic (“seam to seam”).
- Diagonal, herringbone, labyrinth, bandaged, chess, run-up, carpet or modular layout, there are a great many options.
How to position the tiles correctly?
From an aesthetic point of view, it is important to consider the layout method, the location of the decor and color combinations in accordance with the area of the room. Finishing can visually change the proportions of a room.
In order to visually enlarge the room, use tiles light shades, horizontal laying method with transverse placement of the pattern.
Options for laying out tiles in the bathroom
The height can be increased by vertical layout, the use of contrasting stripes, vertical arrangement of friezes, and decodable elements in in this case It is better to place it slightly above eye level. Dark-colored tiles will visually make the room smaller. When choosing the color of floor tiles, it is important to consider that dark floors and light ceiling will visually increase the space, and vice versa.
It is important that the tile installation system is made with minimum quantity pruning. This will not only make installation work easier, but will also visually make the finish correct and more beautiful.
The trim on the walls is placed symmetrically between the corners. The pattern is laid out on the floor in such a way that solid elements are located in the visible area, and all trimming goes to the least visible sides or is hidden under interior items. In matters of design, online tile layout will provide invaluable assistance, which will help create the most accurate visual model of the future finish.
Before calculating the tiles, it is important to take correct measurements of the room. It is carried out after the walls are prepared for laying tiles. Each side is always measured separately, even if the room correct form. Round the resulting value up. The size of the doorway and window is subtracted from the overall measurement. Sometimes areas that will not be finished, for example, hidden behind the bathroom, are also taken away from the total area.
We measure the area of the walls and floor
When a room of a complex configuration has protruding elements, niches or boxes, their measurements are taken separately. It is better to record all the results by drawing up a plan of the room to scale, on which the location of plumbing fixtures, furniture and other interior details is noted. For a more accurate calculation, it is better to convert all numbers into millimeters.
Methods for calculating tiles
There is no single universal calculation scheme. In each individual case, everything depends on the specific layout of the room, the standard sizes of the tiles, and the layout of the tiles in the bathroom is taken into account. And depending on this, the most suitable of the three calculation methods is chosen.
- Sketch of the project;
- Calculations using the formula;
- Layout and calculation of tiles in the bathroom using computer programs.
Important! It is worth considering that in case of errors in calculations, it can be problematic to purchase additional tiles, because different batches of the same collection often have visible differences in shades, ornament geometry and some other technical parameters.
Sketching and piece-by-piece calculation of tiles
The most reliable results can be obtained by sketching the project on paper. For these purposes, any regular notebook sheet in a square or on graph paper will be suitable. The room is drawn to scale, each wall and floor separately. Mark the location of the tiles based on their size and installation method. Tiles of various shades, decorative elements, if they are used, the frieze is shaded with colored pencils for convenience. Such a project will allow you not only to imagine what the room will look like after finishing, but also to calculate the amount of material individually as accurately as possible.
Calculations using the formula
In this case, the amount of material is determined based on the size of the room and the material. Let's say you need to calculate the number of tiles to cover the floor standard bath. To do this, you need to know the total square footage of the bathroom, which is calculated using standard geometric formulas, for example: 1.73 × 1.73 = 3.46 m2, round the resulting number up, we get an area of 3.5 m2. Next, you need to find out the area of one floor tile: 0.335×0.335=0.112 m2. Next, we calculate how many whole tiles will be needed to cover the entire area: 3.5/0.112=31.2 pcs. We round the quantity to 32 and add 10% for defects and trimming, in the case of a diagonal layout - 15%. The total is 35 or 37 tiles, respectively.
This method is used if the layout of the tiles in the bathroom is standard, and the individual elements do not differ in size. At in non-standard ways laying, the number of tiles can be calculated only by sketching the project to scale. Or through special services, if the program for laying out tiles suggests the possibility of such placement of finishing elements. You can be more precise about calculating tiles.
For walls
Wall tiles
As a rule, wall decoration is done in two shades, which are separated by a border, so first you need to determine the height of each layer. At the same time, it is better not to trim the lower dark layer, that is, its height will be a multiple of the height of the tile. Depending on the size of the tiles, lay out 3-4 rows. The height of the border will vary depending on the height of the tiles used for this. The remaining height of the wall is a light layer.
The dark band is calculated. The perimeter of the bathroom is multiplied by the height of the dark layer and its area is determined. The resulting number is divided by the area of one dark tile and its quantity is determined. Add 10% for pruning, fighting and rejects.
Light tiles are calculated in a similar way. The area of the wall for a light finish is divided by the already known area of one tile and the amount of ceramics is obtained light color. Add 10%.
The border elements are counted. To do this, the perimeter of the room is divided by the length of the border element. From the resulting number, subtract the part that falls on the doorway. Results are always rounded up to a whole multiple of one or a half, since halves are also used, for example, at corners.
For floor
Depending on the layout and configuration of the room, choose the most convenient method.
Bathroom floor tiles
By total area. Find out the total floor area of the room, without subtracting the box and niche, and divide it by the area of one tile. This way they will know how many tiles will be needed to cover a given surface. 10% is added to the resulting number, which will be spent on trimming and insurance against defects or damage to the material. The figure is rounded up to a higher value. The error with this method of calculation can be quite significant.
On both sides. First, find out how many tiles will be laid along each wall.
To do this, the length of the wall is divided by the length of the side of one tile that corresponds to it. The same calculation is carried out on the other wall and side of the tile. Thus, it is determined how many tiles are laid in one row along one and the other wall. The resulting figures are multiplied by each other, a margin of 10% is added and the total amount is obtained.
If the layout of the floor tiles in the bathroom is made diagonally, the calculation is performed in the same way, but it is recommended to add not the standard 10%, but 15% as a reserve.
Online calculator
You can also use our online calculator To calculate tiles, this calculator allows you to calculate not only the quantity but the cost of tiles.
Computer programs.
Modern computer programs make tile counting simple and convenient, provided you work with them correctly.
Programs for calculating bathroom tiles
Services that help with calculations can be divided into two types: an online tile layout program and calculators for counting tiles. You can work in programs online or after installing them on your computer. Some of them are paid, but their functions and capabilities are significantly higher than those of free versions. The tile calculation program allows the user to perform a number of actions:
- Lay out the tiles in a 3D model and thereby create a semblance of finishing a bathroom in the future;
- Calculate quantity finishing material and tile adhesive consumption;
- In the programs, you can adjust trimming and select tiles from different collections.
Simplified versions for calculating tiles - calculators. These are small programs, usually online versions, that calculate material based on data entered by the user for already finished project. It is worth considering that using a calculator to calculate bathroom tiles is only possible if all finishing elements are the same size.
Calculation of the quantity of consumables
Tile tiles are usually laid on glue using a suture method, which means that for repairs you will need the adhesive mixture itself, grout, and installation crosses that will regulate the thickness of the seam; as a rule, you purchase only one package with a minimum quantity of 50 pieces. The consumption of a certain tile adhesive and the amount of grout are pre-calculated.
The consumption of tile adhesive is influenced by a number of factors, among which the most significant is the evenness of the base. Also, the thickness of the adhesive base increases depending on the size of the tile; the smaller it is, the smaller the layer of glue will hold it. For tiles use cement mixtures, dispersion adhesive or mixtures on epoxy based. They are applied with a notched trowel. Moreover, if its teeth are pointed, less glue will be required than when working with a spatula with square teeth.
In order to find out the approximate consumption of tile adhesive, multiply half the height of the tile by the average consumption of the selected adhesive mixture and the area of the surface to be covered.
The best way to calculate is to use online calculators. They provide the most accurate results based on data about the tile, the substrate, the tool, the working conditions and the selected adhesive.
Average material consumption using the example of Ceresit glue
Grout for joints
In order to calculate the required quantity, you need to know the volume of the space to be filled, but if the thickness of the seam is known, then difficulties arise in determining its depth. As a rule, it depends not only on the thickness of the tile, it is important to take into account the thickness of the adhesive mixture and what percentage of the grout will go under the tile. All these indicators are relative, so it will not be possible to accurately calculate the material. The amount of grout is taken based on its consumption indicated on the packaging and 10-15% is added.
You can also use our online calculator to calculate grout, which quite accurately calculates the material according to the specified parameters. The program algorithms calculate ideal values, so they recommend adding 10% to the result. (votes: 7
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Before you start laying tiles on the floor or starting to finish the walls, you need to determine in advance the required amount of tiles. Only by thoroughly understanding how to calculate the number of tiles and performing the appropriate calculations will you be able to avoid unnecessary costs and reduce waste to a minimum.
You need to buy tiles 10% more than the required volume for cladding.
What should be taken into account during the calculation?
- decide what type of tile installation you will choose;
- decide on the color scheme;
- decide whether it will be necessary to adjust the tile according to the pattern;
- decide whether the walls will be covered only with ceramic tiles or whether the finishing will be supplemented various kinds decorative elements.
There are several ways to lay tiles. You need to choose one of them and based on decision taken calculate the number of tiles. The floor can be covered in one of the following ways:
- Standard - in this case, the edges of the ceramic products are mounted along the walls.
- Diagonal - the edges are laid at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Diagonally checkerboard - tiles of different colors are laid alternating.
For wall cladding, you can choose one of the following methods:
- The usual straight line - the elements are laid parallel to the floor surface.
- Regular with borders (you can use 1 wide border or alternate narrow with wide).
- Checkerboard (tiles can be laid both in the usual direction and diagonally).
- Diagonal.
It is very important to choose the type of installation before calculating the number of tiles. Take into account the fact that if ceramic tiles are laid diagonally, the consumption of finishing material will increase significantly, because you will be forced to trim products to fit from the center of the room to the corners. If it becomes necessary to make adjustments to the pattern, the number of tiles required for cladding will also increase. Do not forget that the joints of the first rows should be made away from the walls. This will visually hide the unevenness of the partitions.
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There are a number general rules, according to which you can determine the required number of tiles for the kitchen, bathroom and any other premises.
You will need the following tools:
- roulette;
- calculator;
- paper;
- pencil or pen.
Take a tape measure and measure the height and length of the surfaces you are going to cover. ceramic tiles. After this, measure the width and length of the floor. Record the resulting values in centimeters. From the dimensions of the wall with the doorway, and if the tiles will be laid in the bathroom, then from the one in which the bathtub is installed, it is necessary to subtract the dimensions of the opening and the bathtub.
Next, you will need to decide on the size of the tiles you will be laying. To finish the floor, tiles measuring 30x30, 33x33 cm, etc. are used. The walls, as a rule, are finished with smaller tiles - 20x30, 25x33 cm, etc. Pre-calculate the result in square meters and then calculate the number tiles piece by piece. It is necessary to add about 10-15% to the calculated value. During the installation process, you will have to trim the tiles; some products may be accidentally damaged or turn out to be defective, so such a reserve must be made.
No matter how perfect such programs are, they still allow some errors. For example, such applications do not take into account the width of the seams, and the developers themselves still recommend double-checking the results.
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Example of calculation of floor tiles
To determine the number of tiles needed for a floor, measure the width and length of the surface, as well as the size of the tile itself. In this example, we will consider the calculation for a room with a floor of 150x170 cm, for the finishing of which ceramic tiles measuring 33x33 cm will be used.
First, divide the width of the floor by the tile side. It turns out that for laying in 1 row in width you will need 4.54 tiles. The resulting value must be rounded to 5. Calculate how many such rows there will be in your room. To do this, divide the length of the room by 33 cm. The result will be 5.15 rows. Round to 6. Now multiply by 5 ceramic tiles in a row for 6 rows. You will get 30 pieces, to which you need to add at least 2-3 tiles in reserve. So you will need to buy 33 tiles.
If you were to perform a calculation based on surface area rather than per piece, you would make a rather significant mistake. The floor area in the room in question is 2.55 m². The area of one tile used is 0.11 m². If you were to use this data, the result of the calculation would indicate the need to use 24 tiles (rounded up). That is, in the end you would not have enough material to work with. And the whole point is that when performing a piece calculation, the cutting of the tiles during laying is taken into account.
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Example of wall tile calculation
As an example, we will consider a room whose wall height is 270 cm, width is 150 cm, and a 30x20 cm slab is used for cladding. Divide the height of the surface by the height of the tile. It turns out that there will be 9 ceramic tiles in the 1st row in height. Divide the width of the surface by the width of the tile. The result is 7.5, round to 8. Now multiply 9x8. In total, you will need to purchase 72 tiles. Add 7-10 tiles in reserve.
To calculate the number of tiles for finishing a wall with a doorway, take the calculation data determined for the opposite wall and subtract from given value the number of tiles per doorway. For example, a doorway is 200 cm high and 70 cm wide. The same 30x20 cm tiles are used for cladding. Divide the height of the opening by the height of the tiles. The result will be 6.7. In this case, it is necessary to round down, i.e. to 6. Divide the width of the opening by the width of the tile. The result is 3.5, round to 3. Multiply 3 by 6. As a result, to finish the partition with the doorway you will need to take 18 fewer tiles. A similar calculation must be performed for the surface on which the bathtub is installed, if you do not plan to tile the space that the container occupies.
