The truth is that many factors affect the price of man-made tile products. Durability, appearance, production costs, and availability are the main causes for price variation. In this post, we will discuss all of the elements that can increase or decrease your price per square foot.
Porcelain and acrylic tend to be less expensive tile materials because they are cheap to manufacture. On the other hand, natural stone and hand-crafted ceramic tile cost more because they require more effort to produce. Additionally, larger tiles are more expensive than smaller ones.
While all ceramic tiles are essentially made of the same ingredients, the quality and color of those ingredients can make a dramatic difference in the price. For example, to make a tile with a pure white body requires white clay, which is much harder to find than the red or beige clay found in most tiles.
The top surface of ceramic tiles should be checked for evenness. The top surface must be smooth and even. It should be free from cracks, depressions, holes, specks, spots and cavities. It should be scratch resistant.
Tile installation costs range between $15 and $20 per square foot or roughly $800 to $3,000 for entire projects. A handful of factors will help you determine what to budget for, including the size of the space, the type of tile you choose, and even where you plan to install it.
Tile floors cost an average of $17 per square foot, which means most bathroom floors require $1,100–$3,000 worth of tile work. Vinyl tile installation can cost as low as $2 per square foot, while premium tile can run more than $100.
You can negotiate about the pricing of the tiling you are wanting to purchase with the sales rep. When negotiating, you need to be well informed on the subject and go in with a plan. Without this, you will have no leverage in your negotiation and the whole ordeal will fall flat.
Ceramic tile is graded from 1 to 5, with 5 being the longest wearing tiles. Grade 1 tiles are the weakest, with the best application as wall tiles.
Porcelain tile has the same color throughout the material. A broken or chipped piece of unglazed porcelain will have a uniform color throughout its thickness. Ceramic tile often has a glazed surface coloring, so chips may reveal a different color underneath. The finish of porcelain is smoother than that of ceramic.
Cost of Porcelain vs. Ceramic. While both ceramic and porcelain are less expensive than most renovation materials, their price differences are due to their density differences. Porcelain tiles are therefore more expensive than ceramic tiles.
Grade: Use Grade 1 or 2 tiles for floors. Grade 3 tiles are suitable only for walls. PEI Wear Rating: Use floor tiles with a PEI wear rating of III, IV or IV+. C.O.F.: Use tiles that provide good traction (COF greater than or equal to 0.60).
The truth is that many factors affect the price of man-made tile products. Durability, appearance, production costs, and availability are the main causes for price variation.
Man-made materials such as ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally much more cost effective than natural products, with ceramic tiles often being the most economical choice of the two thanks to their lighter density and weight.
If you want to use tile in a commercial environment, or in a high traffic location, porcelain tile is likely the better option. This highly dense material is much more difficult to break, and it will withstand heavy use over time well. Porcelain tile can even stand up to heavy furniture better than ceramic tile can.
Porcelain floor tile is hard and dense enough that it can even be used outdoors, though it's mostly recommended for mild climates. Porcelain is even more heat-resistant than other types of ceramic, and it's also less likely to chip or crack over time.
Porcelain Tiles
Of all the tile types available, porcelain is the strongest, beating wood and even cement, so it's easy to see why so many households choose it.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger. Sizes like 16” x 16”, 12” x 24” and even 24” x 48” are becoming more prevalent. Large-format tiles have fewer grout lines to clean and help a room look bigger, more open and less busy.
So it's only a matter of time before they need to be replaced. The question is: how long? Carpet generally lasts about 10 years, while flooring types like tile, wood and laminate can last as long as 25-30 years. It all depends on how much damage they face over the years.
Ask for Help Trimming Costs
If the quoted bid is too high, ask how the contractor can get the figure down, preferably during the bidding phase. They might know how to rethink the project to meet your budget. Certain materials, for example, can cost quite a bit more than others.
It can improve your house's appearance, make your floor more resistant to spills, and even make cleaning easier. When done right, it also increases your home's value!
Is it cheaper to lay large or small tiles? While larger tiles may cover more area than small tiles, they are harder to install, requiring two people to carry and a solid technical understanding of tiling. These challenges mean they are more time-consuming to lay, so your tiler may charge extra for them.