What’s the rule of thumb for calculating the amount of ceramic tile to order? Two specific situations: 4×4 tile in a rectangular area, laid diagonally; 3×6 tile in a curved area. I could probably draw it on autocad and do a layout, then count tiles, but there’s got to be a better estimating procedure.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Replies
sq ft plus 10% for square
sq ft plus 20% for diagonal
sq ft plus 25% for real brittle stuff.
for curved areas .... I'll kinda split the curve ... if it's a big area. Same idea as measuring a triangle ... spilt it in half and mentally fold ... now ya have a square box.
For smaller areas ... I'll just take the largest measurement and use that as if it was square.
Is this a stock item or no-return special order?
I'm more inclined to break everything into smaller ... measurable boxes when it's the expensive no-returns.
Not that I've done it .... but I've seen boxes of over ordered non-returnables questly go back into the van when it's appearant too much was ordered! Not stealing ... more like peace keeping!
"Hey kid ...... get this outta here before the home owners see I can't add!".
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Depends on how quick you are with AutoCAD and how expensive the tile is, and perhaps how sharp you want your pricing pencil to be on the job. If you're quick with CAD then you might be using it to figure the curved area anyway, so it's just a minute or two to array lines so you can count, assuming you have accurate dimensions for an individual tile.
assuming you have accurate dimensions for an individual tile. I have not seen the tile. The designer/saleslady calls it 3x6 and 4x4, so I'm using those dims and assuming the grout lines will make up the diff. As a matter of fact, I am in the process of drawing all the counters wuth Autocad LT and doing a first run at layouts, which will give a fairly accurate count and also show any layout issues.
People who say they would like to be their own boss, or be their own gc, obviously have never tried it. There is a lot of satisfaction in getting the job right, etc, but the behind-the-scenes work and paperwork never ends.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Thanks. Sounds like if they can afford a designer then they can afford you buying enough tile to be sure!
Elcid -
Around here, a 'standard' 4x4 clay bisque glazed bathroom tile is actually 4 1/4 x 4 1/4". 3 x 6 may indicate the modular size, that is the dimensions the tile lays to. The tile itself may actually be 3" x 6" or something smaller to allow for whatever grout joint is appropriate.
I just ordered a bunch of 4 x 8 quarry tile that is actually 3 3/4 x 7 3/4 with a design grout joint of 1/4". Thus the material 'lays' to 4 x 8 but the individual tiles are correspondingly smaller. For the purpose of estimating I simply compiled the total areas (using AutoCAD) and ordered that many square feet of material. For 4 1/4" square tile you could just as well do the same since the overage won't amount to all that much. Plus, as noted by others, you should always add extra for breakage insurance. I leave the extra behind for the owner in case they need to use a tile or two for color matching of other materials or paint, etc.
...........
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
One hat I wear is a tile sub...
I have one designer that gives me an auto cad layout each time...
first thing I do is crumple it up and thrown it away!
It's not gonna be right anyways ... so why waste the time?
Only one way ... dry lay. Each direction and to every problem area.
measuring the exact tile and grout size and transfering doesn't even get ya there unless it's a simple box.
Off a 64th of an inch ... in 64 pieces you'll be off an inch!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
And always remember:
No matter how pi$$ed the customer is because you ordered to many tile.
They will be even more pi$$ed if you need to order more and it hols up the job!
And the degree of Pi$$iness will be directly proportional to the amount of money they want to save!Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!