How Much Extra Tile To Buy?

It is one of the most common issues when it comes to tiling projects. Rarely will you ever buy the exact amount of tile you will need for a job, whether it be floor tiling or wall tiling. Even if you do all the calculations and measurements correctly, you may still need extra tiles because of project issues such as finding out that you have a damaged tile in the box, miscuts, or other problems that come up.

Consequently, many individuals who are purchasing tile for a home remodeling project find out that they have no idea how many extra tiles they will need to purchase. Fortunately, in this guide, we will help clear up some of this confusion and go over how much extra tile you will need, the risks of not purchasing enough tile, and what to do in those situations where you run out of materials before the project is complete.

How Much Extra Tile Do I Really Need to Buy?

When you are embarking on a home remodeling project, the amount of materials needed usually depends on the type of project you are working on, the size of the tile, and the shape of the tile. However, as most tile installers will tell you, it is always best to buy 10% to 15% additional tile for any project as a general rule of thumb. This is because when taking on a tile project, there are numerous reasons why you will need that extra stock of tiles ready to go.

For instance:

• For rooms that are oddly shaped
• When working with unusual design shapes
• If any tiles are broken or damaged in transit
• In case they run out of stock
• If any unexpected issues come up

What are the Risks of Not Purchasing Enough Tile?

Choosing the style, type, and color of your tiles is already stressful enough. However, the whole situation can get even more complicated and overwhelming when you do not purchase enough of the tiles. Don’t believe us? Check out the following risks you may run into when you do not have enough tiles:

The Shading Does Not Match

There is nothing worse than being almost done with a home improvement project only to find out that you are short on materials, especially when it comes to tile. Many times each product run of tiles will produce a slightly different size or shading. Meaning that if you do not purchase enough tiles of the same batch, you can be out of luck at buying matching tiles. This can often result in a noticeable difference in the color or shade of your tile after they are all installed.

Your Tile is Out of Stock

Another common problem is when installers do not purchase enough tile upfront it risks their specific tile going out of stock. This can mean significant issues if you run out of tiles or discover some of them have broken or cracked mid-project and you do not have any available replacements.

How Do You Improvise When You Do Not Have Enough Materials?

So what happens when you are in the middle of your tiling project, and you discover that you just do not have enough materials? Here are some solutions that can help you out:

• Change Up Your Design: Maybe it is not the image you had in your mind when you first started, but coming up with a different design can allow you to work with the tiles you do have, fill the remaining space, and make the look of the entire project look seamless.
• Use Different Material: If you do not have enough tile, it may be best consult with your installer about working with a different material that would fit perfectly with the tile you do have. This way you can make it appear as you have planned the design this way.
• Rip It Out: It may not be what you want to hear, but if you are working with an installer on a particular tiling project and you just do not have enough of that tile, then it may be time to rip it all out. Especially if you cannot find the tile anywhere else or no other material pairs with it.

Tiling projects are exciting and can make any space look beautiful. However, if you are unsure about the type of tile you want or the number of tiles you may need, do not wait. We encourage you to work with your installer and Contact Arizona Tile today and let us help you figure out these logistics and what to do if you run into any issues.