When buying materials for repairs, we sometimes act impulsively, basing our choice only on external characteristics. Of course, aesthetic appeal plays an important role, but other parameters of the material should be taken into account. For example, properly selected sizes of tiles for wall and floor cladding will greatly simplify the installation process. But buying the wrong size tiles can easily "kill" the whole design concept.
Why you need to choose the right size tiles
The material from which the modern ceramic coating is made is very durable. This is especially true of porcelain stoneware, which is so popular today. Cutting floor tiles is a rather loud and dusty process. In addition, unaesthetic chips can form on the surface of the tile. Therefore, it is quite logical to choose the dimensions of the floor tiles in such a way that when laying it, you have to cut it as little as possible. Firstly, it makes the laying process much faster and easier, and secondly, without undercut elements, linedthe surface will look much more aesthetic.
Select layout options
In order not to make a mistake with the choice of the size of the tile, it is necessary to think over the options for its layout in advance. Tiles can be laid straight, diagonally or in a masonry pattern - these are just the most popular ways. You can use decorative inserts or panels. Sometimes manufacturers in the same collection offer different sizes of tiles so that you can put an interesting ornament out of them. The choice is huge, and before deciding, it is worth making a virtual layout of your future tile. To do this, you can use special programs, the help of specialists in salons, or, in extreme cases, draw all the options on paper.
Important nuance
It is worth considering that the dimensions of ceramic tiles are inaccurate. This means that the true size of each element may deviate slightly from the declared one. And this is not due to a marriage or negligence of the manufacturer, but to the production technology of ceramics. The firing behavior of different types and even batches of clay may differ, so it is impossible to accurately maintain the specified parameters of the tile. Large manufacturers try to form batches in such a way that the sizes of the tiles in them are as close as possible to each other. Nevertheless, experienced craftsmen say that pottery, all elements of which exactly match in size, is quite rare.
To compensate for these deviations, when laying tiles, seams are provided that are filled with a special compound -grout. Therefore, when the coating is laid and the tile joints are worn, the difference in the size of the tile elements becomes invisible. By the way, sometimes manufacturers indicate the dimensions of the tile, taking into account the recommended joint thickness. This means that with the declared parameters of 33x33 cm, the tile can have a real size of 32.8x32.8 cm.
Tile and porcelain stoneware
The floor tiles presented on the modern market can be divided into two large groups: tiles and porcelain stoneware. The first is well known to everyone, but the second sometimes raises questions. Despite its name, it is not made from granite at all, but from clay, like tiles. The production technology of porcelain stoneware makes it thicker, stronger and more resistant to stress. It is believed that it is great for rooms with high traffic - shops, offices, hotels. However, recently there has been a strong trend to use porcelain stoneware for flooring and even walls in wet areas of apartments and houses.
Classic and contemporary sizes
The most popular sizes of floor tiles are 10x10 cm, 15x15 cm, 20x20 cm, 30x30 cm. A rectangular format of 20x30 cm is also quite common. There is practically no larger tile, due to its consumer properties. Simply put, large tile breaks quite easily and is characterized by poor resistance to stress. Although if we talk about rooms with low traffic, then the tiles on the floor are quitewill do its job.
But the strength of porcelain stoneware allows you to produce different sizes of tiles, up to very large ones. There are even giants, for example, 120x90 cm, 100x200 cm and even 150x300 cm. This format is good for very spacious rooms, most often commercial ones. At home, more compact models are usually used.
The latest trend has been the appearance of tiles that emit a wooden texture. Outwardly, this coating resembles parquet or solid board, while it has all the advantages of ceramics over wood for wet rooms.
Sizes of floor tiles offered by modern manufacturers can be seen in the following table.
| Tile square, sm | Tile rectangular, cm | Wood effect tiles, cm |
| 5x5 | 30х60 | 12х45 |
| 10x10 | 30х120 | 15х45 |
| 15x15 | 40х60 | 15х60 |
| 20х20 | 45х90 | 15х90 |
| 30х30 | 50x100 | 16х99 |
| 33х33 | 60х90 | 19x120 |
| 40х40 | 60x120 | 20х50 |
| 42х42 | - | 20х60 |
| 45х45 | - | 22, 5x90 |
| 50x50 | - | 25x100 |
| 60x60 | - | 25х120 |
The above list does not contain all possible options for ceramic flooring, but only the most common ones. Manufacturers are constantly expanding the range, so floor tiles of various sizes and shapes appear on the market.
How to choose the size of tiles in the bathroom and kitchen
The size of the room plays an important role in choosing the parameters of the tile. Unfortunately, the apartments of most typical houses cannot boast of spaciousness. In particular, this applies to bathrooms, which are sometimes catastrophically small. However, the visual parameters of the room are easy to adjust due to design tricks. So, you can slightly increase the space if you choose the right tile sizes. In a small bathroom, for example, it is worth choosing a medium tile. The fact is that small floor tiles can visually narrow an already small area. In addition, it implies the presence of many seams, and they are the most vulnerable point of the coating, especially in wet rooms.
But a small tile, on the contrary, will make a spacious kitchen more comfortable. In addition, it is better at handling corners andprotrusions. Also, large sizes of ceramic tiles are well suited for large rooms. It is easier and faster to lay, it involves fewer tile joints and looks more aesthetically pleasing. But if the room has an irregular shape or structural elements, then when using large tiles, there can be a lot of trimming.
When choosing a floor tile, it is worth considering all the above factors. Finally, I would like to recall an important rule - do not forget to purchase tiles at least 10% more than the calculated amount! This reserve is laid in case of marriage, fight during transportation, damage during cutting, flaws in the calculation and other troubles. It's easier to think about it in advance than to buy the missing amount during the installation process.
