Tile Measuring Guide

Top tips for measuring your room

The basic method for calculating the area of your floors and walls is the same, but there are a few other things to consider.

What you’ll need:

• Tape measure
• Notepad and pen
• Calculator
• A helper

4 steps to measure floor tiles for a rectangular room:

1. Measure the length of the shorter wall and note down the measurement in metres, e.g. 3.2m.
2. Measure the length of the longer wall and note down the measurement in metres, e.g. 5.0m.
3. It is simple to work out the area. Take your two measurements and calculate the following: length of shorter wall x length of longer wall – 3.2 x 5.0 = 16.0m2.
4. Add in a wastage allowance, otherwise known as overage. We recommend 10% extra as being sufficient to cover wastage, cuts and human error. To add 10% to your total area, multiply the area – 16 x 1.1 = 17.6m2.

When measuring with your tape measure, ensure it is as flat on the surface as possible for the most accurate results. If available, ask someone to help so they can hold the tape in place as you check and record the results.

7 steps to measure wall tiles

1. Sketch out the wall you are looking to tile.
2. Measure the length of the wall area you’d like to tile.
3. Measure the height of the wall area you’d like to tile.
4. Calculate the area of the wall (length x height); example 3.2 x 2.5 = 8m2.
5. Measure any windows, doors, or obstructions on the wall; 1.1 x 1.1 = 1.21m2.
6. Subtract the area of the window from the wall; 8 – 1.21 = 6.79m2.
7. Add on the additional 10% to allow for wastage; 6.79 x 1.1 = 7.47 m2.

Repeat the process for each wall in the room that you wish to tile, then add the totals together for the m2 of tiles required to complete you interior design work.

Top tips for choosing your adhesive

It’s important to choose the correct adhesive for your chosen tile type to ensure a strong finish to your tiling project.

Ready-mixed tub adhesives

These adhesives come in a plastic container and are ready to use straight from the pot.

• Great for fixing tiles to a wall.
• Suitable for plaster, plasterboard, and cement board.
• Perfect for smaller ceramic tiles.
• Not suitable for porcelain or natural stone tiles.
• Not suitable for timber surfaces.

Standard rapid set cement

This adhesive comes as a powder in a bag and should be mixed with water.

• Takes about 20 minutes to mix and 2 to 3 hours of curing time.
• Use for fixing ceramic tiles to a solid wall or floor.

Rapid set multi flex

Contains a latex additive, which gives a slight flexible property to the adhesive.

• Extra strength compared to standard rapid set cement.
• Ideal for tiling plywood and other timber surfaces.
• Can be used with porcelain or natural stone tiles.

Always read the label

It’s essential to read the label of your chosen tile adhesive to make sure that it is compatible with your tiles and tiling surface.