Floor Tile Planning Guide
Floor tile estimation is straightforward: room area x (1 + waste factor) ÷ coverage per box. The complexity is in choosing the right tile size and accounting for the waste that different sizes generate. Larger tiles create fewer grout lines (cleaner look) but more waste on cuts -- especially in small rooms where cut pieces can't be reused.
The most popular floor tile sizes are 12x12 (classic), 12x24 (modern rectangular), 18x18 (large format), and 6x24 or 6x36 (wood-look plank). Wood-look plank tiles have become the dominant trend in residential flooring -- they look like hardwood but are waterproof and maintenance-free.
Tile quality grades matter for floors: PEI Rating 3 or higher for residential floors, PEI 4 for high-traffic areas like entryways and kitchens. Wall tile (PEI 1-2) is not rated for floor use -- it will crack under foot traffic.